Salt Lake City, UT – This week, the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) is planting 47,000 sagebrush plants on about 2,000 acres in the Soda Fire burn scar, southwest of Boise, Idaho. This is the third major shrub planting project MDF completed this fall with a total of 173,000 shrubs planted on nearly 5,000 acres just this year. The organization collaborates with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to help restore important mule deer and greater sage-grouse habitat that has been damaged in recent fires. Funding for the planting projects was provided through BLM, IDFG, the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Dallas Safari Club Foundation, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Over the last five years, MDF staff working with a highly skilled contracted crew have planted nearly three-quarters of a million plants on almost 25,000 acres in the state.

“The Mule Deer Foundation has been working in Idaho with our state and federal partners since 2016 to help restore sagebrush rangelands that provide critically important habitat for mule deer, but also for the 300 other species that live in the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem,” commented Mule Deer Foundation director of conservation Steve Belinda. “By planting thousands of sagebrush and bitterbrush shrubs in these burn areas, we will be providing critical forage for wildlife and helping to speed up the recovery of this important habitat.”

Habitat restoration, in particular post-fire restoration, is a key component of MDF’s conservation programs across the West. Through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation supporting big game migration corridor and winter range conservation efforts, MDF hired Jessie Shallow as a partner biologist in Idaho. Shallow is collaborating with IDFG, BLM, and private landowners to support projects that improve mule deer habitat. The shrub planting projects are one aspect of these efforts, but the organization is also involved in wildlife-friendly fencing conversions, controlling invasive cheatgrass, and supporting fencing and crossings to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.

“We have been very active across Idaho working to improve the health of our sagebrush rangelands, but also coordinating many other collaborative projects that benefit mule deer, elk, and other species,” noted Shallow. “I was born and raised in Idaho, and I appreciate the opportunity to play an active role in improving conditions for wildlife that support the hunting traditions in our state. These sagebrush planting projects are labor intensive, but they make a world of difference in kickstarting the recovery process after a rangeland fire.”

About MDF
The Mule Deer Foundation is the only conservation group in North America dedicated to restoring, improving and conserving mule deer and black-tailed deer and their habitat, with a focus on science and program efficiency. MDF is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of men, women and youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved in your state or become a member at www.muledeer.org or call 801-973-3940.