On Thursday morning, the sun rose over Rinker Rock Creek Ranch in the Magic Valley, and a group of dedicated volunteers rolled up their sleeves to begin a critical restoration effort. Idaho Fish and Game, together with local volunteers, planted roughly 2,500 sagebrush and bitterbrush seedlings in the burn scar left by the 2024 Glendale Fire.
Why sagebrush and bitterbrush matter
“Sagebrush and bitterbrush are incredibly important to the wildlife in the Magic Valley,” said John Guthrie, regional Fish and Game habitat manager. “Mule deer can eat almost 100% sagebrush and bitterbrush, and the Greater Sage‑Grouse relies on these plants for nesting and raising its young.” Restoring these native shrubs is essential for re‑establishing a healthy ecosystem that supports a wide range of species.
Volunteer effort and planting process
Among the volunteers was retired forest‑service employee Jay Dorr, who has helped with habitat projects for years. “I helped them last year a couple of times and I’m retired from the Forest Service, so my whole career was taking care of public lands,” Dorr explained as he demonstrated the planting technique. He emphasized the importance of placing each plug deep enough to avoid root damage and ensuring the soil around the plant is firm, eliminating air pockets that could hinder growth.
Another participant, Susan Heaphy, described the work as personal. “It’s my backyard, and I’ve got to protect my backyard and public lands in Idaho,” she said, underscoring the community’s sense of stewardship over the region’s natural resources.
Scale of the project
Over the past three weeks, Fish and Game staff and volunteers have planted nearly 100,000 plugs across the broader region affected by the Glendale Fire. The recent planting of 2,500 seedlings at Rinker Rock Creek Ranch represents a focused push to jump‑start regeneration in one of the most heavily burned areas.
How to get involved
Idaho Fish and Game encourages anyone interested in supporting habitat restoration to contact their local office. Volunteers receive training on proper planting methods and learn about the long‑term benefits of restoring native vegetation for wildlife and the community.
Looking ahead
The restoration effort is part of a larger strategy to mitigate the ecological impacts of wildfires that have become more frequent across the West. By re‑establishing native plant communities, the agency hopes to improve soil stability, reduce erosion, and provide essential food and cover for wildlife as the landscape recovers.
For more information on upcoming volunteer opportunities or to learn how you can contribute to Idaho’s wildlife habitat restoration, visit the Idaho Fish and Game website or call your nearest Fish and Game office.
Original reporting: KIVI Idaho News 6 Boise metro (local) — read the source article.
