Trust for Public Land, Stimson Lumber Company, and Idaho Department of Lands Successfully Conserve 10,846 Acres of Working Forestlands in Northern Idaho

Trust for Public Land (TPL), in partnership with Stimson Lumber Company (SLC) and the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), announced today the permanent protection of 10,846 acres of working forest in Bonner and Boundary Counties. The conservation easement builds upon successful protection of McArthur Lake Wildlife Corridor and Clagstone Meadows conserving additional wildlife habitat and ensuring permanent public access, while allowing for continued sustainable forestry.

"By protecting over 10,000 acres of working forestland in northern Idaho, Trust for Public Land has ensured that these vital landscapes will be preserved for future generations," said Dick Dolan, Northern Rockies Director for Trust for Public Land. "This partnership with Stimson Lumber Company highlights our shared commitment to maintaining a strong market for forest products while preserving cherished lands that offer public access and sustain our natural heritage."

This is the third conservation easement by Stimson Lumber Company in northern Idaho adding to the previously conserved 25,000 acres by SLC. This property connects to other public and conserved private lands, ensuring that important wildlife habitat and outstanding recreational opportunities will remain in the future. IDL will hold the conservation easement on the property, and SLC will continue to own and manage the land. This structure supports continued timber supply to the wood products industry, which has been affected by closures over the past year.

"The Idaho Department of Lands is excited to add the International Selkirk Loop Project to the Forest Legacy Program portfolio," said Dustin Miller, Idaho Department of Lands Director. "The International Selkirk Loop project allows these working forests to remain unfragmented working forests ensuring vital, steady, and reliable sawlog and fiber supply for industry and future mill investments. These forestlands have substantial conservation and economic values that are of great importance to the people of Idaho and both Boundary and Bonner Counties. The protection of these values will yield a significant public benefit."

Conserving working private lands is essential, as it not only supports well-paying jobs but also promotes healthy forests and strengthens the wood products economy, which is crucial to the well-being of Idaho communities.

Funding for the conservation easement was made possible through the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act, which permanently funded the critically important Land and Water Conservation Fund. This project would not have been possible without the generous partnership and conservation mindset of Stimson Lumber Company.

"Stimson Lumber Company's multi-generational commitment to sustainable forestry is unwavering," said Andrew Miller, President and CEO, Stimson Lumber Company. "The International Selkirk Loop Conservation Easement is another example of Stimson's commitment to keeping well-managed private timberlands working for the long term. This conservation easement benefits the citizens of Idaho in numerous ways, while preserving key wildlife habitat in an area with increasing pressure from residential development. Through the Forest Legacy Program and in cooperation with multiple project partners, Stimson appreciates this opportunity to make a lasting contribution to Idaho's working landscapes and important fish and wildlife habitat."

The project builds upon 350,000 acres of protected forestland and critical wildlife habitat that extends from Idaho's Panhandle to Montana's Glacier National Park. The project's North Block, within the McArthur Lake Wildlife Corridor, protects occupied habitat of grizzly bear and Canada lynx, both federally listed threatened species. Through protection of the South Block, the project ensures ideal testing conditions will continue to exist at the adjacent U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Center on Lake Pend Oreille, enhancing national security efforts.

TPL has conserved over 80,000 acres in Idaho over the past 20 years, creating a legacy of public access for future generations. Currently, the organization's goal is to conserve an additional 100,000 acres over the next three years. This ambitious effort is possible thanks to the support of local governments, State Agencies, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

About Trust for Public Land

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,420 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $110 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 9.7 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.