Mission Statement

To provide programs that result in an informed public that understands and supports balanced responsible management of Idaho’s economically vital private and public rangelands.

Nearly half of Idaho is classified as rangeland. Eighty percent of rangelands are managed by either a federal or state agency. It is essential for the citizens of Idaho to have a good understanding of the ecology and management of these lands. IRRC's role is to create programs and materials to increase public understanding of the ecology of Idaho's rangelands and how they are managed.

IRRC's goals

  • To increase public understanding that Idaho’s rangelands are a renewable source of important consumer products and environmental values.
  • To provide, coordinate, and disseminate factual information about the economic and environmental aspects of grazing management practices.
  • To promote public support for Idaho’s livestock industry.
  • To help achieve and maintain a healthy livestock industry through responsible rangeland stewardship.
  • To advocate balanced use of rangeland resources.

The Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission is prohibited by law from advocating specific legislation or political candidates. It is a state agency with an educational mission. The IRRC is not a regulatory agency.


A volunteer board of five voting members, nominated by the aforementioned organizations and appointed by the Governor, governs the IRRC. They each serve a five-year term.

IRRC board members:

John Noh, Chairman
Kimberly, ID
Chris Black
Bruneau, ID
Jackie Ingram
Clayton, ID
Royce Schwenkfelder
Cambridge, ID
Todd Holbrook
Bancroft , ID

Commission Staff

Gretchen Hyde, Executive Director
P.O. Box 126
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 398-7002
1-877 ID RANGE (toll free in Idaho)
E-mail: ghyde@idahorange.org

IRRC Advisory Members

BLM State Director
1387 S. Vinnell Way
Boise, ID 83709
President
Society for Range Management
Idaho Section
Director
Idaho Department of Lands
954 West Jefferson Street
Boise, ID 83720
Dean
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-2331
Director
Idaho Department of Agriculture
P. O. Box 790
Boise, ID 83707
Dean
College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1131
Chairman
Idaho Rangeland Committee
State Conservationist
Natural Resource Conservation Service
3244 Elder Street
Boise, ID 83705
Regional Supervisors
United State Forest Service
Director
Idaho Fish & Game
600 S. Walnut
Boise, ID 83712

In the early 1990s, the Idaho Cattle Association, the Idaho Wool Growers Association and the Idaho Rangeland Committee saw a need for increasing the public’s knowledge and understanding about rangeland management. These organizations jointly proposed enabling legislation to create the first “Rangeland Resource Commission” in the United States. The Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission, a state agency, was created by House Bill No. 910, Chapter No. 14, Title No. 58, Idaho Code, which was passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Cecil Andrus during the 1994 legislative session.