PARKS &
RECREATION

McKindree Announced As New Farragut State Park Assistant Manager

Submitted by: David White - It is with great pleasure that I announce Erin McKindree  as the new Farragut State Park Assistant Manager.  Erin started out as a Ranger at Dworshak and spent the past nine years as the Priest Lake State Park Assistant Manager.  She is excited about the opportunity to take on and grow from the new and exciting challenges and experiences at Farragut.

Please join me in congratulating Erin in her new position!

IDPR recognizes Schaefer

NEWPORT — On August 25 the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Board presented Mr. Charlie Schaefer with the 2015 annual Distinguished Citizen Award. Mr. Schaefer of Newport, Wash., has been an Idaho safe boating instructor involved in classes and outreach events for more than 25 years. Read more >>

Correction: Whispering Pines Yurt Lost to Pioneer Fire

We received corrected information pertianing to structures lost in the Pioneer Fire. Originally, it had been reposted that the Skyling Yurt had been lost in the fire. New information out Tuesday confirms that it was the Whispering Pines yurt that was lost. Whispering Pines is one of the six backcountry yurts within the Idaho City Backcountry Yurt Program. The loss extends to two outhouses at Stargaze and Skyline yurts. In those cases the yurts are still standing. No confirmation yet on the Rocky Ridge Yurt. Banner Ridge and Elkhorn yurts are still within the fire's path. We will remain hopeful for the next few days and hope to receive good news sduring our Thursday briefing with Boise National Forest (BNF) officials. (Photo of Banner Ridge Yurt)

Round Lake State Park Receives $15,000 From Equinox Foundation

Round Lake State Park worked with IDPR's Fundraising Coordinator, Evelyn Mason to apply for a grant through the Equinox Foundation Grant to assist with the park's Stewardship Trail Project. The park was awarded the full $15,000 they asked for and funding will be available August 1st 2016.

If your park and/or program has a need or special project in mind, contact Evelyn for assitance with funding sources and grant submissions.

City of Rocks celebrates Every Kid in a Park in Southern Idaho

City of Rocks National Reserve hosted several hundred 4th graders as part of the National Park Service’s promotion to get “Every Kid in a Park” during its Centennial year. A film crew followed the kids around the park as they learned about nature. View the video!  

Invest In Life, Wear It, Idaho!

Check out the Boating Program's new safe boating campaign, "Invest In Life. Wear It, Idaho." The statewide campaign includes television and radio ads (:60 / :30), billboards (pictured above) and social media elements. The run will officially kick-off next week, start of Safe Boating Week, 2016.

Kuddos Fiscal!

Fiscal staff was recognized by the State Controller's Office (SCO) for outstanding performance and lasting contribution toward the State's Consolidated Annual Financial Report (CAFR). For the fourth consecutive year, all of IDPR's year-end CAFR reports were submitted on or before the SCO's deadline.

Friends of Harriman State Park Raising Funds

The Friends of Harriman State Park have a new logo and are raising funds to replace the park's historic Jack Fence through their "Buy a Buck" campaign. You can get all the details in the latest edition of their newsletter. 

2015 AWARD WINNERS

We finished up the award dissemination this morning with a meeting at headquarters. That said, we now have a complete list of 2015 IDPR Award Winner's. Please join me in congratulating each and every one of these exceptional individuals. 

Director's Award: Eileen Downing (Headquarters)

Beth Durham Award: Steve Kuskie (Winchester Lake)

Ranger of the Year: James Mallet (Farragut)

Certificate(s) of Merit: Eric Whittekiend (Thousand Springs), David Landrum (Thousand Springs), Blair Geiger (North Region), Lonnie Johnson (Priest Lake), John Arnold (Headquarters), Bryce Bealba (Bruneau Dunes)

Excellence in Interpretation: Greg Hodapp (Hells Gate)

Distinguished Citizen Award: Charlie Schaefer

Volunteers in Parks: John Allison (Heyburn), Fred and Lavon Ramsey (Priest Lake), Sharon and Elver Clark (Land of the Yankee Fork)
 

Eagle Island's New Entrance Grand Opening

We formally opened the new entrance into Eagle Island State Park off Highway 44 in Eagle Monday afternoon. The celebration included a trolley into the park,  ribbon cutting and ceremony at the park's Kestral Shelter. Students from the Idaho Fine Arts Academy performed and speakers list included Governor Otter, Eagle Mayor Stan Ridgeway and Eagle Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Carpenter. Eagle Fire Department and Police were on site to help with event logistics. Scout was there too, of course!

Welcome Baby Garlitos!

JJ and his wife Janelle welcomed sweet Eliana at 8:51 pm March 28, 2016. 
Congratulations, Garlitos Family!

Congratulations Farragut State Park Ranger Jim Mallet, IDPR Ranger of the Year!

Eagle Island's New Entrance To Open Soon

The new entrance for Eagle Island State Park will open Monday, April 4, 2016. A Grand Opening will take place to commemorate the occasion onsite that day at 2pm.

The new entrance is located at 165 S Eagle Island Pkwy, off Highway 44 at the Fisher Pkwy / Eagle Island Pkwy intersection. 

“We’re excited about the new entrance.  Park access will be more visible   from Highway 44,” said Eagle Island State Park Manager, Gary Shelley. “Several new experiences within the park; zip-line tours, expanded disc golf, a refurbished waterslide, and a restroom remodel/enlargement are planned for 2016 and we are looking forward to a busy summer.”

Park goers are urged to take note that the Linder / Hatchery Road entrance will close Monday, April 11, 2016. At that time, the new entrance on Highway 44 will serve as the only park entrance.

