Tree planting is only step one, be sure seedlings take hold by making sure your organization plans for periodic watering and care.
Univ of Idaho Pitkin Forest Nursery This is an excellent source for purchasing tree and native shrub seedlings compatible with Idaho’s wildlands. It has been the primary source for Rotary’s Wetlands Peace Preserve in the Boise area. Orders are shipped during designated fall and spring planting windows.
Univ of Idaho Extension Service Excellent source of advice for which trees and shrubs to plant in specific locations and how to do it. Local Extension offices reside in almost every county of Idaho and can be easily identified on the main website. Eastern Oregon is served by the OSU Extension, with offices in Baker and Ontario.
Idaho Fish and Game Department: This agency periodically holds native shrub planting events to improve wildlife habitat after large wildfires. Generally, IDFG provides the shrub seedlings and necessary tools and looks for volunteers to do the planting. Regional IDFG volunteer coordinators are listed in the regional sections.
Idaho Power’s Shade Tree Project: The Shade Tree Project is for Idaho Power’s residential customers who wish to plant shade trees at their home. Enrollment is open to a limited geographic area each spring and fall where several species of trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
BLM Native Plants Program The objectives are to preserve examples of all significant natural ecosystems for comparison with those influenced by man, to provide educational and research areas for ecological and environmental studies, and to preserve gene pools of typical and endangered plants and animals. To learn more about Idaho’s native flora, contact our State Botanist: Anne Halford ahalford@blm.gov
Idaho Forest Products Commission: Arbor Day is the last Friday in April. To celebrate, the IFPC gives away thousands of seedlings to businesses and organizations throughout Idaho. Watch for this seedling giveaway across Idaho in April and May.
Plant the right tree in the right place: Department of Lands gives hardiness zones and tree suggestions. How to plant
Eastern Idaho – Pocatello
- Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust local non-profit that organizes volunteers to do tree plantings
- Idaho Fish and Game, Southeast Region, Volunteer Coordinator (native shrub planting events) – Tessa Atwood – 208-232-4703
- Idaho Fish and Game, Upper Snake Region, Volunteer Coordinator (native shrub planting events) – Gerren Steel – 208-535-8039
- City of Pocatello, River Vision, Hannah Sanger Science & Environment, Title: Division Manager, Phone: 208-234-6518 email: hsanger@pocatello.gov
- Master list of acceptable trees for Pocatello
- Native Plant Society resources and links to other native plant organizations
Idaho Falls
- Tree information: City of Idaho Falls – Horticulture and Urban Forestry section of the IF Parks Department – everything from selection to pruning!
- Idaho Falls horticulture & urban forestry
Magic Valley Region
- Regional IDFG Volunteer Coordinator: TanaRae Alberti, (208) 324-4359 or tanarae.alberti@idfg.idaho.gov
Treasure Valley Region
- Wetlands Peace Preserve – This is an 18 acre parcel of land along the Boise River that Rotary has been rehabilitating with native trees and plants over the last several years. All D5400 Rotary clubs are welcome to participate in this ongoing project. The project coordinator is Audrie Floyd, who is with the Rotary Club of Boise. A fall planting event will be held on October 12th, 9-11AM; however contact Audrie if your club would like to arrange an additional event later in the fall or spring. Ph: 208-789-8103 Email: audriefloyd@icloud.com
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Volunteer Coordinator (native shrub planting restoration events), Michael Young – 208-854-8985
- Boise Tree Captains–tvcanopy.net/city-of-trees-challenge Emma Stammer, emma@tvcanopy.net
Other resources
- Challenges to Forest Restoration
- Most underplanted trees in Eastern Idaho
- Techniques to make sure your planted tree lives
- Booklet: Information about Eastern Idaho Forest habitats
