The Nature Conservancy in Idaho

We are a hiring a Trustee Liaison & Development Coordinator—and applications are due on July 24!

This role will work closely with the Development Director and State Director on high-level chapter logistics, ex*****on of important meetings, including donors, trustees, committee members and partners. The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience both working independently.

Search for Job #55332 and apply on https://nature.ly/46i2dO6!

Birders are fond of the concept of “spark birds” – the birds that inspire a lifetime interest in birding. Sometimes it’s a single sighting of a particularly beautiful species. Sometimes it is watching a common bird in a city park.

Birds can also kindle a broader interest in nature and observation among kids. Check out this selection of eight birds that we think are great birds to help lead to lifelong intest in the natural world, and add your spark bird to the comments ⬇️

https://nature.ly/3y1io5H

📸Killdeer chick by USFWS

As is the case with snow and cold, some wild animals are supremely adapted to thrive in conditions of heat and drought.

From estivation (the summer version of hibernation) to having giant ears or finding the best shady spot, check out 8 ways animals beat the heat!
https://nature.ly/3xR6wTG

📸Black Tailed Jackrabbit by Paulette Donnellon/TNC Photo Contest 2022

The Nature Conservancy in Idaho is working to advance responsible clean energy development that avoids impacts to the most important natural and working lands, and benefits communities.

In February 2024, we conducted a poll of 500 likely voters across the State to better understand how Idaho voters view clean energy—and found that 64% of Idahoans agree that we can increase the production of clean energy while preserving natural areas, wildlife habitat and the character of our communities.

View the poll's key findings➡️ https://nature.ly/463KWrN

Check out coverage from the Public News Service with comments from our Climate Program Manager, Jillian Hanson➡️
https://nature.ly/45Sy3Rr

TNC's Flat Ranch Preserve is a haven for widlife near Island Park in East Idaho—but development is making it one of the last open spaces in the area that migratory species like pronghorn can count on as they move from one state to another for their survival.

Read why this place is so critical to wildlife, including comments from TNC in Idaho's Matthew Ward, Intermountain Bird Observatory's Jay Carlisle and Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG)'s Shane Roberts ⬇️

Pronghorn Place: Preserve Protects Wildlife Migration Route On Idaho's Flat Ranch Preserve, pronghorn have room to roam.

With careful planning and robust community engagement, the U.S. can build clean energy projects to reduce carbon pollution while protecting sensitive natural, cultural and working lands. The Nature Conservancy’s Power of Place report models how renewable energy can be developed while avoiding impacts to the most important natural and working lands.

https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/tackle-climate-change/climate-change-stories/power-of-place/

The Power of Place Keep up with The Nature Conservancy's latest efforts to protect nature and preserve life on Twitter (http://nature.org/twitter),Facebook (http://nature.org/f...

Interested in learning about soil health practices? Come check out Ladd Wahlen's low-till potatoes and companion cropping and their impact on nutrient management in Aberdeen, ID on July 16th!

This impromptu Soil Health Field Day is organized by The Nature Conservancy and University of Idaho Extenstion. To register, contact U of I's Courtney Cosdon at [email protected] or TNC's Brad Johnson at [email protected].

For background on how regenerative agriculture benefit potato farming, check out this article from TNC's Cool Green Science Blog: https://nature.ly/3zoJ4O1

We are a hiring a Trustee Liaison & Development Coordinator!

This role will work closely with the Development Director and State Director on high-level chapter logistics, ex*****on of important meetings, including donors, trustees, committee members and partners. The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience both working independently.

Search for Job #55332 and apply on https://nature.ly/3VZVsNd!

Where is one of your favorite places to spot bald eagles in Idaho?

TNC's Ball Creek Farm Preserve in North Idaho definitely makes our list! Dozens of other bird species have been spotted on the preserve and nearby Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors should also keep an eye out for moose, elk, otter, beaver and even black bear.

Learn more about Ball Creek and how to visit here➡️ https://nature.ly/4cxDsPR

📸Bald Eagle flies over Ball Creek Farm by Terry Roth

We love seeing everyone's nature summer adventures—but there are some things to keep in mind if we want use social media without harming nature.

