This is my last column as board president of Western Watersheds Project, having resigned effective Aug. 14. My decision to leave the WWP board was a tough one, as I have enjoyed being part of this organization and its many accomplishments since 2001. However, I am involved in starting up another nonprofit group, Northern Rockies Land Trust, and that endeavor is taking more of my time.

WWP has meant a great deal to me, and I have become close friends with its staff and fellow board members. I have many fond memories of my time at WWP events and at work on environmental issues.

The highlights are many: visits to the Hailey office, with its posters and atmosphere of groundbreaking protection for endangered species; a tour of the exclosure near Road Creek showing how lush the grasses and aspens are in the absence of livestock grazing; my appearance as a pronghorn at the performance of Cowzilla and the Wild Things at the third annual Greenfire Revival.

WWP's work to protect and restore our public lands from the damage inflicted by commercial livestock production is crucial, and I intend to remain a WWP supporter. WWP gets results on the ground, which is what I look for when donating money and time to environmental groups.

I wish the WWP staff and board continued success, and I look forward to celebrating "cow-free" public lands with them in the near future.

Debra Ellers is the past president of WWP's board of directors. Shelives in Boise, Idaho.