Cover photo courtesy of Idaho Forest Group At Idaho Forest Group (IFG), conservation isn’t a side initiative—it’s the foundation of our mission. Across every mill, forest, and partnership, we work to responsibly manage natural resources today while preserving them for tomorrow. From trailheads to tree lines, IFG plays a vital role in sustaining the lands, […]
By Ammi Midstokke Cover photo courtesy of Ammi Mdstokke After years of semi-successful gardening with a low bar, I consider myself a connoisseur of radishes, interbred squashes and edible weeds. The latter being a speciality of mine because weeds are what I most effectively grow. Though I have read many gardening books, I’ve retained very
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How federal layoffs and budget cuts are reshaping wildfire season on public lands Cover photo courtesy of Washington DNR By Bri Loveall Think of a big fire. Pull it up in your mind. I can picture the Carlton Complex fire of 2014 in the Methow Valley, when the sun was a constant circle of fiery
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Invasive quagga and zebra mussels threaten Washington’s waters and our way of life, which makes the recent interception of two tugboats infested with these aquatic invasives near Liberty Lake such a fortunate discovery. The tugboats and their hitchhikers were snagged at a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) watercraft check station near Liberty Lake
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By Olivia Dugenet Cover photo courtesy of Olivia Dugenet I was backpacking alone because I had desperately needed a break from my everyday life. I was in the Lewis range of the Montana Rockies, in summer, and I had been rationing a low water supply for a couple of miles. There were no streams at
The Inland Tree Conference, a two-day deep dive into all things trees, is Spokane’s leading annual event for arboriculture professionals and tree enthusiasts. Happeing at CenterPlace Regional Event Center, this gathering of tree experts, professionals, and fans offers an incredible opportunity for anyone to learn and network. The conference creates a unique gathering space where
Inland Tree Conference Jan 9-10, Spokane Valley, WA Read More »
Photos courtesy of Idaho Forest Group This past September, nearly 2,000 acres of North Idaho forest along Prichard Creek, a tributary of the Coeur d’Alene River between the town of Prichard and Thompson Pass, was protected from future development thanks to an Idaho Forest Group (IFG) donation of a conservation agreement to Kaniksu Land Trust.
Cover photo courtesy Bea Lackaff The US Forest Service is facing a budget-limited future in the upcoming year now that supplemental funding provided via the Inflation Reeducation Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is ending. The result is a hiring freeze in effect for all seasonal employees within the Forest Service for fiscal year 2025, which
Budget Decrease to Impact Avalanche Forecasts Read More »
(Nonfiction, 2022) By Alana Livingston Linda Åkeson McGurk’s “The Open-Air Life” is a compelling guide introducing readers to embrace the concept of friluftsliv, or “open-air living.” Divided into four sections based on the elements—Air, Earth, Water, and Fire—this book explores the numerous benefits of outdoor activities through real-life examples and personal anecdotes. Each section offers
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By Ammi Midstokke As someone whose spirituality is primarily limited to the worship of coffee, it may seem out of place that I’m convinced trees have souls. I’m sure there is a more scientific explanation: tree pheromones and tree communication through root systems and diseases and parasites that make them droop and dry out as
