Twelve hardy Boy Scouts and three adult leaders from Troop 318 in the Treasure Valley of Idaho came to Western Watersheds Project's Greenfire Preserve on Nov. 7, on a conservation mission to plant sagebrush seed.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Intermountain West Joint Venture provided the seed as part of its 10-year commitment to assist with Greenfire's uplands restoration project. About 150 pounds of seed was supplied to cover 100  acres.

Josh Malmgren, one of the scouts, organized the volunteer planting as his Eagle Scout project. His group successfully completed the planting in one day under extreme conditions - a tremendous accomplishment!

The group camped out overnight, braving sub-zero temperatures, then worked in temperatures barely above freezing during the day, hand-casting sagebrush seed around 100 acres of former cattle pasture. The conditions were trying for the volunteers but ideal for the seeding, as the seeds will lie dormant until next spring.

The sagebrush is expected to grow among the forbs and grasses that were seeded in the same area earlier this year. All of the plantings will provide forage and cover for birds, deer, elk and pronghorn.

The group saw a variety of wildlife around Greenfire, including deer, wild horses and a dramatic encounter between a golden eagle and a rabbit. (The rabbit won - this time.)

WWP supporter Bob Wagenknecht provided on-the-ground guidance for the group, and WWP Greenfire manager Stew Churchwell coordinated equipment and logistics.

WWP thanks Bob and the following scouts and their leaders for their hard work and perseverance in the cold: Scouts Josh Malmgren, Kenny Adams, D.J. Bush, Carter Hurst, Jace Johnson, Trent Johnson, A.J. Lowe, Eric Malmgren, Mark Malmgren, Jacob Olsen, Josh Peterson and Garrett Schroath; adult leaders Drew Dayton, Andy Johnson and Rick Malmgren.

WWP hopes to collaborate on future projects with Troop 318, and we hope the scouts will return to see the fruits of their labors at Greenfire.