WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT -- The Idaho Fish and Game Department is putting together a regional citizen advisory group to help guide the managment of game and non-game species.

The public is invited to the first meeting starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at the IDFG regional office, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave. in Coeur d’Alene.

Anyone interested in participating as a member of this group is encouraged to contact IDFG at (208) 769-1414 in advance of the meeting. The agency will provide a variety of pizzas and beverages.

• The group is likely to meet three or four times and conclude its efforts by mid-May.

The regional advisory groups around the state are a result of the August 2012 Idaho Wildlife Summit that attracted nearly 500 people statewide, with additional people participating via an online video stream.

The purpose of the event was to bring together wildlife enthusiasts including hunters, anglers, birders, and wildlife viewers to find common ground for moving forward in building Idaho’s remarkable wildlife legacy.

Of the summit participants:

82 percent purchased a hunting, fishing or trapping license within the past two years.

90 percent watched or photographed wildlife within the past two years.

91 percent said abundant wildlife is an important reason for living in Idaho.