🚶‍♂️Stay on the Trail: It might mean you can’t get your ideal shot, but it keeps delicate plants safe.
📸Stop Geotagging & Scrub GPS Data: A good practice is to choose a generic geographic marker (Grand Teton National Park) instead of the specific place (Delta Lake).
🐻Give Wildlife A Wide Berth: Be smart around wildlife. Read local warning signs, take their instructions seriously, and don’t underestimate familiar species. Don’t use a bright flash or play sounds to attract an animal to you. And never touch or feed wildlife, even if they beg.
🌑Don't Move Rocks: Stacks can disrupt fish passage, destroy stream macroinvertebrate habitat, or exposes soil and facilitates erosion. Random rock towers can also confuse hikers, who can easily mistake them for genuine trail markers and get lost.
🤳 More than 250 people died while taking a selfie from 2011 to 2017. Be hyper vigilant in high places or around geothermal areas. Keep in mind that wet rock can be slippery, and not all cliff faces are stable.

🔗Read the full article on TNC's Cool Green Science Blog: https://nature.ly/4eqgsnH

Happy Father's Day to all the dads and father figures 💗

Did you know long-billed curlews are hard-working dads? Two to three weeks after the eggs hatch, females leave the nest to return south, leaving the males to watch after their young. Within 45 days, the chicks are able to fly!

📸BLM Idaho

After three years of planning and implementation, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Idaho has completed the construction of major restoration project along Stalker Creek and Lower Chaney Creek at Silver Creek Preserve that will benefit the entire watershed with better streamflow and habitat conditions for fish, waterfowl and other wildlife.

“As longtime stewards of Silver Creek Preserve, TNC is happy with the outcomes of this science-based restoration project and believes the anticipated benefits will help the ecosystem continue to thrive into the future,” says Director of Stewardship Erika Green Phillips.

Learn more ➡️ https://nature.ly/3XnAnxs

Check out more about this exciting achievement here ➡️
https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/boise-city-of-trees-challenge-forest-restoration-project-tree-seedlings/277-53d9f5f5-0527-4561-9fe9-68a82b9add7e?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0NKQPdgKT1QGOczWu0RRFLW0LX_5JwUBZtm1O7u0fFPTC-OcEqo0-FnpQ_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

We're celebrating a big milestone for the Elaine Clegg City of Trees Challenge 🌳 In partnership with the Treasure Valley Canopy Network, The Nature Conservancy in Idaho and the U.S. Forest Service we have reached our goal of planting 235,000 forest seedlings — one for every Boise resident! Team members recently visited the Boise National Forest north of Idaho City to plant the final 200 seedlings of the challenge in the Pioneer Fire burn scar. Learn more about the challenge and environmental benefits of tree planting: https://city-of-trees-challenge-boise.hub.arcgis.com/

Did you know that we have native orchids in North Idaho?

This delicate flower is known as Mountain Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium montanum) and it's range includes southern Alaska through British Columbia and Alberta into the Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. You can spot them in moist, coniferous, deciduous, and mixedwood forests.

“The Pioneers may look like brown hills when you’re driving through at 65 miles per hour,” says Tess O’Sullivan, TNC’s land and water protection program manager in Idaho. “But slow down, and all these cool features reveal themselves. There are springs and creeks and groves of aspen. These are also what makes this place so important to wildlife.”

In this piece by Cool Green Science, learn about six unique places across the west that you can visit to experience sagebrush and TNC's work, including in Idaho
➡️

Six Spectacular Places to Experience the Sagebrush Sea Six places to visit the stunning sagebrush sea, as recommended by TNC staff working to protect this biologically rich landscape.

June is Great Outdoors Month!

Use this map to find a TNC preserve near you and plan a summer adventure➡️https://nature.ly/3wYZQ5t

📸Rinker Rock Creek Ranch by Edward A. Taft

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Idaho is pleased to announce Taylor Ganz as our new Science Lead!

This role provides localized science support for TNC's programs in Idaho such as land and water conservation, climate policy and renewable energy, natural climate solutions, regenerative agriculture and resilient forests.

Taylor's scientific career has focused on evaluating the intersection of human activities and ecological dynamics to inform conservation and land management. She earned a Ph.D. from University of Washington in Environmental and Forest Sciences, an M.S. from Yale University in Environmental Science, a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at USC and a B.A. in Physics at Lewis and Clark College.

Her role with TNC places her in a landscape that she cares for deeply. Taylor grew up fly-fishing the Big Wood River and formerly worked as a climbing guide in the Sawtooth, Pioneer and Lost River Mountain Ranges.

Learn more about Taylor➡️ https://nature.ly/3V2NgKx

Did you know ospreys were formerly an endangered species? Across the United States, these stunning raptors were affected by pesticides, which weakened the eggshells of their chicks. Since the 1970’s, conservation efforts have brought this species back to healthy population numbers!

Explore interesting facts about ospreys with a Kahoot game➡️ https://nature.ly/4bZVMRv
📸: © Shutterstock

https://nature.ly/4bZVMRv

Planning on getting outside this holiday weekend? Please remember to and practice Principles!

