Elk and Pony Fire Recovery Needs Volunteer Support

Volunteers are being sought to help plant sagebrush and bitterbrush seedlings in portions of last year's Elk and Pony Complex fire on March 29 and April 5 in an effort to enhance fire recovery. Planting is being coordinated by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game through their volunteer program. There are enough plants to utilize at least 50 volunteers each day according to Michael Young, IDFG Volunteer Coordinator for Habitat Restoration. "Getting plants into the ground at every opportunity is a significant benefit to the on-going and continuing efforts to enhance the fire recovery and rehabilitation goals," said Stephaney Church, Mountain Home District Ranger. "The partnership efforts of IDFG and volunteers will help meet a goal of enhancing future recreation and wildlife habitat recovery." Volunteers can sign up for either day by contacting Michael Young at 208-327-7095 or at Michael.Young@idfg.idaho.gov. Additional volunteer information is available at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website at www.fishandgame.idaho.gov and then click on the volunteer tab. Transportation and planting tools are provided by the agencies. The planting area is primarily north of Mountain Home. "Volunteers are a vital part of the fire recovery program and IDFG has had an excellent response in other burned areas from volunteers who have helped restore native bitterbrush and sagebrush winter range," Church added. "This hotly burned area is in strong need of as much help as possible." Additional information on the recovery efforts is available at the Mountain Home Ranger District at 587-7961 or www.fs.usda.gov/boise.