Blog
Browse this page for blog postings related to middle- and high-school-teacher Adventure Learning workshops taking place across Idaho. Use the widgets to the right (or at bottom of this page, for smaller devices) to filter blog posts.
Manager communication
I am curious with the water year we've had, what do you think the communication looks like between the managers of the dam systems looks like?
Impact of MILES
MILES is a valuable foundation tasked with helping inform, research, and manage Idaho's ecosystem services. This foundation holds a potentially profound affect on the future of land and water use in Idaho. Through quality research, accessible education, and science-based decision making, MILES seeks and spreads knowledge to Idaho diverse population. From individuals to an entire communities, this foundation's aim is to educate the public on Idaho’s valuable natural resources. And when the public is informed and educated, it holds the power to have a serious impact on the future of land... more
Recreation as an ecosystem service how important is it?
Question: What ecosystem service do you value the most in your watershed? Why?
While looking at the different ecosystem services, many thoughts popped up, I first thought that recreation was the one I was interested in, but then they said which was the most important to me, I then took another look and decided that clean water was the most important. Then again I started thinking, (always dangerous!:) and realized that while enjoying recreational activities, I always had to be aware of the need for clean water, which then led me to think about my responsibilities for packing out... more
Recreation in the Boise River Watershed
The Boise river watershed is a vast and dynamic system that is used by thousands of people from many walks of life. The headwaters of this system start on the backside of the Sawtooth mountains in central Idaho. There are 3 main branches of the Boise river in this area: the north, middle, and south forks. In these upper reaches you can do many outdoor activities including: fishing, camping, hunting, rafting, and hiking to name a few. These areas generally consist of swift moving water so water safety is a concern, especially during high water. Both the middle and south forks have... more
Analyzing Cycles
Cycles directly control the flow of water, carbon, nitrogen and life. The water cycle is influenced by various biotic and abiotic factors, from snowpack to public policy. Personally, the effects of natural cycles also affect my ability... to cycle. My first encounter with the Boise watershed was in Featherville, just north of Anderson Ranch in the Upper Basin of the Boise watershed. The Upper Basin is the primary source of precipitation and storage to the Treasure Valley, capturing up to 500% more water each year when compared to the Lower Basin (according to research from MILES). The... more
Recreational Value of the Boise Watershed
We're all connected by water.
Our society values, governs, builds infrastructure around, recreates, and provides food from water. One way that I am personally connected to the water is through recreation. I love to hike, bike and paddle, in and near water. It provides breathtaking beauty in lakes and rivers and great sport as kayakers and rafters traverse the waterways. Many of Boise's citizens are attracted to this area because of the abundance of natural beauty and the access they have to the outdoors. I value the recreational value that the watershed provides in this region. ... more