A Salmon High School graduate, Kelsey Stansberry, designed Aspen Grove interpretive signs for her senior practicum. Salmon High School senior projects meet State of Idaho graduation requirements and challenge students to apply classroom education to a project that benefits their community. Kelsey became interested in aspen while working as a Salmon Valley Stewardship wildlife intern on aspen inventories. Throughout her project she worked with Aspen Working Group members, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and the Western Aspen Alliance to develop interpretive sign content and sign design.

Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation provided funding  for Kelsey to create three signs that explain the following: 1) Aspen ecology, 2) Importance of aspen to the landscape and the biodiversity aspen support, 3) Threats to aspen stand. She received approval from the City of Salmon to designate a Community Aspen Grove at the Sacajawea Center and the signs were installed by Salmon Rotary Club volunteers.

In addition to the community grove, in December 2019, Kelsey’s signs were adapted into 3 mobile interpretive signs to engage citizens exploring our public lands. The signs explain the importance of fire in aspen ecosystems and restoration efforts to remove conifers, highlighting the “messy” scene visitors may encounter at an aspen restoration site. These mobile signs will be placed at sites where restoration of aspen stands, visible from roads, has taken place and at sites on BLM and Forest Service land where natural fire has occurred. Signs will be maintained through volunteer visits and BLM Hands on the Land Youth Outdoor Education program that will make educational field trips to the sites.