Sometimes you have to buy land in order to protect it. It is just one of many ways the KRLT has to protect property and is not usually even our first choice - it can be expensive and risky. For Kelly Creek, we decided to buy the land and retain ownership. This will allow the KRLT to thoroughly and permanently protect this cold spring tributary and also allow public use and enjoyment. The history of KRLT buying Kelly Creek is long, convoluted and lucky.
Good fortune is always welcome in the unpredictable world of real estate.
The market has its own rules and often doesn't give a hoot about motivation or conservation. The price is the price is the price. With Kelly Creek, however, there were also other nobler intentions that carried the day and eventually brought us to permanently protect this wonderful feeder creek to the Kinni. With the landowners' permission, the KRLT Land Committee walked the land in April 1996 to conduct a resource evaluation. Their assessment indicated the high value of Kelly Creek for the Kinni and the vulnerability of the land to development.