Wildlife Benefits from Volunteers

By Matt Bruns On July 15th the roar of chainsaws could be heard on the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area (CMWMA) south of Lewiston while a dozen Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) volunteers worked in the hot, summer sunshine to remove lodgepole pine trees from a shrinking, grassy meadow. After eight hours of hard labor, approximately five acres of native meadow habitat had been restored. As a result, the area's abundant deer and elk gained an additional place to forage, and twelve dedicated volunteers gained greater ownership and appreciation for Idaho's wild places. Volunteers, such as those from RMEF and other conservation organizations, are making a real on-the-ground impact, benefiting Idaho's wildlife. On the CMWMA, lodgepole pine trees were being removed from an area that had previously been open meadow habitat. Time, fire suppression, and absence of cattle grazing in the area had allowed the lodgepoles to grow in places where they had not previously been as recent as 15 years ago. Deer, elk and other wildlife species depend on meadows for nutritious grasses and forbs as well as a place to have and raise their offspring. Left unaltered, the lodgepole pine trees would have eventually grown large and continued to spread, closing off the meadow's light source. The plant community would shift from open grassland/shrub to mature forest. While this habitat change would benefit species that depend on mature forests, it would hurt species such as deer and elk that depend on early succession plant communities like meadows. The project was organized as part of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) volunteer program. RMEF Volunteer Chair, Greg Harris, made the initial contact with IDFG by expressing interest in getting members involved with hands-on projects. Harris was looking for a way for members to carry out the RMEF mission of improving habitat for elk and other wildlife species. Volunteering to improve wildlife habitat on CMWMA was the answer. "A lot of folks from RMEF want to do something to give back to the land," Harris said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "We need to be proactive and all take a part in making things better." Moscow Chapter RMEF President, Wayne Brood agreed and feels the commitment level of RMEF members to improving wildlife habitat is core to why they each are involved. "It's what most of us live for - it's all about habitat for wildlife" he said. Harris and Brood are among an increasing number of people giving back to Idaho's wildlife. In 2005, over 3,800 volunteers donated 64,829 hours of labor and $104,963 in equipment, project materials and supplies. Total value of their labor and donations was over one million dollars. "By utilizing volunteers, Fish and Game is saving time and money, and improving habitat at the same time," Brood said. "It's a win-win situation for everyone." But volunteering is also very satisfying. Brood encourages everyone who enjoys the outdoors to put something back into it. "You just don't understand until you're out here how good you feel." Harris agreed. "You feel good about what you're doing. You get a lot of camaraderie built up with folks who enjoy doing the same thing, and that creates a good feeling for everybody." Mark Nell, a non-RMEF member who volunteered to get away from the office and meet new people, said the rewards of giving something back is something that everyone should try. "I feel like I take enough so volunteering is my way of giving something back. I would encourage others to get involvedÉ it's really rewarding." Everyone is welcome to participate in the IDFG volunteer program and there are a variety of projects to satisfy a person's interests. To find out how you can help and what type of projects are available, visit the IDFG volunteer webpage: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/about/volunteer/ , or visit your local IDFG office. Matt Bruns coordinates the hard-working volunteers that donate their labor and time for the Clearwater Region of IDFG. He can be reached at 208-799-5010.