🗺️Know Before You Go: Prepare for weather, review the regulations for the area you will be in and make sure you have lots of water.
🏕️Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces: Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
🎒Dispose of Waste Properly: Remember—pack it in, pack it out.
🌺Leave What You Find: Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Observe, but do not touch, cultural or historic structure and artifacts.
🔥Minimize Campfire Impacts: Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
🦌Respect Wildlife: Give wildlife lots of space, never feed them, and make sure to control your pets at all times.
💖Be Considerate of Others: Be courteous and respect others and protect the quality of their experience.

Please share this post and review all seven guidelines here: https://nature.ly/44YyfOE

📸Christian Nafzger

The Thousand Springs area near Hagerman, offers some of the most unique geology in Idaho and spectacular views.

The Minnie Miller Springs across from Ritter Island, pictured here, is one of the largest remaining natural spring complexes in the Thousand Springs area. Recognizing the importance of Ritter Island to the Middle Snake River’s clean water and wildlife, TNC purchased the property in 1986 and established the Thousand Springs Preserve. In 2006, the land was passed on to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and is now part of the Thousand Springs State Park.

Learn more here➡️ https://nature.ly/3Vf5xWt

It's Wolrd Bee Day!

Did you know there are over 700 native bee species in Idaho? Learn about them from Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG)➡️https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/wildlife-express-bees-0521.pdf

Here are five ways you can help bees and other pollinators:
🌸Create Pollinator Habitat: Choose a selection of plants so flowers are available from spring through fall and use native plants where possible.
🐝Build Nests For Native Bees: Hang nest blocks for cavity-nesting bees, plant bunchgrass and leave small patches of soil for ground nesting bees.
🌱Leave Your Yard Messsy: Less frequent mowing provides cover and leaving leaves in the fall provides places for pollinators to spend winter.
🌻Reduce Pesticide Use: Go easy on the pesticides and use alternatives where possible.
💚Inspire Others: Share your love of pollinators and teach others how to be pollinator friendly!

Learn more about creating a pollinator paradise➡️ https://nature.ly/3VbFmA0.

📸Nevada bumblebee (Bombus nevadensis) foraging in a cutleaf penstemon (Penstemon richardsonii) by Christina Mead/USDA Forest Service.

One forest seedling for every Boise resident---> thats the goal of the Elaine Clegg City of Trees Challenge!

This week, Challenge partners and guests learned all about forest restoration. They toured the Lucky Peak Nursery where millions of trees and shrubs are grown annually to be used in restoration efforts and then headed to north of Mores Creek Summit to the 2016 Pioneer Fire scar. After learning about the planting efforts that have been done over the years by the Boise National Forest, participants planted 250 ponderosa seedlings, getting us close to announcing the completion of our 235,000 seedling goal!

Check out cityoftreeschallenge.com to learn more about this unique project happening both in the forest and in the city🌲

Shout out to all the partners who help make this work possible:

U.S. Forest Service - Boise National Forest
U.S. Forest Service
Treasure Valley Canopy Network
Arbor Day Foundation
City of Boise & Boise Parks and Recreation

There is something special about the sagebrush sea this time of year—the blue-green associated with sagebrush is accompanied by hues of purple, yellow and pink from blooming wildflowers.

This landscape once stretched across almost 500,000 square miles from the Dakotas to California but today there is less than half of that. TNC’s Sagebrush Sea Program is an unprecedented effort to coordinate conservation work across this entire ecosystem: https://nature.ly/4atOkwx

📸Tess O'Sullivan/TNC

Plants have evolved to bloom at different times throughout the year. Some bloom when snow is still melting in early spring, others wait until the leaves change in the fall, and some are blooming right now—like the ones mentioned below🌻

Antelope bitterbrush: This plant is VIP for wildlife! It provides a home to some and an important food source to others from tiny insects to pronghorn.

Arrowleaf balsamroot: In addition to being pretty to look at during hikes in places like the Boise Foothills, the flowers are also a good browsing source for wildlife. Roots, immature flower stems and seeds all have nutritional benefits.

Hermit milkvetch: Like all vetches, this plant is part of the pea family—a familial relationship that can be seen in the similarities in their flowers! Many vetches also have beneficial relationships with soil microbes that help the plants access nitrogen.

Phlox: These pink flowers add a splash of color in the sagebrush sea. They are also an important food source for insects, including many species of bumblebees.

Utah serviceberry: Serviceberries flower in the spring and then have blueberry-sized fruit in the spring. These berries are nutritious for birds, bears, other wildlife… and some humans have reported them to be a mealy in texture with a hint of vanilla in flavor!