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Women in the Woods field day planned
Sandpoint Reader, 5-1-24
Men in beards and flannel move over, women are headed into the forest for the second annual Women in the Woods Field Day, Friday, May 10 in Sandpoint.
While the event is open to everyone, this opportunity provides a wide range of training geared for women by women foresters to give them hands-on experience, inspiring more active participation in managing family-owned forests.
The event will be facilitated by women foresters from the Idaho Department of Lands and University of Idaho Extension but will include women instructors from a variety of agencies.
The Kaniksu Land Trust will be sponsoring lunch and hosting the event at Pine Street Woods community forest.
“We had a fabulous event in April with nearly 30 attendees participating in the Women in the Woods workshop,” stated Erika Eidson, IDL Forest Health specialist and workshop co-host. “Landowners brought in photos of their forest and received personalized management assistance from the fleet of instructors.
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In Their Own Words: Sen. Van Burtenshaw
Jefferson Star, 5-1-24
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2. What legislation are you most disappointed that failed to pass this session and why?
During this session, I worked with my District 31 seatmates, the Department of Lands, and the governor’s office to improve how we lease and manage state endowment lands. In the Island Park area, out-of-state glamping operations that leased state endowment lands have impacted the community for the worse. We needed to find a solution that improved the situation for residents while not getting sideways with Idaho’s constitution. Senate Bill 1443 established a more transparent way to approach state leases and included additional protections. Unfortunately, it didn’t receive a hearing in the House after passing the Senate unanimously. I’ll work to bring it back again next year.
3. What will you be working on in the interim for the session next year?
I’ll continue to work on water and land issues during the upcoming year. We still have more work to do in both areas. Idaho’s future success depends on our ability to manage and protect our water. The same holds true for our public lands. We can’t afford to neglect either critical resource. I’ll also work with my constituents and the Department of Lands to do everything we can under current law to address the community’s concerns about how state endowment lands are used and managed in our region.
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Orofino receives 2022 ‘Legacy of Leaves’ Award during Arbor Day celebration
Clearwater Tribune, 5-1-24
Orofino marked their 24th year as a Tree City USA, as well as being noted for the 2022 ‘Legacy of Leaves’ award from the Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association, during the annual Arbor Day Celebration at Orofino’s City Park
According to Matthew Perkins, Idaho Department of Lands, Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager, the Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association, in partnership with the Idaho Department of Lands, administers the Arbor Day Grant Program to assist communities with the celebration of Arbor Day in Idaho.
Funding comes from donations provided by Avista Power, Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power.
Each year, the Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA) presents an award to the community who utilizes the Arbor Day Grant they receive to accomplish the best project.
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Farm and forestry fair draws in nearly 270 students, 15 presenters
Idaho County Free Press, 5-1-24
GREENCREEK — “I can’t wait to milk a cow! I’ve never done that before!” a student exclaimed as he neared the Idaho Farm Bureau dairy display where a faux cow is set up to provide a hands-on milking experience.
Nearly 270 students from throughout the area participated in the 2024 Camas Prairie Area Farm and Forest Fair held at the Greencreek Community Hall. This educational opportunity for fifth-grade students was held April 16 and 17.
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Presenters at the event included Glenn Poxleitner with Idaho Forest Group; Phil Puckett with Puckett Honey; Chris Gerhart and Dave Luther with Idaho Department of Lands; Brandy McElroy and Tia Schumacher with Idaho/Lewis County Cattle Association; Zelda Henderson and Eric Forsmann with Idaho County Farm Bureau-Wheat; Audra Cochran and Klae O’Brien with Idaho County Farm Bureau-Dairy; Bob Smathers with Idaho County Farm Bureau-Water; Melanie Mosekian with IROAM and Idaho Rangeland; Eileen Rowan with Soil Conservation Services; Claudia Lyons-Yerion with Nez Perce Tribe Bio Control; and the Idaho County 4-H Ambassadors.
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Governor Little declares May Wildfire Awareness Month prior to Live Wildfire Demo
KMVT, 4-30-24
BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Idaho’s Wildfire Awareness Month Proclamation was made official by Governor Brad Little minutes before the ignition of a wildfire demonstration. The burn featured a side-by-side look at fire behavior and showed the importance of immediate defensible space, comparing a fire-ready vs. not fire-ready structure. The signing took place as part of the Idaho Department of Insurance Wildfire Risk Forum April 29 at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho.
