Watershed Research
FTR approaches its work through sound science and collaboration. With the help of our partners, FTR has conducted one of the most comprehensive research agendas for a western watershed of its size. This robust set of watershed data informs our restoration and protection strategies, so that we can achieve the best possible results, for fish, wildlife, and people.
Water
Watershed hydrology, population, and water use have changed significantly in Teton Valley from settlement to current day. FTR monitors water quality and quantity to build an understanding of long term trends and to identify quickly emerging threats to our water resources.
Fisheries
The Teton River Watershed is one of the last-best strongholds for the native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. FTR has compiled one of the most robust data sets available for any Western native trout species allowing us to make effective management choices.
Habitat
FTR has completed detailed habitat assessments on 25 miles of the Teton River and the tributaries to prioritize stream channels and habitats in need of restoration work to improve water quality, conditions for fish and wildlife, and floodplain resiliency.
Betsy first visited Teton Valley as a 10-year-old from Atlanta, GA, on a family trip west (station wagon and pop-up camper in tow), and knew from that point that the Tetons were amazing and the Rockies were where she wanted to be when she grew up. With a B.A. in Biology and an M.A. in Geography, she enjoyed a career in natural resource management with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service, the last 20 years in Utah and Montana. In 2022, she and her husband Dan started building their home in Tetonia, moving here in 2023, and are enjoying the outdoor joys of the Tetons and getting to know Teton Valley. She enjoys all things outdoors, particularly hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and trying to dabble in bikepacking; loves traveling although finds leaving their senior tabby to be so hard.
Rafe owns and operates Canewater Farm in Victor, Idaho. Rafe studied business at The University of Georgia and organic agriculture at the University of California Santa Cruz. Rafe brings the unique perspective of the local agricultural community to Friends of the Teton River. He is a farmer and a fisherman who views the Teton River as the lifeblood of the community. He advocates for collaboration between agricultural and recreational stakeholders. He is a proud father of two children, Rowan and Emmalou. He and his family sneak away from the farm any chance they can to camp, fish, ski, bike and explore the beautiful mountains and rivers of the area.