Idaho's Roadside Vegetation Program; Restoration and Natives

By Cathy Ford, Roadside Programs Administrator & Sherie Sweaney, Volunteer Services Coordinator, Idaho Transportation Department

Native Palmer penstemons are used as part of roadside beautification, I-84, ITD.

Native mock orange, Philadelphus lewisii, was planted in Idaho's erosion control mix on SH-55.

Idaho Transportation Department is involved in an ongoing statewide effort focusing on establishing and transplanting native grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs along highway construction projects and native habitat restoration projects. Our objective is to promote the use of native species and preserve the natural and sensitive ecosystems in Idaho. To promote species diversity, projects along Idaho's state highways are planted with natives and other regional specific species in areas conducive for good growth, survival, and who share similar habitat requirements. The establishment of native and regionally specific species not only aids in decreasing the ability of noxious weeds invading into a newly disturbed construction area, but also helps in restoring natural habitats and increasing environmental diversity. The selection process involves selecting plants that will grow in adverse soil conditions where topsoil is practically non-existent. Another important aspect is selecting plants that will promote healthy symbiotic relationships with beneficial microorganisms and which are able to establish in disturbed soils during long periods of drought. Idaho's integrated vegetation management program fits nicely in the overall plant diversity concept and becomes a colorful part of the roadside plant community.

In the winter of 1996/97, there was heavy snowfall accumulation, followed by ice and rain that sent huge walls of mud sliding down the mountainsides. A wall of mud 40 feet high and 400 feet wide rolled past Banks, Idaho leaving this small riverside community devastated with a complete loss of services. An emergency relief fund was established to aid in the efforts to clean up the highway, after it was closed for two weeks. As part of the restoration effort, Philadelphus lewisii (Syringa) was transplanted, as well as allowed to grow back naturally into the areas where mudslides had eroded the ground away. Philadelphus lewisii is native to Idaho and listed as Idaho's state flower. This plant grows throughout the state and is easy to start from seed and vegetative growth, as well as provides some of the most scenic and natural beauty along our state's highways.

Highway beautification is one of ITD's long-term goals and achievements to preserve and encourage wildflowers and other natives along our state's rights-of-way. ITD purchases and plants more than 20,000 pounds of native seed each year with new construction and restoration projects. ITD has experienced great success by incorporating native wildflowers seeds into our grass mixtures. Planting native wildflowers has gained interest within the Department and has sparked more staff involvement and has led to other programs such as Operation Wildflower. The wildflower program is one of our most popular and most visible programs and receives positive recognition. Last spring, we had an array of spectacular colors along the roadsides. Penstemon palmeri (Palmer's Penstemon) is one of Idaho's favorite wildflowers. A natural stand of Penstemon in full bloom compliments the natural beauty in Idaho.

Special recognition goes out to the photographers who took the award-winning photos; Category I - Jack Gant, District Three Vegetation Foreman, Category VI - Dan Bryant, Transportation Technician Principle, Maintenance, and Hal Gross, Coordinator for Boise County Disaster Services.