Idaho Timber Lands Generate $55M For Students

State lands across Idaho generated a record $55 million for public schools this year. Governor Brad Little and other top elected state officials presented a check to students during a ceremony at the statehouse last week. The presentation by the Idaho Department of Lands represents money generated from state-owned properties for the 2022 fiscal year.

“These endowment distribution funds are critical to Idaho schools to support and improve our state education system,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra. “We want to thank our educators for their hard work and dedication this year and hope they recognize the Land Board’s commitment to continue these distributions to schools with our ongoing prudent management of endowment land assets and investments.”

In all, state lands generated $88,076,500 for nine beneficiaries that include Idaho's public schools, universities, state hospitals for the mentally ill and charitable institutions such as the state veterans homes, the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind and Idaho's juvenile corrections system. According to IDL, that’s a sizeable increase from the $84.5 million generated last year. And officials are predicting a distribution of $100 million next year.

The money comes from the state’s 2.5 million acres of land, with timber harvest producing the most money.

“Through timber harvest and excellent endowment land management practices, along with prudent investing, we are proud to be able to give Idaho public schools this record amount of funding,” said Idaho Governor Brad Little. “This speaks to the commitment of the Idaho Department of Lands staff and the Endowment Fund Investment Board who are committed and work hard on behalf of our children and the other beneficiaries. It also shows the Land Board’s commitment to education and the school children of Idaho.”

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