Panhandle Forest Collaborative

Vision

By assisting the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and other agencies in bringing a balanced approaches to timber, wild ecosystems and recreation, the Panhandle Forest Collaborative (PFC) helps to contribute to sustainable social, environmental and economic viability within the region.

Panhandle Forest Collaborative's Approach

The Panhandle Forest Collaborative focuses on issues on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, primarily within the Sandpoint, Priest Lake and portions of the Coeur d’Alene Ranger Districts, with the goals of reducing litigation, promoting sustainable operations, enhancing travel and recreation opportunities, maintaining infrastructure for timber, ranching and recreation, and conserving native ecosystems.

By building communication and connectivity between on-going local community efforts and the county, state and federal agencies, the PFC works as a group to provide consensus recommendations on projects and forest plans which address the collaborative's shared goals.

Meet the Collaborative

  • Chris Bachman, Conservation Representative
  • Jeff Bynum, Conservation Representative
  • Jeff Connolly, County Representative
  • Tom Dabrowski, Recreation Representative
  • Kurt Dyroff, Conservation Representative
  • John Finney, Motorized Recreation Representative
  • Mike Gaertner, Non-motorized Recreation Representative
  • Alan Harper, Timber Representative
  • Phil Hough, Community Non-profit Representative
  • Travis Icardo, Hunting Representative
  • Liz Johnson-Gebhardt, Community Non-profit Representative
  • Eric Nave, Timber Representative
  • Mike Petersen, Conservation Representative
  • Peg Polichio, State Representative
  • Brad Smith, Conservation Representative
  • Laura Wolf, State Agency Representative

Meetings and Documents

The PFC meets on the third Wednesday of every other month. During the COVID pandemic meetings will be held virtually. Contact the PFC's facilitator (below) to receive updates and meeting agendas.

Panhandle Forest Collaborative Protocols (Updated January 2018)

Recreation Committee Action Plan (Updated July 2021)

News and Press

Hughes Aquatic Restoration Project

Other Collaborative Groups and Resources in the Area:

Idaho Forest Restoration Partnership

Kootenai Valley Restoration Initiative

For more info about the PFC or to join the mailing list, please contact

Ben Irey, Conservation Connect Program Manager, at birey@nationalforests.org