For Diane Moore Nature Center Project, Boise State’s Intermountain Bird Observatory Finds a Partner in The Nature Conservancy

Boise State University’s Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have agreed to a partnership to make improvements at the Diane Moore Nature Center in Boise, a 22-acre natural area managed by IBO, located on the Boise River.

“The Nature Conservancy in Idaho is excited to join the Diane Moore Nature Center project with the Intermountain Bird Observatory and Boise State,” said TNC Idaho Chapter Board Member Kay Hardy. “As a board member, I am happy that we can partner in this transformative project, providing a place for education about nature in Boise.”

This partnership presents an opportunity to advance both organizations’ shared goals of habitat restoration, outdoor accessibility, and conservation education at the local level. In addition to making a financial gift to the IBO, The Nature Conservancy will mobilize its large Boise-area volunteer base to help restore the landscape of the Diane Moore Nature Center with native plants and cuttings. TNC has approximately 2,000 members and a field office in the Treasure Valley area, and this collaboration will expand opportunities to get involved with a local conservation project.

The Diane Moore Nature Center is a hub for avian research and education, and hosts thousands of Idaho K-12 students every year for field trips. IBO and its many community partners are in the midst of a multi-year effort to improve native habitat at the site, develop year-round education programs, improve water quality, and provide controlled public access. A newly-constructed side channel will improve habitat for fish and wildlife, and an interpretive trail system will educate visitors about the Boise River and the importance of its native habitat to wildlife.

The first collaboration between The Nature Conservancy and Boise State took place in 2014, when the Intermountain Bird Observatory and TNC joined forces to implement sustainable ranching practices to protect the habitat of declining long-billed curlews, North America’s largest shorebird, at TNC’s Flat Ranch Preserve located near the headwaters of the Henry’s Fork in eastern Idaho.

Adding that the relationship between the organizations meets several of the standards outlined in Boise State’s Strategic Plan: Blueprint for Success 2021-2026, including innovation, advancing research and creative activity and trailblazing partnerships, IBO Co-founder and Diane and Winston Moore Family Endowed Executive Director Greg Kaltenecker said he hopes the current and previous work TNC and IBO have done together will set the stage for future collaboration.

“We are excited to have The Nature Conservancy bring their global conservation reputation and expertise to the Diane Moore Nature Center,” he said. “I’m happy that the Intermountain Bird Observatory and The Nature Conservancy have shared values and goals, and look forward to a long-term and beneficial partnership.”

About Boise State University

Boise State provides an innovative, transformative, and equitable educational environment that prepares students for success and advances Idaho and the world. Serving more than 33,000 students annually, Boise State is proud to be powered by creativity and innovation, receiving recognition by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 50 most innovative universities in the country. Located in Idaho’s capital city, the university has a growing research agenda and plays a crucial role in the region’s knowledge economy and famed quality of life. In the past 10 years, the university has quadrupled the number of doctoral degrees and doubled its master's degree offerings.