Growing the Next Forest

Thirty miles east of Boise, Idaho, tucked into the foothills above the Boise River, sits one of the key operations for forest restoration in the American West. At Lucky Peak Nursery, millions of seedlings begin life each year, preparing for a journey that will eventually take them into national forests across the West.

These seedlings help landscapes recover from wildfire, rebound from insects and disease damage, support active forest management and grow the healthy, resilient forests future generations will rely on.

Planting crews often get the spotlight when new forests take root, but the work begins long before the first shovel enters the soil. It begins with planning, science and patience inside a greenhouse, where every seed is nurtured with a specific destination already in mind.