October 12–17, 2026 | Dedication Point, Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
The week of October 12-17 was a busy and productive week at Dedication Point! Through the Birds of Prey NCA Partnership's (BOPP) Habitat Improvement Program (HIP), youth crews, BLM interns, and community volunteers came together to remove invasive weeds, plant native species, and improve habitat at one of the National Conservation Area's most iconic overlooks.
Earlier in the week, five youth crew members and two BLM interns spent a full day tackling invasive weeds in the native plant garden along the Dedication Point parking area. Their hard work filled an entire large U-Haul truck with weeds, making room for native plants and preparing the site for Saturday's public volunteer event. We're also experimenting with new weed removal methods to identify effective, sustainable approaches for managing invasive species and supporting native plant establishment.
On Saturday, October 17, volunteers returned to Dedication Point to continue the restoration effort. Together, we planted approximately 125 native forbs, including an assortment of penstemon species, along with sagebrush and native grasses along the trail leading to the observation overlook. These plantings will help increase native plant diversity, provide habitat and forage for wildlife and pollinators, and contribute to our long-term vision of creating an outdoor classroom where visitors and students can experience the beauty and ecological importance of the sagebrush steppe firsthand.
A Stark Reminder of Why This Work Matters
During Saturday's volunteer event, a wildfire broke out across the road near Coyote Butte, threatening some of the area's remaining intact sagebrush-steppe communities. Watching a fire develop so close to our restoration efforts was a powerful reminder of just how vulnerable these landscapes have become.
Sagebrush communities can take decades to recover following wildfire, and repeated fires can lead to the replacement of native vegetation by invasive annual grasses. With so much of the Snake River Plain's sagebrush habitat already lost or degraded, protecting the intact sagebrush communities that remain is just as important as restoring areas that have been damaged. Every surviving patch of native vegetation matters.
The week's events reinforced why BOPP's Habitat Improvement Program is working to protect, restore, and strengthen native plant communities throughout the NCA. From removing invasive weeds to establishing new native plants and developing local seed sources, these efforts are small but meaningful steps toward a healthier, more resilient landscape.
More Opportunities to Get Involved!
This is just the beginning of our fall restoration season! BOPP's Habitat Improvement Program has additional volunteer events planned throughout the fall, including native seed collection, planting, weed removal, and other hands-on habitat improvement activities.
Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to become a regular volunteer, we'd love to have you join us. Every helping hand makes a difference! Subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you’re informed when opportunities arise.
A huge thank-you to our youth crew members, BLM interns, and community volunteers for their hard work and enthusiasm. Together, we're helping protect and restore the remarkable sagebrush-steppe landscape that makes the NCA so special.