“The unprecedented growth of the wildland-urban interface has elevated the need for coordinated education concerning how, where, and why wildfires burn as well as collaborative efforts to increase survivability of homes and property,” Governor Little said.
The Governor’s proclamation further states that “citizens should also take steps to better prepare their homes and communities for wildfires and work toward becoming a fire adapted community.”
The Wildfire Risk Forum was hosted by the Idaho Department of Insurance (IDOI), together with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Western Zone, and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). The forum educated western policymakers on the impact of wildfire on the built environment and insurance markets.
Attendees watched the burn in real time, which highlighted ignition, materials used, fire behavior and effective mitigations.
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Gov. Little declares May Wildfire Awareness Month
KIFI, 4-29-24
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) - Idaho’s Wildfire Awareness Month Proclamation was made official by Governor Brad Little minutes before the ignition of a wildfire demonstration.
The signing took place as part of the Idaho Department of Insurance Wildfire Risk Forum Monday at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise.
“The unprecedented growth of the wildland-urban interface has elevated the need for coordinated education concerning how, where, and why wildfires burn as well as collaborative efforts to increase survivability of homes and property,” Governor Little said.
The Governor’s proclamation further states, “citizens should also take steps to better prepare their homes and communities for wildfires and work toward becoming a fire adapted community.”
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Women take to the woods in annual field day
Bonner County Daily Bee, 4-29-24
SANDPOINT — Men in beards and flannel, move over — women are headed into the forest for the second annual Women in the Woods Field Day in Sandpoint on May 10.
With a great turnout last year, Idaho Department of Lands staff said they are excited to make this an annual event that teaches women how to use various outdoor tools and educates them about nature skills.
“This opportunity provides a wide range of training geared for women by women foresters to give them hands-on experience, inspiring more active participation in managing family-owned forests,” said IDL public information officer Sharla Arledge.
This event will be run by women foresters from IDL and the University of Idaho Extension, but will also include women instructors from a variety of different agencies.
Wildfire forum looks at increasing risk and mitigation efforts across U.S.
Idaho Press, 4-29-24
BOISE — Wildfires are increasingly becoming a threat nationwide, and the impacts to communities linger long after the flames are extinguished.
Leaders from around the U.S. met Monday at the National Interagency Fire Center to discuss how to reduce risk of fire damage beforehand and how to address the needs after an event at the Wildfire Risk Forum.
The Idaho Department of Insurance, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety co-hosted the event, which looked at the impacts of wildfires on structures, housing and insurance markets. Gov. Brad Little also signed a proclamation Monday declaring May Wildfire Awareness Month.
RECENT WILDFIRES IN THE U.S.
The event included the perspectives and lessons learned from the unique challenges states faced after recent large and destructive wildfires — with experiences ranging from being well-prepared for frequent wildfires in Texas, to not expecting wildfires to present a risk in Hawaii, a state that focuses most of its disaster preparation on hurricanes.
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Experts urge Idaho homeowners to prepare for wildfire season
KTVB, 4-29-24
BOISE, Idaho — May is Wildfire Awareness Month. Experts are urging homeowners to prepare for the wildfire season with a few steps.
On Monday, over 80 public policy makers and insurance commissioners gathered at The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise to hear what engineers' findings.
The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, has facility in South Carolina. They can create scenarios of wildfire embers and flames approaching, then destroying homes.
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Governor Little declares May Wildfire Awareness Month
Big Country News, 4-29-24
BOISE - Idaho’s Wildfire Awareness Month Proclamation was made official by Governor Brad Little minutes before the ignition of a wildfire demonstration. The burn featured a side-by-side look at fire behavior and showed the importance of immediate defensible space, comparing a fire-ready vs. not fire-ready structure. The signing took place as part of the Idaho Department of Insurance Wildfire Risk Forum April 29 at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho.
“The unprecedented growth of the wildland-urban interface has elevated the need for coordinated education concerning how, where, and why wildfires burn as well as collaborative efforts to increase survivability of homes and property,” Governor Little said.
