A Thanksgiving Message from Dustin
I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for each of you. The work we do at the Idaho Department of Lands is vital to the beneficiaries, the people, landscapes, and the future of our state. It’s your dedication, integrity, and expertise that make that work possible. Your contributions truly matter. I’m grateful not only for what you do, but for how you do it, with professionalism, teamwork, and a deep commitment to public service.
Thank you for your hard work throughout the year, for stepping up during the challenges, and for continuing to serve our beneficiaries and the people of Idaho with pride. I hope this season provides you time to rest, reflect, and enjoy meaningful moments with family and friends.
Committee on Federalism
Director Miller gave a presentation to the Committee on Federalism on Friday, November 14.
The Committee asked the Director to provide an update on wildfires, the Good Neighbor Authority and Fire Salvage.
The Director gave a quick overview of what guides IDL. He gave an overview and update on Idaho's Shared Stewardship initiative, including updates on the statewide progress on Cross-Boundary projects, 2024 and 2025 accomplishments, County GNA funding, GNA timber sales and volume sold, GNA highlights from 2024 and 2025.
The Director also provided a Fire Season update, the IDL Strategic Plan for Managing Wildland Fire,
Natural Resources Interim Committee
Director Miller gave a presentation to the Natural Resources Interim Committee on Monday, Nov 3.
The Committee asked the presentation to cover information on IDL's policy and procedures for selling and leasing endowment lands.
The Director covered "What Guides IDL" explaining the Asset Management Plan, and then gave details on leasing and land sales processes. Miller provided details of IDL's land exchange policy and provided key timberland investments.
An update on the IDL Fire Program was also requested. The Director went over a Fire Season Update showing statistics of the IDL Protection Areas, what was spent on fire suppression activities and Incident Management Team fires. He also gave an update on the Strategic Plan for Managing Wildland Fire.
Shared Stewardship Advisory Group Meeting
The Idaho Shared Stewardship Advisory Group met Wed. Nov. 19. The Governor provided a video address to the advisory group. Some of the topics covered included 2024 & 2025 statewide Shared Stewardship and GNA progress with highlights, new grants, new county cross-boundary teams and Joint-Chiefs Award.
Goals, targes and processes that will be included in the IDL- US Forest Service 2025 Enhanced Idaho Shared Stewardship Agreement. Strategic next moves and alignment for the advisory group.
Opportunity for CISM and Hospital & Family Liaison Trainings
Over the past two seasons, our organization has dealt with its share of tragedy: the death of Dauntless' Fire Boss pilot Julianna Turchetti while working on a fire in Montana; the fatal shootings on the Nettleton Gulch fire of Battalion Chiefs Frank Harwood and John Morrison and the serious injury of Engineer Dave Tysdal; and most recently, the death of IDL’s own Isabella Oscarson who was struck by a falling tree while assisting the Forest Service with a prescribed burn. Despite this string of tragedies, IDL employees from many parts of the organization have pulled together each time to support the families of our fallen sisters and brothers and to provide support to the employees most affected.
Among the many lessons that we have learned from responding to these incidents is that IDL needs more people trained and ready to support the families and employees when that unfortunate time comes.
IDL has reached out to staff who may be interested in becoming trained peer supporters for the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) process and/or attending training that will prepare them to serve as Family or Hospital liaisons.
Training opportunities are available in February.
Upcoming Trainings: Basic Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and Hospital & Family Liaison
Both courses will be held in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The attached PDF also has information for other training opportunities.
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Basic Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Dates: February 3–5, 2026 Nomination Deadline: January 2, 2026
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Hospital & Family Liaison Dates: February 18–19, 2026 Nomination Deadline: January 17, 2026
Julia Lauch and Jake Strohmeyer are the contacts for questions or additional information.
Idaho Cattle Association Convention
Director Miller attended the Idaho Cattle Association Annual Convention in Sun Valley Nov. 10-12.
This event provides an opportunity to meet with stakeholders in the grazing community, hear updates on current events, and engage with our customers.
At the meeting the director participated on a panel where he discussed current land management issues at the national level, what we are focused on here locally, and what to expect during the upcoming legislative session. State Controller and Land Board member Brandon Woolf also attended this year’s cattle association convention.
Invasive Spongy Moth Detected in Sandpoint for the Second Year in a Row
IDL has confirmed the detection of the invasive spongy moth (Lymantria dispar), formerly known as the gypsy moth, in Sandpoint for the second consecutive year. The recent spongy moth captures reflect the first time a potential population has been detected in the Sandpoint area since 1991.
Spongy moth is NOT established in Idaho, but new introductions can sometimes occur when people accidentally transport insects on firewood, RVs, outdoor gear, or vehicles. Since 1974, state and federal workers have protected the state by placing spongy moth traps throughout Idaho communities every year. The traps allow for rapid detection and eradication of new populations before they become established.
In 2024, one male spongy moth was detected in a monitoring trap in Sandpoint. In 2025, three additional moths were captured in two traps also in Sandpoint.
Follow-up ground surveys conducted in fall 2025 did not find evidence of spongy moth egg masses or visible feeding damage.
Because the 2025 captures were limited and dispersed, and traps between detection sites were negative, IDL will continue intensive trapping in 2026 to determine whether Sandpoint is threatened by a reproducing spongy moth population.
Spongy moths captured in traps
Spongy moth monitorin trap
Boise Staff Office Costumes & Chili Contest
The Boise Staff Office has a Halloween tradition of a costume party and chili contest.
This year's first place grand prize was awarded to the Golden Girls (aka Addie Faust & Caily Woods). The first runner up was "Cold Stone" Steve Austin (aka Cameron Swisher.)
Cameron Swisher also won the grand prize for his chili. Honorable mentions were Robin Dunn and JJ Winters.
Halloween contest group photo, photo by Marde Mesinger
In Case You Missed It
Here's a recap of other recent IDL newsletters you may find interesting:
One Team One Voice Webpage
Did you miss some important news? Are you curious about knowing what's happening across IDL? Our One Team, One Voice webpage contains an archive of IDL's newsletters covering:
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