An important habitat improvement project in the Payette National Forest received crucial support from Wildlife Forever. The Lick Creek/Cottonwood Corral Habitat Restoration involved the use of prescribed burns to improve 600 acres for elk, mule deer, grouse, turkeys, songbirds, ground squirrels, and raptors. A major focus of the project was the Northern Idaho ground squirrel, currently listed as a “threatened species” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. After completing a tree-thinning project, prescribed burns were used to remove brush and smaller trees and to promote the growth of native grasses. This effort was part of a five-year plan to enhance a total of 2,500 acres.