Boise Sportsman Show 2016

March 8, 2016 - The annual Sportsman Show in Boise at Expo Idaho is the premiere outreach event for the IDPR Recreation Programs. The four-day show is one of the most popular events for outdoor enthusiasts in the region boasting attendance of over 12,000. Pictured above, set-up of the IDPR booth with each Recreation Program represented.

Yurt Model

Thank you, DeEtta Petersen, newest member of IDPR's Non-Motorized Trails Program, for creating this amazing model of an Idaho City Backcountry Yurt...by hand! This small yurt will be on display at the Boise Sportsman Show taking place at Expo Idaho this weekend. DeEtta’s goal was to provide a realistic sample of what a yurt looked like. The expertly crafted model is complete with a 360 degree deck and Adirondack chairs. Great job, DeEtta!

It's Grant Season In Idaho!

February 18, 2016 - Have you ever wondered what grant season looks like at headquarters? Well, wonder no more. The image below (which only demonstrates a fraction of the applications) was captured late last week as our dedicated grant staff members were receiving and reviewing every application, to each and every program, to ensure eligibility. It's a big job and the IDPR Grants and Funding Program Staff should be commended. Thank you for all you do for Idaho!

The next step in the process is to deliver applications to Advisory Committee Members statewide who will review, rank, and prioritize projects for potential funding.

IDPR managed Grant Programs fund over $7 million dollars in projects benefiting recreationists throughout Idaho! You can learn more about our grants and funding programs here (under the grants and funding tab).

Thank You, IDPR! Sincerely, Idaho Dept of Ag

January 27, 2016 - The Idaho Department of Agriculture sent a heart-felt thank you to me this week, acknowledging IDPR employees for your continued assistance with the Idaho Invasive Species Program. I love receiving letters like these, demonstrating that your diligent efforts do not go un-noticed by those outside the agency. I'm proud of you all. Keep up the good work! View the actual letter as a PDF.

IDPR Will Host February Summit on Non-Motorized Trail Recreation in Idaho

January 27, 2016 - The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) will host a summit to discuss issues and solutions pertaining to non-motorized trail recreation in Idaho. The discussion will be held Thursday, February 11, 2016 from 6-8 PM inside the Andrus Center for Public Policy located at 301 South Capitol Blvd, Boise. Learn more >>

It’s Grant Season!

January 26, 2016 - You can view all of IDPR’s proposed applications here: http://www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/news

A Boo-ti-ful Gesture.

October 23, 2015 - Halloween is a week away and tiny little Idahoans will soon be going door-to-door with hopes of filling their loot bags with treats. Instead of sugary snacks this year, consider promoting our parks, the expereiences they provide and setting the stage for our youth to live healthy, active lives. What a boo-tiful gensture, right? Coupons that provide one free motor vehicle entry fee (MVEF) to any Idaho State Park are available for your use. Contact Jennifer Okerlund if you're interested. 

Idaho Will Embrace "Ride On" Campaign

Idaho's long-standing "Stay on Trails" campaign will be transitioning in 2016 to the "Ride On" campaign, backed by TreadLightly. Although the name of the campaign will change, the emphasis of the outreach efforts will still focus on encouraging safe and ethical use of Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) on public land. Idaho is not the only state to embrace the new campaign. In fact, most of our neighboring states have already done so.

Zamzows Sponsors the Idaho Outdoor Recreation Festival

Zamzows is a very generous sponsor of the first (hopefully annual) Idaho Outdoor Recreation Festival taking place at Eagle Island State Park on August 22, 2015. Take a listen to the radio spot they produced promoting the event. Thank you, Zamzows!

Boise's Mix106 FM is also a sponsor. Check out the spot that beganning running on that station last Saturday.

Public Meetings Scheduled on IDAPA Rule Changes For IDPR

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) is proposing new rules in IDAPA 26.02.06 that will govern cooperator recognition naming rights and provisions regarding the sale of advertising.

• August 11, 2015 (Tuesday); 6-7pm; Kathleen Ave, Suite 1, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
• August 19, 2015 (Wednesday); 6-7 pm; 4279 Commerce Circle, Suite B, Idaho Falls, Idaho
• August 24, 2015 (Monday); 6-7 pm; 5657 Warm Springs Avenue, Boise, Idaho

Meeting details and the proposed rules can be reviewed here. Contact Anna Canning for additional information.

Scout Approved

08/03/2015 - (Submitted by: Jennifer Okerlund) Scout has a new logo. Thank you for voting on your favorite. Option #3 won by a landslide. Yes, we had to adjust his face slightly, this in an attempt to make him look more like himself. I think he looks great and the logo concept remained the same. We now have a graphic to use when branding Scout approved publications, programs and merchandise. The logo lives on the H: alongside all other agency, park and program logos. Just give me a heads-up before use. Thanks!

GOVERNOR APPOINTS FORMER DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER TO IDAHO PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD VACANCY

7/29/2015  (BOISE) - Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter announced the appointment today of Peter J. Black to the Idaho Parks and Recreation Board. Black is filling the vacancy of Jean McDevitt who had served on the Parks and Recreation Board since 1997. Black, who was a democratic member of the Idaho State House of Representative from 1982-1996, and was assistant minority leader from 1986-1996, will serve on the Board as the representative from District 5.

“Pete’s past legislative experience working on Parks and Recreation issues will be a great addition to the Board and I appreciate his willingness to serve,” Governor Otter said

The Idaho Parks and Recreation Board provides citizen oversight for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR). Board members are appointed to six-year terms. No more than three members can be from a single party, and each member represents one of six districts of the state. The Board appoints and supervises the agency director. 

