Current News Coverage
More than 22,000 acres of North Idaho forest permanently protected
KHQ, 3-26-26
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — More than 22,000 acres of privately owned working forestland in North Idaho are now permanently protected through a new conservation partnership.
The Spirit of Mount Spokane Forest Legacy Project marks the first phase of an effort between Trust for Public Land, Inland Empire Paper Company, Idaho Department of Lands and the USDA Forest Service, according to a press release.
The Forest Legacy easement ensures the forestland will remain intact and actively managed for timber production while safeguarding public access, wildlife habitat and drinking water resources for communities in Idaho and Washington.
Read KHQ story
IDL partners to permanently protect 22,000 acres of forest
Bonner County Daily Bee, 3-28-26
BLANCHARD — The Idaho Department of Lands announced it has preserved 22,000 acres of forest across Bonner and Kootenai County thanks to a partnership with Trust for Public Land, the USDA Forest Service and Inland Empire Paper Company.
The land, which surrounds Mount Spokane, is owned by Inland Empire Paper Company and will now remain permanently accessible to the timber industry, public and wildlife. Jennifer Barker, IDL’s Forest Legacy program manager, said the company and the land trust approached IDL, which helped them submit an application for the federal grant for $26 million to move the project forward.
“We put in an application for federal funding to purchase conservation easements,” Barker said. “These willing landowners, come to us with a land trust partner and their goal is to protect these lands and keep them working forests in perpetuity... we identified what lands we were able to go ahead and take care of it.”
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Hayden Council withholds marina support
Coeur d'Alene Press, 3-26-26
Hayden City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to deny Hayden Lake Marina’s request for a letter of support for its proposed expansion project, which would see the removal and replacement of existing docks with a new configuration that would include 32 new slips.
The Idaho Department of Lands has scheduled a public hearing on the matter April 15.
“I don’t feel comfortable doing anything before this public hearing,” said councilor David Erickson.
Read CDA Press article
Idaho forest land near Mount Spokane protected from development
The Spokesman-Review, 3-25-26
A large chunk of private forest land near Mount Spokane is now permanently protected from development.
The Idaho Department of Lands announced Wednesday that more than 22,000 acres of Inland Empire Paper Co. is now protected under a conservation easement.
Inland Empire is owned by the Cowles Co., which also owns The Spokesman-Review.
The property is between Mount Spokane and Spirit Lake in Bonner and Kootenai counties. It borders state property near the Idaho-Washington border and horseshoes around Spirit Lake, covering land on the north and south sides of the body of water.
It includes habitat for a variety of wildlife, such as elk, deer and westslope cutthroat trout, according to a Department of Lands news release. It also covers part of the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, which provides drinking water for people in Spokane and Kootenai counties.
The deal locks in public access for the property, which has long been used by hunters, hikers, berry pickers and other recreationists. Jennifer Barker, the Forest Legacy Program manager for the Idaho Department of Lands, said maintaining that access in perpetuity is especially important as housing development pressure continues to increase in North Idaho.
Read Spokesman article
'Spirit of Mount Spokane' project begins with protecting 22,000 acres of North Idaho forest
KREM2, 3-25-26
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — The Spirit of Mount Spokane Forest Legacy Project is now permanently protecting more than 22,000 acres of privately owned forestland in North Idaho as the first phase of this project.
The Spirit of Mount Spokane Forest Legacy Project is a partnership between Trust for Public Land, Inland Empire Paper Company, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) and the USDA Forest Service. This project will keep forestland safe and protected.
IDL says it will also help wildlife thrive and grow between Mount Spokane State Park and Idaho Endowment Trust lands. Moose, elk, deer, turkey, black bears and westslope cutthroat trout are some of the wildlife that will likely grow.
The Forest legacy will also provide and keep public access, wildlife habitats and clean drinking water resources safe.
Read KREM2 article
'Have a plan': Idaho's low snowpack raises fire season concerns
KTVB, 3-24-26
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) released final estimates for the season's snowpack – and as expected, an unseasonably warm winter means that the state's snow water equivalent (SWE) numbers are lower than usual.
The Boise, Payette and Weiser basins all report levels hovering just above 50%, prompting reminders about making plans for fire season and potential evacuations.
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The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) has a wildfire action guide for residents, which describes how to create a defensible home and a safety checklist for residents. The department suggest removing leaves, vegetation and other debris surrounding the home and getting rid of "ladder fuel," which includes plants that allow fire to climb and spread.
IDL also suggests making an evacuation plan and practicing it with family and community members. For a full guide,visit the department's website.
Read KTVB article
Makeover at Wendover: Campgrounds get a helping hand
Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 3-22-26
Two long-shuttered U.S. Forest Service campgrounds on the upper Lochsa River are likely to reopen this year, thanks to work by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
A 2024 summer windstorm packing hurricane-force winds toppled hundreds of trees across parts of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. Wendover and Whitehouse campgrounds that are about 4 miles west of Powell suffered extensive damage. No one was injured but at least one camp trailer was crushed.
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The Idaho Department of Lands said in a news release that widespread windfall like what happened in both storms can lead to bark beetle outbreaks if the downed trees are not removed.
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Forestry grants available through Idaho Department of Lands
Coeur d'Alene Press, 3-20-26
The Idaho Department of Lands is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program, with $200,000 available to support forestry projects in Idaho communities.
Eligible applicants include cities, counties, tribal governments, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and state or publicly owned educational institutions.
Grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 are available. All awards are provided on a reimbursement basis.
Read Coeur d'Alene Press article
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