A lack of fire on a forested landscape not only takes a toll on the quality of wildlife habitat it supplies, but it has a detrimental effect on the forest itself.
Such is the case in north central Idaho where decades of fire suppression led to a forest floor choked full of underbrush below and closed canopies above that block the sunshine from reaching the ground.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has a long history working with the Payette National Forest to restore and enhance wildlife habitat. Dating back to 1988, RMEF supplied $220,000 that leveraged $982,000 in partner funding for 29 different projects that enhanced nearly 71,000 acres of forestland.
Most recently, the two organizations teamed up to use drip torches, aerial ignition and helicopter support to apply prescribed fire across seven different project areas covering more than 11,000 acres ranging from 2,900 to 8,700 feet in elevation.
The project improves forest resiliency to wildfire by decreasing ladder fuels and restoring fire on a landscape that historically experienced more frequent low-severity fires.
Plus, it enhances the quality and quantity of elk winter range habitat by increasing the nutritional value and abundance of forage on a landscape also home to mule deer, bighorn sheep and ruffed, spruce and dusky grouse, as well as other wildlife.
The result is better forest health, better forage for wildlife and better hunting opportunities.
Restoring elk country is fundamental to RMEF’s mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.
Since 1984, RMEF helped conserve or enhance nearly 9 million acres of wildlife habitat.