More than half the battle of any goal is knowing where to go and finding who to know. Growing up in Boise as a teen invested in becoming a biologist one day was tricky. I eventually found volunteer opportunities at the Zoo, MK Nature Center and some Boy Scout projects, but otherwise felt quite out of the loop. Imagine how I was both ecstatic and devastated to learn only at the ripe age of 27 just how many hands on volunteering, no degree required opportunities there are!

I’m sharing all I find to help spread the good word and get more hands involved in the good work of keeping Idaho’s lands and nature a beautiful, healthy place to be. Perhaps more high school and pre-college friends will be able to get the varied experiences they need to get into better programs than I was able to find once upon a time. May you find a passionate, powerful community working here to keep Idaho wild.

Here is a “Tip of the Ice burg” List of Organizations to Know:

Between roughly Mountain Home to the Owyhee Mountains

First, please remember one person can only know about and participate with so many communities in their lifetime. In the list below, starred groups* will be groups I have personally volunteered with. Second, I’m happy to take recommendations of other local groups you know about. In summary, this page will probably forever be a work in progress, where I will continue adding more information about each organization as I get time. Now with that out of the way let’s get to that list!

Friends of Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge*

Friends of Owyhee

HawkWatch International (Idaho Branches)

Idaho Fish and Game*

Idaho Master Naturalists*

Idaho Master Gardeners*

Idaho Wildlife Federation

Intermountain Bird Observatory*

If you know of an organization you think should be on this list that is missing, contact me!