About VARD

VARD is a local, citizen-based non-profit organization that advocates for smart, responsible development that promotes vibrant communities, preserves the landscapes we love and is cost-effective to taxpayers. We are dedicated to responsible development and sustainable use of the natural resources (water, land, wildlife and air) in Teton Valley, Idaho.

Teton Valley encompasses approximately 450 square miles of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The Teton Range and Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks lie to our east and north, with the Palisade Range and the Big Hole Mountains to our south and west. The uniqueness of Teton Valley is in the abundance of natural resources and amenities.

These natural amenities make Teton Valley a superb place to live and have attracted a new demographic of residents to the valley. Historically, the economy has been based on agriculture; however, in the past 10 years we have experienced a dramatic shift to a “new west” (real estate and recreation) economy. The county population increased 142% from 1970 to 2000, the fastest growth rate in the GYE. This economic shift, and the growth resulting from it, has created land-use changes that are threatening the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the area and challenging the efforts to sustain local communities.

VARD was founded in 2001 by a group of concerned citizens over a residential development being proposed in a wetland and its potential impacts on water quality.

As Teton County continues to grapple with growth, VARD will work to protect Teton Valley’s quality of life through responsible development, conservation of farms, open space and wildlife habitat and the promotion of vibrant, livable communities.

Our work is a combination of advocacy, education and research.

Advocacy activities include defending and improving Teton County’s, and the cities of Teton Valley (Victor, Driggs & Tetonia) land use regulations before local officials; developing and advancing new policies and programs that will help Teton Valley manage growth efficiently and effectively - so that we can preserve and enhance the qualities that make our community unique; and legal action, when necessary, to establish legal precedents and enforce our local laws and regulations.

Educational activities include our sponsorship of many community workshops including: a forum for local farmers, ranchers and large land-owners on how to develop their land in ways that are prosperous and maintain important agricultural land and open space; a design workshop, in collaboration with the City of Driggs, on how to create an attractive and economically prosperous downtown that provides transportation options and is safe, convenient and affordable; a transportation workshop on how to make our communities more walkable and provide transportation options for all residents. We have provided information to other communities that are also experiencing tremendous growth and inspiration to form local citizen groups. Through the publication of our newsletter, regular e-mail updates, direct mailings and website we provide current information on issues concerning land use in Teton Valley. We also have a library of materials and resources available to the community and local decision-makers pertaining responsible development.

Research activities have included the commission of a Nutrient Pathogen Study that projected ground water pollution from septic systems and a Cost of Community Services study that provides a snap shop in time of current revenues and expenditures on a land use basis. This study analyzes the demands of public services (e.g. schools, fire protection and road maintenance) and show how much it costs to provide public services to each land use in the community (e.g. residential, commercial and farmland).