Idaho gets federal grant to inventory rare species

BOISE — The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is getting $950,000 to begin an inventory on rare species. The agency announced the grant Thursday, compliments of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. State officials say the federal money will be matched by nearly $1.2 million from a variety of state partners and non-governmental organizations. The money will be used to survey the Idaho Panhandle and northeastern Washington to determine the 20 species in greatest need of conservation in the region. The species must also be identified on wildlife action plans for each state. Essentially, biologists will be out collecting data on a species distribution, population and climate. The information will then be used to help wildlife managers develop plans to improve habitat and numbers.