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IDFG LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO PLANT 34,000 BITTERBRUSH SEEDLINGS TO BENEFIT MULE DEER!

Posted on: April 03, 2007

IDAHO FALLS- This spring IDFG is gearing up in a big way to do some really positive things to benefit mule deer and is looking for volunteers to plant some bitterbrush seedlings, about 34,000 plants to be more accurate! According to Jo Cobb, the Upper Snake Region AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, “We’ll start planting April 17th and have until the beginning of May to get all 34,000 plants in the ground.”

Planting so many seedlings to provide future forage for mule deer is no small task and plenty of help will be needed. According to Cobb, “I’d like to encourage individuals, school groups, sportsman’s groups, 4H clubs and other organizations to help.” The volunteers will be helping mule deer by planting bitterbrush to improve areas that have become less productive than they have been historically. All of the areas are still used by mule deer, but could benefit from the infusion of some new plants.

A special note regarding this project is that it is actually the continuation of a volunteer project that began in August of 2005 with the collecting of bitterbrush seeds from mature plants in the same general area. These seeds were then sent to Boise, where they were germinated and grown into the bare-root seedlings that will be planted as part of this project.

It will take a little bit of time to get all the 34,000 seedlings planted. “We’ll be taking groups out on the 17th, 18th, 20th, 21st, 24th, 25th, 27th, 28th, and 30th during the day – meeting at the office at 8am” said Cobb. Lunch, tools and plants are provided. While these are the target dates, other times and days can be arranged for groups.

Individuals or groups seeking more information about volunteering can contact Jo Cobb by E-Mail at jcobb@idfg.idaho.gov or by telephone at 208-525-7290 or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-3529 (TDD) Volunteer opportunities exist for people of all interests, ages and abilities.


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About Dave Langston

Outdoor writer Dave Langston resides in Chubbuck. He grew up in the Midwest and south fishing and hunting across the country.

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