IDPR manages 30 State parks throughout every region of Idaho and the registration programs for boats, snowmobiles and other off-highway vehicles (OHV). Money from these registration programs return to users to develop and maintain trails, facilities and programs. IDPR also provides free education courses for boaters and OHV operators.

“I love Idaho and all the recreational opportunities we have, especially our state parks,” said Black. “More people should experience our wonderful state recreation facilities while supporting local businesses in those areas. I am thankful the Governor appointed me and I look forward to working with the other Board members.”

Pete and his wife Ronda live in Pocatello and have one son.

Harriman Celebrates 50 Years and Heritage Days, 2015 (New)

I Love You, Idaho - Circa 1989

There was a promotional video for Idaho tourism included in the time capsule we recently unearthed during our 50th Anniversary Celebration at headquarters on July 1, 2015. What a gem. The quality is par although the audio may have been impacted by age. Turn it up. Be sure to watch all :15 glorious minutes.

Scout's Big Thousand Springs Adventure and A Square-Dancing Board Member

07/13/2015 - Photos:(left) Scout with two new friends at Thousand Springs 50th Anniversary Bash at Ritter Island. (Right) Board Member Charles Correll providing square-dance lessons.

Eagle Island Is Getting A Zip Line

Eagle Island State Park was recently featured in the Eagle Informer, a local, well-circulated magazine in Eagle, Idaho. Check out the complete story!

Ashton-Tetonia Trail Makes the Local News

ASHTON — One of the better-kept trails in Eastern Idaho has to be the Ashton to Tetonia Trail.

Completed in 2010 and administered by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and managed through Harriman State Park, the converted rail bed is nearly 30 miles long. The surface is a gravel and dirt combination. The trail isn’t difficult at all and is suited for just about any age level or experience for hiking and biking. Read more...

Scout Rocked Dworshak In 106 Degree Heat!

06/29/2015 - Dworshak held their (very successful) 50th Anniversary event over the weekend and it was hot, hot, hot!
Congratulations to Michelle and crew for a great event. Special thanks to the little lady who brought Scout to life for the day. What a trooper!

The Huckleberry Jam

06/29/2015 - The Idaho State Parks Passport is the official sponsor of the main stage for the 2015 Huckleberry Jam, August 14-15, happening at Tamarack. Check out the event online.

New Fishing Pond and 3-D Archery Range at Castle Rocks

06/29/20015 - We opened the new fishing pond and archery range at Castle Rocks over the weekend. What a great collaboration project between state agencies and a wonderful event. Pictures to follow!

Scout's BIG Debut

05/20/2015 - Submitted by Jennifer Okerlund

Scout made his debut appearance Tuesday at an all-school assembly in the Midvale School Gymnasium, Midvale Idaho.  The assembly was part of an IDPR-hosted celebration and ice cream social recognizing Mrs. DeVries' 4th Grade Class for winning the Name our Mascot contest.

The contest was open to all fourth grade classes in Idaho and IDPR received 58 name/story submissions. Scout and his wonderful story were selected as one of three finalists, then subject to popular vote on social media. Over 1,000 individuals participated in the online poll.

Pictured in photos are Mrs. DeVries and her students (top) and Manon Tyler, a student of Mrs. DeVries, selected the name authored Scout's story (bottom).

First Lady, Lori Otter had hoped she could join in the celebration but was unable to attend the event. Instead, she sent a note to the students of Midvale.

Special thanks to Betty Mills, Keith Hobbs, Surat Nicol and Kathryn Hampton for helping execute an incredible event. The kids and community of Midvale all commented on the afternoon, feeling well-celebrated! Thanks also go to Airstream Adventures Northwest for providing the funds that allowed us to bring Scout to life!

Board Member McDevitt Retires

After 18 years of service, Board Member, Jean McDevitt is set to retire in June, 2015. We celebrated Jean at the most recent Idaho Park and Recreation Board Meeting. Her knowledge and dedication to the people of Idaho will not be forgotten. Thank you, Jean for helping IDPR meet our mission 1997-2015!

Reflections from Conference 2015

03/31/2015 - Take a peek at the photo montage Evelyn Mason created, capturing moments from Conference 2015. A big thank you to all organizers for pulling together such a worthwhile event.

2015 Conference

Mark your calendars! March 17-18, 2015
Register today.

Backcountry Yurt Kudos

(Photo: Banner Ridge Yurt)

A customer sent an email recently praising our staff and their experience at the Skyline Yurt, managed by IDPR as part of the Idaho City Backcountry Yurt Program. I think it's important to share kudos as they come our way. What a great feeling it must be to receive such complimentary words on a job well done. Thank you, Leo Hennessy and Judy Ditto for your passion and talents in managing this successful program.  Below is the email from Chris, another satisfied Backcountry Yurt customer.

Judy,

We just returned home to Spokane. The long drive was well worth it, as the Skyline yurt and trails were excellent. Skyline, in particular, was well organized and supplied. Every year our group has gone to a different place in the NW, including BC, and this one could not be outdone by anywhere else.

Therefore, highest kudos to your organization for providing this gem experience. In particular, for making it affordable, so that it doesn't become an elitist experience. If your goal is make this experience possible for the public, then it is a great success! Ah, if I were a Boise-ite. you'd find me up there frequently. I am going to refer our Mt Spokane authorities to your system, with the hope of securing one yurt for our state park.

Thank you again. Feel free to to pass on my comments and use them for any advertising purpose.

Sincerely,

Chris

Heidi Kolsky Named Latest Juggling Cat Award Winner!

1/05/2015 – Heidi is honored for her contributions to both Eagle Island and Hells Gate State Parks retail programs.

