Wetlands are an essential habitat for many of Idaho’s fish, wildlife, invertebrate, and plant species. Nearly 50% of bird species rely on wetland and riparian habitats. Wetlands, and associated aquatic and riparian habitats, also support about 50% of Idaho’s wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need and 50% of the state’s rare plant species. They also function to cleanse and water, trap sediment and toxins, and support ecosystem food chains. Wetland-based recreation significantly contributes to Idaho’s economy.
Did you know that Idaho Department of Fish and Game is the lead state agency regarding on-the-ground wetland management, restoration, enhancement, and conservation? Our staff also works on wetland mapping, inventory, condition and function assessment, monitoring, and education. We manage or influence many of Idaho’s most important wetlands. We have management authority on about 389,000 acres of Idaho's land, of which an estimated 10% is wetland and riparian habitat. Up to 89% of Fish and Game managed wetland and riparian habitat occurs on Wildlife Management Areas and similar lands managed for wildlife habitat and recreation, including hunting, angling, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
Did you know that Idaho Department of Fish and Game is the lead state agency regarding on-the-ground wetland management, restoration, enhancement, and conservation? Our staff also works on wetland mapping, inventory, condition and function assessment, monitoring, and education.
Because Idaho Department of Fish and Game influences a significant amount of wetlands on non-federal lands in Idaho and supports the state’s primary wetland program, we developed a Wetland Program Plan to help ensure that our actions and management activities are positive, effective, efficient, and defensible for improving the condition, function, conservation, and restoration of Idaho's wetlands. It also guides decisions so they are consistent with the Department’s goals and objectives. The plan also includes actions related to assessment, monitoring, coordination and partnerships, including data delivery, impact mitigation, and education. The plan also gives Fish and Game an advantage in receiving grants, further stretching your license and tax dollar contributions to habitat management. Our plan is unique in that it summarizes specific, on-the-ground actions and activities that will occur on portions of 42,000 - 48,000 acres of Fish and Game managed wetland and riparian habitat during the next 5 - 10 years.
The characteristics of Idaho Fish and Game managed wetland and riparian habitats are also summarized in the plan, including their conservation importance, extent, types, condition, and functions. Learn more about Idaho's wetland habitats and how you can explore and protect them in our Wetland Program Plan.