Volunteers needed to plant for wildlife

Idaho Fish and Game is looking for volunteers to plant thousands of sagebrush and bitterbrush seedlings during March and April at several locations across southern Idaho. These efforts are to help restore habitat that has been impacted by wildfires over the past several years. In the Boise-area, planting projects begin on Saturday, March 12. Subsequent planting efforts will be conducted on March 19 and April 2, with transportation and planting tools provided. Planting locations include areas burned in the Soda Fire south of Boise, Boise River Wildlife Management Area, and the Squaw Butte-area near Emmett that burned during the Hwy 52 Fire. For more information regarding planting projects in southwest Idaho or to learn about other volunteer opportunities with Fish and Game, contact Michael Young or Karie Pappani at 208-327-7095 or e-mail michael.young@idfg.idaho.gov or karie.pappani@idfg.idaho.gov. In south central Idaho, planting dates are Saturdays March 5 and 12; and if needed Saturday, March 19. Planting locations include areas near Bliss, King Hill, and northeast of Richfield. Volunteers are asked to meet at the planting sites at 9 a.m. Planting tools and materials will be provided. For more information regarding these planting projects or to sign up as a volunteer, contact Eric Freeman or TanaRae Alberti at 208-324-4359 or e-mail eric.freeman@idfg.idaho.gov or tanarae.alberti@idfg.idaho.gov. Volunteers have planted well over three quarters of a million bitterbrush and sagebrush seedlings during the past 24 years to restore native bitterbrush and sagebrush habitats in southern Idaho. In addition to saving the agency hundreds of thousands of dollars, volunteers have restored hundreds of acres of big game winter range. Bitterbrush and sagebrush - both native shrubs - comprise an important component of big game winter ranges in Idaho and throughout the west. Besides providing essential food sources for deer, elk and other wildlife, bitterbrush and sagebrush provide cover from the elements and from predators, while also providing nesting habitat for birds and small mammals. Even large animals like deer and elk find shelter among mature stands of bitterbrush and sagebrush during winter storms. Shrubs provide protection from wind and snow, allowing the animals to conserve precious body fat which they need to survive the lean winter months. Because of their deep-rooted structure, native shrubs provide for soil stabilization, reducing erosion. Volunteers for Idaho Fish and Game annually donate more than 60,000 hours of service on project ranging from improving habitat, assisting biologists with surveys, and teaching fishing skills and hunter safety. Their skills, devotion, and willingness to help where needed provide enormous support. For more information on volunteering in your area, visit http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/about/volunteer/.