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Conservation

NWTF and Forest Service Push Forward on Idaho Wildfire Prevention and Habitat Project

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation and the USDA Forest Service continue to make strong headway on the Deer Point Forest Stewardship Project in Idaho’s Boise National Forest, aimed at reducing wildfire risk and improving forest health. Since the project’s launch in 2024, operations have moved steadily forward thanks to a strong collaborative partnership and persistent effort from on-the-ground crews and supporters.

July 17, 20254 min read
Unit 50 Yarder and Processor
Processing and moving felled trees from the cutting site. Photo courtesy of Jaclyn Mitchell

Located just 10 miles north of Boise, the Deer Point Project lies within the 1.7-million-acre Southwest Idaho Landscape — one of ten priority areas identified nationally to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk and build long-term landscape resiliency.  

“I think this project is a great example of management that showcases the importance to target high-risk areas, even when they pose many challenges,” said Jaclyn Mitchell, Forest Service timber program specialist. “We targeted this area due to the high risk for wildfire in close proximity to Boise, Bogus Basin Ski Resort and critical communication tower sites for Boise.” 

As of mid-July 2025, several units of the national forest have been thinned out. That means crews have been removing both commercial timber and dead or hazardous trees, especially those near roads and trails that see a lot of public use, like the popular Stack Rock Trail. 

They’ve also rebuilt over 3 miles of access roads and replaced an important gate on Forest Service Road 274. Work like this helps crews and emergency responders get in and out of the area more safely. 

As of this summer, the majority of the tree removal is done in Units 43A, 43B and 48-51. Crews are now working in Unit 3 and will move into other nearby areas soon. After the trees are removed, crews still need to finish lopping (cutting leftover branches on the ground) and seeding (planting native grasses and plants). Leftover branches and tree tops, called slash, will be gathered into piles and burned either later this fall or next spring to prevent them from becoming fire hazards. 

The primary driver behind the Deer Point Project is to reduce the risk of severe wildfires — the kind that race through treetops, jump ridgelines and threaten homes, wildlife and recreation areas. One of the biggest problems in this part of Idaho is overcrowded forests filled with dead or diseased trees. The tighter the trees are packed together, the easier it is for fire to spread. So, by carefully thinning some areas and removing “ladder fuels” (low branches and small trees that help flames climb up into the forest canopy), the forest becomes more fire resilient. 

“Decreasing the amount of dead and dying trees on the landscape is only a small part of this,” Mitchell said. “Increasing the tree spacing, by thinning and reducing ladder fuels, will be the biggest defense we have against catastrophic wildfire. Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe is a huge issue for this area. Removing infected trees will improve the overall health of the forest. With less trees stressed, the hope is we will see a decrease in bark beetles attacks as well. The healthier the forest is, the more resilient to wildfire it will be. We also incorporated some fuel breaks along select ridges with prescriptions to help further mitigate risk. We cannot guarantee our efforts will be enough, but this project is at least setting us up for the best chance we have to avoid crown-replacing fires.” 

It’s not just about fire. These efforts are also improving habitat for a wide range of forest wildlife. Species expected to benefit include wild turkeys, elk, deer, black bears, flammulated owls, goshawks, grouse, rabbits and more. A healthier forest means better food, water and cover for all kinds of wildlife — from game species to songbirds. 

Deer Point hasn’t been an easy project to pull off. Due to the area’s popularity with hikers, bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts, it’s been tricky balancing forest work with recreation. But thanks to a strong partnership between the NWTF and the Forest Service, and support from Idaho Power, Boise County, Bogus Basin Resort, Ridge to Rivers, SWIMBA, Boise State University and even private landowners, the project is pressing forward. 

“This project would not be possible without the partnership between the Forest Service and the National Wild Turkey Federation,” Mitchell said. “This can be a great example of how to best utilize partnerships to move forward with trouble areas. This project faced multiple no bids and many conflicts with recreationists making it an undesirable location for a lot of purchasers. With the help of many other partners like Idaho Power, Boise County, Bogus Basin Resort, Ridge to Rivers, SWIMBA, Boise State University and even private landowners, we have shown that when the work is vital enough, it can be done through ingenuity and perseverance.” 

The Deer Point Forest Stewardship Project is expected to wrap up by November 30, 2028, with much more work to come in the meantime. 

To learn more about how the NWTF is actively restoring forests, reducing wildfire risk and improving wildlife habitat across the country, visit NWTF.org. 

About the National Wild Turkey Federation   

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.