Table Rock Restoration Efforts Bring Local Partners Together
Thanks to a generous donation by the Friends of Zoo Boise, the City of Boise is able to leverage $100,000 to restore native wildlife habitat within the Table Rock burned area. Some of this funding will allow the Idaho Botanical Garden to grow local seed to produce 750 flowering plants that will be planted in fall 2017. This is a unique opportunity to use local public land to provide the seed source with the best chance of survivability.
“The Idaho Botanical Garden has been collecting native seed and growing plants for restoration projects in southwest Idaho for a number of years now. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with the City of Boise, and contribute however and whenever we can,” said Idaho Botanical Garden botanist, Ann DeBolt. Native plants are being grown in hopes of diversifying the hills for wildlife, pollinators, and humans alike. Plants such as Douglas false-yarrow, Royal penstemon, shaggy fleabane, and silverleaf phacelia are on the list, all selected for their hardy nature and nativity to the Boise foothills.”
During the fall of 2017, the City of Boise worked in collaboration with over 500 volunteers to plant 3,500 sage brush and bitterbrush plants on Idaho Department of Lands property and City of Boise property. This winter, Idaho Department of Fish and Game will lead a seed collection effort on the City of Boise’s Oregon Trail Reserve.
“Our hope is to find the best available, local seed and use this seed source to replenish the native habitat on Boise’s iconic Table Rock,” said City of Boise Restoration Specialist, Martha Brabec. The Idaho Botanical Garden is uniquely positioned to grow out flowering plants that are often difficult to find and expensive to purchase.
Restoration efforts will continue on Table Rock with volunteer opportunities available through 2019. Volunteers can learn more by signing up with the City of Boise Parks and Recreation volunteer program.
For more information, please contact:
Martha Brabec, City of Boise Parks and Recreation, Foothills Restoration Specialist
208-493-2530, mbrabec@cityofboise.org
Erin Anderson, Executive Director Idaho Botanical Garden
208-275-8609, erin@idahobotanicalgarden.org