The purpose of the Lemhi Regional Land Trust is to assist in the conservation of ranchland, environmental resources, and wildlife habitat in central Idaho.  Our main function is to provide incentives and options for property owners of ranchland to preseve their agricultural lifestyles.

We are locally founded, governed, and staffed.  That means 100% of our efforts and resources will be focused entirely in Central Idaho.

Tom McFarland, Chairman and Founding Member:  Born and raised on Carmen Creek, a tributary of the Salmon River, Tom has spent most of his life working on the land his family has ranched for nearly a century. Tom has been a School Board Trustee, a Planning & Zoning Commissioner, served on a BLM Grazing Advisory Board,and recently revealed he has an engineering degree. Tom and his wife, Teresa continue to ranch up Carmen Creek and share the good life (and now the cars) with their two teenage children.

Fran Tonsmeire, Vice Chair: Fran Tonsmeire moved to Lemhi with her husband, Joe Tonsmeire, in 1971 with an attraction to the beautiful rivers, mountains and open country of the Salmon and Lemhi area. They created Wilderness River Outfitters which offers river rafting trips down the Main Salmon and Middle Fork rivers. Continuing a family tradition of ranching, the Tonsmeires also operate Hayden Creek Ranch. Upon Joe's death last year, Fran continues to carry on their commitment to preserving the unique landscape and quality lifestyle that originally brought them to this community.

Carol Yerden, Secretary: After spending much of her childhood backpacking and fishing in the Salmon River Valley Carol, along with her husband Tom and her two sons, decided to make the valley their permanent home. An Idaho native, Carol received a Bachelor's of Science in wildlife conservation with an emphasis in ecology from Idaho State University and worked as the assistant to the Forest Service's regional biologist. In addition to this, Carol has spent 20 years breeding, showing and selling alpacas and alpaca products.

Michael Overacker, Founding Member: Mike has 36 years of ranching experience, was the Lemhi County Weed Superintendent until recently retired, has been active in the Lemhi County Cattle & Horse Growers Association, and spent three years as the State Director for the Idaho Cattle Association. Mike has recently become recognized for his great radio voice and shares the land trust message with clarity and zeal. In his free time, Mike and his wife, Merridee enjoy riding horses with their grandchildren on their family ranch north of Salmon.

Richard Smith: After 38 years of dental care to Salmon residents, Richard has recently launched into retirement.  To supplement his many other endeavors, this self described conservationist has joined the LRLT Board bringing small business savvy, people skills, a deep understanding of our area, and an unlimited arsenal of backcountry adventures.  When asked what he hoped Lemhi county would look like in 20 years, he replied "As close to now as can reasonably be expected.  That shouldn't be all that hard; it's what people want."




Trish Dowton: Trish Dowton is a Salmon High School graduate and went on to complete her degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Idaho (1990). She and her husband Stan own and operate Dowton 3X Ranch in the Pahsimeroi Valley. Trish firmly believes that conservation easements in Lemhi and Custer Counties “should include
people on the land to take care of the land.”




Katie Hoffman: Katie Hoffman and her husband, Kevin, live on Kevin's family's ranch south of Salmon. Katie is currently the Family Consumer Science Extension Educator for the University of Idaho. Katie says that, "Although my job most recently relates to community development, I have a long history in agriculture. I grew up in Salmon and my family has lived here for years. My father's family ranched and many members of my extended family continue to ranch in Lemhi County. I was happy to be able to return to Salmon after college four years ago." LRLT has always appealed to Katie's desire to see the ranching community and history of many Lemhi families preserved. She maintains that conservation works done by LRLT preserves the rich agriculture uses and open spaces that makes Salmon her home. Katie is excited to be a part of an organization that preserves our way of life for future generations.


Merrill Beyeler: COMING SOON


Kristin Troy, Executive Director:  Kristin has served as the Executive Director for LRLT since August of 2005.  Her duties include fundraising, building partnerships, creating community awareness, implementing land protection projects, and compelling Board Members to check their e-mail.  Kristin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, with a degree in Management with Entrepreneurial Emphasis from Boise State University. A Salmon High School graduate, she spent 11 years in the outdoor recreation industry before returning home to Salmon. In 2000, she and her husband, Mark, purchased Idaho Adventures; a Salmon based river rafting and fishing business. Kristin serves on the Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Project Advisory Board, has lobbied in Washington, D.C. for salmon and steelhead recovery, sits on a statewide marketing committee for the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, and has served as President of the Salmon Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Charli Williams, Administrative Assistant:  Charli has served as the administrative assistant at LRLT since May of 2011.  A graduate of the University of Idaho, Charli holds a bachelor of science in Agricultural and Life Sciences with a degree in Agriculture Science, Communication and Leadership.  As a Salmon High School graduate, she was excited to return to the valley her family has call home since December of 1999 following college and jumped at the chance to join the LRLT staff.  At LRLT, her job description is continuously evolving, but most days includes keeping the office running smoothly, maintaining the website and assisting with community outreach and events such as the newsletter and fall barbeque.  The seventh generation born into a southern Utah ranching family, Charli is excited to work for an organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the livelihood, heritage and open spaces important to ranching families like her own.     

Lemhi Regional Land TrustPO Box 871 Salmon, Idaho 83467(208) 756 - 8879info@lemhilandtrust.org
  About Lemhi Regional Land Trust 
  LRLT Board of Directors and Staff