As with the print edition, the author dedicates this book to the undimmed memory of Bruce Boccard, the person who turned the author (and so many others) on to Idaho's high desert. Bruce, you live on in our hearts, and in all our successes...

Bruce was an ecologist in the highest and broadest sense. When I first met him, he had the best job title I've ever heard: "Unique Wildlife Ecosystems Biologist". He worked on a project to identify ecologically significant private lands in Idaho, that might need acquisition by public agencies. This program was terminated by Jim McClure, and Bruce went to work at the Idaho Conservation League.

Bruce would work a zillion hours a week on forest issues (including the creation of the River of No Return Wilderness Area), and then, on his own time, he would work another zillion hours on desert stuff. He recognized the unique significance of Idaho's sagebrush steppe ecosystem, especially those lands in Owyhee County on the border of the Columbia River Plateau and the Great Basin. Bruce knew that these lands were under wilderness study by the BLM, and he knew that every second was vital.

The author remembers attending an early (1979?) meeting about desert wilderness, one of many Bruce held. At last, Bruce's efforts saw the creation of the Committee for Idaho's High Desert. Everyone depended on Bruce, but he had to move on to Oregon, where he similarly influenced a whole new group of people...and then, ten years ago, he died.

The author feels that, as much as he has learned about the desert, he would be so much more knowledgeable if Bruce was around to guide him... Thanks, Bruce!