Heidi undertook selecting and procuring over 70 new items for Eagle Island and entering retail inventory into the reservation system within 3 months of her transfer to Hells Gate, which was a major accomplishment considering the volume of inventory at that location.

Heidi orders, displays, and sells products that are park-specific and experience-based relating to activities in and around the park to maximize the appeal of the retail area to park visitors.

She manages inventory effectively by discounting merchandise that hasn’t sold to move it out the door and make room for new resale items, promoting greater sales.  Congrats Heidi!

Passport and 50th Commercials

12/18/2014 - Our 2015 Passport and 50th Anniversary video promotions are complete. Check out the Passport Marketing Plan and links under the 'Noteworthy News" tab.

The Importance of Your Opinion

11/26/2014 - All, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your contributions to the agency. I’d also like to thank you for your patience as I’ve worked to acclimate myself these last several months. There’s so much to learn and so many people to meet and I realize I’ve only scratched the surface thus far. But I’ve enjoyed (nearly ) every moment and I am looking forward to the experiences and challenges ahead.

If you recall, as part of my first few weeks as Director, I asked each of you to participate in a survey that would help me to better understand the climate and culture of the agency. The results of the survey have done just that – shed light on who we are, what you feel we do right and where we can make improvements. I’d like to share the results of that survey with you. Here's a link to the results. (Some slight edits and deletions were made where necessary to preserve confidentiality.)

The highlights: Almost every respondent feels, as I do, that this is a wonderful place to work, filled with talented, very dedicated people.  There are, as with all agencies, improvements that can be made. For IDPR, you feel improvements are most needed in the way of internal communications, training and dissolving barriers between divisions.  What I can say without reservation is that we will always strive to get there. In fact, in response to your feedback, we’ve tried to address a few concerns. The IDPR Insider is one small step towards improving access to internal information like agency news, events, meeting agenda’s and minutes. There are many more steps to take but I’m confident we will get there. We’ve also implemented new processes for collecting and posting minutes to all agency meetings and we will continue to identify ways where we can improve communications internally.

Please keep in mind that a management strategy of openness includes some important assumptions.  It assumes that we are professional in our work, and that our intentions are for the improvement of the agency and our daily work.  The freedom to express ourselves to each other comes with a responsibility to not overreact or take things personally or negatively.  If you see an area suggested for improvement that you feel personally responsible for, don’t assume that it is aimed at you.  We are all responsible. Consider how much better it is to actually know what our co-workers are thinking or feeling, and to be able to look for the ways that each of us can contribute to improvement.

Your opinions matter greatly to me.  This survey was the first of what I hope will be several opportunities annually for you to comfortably share your opinions, comments and concerns.  To reinforce openness and transparency in our agency, I will be publishing answers to your questions regularly on the IDPR Insider, (even the sensitive ones.)  Thank you all for what you do for your agency and for the people of Idaho!

- Director Langhorst

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! It's certainly festive in sections of IDPR headquarters. (Pictured, Left to Right: Kristy Bobish-Thompson, Robert Wiley, Anna Canning)

Accepting Award Nominations: Due 11/28/2014

Get your nominations in now for the following awards:

• Director’s Award
• Beth Durham Award
• Ranger of the Year Award
• Certificate of Merit (Appreciation)
• Excellence in Interpretation
• Volunteers in Parks
• Distinguished Citizen Award
• Regional Recognition Award
• Certificate of Valor: requires Board approval

Let’s not forget the all coveted Outhouse Award!  Send an e-mail to Kristy Bobish-Thompson with a worthy story…oh and don’t forget to include any pictures!

The Cat Keeps on Juggling

And the most recent winner is….Carl Byrd!  After attending a conference in Wyoming, Carl came back with the revenue-producing idea for a 3-D archery course at Castle Rocks State Park that could appeal to a new audience. The park manager carried Carl's idea to the IDPR leadership, and everyone gathered with partners and private citizens to discuss the opportunity. IDPR, Fish and Game, and representatives of a bow hunting association supported the idea. Park staff are in the process of designing a course, developing a project budget, and pursuing a Fish and Game grant.  While projects of this size and nature involve many employees working together, it begins with one employee (and in this case Carl), offering the idea, advocating for it, and willing to see it through.

Although classified as a Maintenance Foreman, Carl looks for ways to contribute in all facets of the park operation, from compliance enforcement, to coordinating large-scale events such as Ride Idaho, where Carl coordinated community volunteers for the feeding of over 300 bicyclists, to leading new construction projects, such as the recently built picnic shelter at Castle Rocks, where Park staff contributed significantly. Twice Carl has been called upon to serve as Acting Superintendent for City of Rocks National Reserve when the superintendent was on vacation or out-of-state. He is not only a valuable asset to City of Rocks and Castle Rocks, but also to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Carl has served on the recent RMSPEC planning committee. Carl and his team will play an important role in the planned restoration work at Ritter Island.  Congrats Carl!

IDPR Insider

In the recent staff survey, most of you mentioned a need to improve access to agency-related information.  You also indicated that email was the most desired way of sharing and receiving information.  In response, we’ve created the IDPR Insider. The Insider will feature information about agency meetings, news and opportunities. In addition, there will be links to national and regional natural resource news from our field’s most influential organizations. We’ll post relevant information, classes and events in addition to meeting agendas and minutes.

The great thing about an online information portal is that it can grow to encompass new features with changing interests and needs. I encourage you to take a look at what’s offered and make suggestions on features and links that might improve the Insider’s usefulness.

So, set your browser’s default home page to: http://www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/idpr-insider and stay on top of the latest IDPR-related information.

