IDL's GNA Received Additional Funding From the Forest Service
The USDA Forest Service Northern Region is investing $1.9 million to expand the collaborative work with state partners to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health through the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA).
The investments will fund projects on the Idaho Panhandle and Bitterroot National Forests while also providing funding for staffing capacity for the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
$1 million will go to Idaho to support GNA through staffing and contracting services for work on the ground within the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.
In Idaho, these funds will support approximately 3,000 acres of fuels reduction work administered by IDL such as fuel breaks and vegetation treatments to improve forest health. The funds will also expand road repairs to improve watershed conditions and provide access for wildfire management and implementation of project activities.
Work is underway throughout 621,400 acres of Forest Service land within a 2-million acre landscape in the Idaho Panhandle which was jointly prioritized for fuels reduction and other forest restoration activities.
“These funds will expand the work IDL is able to do on federal ground to better protect our communities,” said Idaho State Forester Craig Foss. “Much of the current GNA work is within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), where homes and forestland meet. This work is vital to help decrease the risk of catastrophic wildfire to adjacent forests, homes, and nearby towns.”
Work on federal lands within the WUI also helps IDL encourage similar work on bordering private forestlands, which in turn better protects the entire landscape, as is the goal of Shared Stewardship.
 GNA project completed in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests - photo by Chase Bolyard
 GNA work underway in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests - photo by Chase Bolyard
IDL Land Board Staff Summit
The IDL Executive Team held its annual Land Board Staff Summit on Wednesday, June 12, in Boise.
The summit provides the opportunity to discuss issues and projects in more depth and gain insight from staff members.
This year there was discussion on endowment timber and the Forest Asset Management Plan that is currently in progress. Recreation on endowment land continues to create both challenges and opportunities. There was also time to discuss the future of fire for the state and with the US Forest Service.
National Wildland Firefighter Day Fireline 5K
Director Miller and Fire Prevention Jen (Jennifer Russell) participated in the first annual National Wildland Firefighter Day Fireline 5K on Sunday, June 2.
This event recognizes the dedication of wildland firefighters, including federal, state, local, Tribal, military, rural, contract, and support personnel who are the backbone of the wildland fire community.
It was a free event to bring attention to the men and women who serve. The 3.1-mile course went along the scenic Boise Greenbelt from Ann Morrison Park to the Broadway Bridge in Boise.
IDL Boise Staff Office Employee Appreciation BBQ
The executive team hosted an Employee Appreciation BBQ this week at the Capitol park across the street from the Boise staff office.
Between 30-40 employees participated. It was a great opportunity to spend time together as a team outside of the usual meetings and work environment and to meet the new people working in Boise. We also wished a farewell to our local IT staff who are leaving us to work at ITS.
 photo by Michele Andersen
 photo by Michele Andersen
Farewell to Eric Wilson
After 30 years of service to IDL and the state of Idaho, Eric Wilson is stepping into retirement.
Employees from the Boise Staff Office celebrated with Eric on Tuesday, June 11 in Cecil Andrus Park across from the office.
Following a taco lunch, Eric was presented with several gifts, including an antique smelter's ladle, representative of his years as a minerals program manager and then Resource Protection and Assistance Bureau Chief.
Eric’s last day with IDL will be Friday, June 21.
We thank him for his service and wish him well on his new adventure.
 Eric presented with an antique smelter's ladle - photo by Kourtney Romine
 Commemorative plaque on the antique smelter's ladle- photo by Kourtney Romine
In Case You Missed It
Here's a recap of other recent IDL newsletters you may find interesting:
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