The Governor’s proclamation further states that “citizens should also take steps to better prepare their homes and communities for wildfires and work toward becoming a fire adapted community.”
Williams announces May chat lineup
Bonner County Daily Bee, 4-28-24
SANDPOINT — Bonner County Commissioner Asia Williams has announced her May commissioner chat lineup.
On May 7, the Idaho Department of Lands will attend the meeting to answer any questions about land in the Idaho Panhandle. May 14 will welcome the Happy Agers Priest River Community Center chat with the community. Panhandle Special Needs Inc. will join the discussion May 21, talking about big plans in the next few years.
The last Tuesday of the month, May 28, Williams herself will be talking with the community, answering any questions locals may have and updating them on what will be happening in the month of June.
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IDL seeks changes to administrative rules for oil and gas conservation
Independent Enterprise, 4-19-24
FRUITLAND — Officials from the Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Commission held a public meeting in Fruitland on April 15. This was to go over proposed changes to administrative rules that govern oil and natural gas conservation in Idaho. While many of the changes are just a clean-up of language to make the rule easier to understand, there are changes related to time frames for public comment and extensions of active and inactive status for wells.
This was the second public meeting held in recent weeks to review the draft proposal; the first was April 11 in Boise. A third meeting is planned for April 29, during which officials will present a second draft of the proposed changes. That draft will include comments from the first two meetings, according to James Thum, Oil and Gas program manager with Idaho Department of Lands, who led the meeting on Monday.
WHY IS IT CHANGING?
During a brief overview, Thum noted that Oil and Gas Conservation falls under Title 47, Chapter 3 of Idaho Code and must stay within that statute. The proposed changes fall in line with Gov. Brad Little’s Zero-Based Regulation executive order initiated in 2020. The order is aimed at reducing red tape and “taking out legal language” the public doesn’t generally understand.
Further, Thum said it is to streamline language to help the “operator understand what needs to be done and to have a clear path forward to conduct business under the auspices” of the regulatory code.
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NEW: Endowment Timber Monthly Update
Posted May 2, 2024
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We manage about one million acres of endowment timberland. While that only makes up about 6% of forests in Idaho, IDL contributes approximately 30% of the timber harvested in the state.
This is possible because of the state’s commitment to sustainable forest management. The time between planting and harvest are decades worth of recreation opportunities, leasing protentional and beauty.
In 2023, $74 million was generated from timber harvests. Revenue from our timber management program helps support the public school system and other beneficiaries in Idaho.
March 2024 details:
Idaho's endowment timber management program receipted $1,698,600 in revenue, benefiting Idaho’s public schools and other beneficiaries. For fiscal year 2024, IDL has harvested 238,133 MBF of timber worth $64,851,300 through the month of March. With 15,255 MBF sold in March, a reliable timber supply for Idaho’s timber industry is ensured. Year-to-date sales stand at 198,125 MBF, against our goal of 328,000 MBF for fiscal year 2024, highlighting our commitment to sustainable management and maximizing revenue for the endowments of Idaho.
Photo by Ryan Hanson, Tom Mahon Logging, showing IDL’s Hardball Timber Sale.
Special thanks to Associated Logging Contractors - Idaho, Idaho Project Learning Tree, Idaho Forest Products Commission and so many more.
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Wildfire Ready Challenge
Posted May 3, 2024
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 It's week 4 in our Wildfire Ready Challenge
Did you know that roofs and gutters are particularly vulnerable to fires? Embers can easily get lodged here and start a dangerous blaze.  Here are some tips to help harden your home against fire hazards:
 Regularly clear your roof and gutters of debris to prevent ember buildup.
 Consider installing gutter guards or screens for added protection.
 Block off any points of entry on your roof to keep embers out.
 Replace or repair loose or missing shingles/tiles to reduce fire risk.
 Use Class A fire-rated roof covering whenever possible for added safety.
Remember, safety first! Wear your protective gear and partner up with someone for assistance. If you need help or don't feel safe doing it alone, reach out to neighbors or local contractors. Let's keep our homes safe from fires! 
#FirePreventionFriday #OneTeam #FirePreventionJen #
https://www.wildlandfirersg.org/.../week-4-clearing...
 Robbie Johnson,Idaho Department of Lands
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