Fish and Game seeks volunteers to help plant sagebrush in the Magic Valley

The Magic Valley Region, Idaho Fish and Game, in partnership with the Twin Falls District, BLM are seeking volunteers to help plant sagebrush to rehabilitate big game winter range in the area burned by the Badger Fire in 2020, in the South Hills.

The planting will be held on Saturday April 22, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Dry Creek area directly south of Hansen. Volunteers will meet up with Fish and Game staff at the mouth of Dry Creek Road at 8:30 a.m. A 4 wheel-drive or high clearance vehicle is recommended.

The goal is to plant 9,000 seedlings.

“The 2020 Badger Fire affected a large area of important big game winter range and the time is now to start working on restoration” stated Fish and Game Habitat Biologist Brandon Tycz, “we are looking forward to working with the public to continue restoring habitat that mule deer, sage-grouse and upland birds depend on for forage and cover and maintain these important species on the landscape in the long term. We truly enjoy working with volunteers who are a critical partner with these types of projects where families, individuals, church groups or any civic organization to get directly involved in improving their public lands.”

Anyone interested in helping out needs to call the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359 to sign up. Maps with directions to both planting sites will be emailed directly to those who sign up. 

Volunteers should come prepared for cool weather and bring lunch and water.

To sign up or for more information, call the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359.