Written by CVI Summer Intern Maya Yost Scientists have declared 2023 the hottest year on record. The 2021 Idaho Climate-Economy Impacts Assessment from the University of Idaho highlights that shifts in snowpack levels, runoff, and water management decisions will affect water resources –  and thereby Idaho’s agricultural industry – in the coming decades. To better ..read more

We are so pleased to celebrate our next Executive Director, Alexis Pickering! As CVI’s Executive Director, Alexis sets the strategic direction of the organization to ensure CVI’s continued success in our mission. She develops and implements CVI’s vision, using her leadership to empower our members, board, and staff to coordinate positive local and statewide conservation political change. Alexis grew up with the rugged beauty of the Clearwater River and Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness as her backyard in Kooskia, Idaho. She earned her Masters of Health Science & Health Policy fro ..read more

The 2024 Idaho Primary results have arrived and before I dive in, I want to thank our dedicated team at CVI for all their hard work. These were hard-fought races and our team leaned into some of the toughest battleground districts. I also want to thank the bipartisan partners that joined us in the trenches in one of the largest efforts to date to keep Idaho and conservation values strong at the Statehouse. The wins we’re reflecting on this morning wouldn’t have been possible without our coalition of partners.  In this election, CVI worked in coalition with our partners to support legislat ..read more

Written by Ryan McGoldrick, CVI’s Program Director Each session, we are committed to a strong presence in the Statehouse in order to work with lawmakers, partners, and voters in order to create a political environment that we can count on to protect our natural environment. When the legislative session begins each January, we fill a unique niche by engaging in both conservation and election policy. For the conservation values of Idahoans to show up at the ballot box, it is critical that we protect your right to vote. While every legislative session includes losses, this was a great year f ..read more

Conservation Voters for Idaho’s board of directors announces their decision to select Alexis Pickering as the next Executive Director for the organization after conducting an extensive search.  “The CVI and CVIEF Board of Directors are pleased to share a positive pronouncement for a bright outlook for Idaho’s conservation future brought about by Alexis Pickering’s leadership,” said Molly Page, chair of Conservation Voters for Idaho Education Fund. Pickering will start her new permanent position on May 6th. She succeeds Rialin Flores, who is currently part time and will depart the organiza ..read more

Since joining the team in 2016, it has been an honor to work with our talented staff and dedicated board to protect what makes Idaho, Idaho. Looking back, I’m humbled by the impact of this organization and proud of what we have accomplished together, and the time has come for me to move on.  Last year, I navigated a breast cancer diagnosis, requiring me to step away from the organization for a period of time as I focused on my health. Thankfully, it was an early diagnosis and I’m doing well. However, like so many who saw their priorities shift during a time of uncertainty with the pandemi ..read more

Written by Toni Belknap-Brinegar, CVI’s Senior Civic Engagement & Leadership Coordinator, and Samantha Miller, CVI’s Program Associate On the Docket: 2024 Fellowship Cohort  Every year, I say that I have met the best people who have chosen to participate in the program and this year doesn’t disappoint! Here is a peek at some of the fellows you will get to know over the next six months: Esperanza Pablano Esperanza currently lives in Nampa and works for a national organization providing training in diversity, equity and inclusions. She aims to learn the dynamics of boards and commissio ..read more

Written by Toni Belknap-Brinegar, Senior Civic Engagement & Leadership Coordinator On the Docket: Celebrating North Carolina CVIEF’s Boards and Commissions program began with a grant from the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the first-ever offered in 2020. The following year, North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Education Fund was selected for the grant to start up their own program. The director, Kerry Wiggins, and I have worked very closely over the last two years building a learning community and sharing our knowledge about how our respective programs were thriving and learn ..read more

For years, Conservation Voters for Idaho has had the only year-round team that focuses on educating and engaging the public. This election cycle, our eight Voter Outreach Specialists knocked doors across Boise in preparation for the 2023 municipal election. These one-on-one conversations are one of the most powerful ways to connect people in the community with the candidates on the ballot and remind them of our shared values around conservation and outdoor spaces.  What is it like for our VOS team to meet voters face-to-face on local issues? We asked three of them to share their experienc ..read more

We begin this newsletter with sad news. In the September newsletter, we featured a potential fellow, Robin “Rob” Crisler. We received news as of Monday, October 30th, Rob has passed away. Rob was passionate about people; whenever you asked them what they were working on, it was always justice for people. “I want to uplift those in the margins of the margins.  Those who don’t feel like they fit into where they’re supposed to. And women! People struggling with inequality, insecurity, isolation and incarceration are who I want to uplift.” They were wise beyond their years and saw their ..read more