Trust Land Management

Idaho endowment trust land is unique. The lands were granted to the state by Congress at statehood, creating a legal trust for the sole purpose of financially supporting specific beneficiaries, primarily public schools. Idaho’s constitution requires that these lands must be used to generate the maximum financial return to the beneficiary to which it was granted. For endowment land, any use besides generating revenue is secondary because the Land Board, in its capacity as a trustee, must act with undivided loyalty in the interest of the beneficiary.

IDL generates revenue from endowment lands through timber sales, and by leasing the lands for grazing, farming, conservation, communication sites, recreation, residential/commercial real estate and minerals.

Real Estate Services

We manage land acquisitions, land disposals, exchanges and easements which are used to block up and improve access to endowment lands, add desirable land to the portfolio, and address underperforming assets.

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Leasing

Endowment lands provide approximately 2.5 million acres of leasing opportunities including grazing, farming, conservation, residential cottage sites, wind, geothermal, mineral extraction, oil and gas production, and commercial sites.

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Recreation

Almost all Endowment Land is accessible to the public by foot, horseback, bicycle, watercraft, or motorized vehicle. Land Board policy supports allowing public use of legally accessible endowment land for recreation.

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Timber Sales

IDL manages over 1 million acres of productive timberland to produce sustainable revenue for the endowment beneficiaries. Timberland is managed intensively while focusing on long term health and productivity.

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Firewood Cutting

In most parts of Idaho, IDL issues permits to the public to cut firewood on state endowment trust lands for non-commercial purposes.

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Understanding Endowment Land

Idaho’s constitution charges the Land Board with managing the endowment lands for the beneficiaries. The Board delegates its stewardship and daily management responsibilities to the Department of Lands.

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Contact Us

Services are provided by 10 Supervisory Areas that include 14 offices. Ten of the offices operate forest protective districts, which provide wildland fire prevention and suppression.

Northern Operations