The Juggling Cat

In September, I announced the beginning of my version of an “Employee of the Month” type of award: the Juggling Cat Award.  The Juggling Cat symbolizes what I have come to think of as public service working culture at its best: juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities, going beyond the call of duty, or “doing more with less.”  Not to mention doing this while standing one-legged on a snowman’s head, smiling.

The Juggling Cat will be awarded at my discretion.  It is (admittedly) very subjective… but with a purpose.  It allows me to single out and draw attention to employees and accomplishments that fit priorities that I want to highlight.  It could be an employee’s single act or idea that provides a good example, an ongoing program that is important and underappreciated, kudos to someone who boosts morale or makes us all proud, or even a random act of kindness.  Who knows?  But you can bank on this: it will remain a sincere gesture of gratitude, and it will be well deserved.

I am very aware that there are numerous accomplishments you are making every day, and employees deserving of recognition, that I may not be aware of.  The Juggling Cat is (by far) not the ONLY way we recognize your good works.   We have a series of awards.

Jeff Cook was the most recent recipient of the Juggling Cat Award for providing IDPR “position” on over 100 federal planning and National Environmental Policy Act document and for providing outdoor recreation planning and data support to National Forests, National Parks, and Bureau of Land Management for federal planning processes. Jeff was also recognized for representing IDPR on BLM/Forest Service travel planning teams, providing tech and database support for the OHV Interactive Mapping Project and assisting parks and programs with their GIS and mapping needs. Congratulations, Jeff!

 Priest Lake crew enjoying ice cream for employee appreciation DAY!

Make this the year you thrive…

Are you ready to take charge of your health so that you can do more of what you love?

When you participate in thriveidaho, the Office of Group Insurance employee health promotion program, you can assess your health, better understand your health benefits, and engage in activities that enhance your overall well-being. Plus, you can earn a $250 cash reward!

Important Dates:

July 1, 2015-April 30, 2016: FY16 thriveidaho.  There’s still time to earn points and be eligible for the $250 reward!

A BLAST FROM THE PAST    (New)

2014 Award Winners!

Director’s Award – Gary Rucker

Beth Durham Award – Kevin Lynott

Ranger of the Year – Brad Shilling

Certificate of Merit (Appreciation) – Juelie Traska, Ed Lyon, Keith Jones, Curt Creson, Staff of Priest Lake State Park, Ken Blake, Chris Hoosick, Beth Simanek, Travis Taylor, Matt Cooper

Excellence in Interpretation - Loretta Sherrets

Volunteers in Parks - Harvey Burns (Priest)

Distinguished Citizen Award - Alex Ernst

Regional Recognition Award – Jayker Field Nursery, Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy

Certificate of Valor -

Remember Award nominations for 2015 are due to HR no later than 02/15/2016!

Step it up! ...to a healthier family, a healthier new year and a healthier you! Taking more steps will...

• bring more oxygen to your brain and help you think better
• will improve your kids' test scores and grades
• create more energy
• help you sleep better
• create better coordination
• create stronger bones
• help manage weight
• help ward off chronic disease

March is Colon Health Month (New)

03/11/2015 By Kristy Bobish-Thompson

March is all about colon health and good nutrition. The two are closely tied.

Take 30 minutes to an hour out of your day on Thursday, March 19^th to attend the No Buts About It Seminar in the basement of the Len B. Jordan Building in Boise. A panel of professionals will answer your questions about nutrition and cancer, hands-free at home screening kits, and prevention and treatment of colon cancer. Panel members are from Mountain States Tumor Institute, Central District Health, and the Division of Health, Health and Welfare. If you can’t stay for the panel, pick up a FREE screening kit. For more information about the seminar and colon cancer, visit the Your Colon webpage. Or, register for this class now!

Part of the March 19^th seminar is the announcement of the winning entries(s) in The Bottom Line Poetry Contest. Poetry entries are accepted from employees across the state until 11:00 p.m. on Monday the 16^th.  Check out the guidelines and the current entries on the bottom of the Your Colon webpage. Don’t stifle yourself. You could be a poet…

Policy Changes

12/4/14 (Author: Kristi Bobish-Thompson)
You’ll start seeing changes in the format of agency policies.  Most of them really include both policy and procedure so we’ve created a format to reflect that.

Standards you’ll see included in each:

• Policy Statement – Overall statement of the policy
• Definitions – Standard definitions of key words
• Purpose – Outlines the purpose of the policy/procedures
• Scope – Describes who and what the policy/procedures apply to
• Responsibility – Outlines any specific responsibilities of individuals/groups
• Standard Procedures – Step by Step on how/what to do
• References – Cites any specific policies, procedures, or forms that also relate to the topic.

They can be found on our external facing webpage at: http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/policies-and-procedures

Our goal is to slowly move these here, to IDPR Insider, rather than having them external facing and each will be moved over as they are revised.  Notification will be sent when they will no longer be available on the external facing page.

At some point we’d also like to make them interactive so the links included within them work, but at this time our only option is for them to reside as non-interactive PDFs.

The policies and procedures will also be placed on an annual review cycle in order to stay current with any changes that occur. 

When a policy and procedure is revised an e-mail will be sent out notifying everyone so they may review.  Best attempts will be made to outline significant changes to the policy and procedure; however it is the responsibility of each employee to review and be aware of current policy and procedure.

Financial Fitness Expo

Attend the Financial Fitness Expo and learn how you can make the most of your financial future. Download the event flier.
Date: December 9, 2014
Location: State Capitol, West Side Auditorium, 9a-12p
Topics include:

• How the PERSI Base Plan works and the benefits of the PERSI Choice 401(k) Plan
• How the 457 Deferred Compensation Program fits into your retirement goals
• Helping families save for college and career education in a tax advantaged way
• Preventing & Elimintating Debt: Three Financially Fatal Mistakes that keep us in debt forever!

