Boise River ReWild Project
Double-crested-Cormorants. Photo by Devin Grady/Audubon Photography Awards.
Community-led Conservation in Action
We did it! In 2022 and 2023, we restored 40+ acres of important habitat along the Boise River.
We are so grateful for the community support and for our partners (see the list below) including the City of Boise, team leads, plot leads, volunteers and donors.
The Boise River could be considered the living breathing heart of Boise and the Treasure Valley. Some 150,000 people recreate and connect to nature in this amazing place every year—and that number is only expected to increase.
We seek to protect the Boise River, now and into the future. The river means a lot to our community and we aspire to keep it a beautiful recreational paradise, but we also want to recognize what an important place it is for Idaho’s famed wildlife.
Golden Eagle Audubon, the City of Boise, and our many partners are pleased at all the effort and outcomes of the Boise River ReWild Project.
Idaho Young Birder's Club Adopt A Plot group
Native seedlings are cared for at our nursery space until fall plantings
A stellar group of new Plot Leads trained for 2023
Planting at Alta Harris, Fall 2022
Planting willows helps to stabilize the river bank
Before, after weeding, and after planting at one ReWild Adopt A Plot
Beautiful day at the Boise River
Students visit their Adopt A Plot for conservation work, but also for creative writing and other curriculum tie-ins.
Newly planted seedlings get watered in.
Weeding bring such satisfaction and smiles
Everwild Forest School children learn young about caring for the environment by participating in ReWild
Planting in the Fall is best, and continues until the ground freezes. Snow just means moisture early in the season.
About the Project
Location
This project focused around the Barber Pool Conservation Area in east Boise - between the Boise River Diversion dam and the Park Center Bridge. Work occurred on public lands of multiple entities including Ada County and the City of Boise.
Project Components
The project has five main components, outlined in the Boise City Open Space and Clean Water Levy Proposal. All of these components will mean substantial restoration of the ecological functions of habitats along the Boise River!
Invasive Species Removal
Native Plant Restoration
Shoreline Protection & Access Management
Litter Clean Up
Visitor Education
GEAS Past President and Ecologist Sean Finn introduces the Boise River ReWild Project (formally called East Boise Riparian Corridor Project). Presented October 26th, 2021.
Volunteer Opportunities
Our 25,000 native seedlings will need some ongoing care in 2024. Stay tuned for opportunities to help weed, water and tend to the ReWild area.
Volunteers are key to the success of this project. We welcome people to volunteer for a single restoration event or assist an Adopt-a-Plot team.
Stilt. Photo by Ceredig Roberts.
Partnerships
Improving the Boise River and surrounding riparian habitat takes many groups. We are happy to partner with these agencies and organizations who collectively, via this large community collaboration, increase our impact .
THANK YOU to all these amazing partners and our wonderful volunteers. Together we are creating a durable legacy of a resilient Boise River!
Dedicated partners making this work possible:
Ada County Parks and Waterways
Ada Soil & Water Conservation District
Boise River Enhancement Network
Bureau of Land Management
City of Boise Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments
College of Western Idaho
Draggin' Wing High Desert Nursery
Ecological Design, Inc.
Ecosystem Sciences Foundation
EverWild Forest School
Harris Ranch Wildlife Mitigation Association
Idaho Botanical Garden
Idaho Department of Fish & Game
Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation
Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands
Idaho Native Plant Society
Idaho Master Naturalists Program – Sagebrush-Steppe Chapter
Idaho Wildlife Federation
Intermountain Bird Observatory – Boise State University
Land Trust of the Treasure Valley
The Nature Conservancy in Idaho
Riverstone International School
Trailwinds Elementary
Trout Unlimited
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Osprey. Photo by Ken Miracle.