The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) announced today that Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 was a record-breaking year for revenue generated from endowment land activities, bringing in $91,772,231 — exceeding the previous record from FY2014 by $2.2 million.
Oversight by the State Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board), professional land management by IDL, and the investment expertise of the Endowment Fund Investment Board have collectively driven this success. Since endowment reform in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Idaho’s total trust value has become one of the highest among states with trust lands, trailing only those with significant oil or natural gas revenue.
“Idaho sets the standard in land and fund management, demonstrating our dedication to responsible, revenue-driven stewardship of trust lands. Our success is delivering enduring value for the state’s public schools and other endowment beneficiaries,” Land Board Chairman Governor Brad Little said.
“This milestone highlights not just financial success, but the critical and unique mission of Idaho’s endowment trust lands,” said IDL Director Dustin Miller. “Unlike multiple-use public lands managed by agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management, endowment lands are held in trust with one mission: to maximize long-term revenue for the beneficiaries. Every timber sale, grazing lease, and commercial project is managed with that single goal — to strengthen and support Idaho’s state institutions.”
While FY2014 still holds the record for net revenue, those numbers came with unique circumstances. Increased harvest levels following wildfire activity in 2013–2015 led to salvage sales that exceeded annual sales plan targets, and FY2014 included an additional $2 million in premium bids from oil and gas lease auctions.
About the Idaho Department of Lands
IDL manages more than 2.5 million acres of endowment trust lands in Idaho to maximize long-term financial returns for public schools and other beneficiaries. IDL also provides fire protection, forestry assistance, and other resource management services to support Idaho’s citizens and lands.