Holiday Timesheet Coding

11/24/2014: Just a reminder that it’s the Holiday Season.  Because the holiday will shorten the time to do payroll, please submit/approve your time sheets ASAP on Monday, November 24^th and Monday, December 22^nd.  For more information check out the Holiday Coding List.     

Don’t forget overtime should be pre-approved by your supervisor.  If you have any questions, please Denice me know.  Thank you!

IDPR Staff Get's Spooooky for the All-Agency Halloween Decorating Contest

11/07/2014: Photos of event decor and participants are available at  H:\H Drive 2013\Pictures\Halloween Fun. Enjoy! Highlights include zombie's and ghosts from Priest Lake State Park and Anna's Disney Halloween Twist.

United Way Campaign Update

11/07/14:  Submitted by - Denice Gardner
I wanted to send an update on our current amount raised so far for our United Way Campaign.  So far we have received $1143.86 in pledges and cash donations; so we are almost halfway to our goal of $2500!  The campaign runs through November 14 so there is still plenty of time to send your pledge forms inJ.  As you know every dollar counts when helping others in need.  Please let me know if you have any questions. Download a pledge form!

Agency-Wide Halloween Decorating Event

Benefits News

Billingsley Creek, Thousand Springs State Park

What's going on with Billingsley? Considerations for appropriate development of the property have been under consideration and in review for several years. Recently, Management Services Administrator Anna Canning and Park Planner Adam Straubinger met with Idaho Park and Recreation Board Members individually on ideas for Billingsley Creek use and development. The purpose was to sleuth out what kind of experience the Board wanted visitors to have when they came to the park. Some of the key ideas that came out of the meeting were:

• They wanted the park to be connected to the area. This meant not only sidewalks and bike connections to other park units, but also ties to other recreation or education opportunities in the area like the fossil beds, the hot water pools, diving adventures, the fish industries, power generation, local entertainment (plays and music) providers, and endless other ideas.
• They wanted to prioritize creating a gathering facility that could adapt to a number of users throughout a number of seasons and that could expand over time.
• They wanted Billingsley Creek to become the hub for Thousand Springs State Park and for the visitor center to carry that name.
• They wanted to take advantage of naming and sponsorship opportunities.
• They wanted it to be different kind of FUN park experience than our traditional FUN park experience.

Adam and Anna will work with Development Bureau Chief Jim Thomas and Park Manager Dave Landrum to develop a site plan and development timeline for the Board’s May meeting in Challis.

Success For Boise's Non-Motorized Trail Recreation Summit

March 1, 2016 - The Summit, held Febraury 11th in Boise was well-attended, with over 100 attendees, proving that there’s a lot of interest in non-motorized trail recreation and finding a long-term, sustainable funding solution for maintenance is a desire for recreationists in Idaho. Check out the complete summit summary for meeting minutes and a comprehensive list of attendees. Similar summit's will be held in other regions of Idaho to gather as much input on the subject as possible.

Boating Program Will Launch Life Jacket Awareness Campaign in 2016

October 23, 2015 - Submitted by Jennifer Okerlund

The Boating Program will launch a new life jacket awareness campaign spring of 2016. In order to have video for the PSAs we plan to release in May, we had to take advantage of the last tiny moments of sunny, warm-ish, fall weather. Juelie Traska and a few partners in McCall took to the water last Tuesday (brrrrrr) to shoot some footage. What great sports for a good cause!

The Life Jacket Loaner Program Continues to Expand in Idaho

October 23, 2015 - In an effort to save lives and promote boating safety in Idaho,the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation boating program installed 13 life jacket loaner stations around the state in 2015. A loaner station consists of a kiosk, instructions on how to properly fit a life jacket, and a variety of life jackets ranging in size from infant to adult extra-large. Life jackets at these loaner stations are provided free of charge for the public for short-term use. Stations are installed adjacent to boat launch facilities so they are easily accessible to the boating public. Learn more.

Farragut Celebrated In The News

Farragut State Park and The Idaho Parks and Recreation Department mark their 50th Anniversary this year. To celebrate, Farragut has opened a new wing of their museum at the old Navy Brig. Until this new expansion, the Brig has only featured a wing dedicated to the parks military past during World War Two. Read more.

IDPR's New Fox Mascot & Naming Contest

03/11/2015 - Based on popular vote, the red fox was selected as the new IDPR mascot. Our fox, patterned after the red fox found in most parks across Idaho, is in production and will be delivered late April. He can begin making appearances at park and program events as soon as he arrives.  

He’s adorable. But what’s his name?

We’re kicking off a naming contest the last week of March. Idaho fourth graders will be asked to participate. Submissions will include a suggested name and background story. The top three names and stories will be selected by a team of IDPR staff, then subject to a public vote via social media. If you know fourth grade teachers in your communities, encourage them to participate! The final name and story will be revealed
mid-May. The selected classroom will win an ice cream social and visit from Mr. Fox for their school.

Special thanks to Airstream Northwest for financing our new mascot!

HUD Indefinitely Delays Enforcement of Park Model RV Porch Restrictions

What Does the Fox Say? (I love IDAHO, of course!)

2/3/2015 - Keith Hobbs
Thank you all for participating in selecting IDPR’s new mascot. It is time to make the official announcement of what most of you already know. The fox WON! The moose ran a pretty close second. Other notables on the list included the Osprey, Otter, Bigfoot, and Squirrel/Chipmunk.

We had a high participation rate from IDPR staff and in the process received some very creative input, beyond just identifying what our mascot should be. You might recall, we used the following criteria for the mascot selection.

