Idaho Signature Species

Bull Trout

In the fall of 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a federal rule to protect nearly 9,000 miles of Idaho's rivers and streams as "critical habitat" for endangered bull trout. Because bull trout require cold, clear streams, the health of this species indicates the health of the rest of the stream ecosystem. By designating critical habitat areas for bull trout, we can protect healthy streams for other fish and aquatic species. Designation doesn't affect private landowners unless they plan to impact a stream and need a federal permit.

Healthy rural economies rely on healthy fish and clean water. That's why we think that critical habitat is an important aspect of wildlife protection and the future of rural Idaho.

Salmon and Steelhead

Several species of salmon and steelhead trout were listed under the ESA in the mid-1990s. Spawning streams that flow into Idaho's Snake, Salmon and Clearwater Rivers are recognized as some of the most important habitat for promoting the survival of these fish.

Debate over the lower Snake River dams has been a primary focus. But we must also ensure that forest and rangeland management in the headwater spawning streams protects clean water and the diverse habitat that these fish need. As climate change affects water temperatures and the timing of snowmelt, the relative importance of Idaho's high-elevation salmon and steelhead habitat will increase. So we are working to permanently protect places that offer such habitat.

Greater Sage-Grouse

The term "sagebrush sea" describes Idaho's vast sagebrush country, home to the greater sage-grouse. Every spring, the males gather in special open areas or leks and strut and dance at sunrise to attract watching females.  In early 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said that sage-grouse deserve protection as an endangered species, but there are too many other endangered species on the list just now to give them the protection they need.

Sage-grouse depend entirely on healthy sagebrush habitat and these places are rapidly disappearing. The Idaho Conservation League is working with ranchers, sportsmen, bird watchers, government agencies and energy companies to protect and restore habitat for sage-grouse and other species.

The sage-grouse face many threats. Ever-larger fires burn through habitat in Idaho and prepare the way for invasive plants like cheatgrass, which dries early in the season and burns frequently. Large areas of sagebrush habitat have disappeared in the conversion to agriculture, conversion to urban land use, and to overgrazing by livestock. More recently, large-scale energy developments such as transmission lines and utility-scale wind projects may threaten core habitat for this sensitive species.

The Idaho Conservation League serves on the Idaho Sage-grouse Advisory Committee to coordinate conservation efforts. We want to reduce impacts to these species so sage-grouse can continue strutting and dancing in the future.