Fish and Game Looking for Help to Plant Seedlings

This spring, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is gearing up way to do something to benefit mule deer and is looking for volunteers to plant about 34,000 bitterbrush seedlings. "We'll start planting April 17 and have until the beginning of May to get all 34,000 plants in the ground," said Jo Cobb, the Upper Snake Region AmeriCorps volunteer coordinator. Planting so many seedlings is no small task and plenty of help will be needed. "I'd like to encourage individuals, school groups, sportsmen's groups, 4H clubs and other organizations to help," Cobb said. Planting bitterbrush will help mule deer by improving areas that have become less productive than they were historically. The areas are still used by mule deer, but could benefit from the infusion of some new plants. This is the continuation of a volunteer project that began in August 2005 with collecting bitterbrush seeds from mature plants in the same general area. These seeds were then sent to Boise, where they were germinated and grown into the bare-root seedlings that will be planted as part of this project. But it will take a little bit of time to get all the 34,000 seedlings planted. "We'll be taking groups out on the 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28 and 30 during the day - meeting at the office at 8 a.m.," Cobb said. Lunch, tools and plants are provided. While these are the target dates, other times and days can be arranged for groups. For more information about volunteering, contact Cobb by e-mail at jcobb@idfg.idaho.gov or by telephone at 208-525-7290 or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-3529 (TDD). Volunteer opportunities exist for people of all interests, ages and abilities.