• Is it timeless as opposed to trendy.
• Does it represent an active recreation persona.
• Does it create a lasting and positive impression.
• Does the image identify with children and can it be used to promote family-oriented activities with IDPR.

The fox rates well against these criteria. Going forward, we will have an image that serves as a good representative of IDPR.

So, on to the next steps. Naming the new mascot in a public and possibly competitive manner provides an opportunity to generate some publicity and excitement about IDPR’s new mascot during our 50^th Anniversary. We are developing a process to allow for this to happen and as always, welcome suggestions. Let myself or Jennifer know if you would like to offer suggestions.

Contact will be made this week with a potential vendor(s) who will take the process from design to delivery. This process will take some time, but hopefully within three months we will have a completed project. Thanks for your participation so far and for the help we will be asking for soon.

Greenbelt Magazine Features Idaho City Backcountry Yurt Program

Yurt the Days Away :Parks and Recreation Offers Hidden Treasures

Being a part of nature has always been revered throughout Idaho. Our expanses of wildlife and beautiful scenery allows Idahoans to be next to nature at nearly every turn. One of the most extravagant ways to harmonize with nature and escape the bluster and stresses of daily life is to book a stay at the Idaho City area back- country yurts. Read more...

Maps On-The-Go

01/12/2015 - Submitted by Jeff Cook
The December 2014 Trails.Idaho.GOV web report showed that 18% of visitors last month were using either a smartphone or a tablet. This compares with 14% in 2013 with this same time period and is a reminder that it's always a good idea to keep mobile devices in mind when you're designing resources for customers, maps included. ArchGIS now has a review platform where you can see how reference maps will appear online to a variety of devises including smart phones and tablets.

Social Media Madness

12/18/2014 - Spread the good news: you can now follow IDPR parks and programs on Facebook, Twitter (@idparksandrec), Instagram and Pinterest.

2015 Passport Campaign

12/18/14 - The Passport marketing and PR campaign will kick of in just two short weeks. The plan for next year includes a lot of social media, a direct mail effort, Programmatic Marketing, assistance from RV and Automobile Dealerships throughout the state, strategic television buys (using new ITD sales data) and more! Check out our latest video advertisment.

IDPR Trail Rangers/Trail Cat Program Maintained Over 2,000 Miles Of Trail in 2014

11/24/2014: The Idaho

Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) Trail Ranger and Trail Cat Programs, funded by the registration sticker for off-highway motorcycles and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), together  maintained 2,482 miles of trail last summer.  The Trail Rangers removed 16,583 downed trees, cleaned or installed 579 water drainage structures, and re-established tread on 2,541 feet of trail.  The Trail Cat Program consists of a trail dozer and mini-excavator. The mini excavator reconstructed 44.15 miles of trail, constructed 1.2 miles of trail and installed 419 water dips.  The trail dozer reconstructed 233.4 miles of trail, constructed 8.5 miles of trail, and installed 1,927 water dips. Read more...

Free Ski & Snowshoe Day 2015

Free Ski & Snowshoe Day, historically (pre 2012) referred to as Cross-Country Idaho or Free Ski Day will be held Saturday, January 10, 2015. On this day, parks with snow have typically hosted events and lessons, allowing for free motor vehicle entry. Ponderosa State Park and The Non-Motorized Trails Program have two exciting events planned so far!

Haunts of Harriman a HUGE Success

11/07/2014: The 2014 Haunts of Harriman was deemed a HUGE success and the park would like to thank all who helped.

OHV Economics

11/07/2014: The IDPR Trails Program has just released the economic impact study they commissioned to understand the impact of Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) on Idaho economies. The results - OHVs are BIG business in Idaho to the tune of $434 million dollars per year! Read the complete report.

Annual Conference 2015

11/07/2014: An Annual Conference has been scheduled for March 17^th and 18^th at the Red Lion here in Boise. Anna Canning is the Chair for the Planning Committee and is seeking volunteers to serve on the conference committee. The committee tasks include:

• Solicit ideas for sessions
• Evaluate sessions and develop a conference agenda
• Encourage and assist with registrations
• Prepare conference materials
• Coordinate events and catering
• Seek out sponsors and swag.

If you are interested in being a committee member, please check with your supervisor and then let Anna know. The meetings will all be held in Boise. I will look for members in the regions to participate through phone or videoconferencing.

Federal Parks and Recreation News

Headlines for October, 2014: NPS concessioners upset; big Florida initiative leads ballots

Cabela’s Celebrates Veterans Day with Hometown Heroes Event

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, will honor the contributions of those who serve with their Hometown Heroes Celebration on beginning on Saturday, November 8th and running through Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11th.

The Hometown Heroes event will recognize the sacrifice and dedication of those who protect and serve our country and communities every day.
Cabela’s Boise will honor their contributions by offering a 10% discount to all veterans and active duty military and reserve, law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel. Learn more.

The Big 5-0

IDPR will celebrate 50 Years as an agency in 2015. The Anniversary Planning Committee, comprised of park and program managers, has draft plans on how to celebrate and market the milestone. The final plan will be available soon.

Passports

The Passport grossed over $1.2 million in fiscal year 2014. Take a look at the revenue actuals. The 2015/2016 marketing efforts will begin in January 2015. New commercials will be produced later this fall and will air in select markets statewide, for the first time. New sales data from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will allow us to make strategic advertising decisions, allowing IDPR to target new areas of Idaho where Passport sales could use a boost. Details of the new 2015-2016 Passport Marketing Plan will be available in November.

Go-Pro

Bear Lake State Park has an amazing new video. Produced by manager Kirk Rich's son, Quincy Rich, the video features aerial views of the park taken by a drone-mounted go-pro video camera. Check it out on YouTube.

