Native Habitat Restoration
Last summer, our team and an incredible group of volunteers collected millions of seeds from native plants for future restoration efforts on the mountain. We sent most seeds to Boise National Forest’s Lucky Peak Nursery to be cleaned, sorted, and germinated. A year later, we’re returning the seedlings to their natural mountain habitat, completing the restoration cycle and helping to revitalize the landscape.
Volunteers returned to the mountain this summer to collect native seeds for next year’s restoration projects.
2024 Seed Collection Results
- CommunityVolunteers
- 38
- GramsCollected
- 1,500
- NativeSpecies
- 15
Species Collected
- Western Yarrow
- Sticky Cinquefoil
- Virgate Scorpionweed
- Fireweed
- Wilcox’s Penstemon
- Alberta Penstemon
- Rocky Mountain Penstemon
- Bottlebrush Squirreltail
- Sulphur Buckwheat
- Douglas’ Catchfly
- Horsemint
- Mountain Mallow
- Silvery Lupine
- Snowberry
- Bitter Cherry
What do we do with the seeds collected?
Most of the seeds collected on the mountain are transported to Lucky Peak Nursery, located outside of Boise. Our team held onto some of the seeds to spread around Bogus Basin and in the local community. Seed packets were created and are now distributed at events to encourage the community to incorporate native plants in their own home landscapes.
We are very fortunate to have the Lucky Peak Nursery so close to us, one of only six nurseries nationwide that the U.S. Forest Service operates. This facility plays a key role in public land restoration across the West by cleaning and sowing seeds that grow into seedlings. The nursery produces up to six million trees annually, majorly contributing to reforestation and carbon sequestration efforts. With such a long-standing working relationship with the Boise National Forest, choosing the Lucky Peak Nursery for our seedling production needs was an easy decision.
This fall, our team expects to plant about 2,000 seedlings near the new Coach chairlift and the runs accessible from it. Are you excited to check out the brand new Coach’s Corner before winter 2024/25? Volunteer with us on National Public Lands Day for a sneak peek!
Species we’re planting this fall:
- Western Yarrow
- Sulphur Buckwheat
- Sticky Cinquefoil
- Bottlebrush Squirreltail
- Fireweed
- Penstemon
- Rubber Rabbitbrush
“Bogus is a gem! Thank you for being excellent stewards!”
Seed Collection Volunteer, 2023
Why it matters
From charismatic flowers like Wilcox’s Penstemon and Fireweed to more subtle plants like Western Coneflower and Groundsmoke, native plants are a crucial component of the mountain ecosystem. These plants evolved alongside the native animals that have called Bogus home for thousands of years, developing mutually beneficial relationships.
Invasive weeds disrupt ecosystems because they lack natural connections with native wildlife. Over time, animals like deer, birds, and squirrels have adapted to rely on native plants for food while avoiding invasive species, allowing weeds to spread unchecked.
Using and developing the recreation area disrupts the natural landscape, making it easier for invasive species to take hold. It is crucial that we restore native grasses, flowers, and shrubs in the areas we impact while continuing to remove invasive weeds. Our seed collection and subsequent seedling planting projects are key to maintaining a healthy ecosystem on the mountain. Next, those species are cleaned, sorted, and germinated over the winter months so we can plant the seedlings back in their native landscape the following year.
National Public Lands Day 2024
Saturday, September 28th, 2024, is National Public Lands Day – the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort since 1994. Celebrate the occasion by volunteering in a restoration effort at your local not-for-profit mountain recreation area!
We are planting the native grasses and wildflowers grown from the seeds volunteers collected on the mountain last fall. This year, we’re focusing on the disturbed soils near the brand-new Coach chairlift and Coach’s Corner run. This effort helps reduce erosion, boost the landscape’s resilience, and contribute to our ongoing carbon sequestration efforts. No experience is needed, and we encourage you to bring the whole family (children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Please bring water, sunscreen, closed-toe shoes, and gloves (we have extra gloves if needed). Planting tools are provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer!
“Love the idea of bringing truly native plants back to the mountain!”
Seed Collection Volunteer, 2023
Other National Public Lands Day activities include:
- Engaging booths and interactive activities from local land management agencies and conservation groups dedicated to preserving public lands
- Free raffle tickets with exciting prizes
- Guided Nature Hikes
- Nature-inspired crafts and activities for all ages
About Bogus Basin Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area is a 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to engaging the community to provide accessible, affordable, and fun year-round mountain recreation and education. Opened in 1942, Bogus Basin offers 2,600 acres of daytime skiable terrain and 200 acres for night skiing, seven chairlifts and three people-mover carpets, and an 800-foot tubing hill. The Nordic Center offers 37 kilometers of groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing. Environmental education and community outreach programs, primarily youth, serve over 20,000 individuals annually. Summer activities include The Glade Runner Mountain Coaster, The Mine Shaft Challenge Course, mountain biking, events, hiking and chairlift service for hike and bike transport. Bogus Basin is located 16.5 miles north of Boise, Idaho, and operates under a special use permit with the Boise National Forest. www.bogusbasin.org