Discounted COSTCO Memberships for State Employees

To take advantage of the Special Offer, the ​flyer​ needs to be brought into Costco. The special offer runs from September 29 – November 23, 2014, and is as follows:

• Join as a New Executive Member and receive a $20 Costco Cash Card.  You’ll earn an annual 2% reward (up to $750) on qualified Costco purchases.
• Join as a New Gold Star Member and receive a $10 Costco Cash Card.

Agency Meetings / Trade Shows

Executive Staff
 

Recreation
 

McKindree Announced As New Farragut State Park Assistant Manager

Submitted by: David White - It is with great pleasure that I announce Erin McKindree  as the new Farragut State Park Assistant Manager.  Erin started out as a Ranger at Dworshak and spent the past nine years as the Priest Lake State Park Assistant Manager.  She is excited about the opportunity to take on and grow from the new and exciting challenges and experiences at Farragut.

Please join me in congratulating Erin in her new position!

IDPR recognizes Schaefer

NEWPORT — On August 25 the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Board presented Mr. Charlie Schaefer with the 2015 annual Distinguished Citizen Award. Mr. Schaefer of Newport, Wash., has been an Idaho safe boating instructor involved in classes and outreach events for more than 25 years. Read more >>

Correction: Whispering Pines Yurt Lost to Pioneer Fire

We received corrected information pertianing to structures lost in the Pioneer Fire. Originally, it had been reposted that the Skyling Yurt had been lost in the fire. New information out Tuesday confirms that it was the Whispering Pines yurt that was lost. Whispering Pines is one of the six backcountry yurts within the Idaho City Backcountry Yurt Program. The loss extends to two outhouses at Stargaze and Skyline yurts. In those cases the yurts are still standing. No confirmation yet on the Rocky Ridge Yurt. Banner Ridge and Elkhorn yurts are still within the fire's path. We will remain hopeful for the next few days and hope to receive good news sduring our Thursday briefing with Boise National Forest (BNF) officials. (Photo of Banner Ridge Yurt)

Round Lake State Park Receives $15,000 From Equinox Foundation

Round Lake State Park worked with IDPR's Fundraising Coordinator, Evelyn Mason to apply for a grant through the Equinox Foundation Grant to assist with the park's Stewardship Trail Project. The park was awarded the full $15,000 they asked for and funding will be available August 1st 2016.

If your park and/or program has a need or special project in mind, contact Evelyn for assitance with funding sources and grant submissions.

City of Rocks celebrates Every Kid in a Park in Southern Idaho

City of Rocks National Reserve hosted several hundred 4th graders as part of the National Park Service’s promotion to get “Every Kid in a Park” during its Centennial year. A film crew followed the kids around the park as they learned about nature. View the video!  

Invest In Life, Wear It, Idaho!

Check out the Boating Program's new safe boating campaign, "Invest In Life. Wear It, Idaho." The statewide campaign includes television and radio ads (:60 / :30), billboards (pictured above) and social media elements. The run will officially kick-off next week, start of Safe Boating Week, 2016.

Kuddos Fiscal!

Fiscal staff was recognized by the State Controller's Office (SCO) for outstanding performance and lasting contribution toward the State's Consolidated Annual Financial Report (CAFR). For the fourth consecutive year, all of IDPR's year-end CAFR reports were submitted on or before the SCO's deadline.

Friends of Harriman State Park Raising Funds

The Friends of Harriman State Park have a new logo and are raising funds to replace the park's historic Jack Fence through their "Buy a Buck" campaign. You can get all the details in the latest edition of their newsletter. 

2015 AWARD WINNERS

We finished up the award dissemination this morning with a meeting at headquarters. That said, we now have a complete list of 2015 IDPR Award Winner's. Please join me in congratulating each and every one of these exceptional individuals. 

Director's Award: Eileen Downing (Headquarters)

Beth Durham Award: Steve Kuskie (Winchester Lake)

Ranger of the Year: James Mallet (Farragut)

Certificate(s) of Merit: Eric Whittekiend (Thousand Springs), David Landrum (Thousand Springs), Blair Geiger (North Region), Lonnie Johnson (Priest Lake), John Arnold (Headquarters), Bryce Bealba (Bruneau Dunes)

Excellence in Interpretation: Greg Hodapp (Hells Gate)

Distinguished Citizen Award: Charlie Schaefer

Volunteers in Parks: John Allison (Heyburn), Fred and Lavon Ramsey (Priest Lake), Sharon and Elver Clark (Land of the Yankee Fork)
 

Eagle Island's New Entrance Grand Opening

We formally opened the new entrance into Eagle Island State Park off Highway 44 in Eagle Monday afternoon. The celebration included a trolley into the park,  ribbon cutting and ceremony at the park's Kestral Shelter. Students from the Idaho Fine Arts Academy performed and speakers list included Governor Otter, Eagle Mayor Stan Ridgeway and Eagle Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Carpenter. Eagle Fire Department and Police were on site to help with event logistics. Scout was there too, of course!

Welcome Baby Garlitos!

JJ and his wife Janelle welcomed sweet Eliana at 8:51 pm March 28, 2016. 
Congratulations, Garlitos Family!

Congratulations Farragut State Park Ranger Jim Mallet, IDPR Ranger of the Year!

Eagle Island's New Entrance To Open Soon

The new entrance for Eagle Island State Park will open Monday, April 4, 2016. A Grand Opening will take place to commemorate the occasion onsite that day at 2pm.

The new entrance is located at 165 S Eagle Island Pkwy, off Highway 44 at the Fisher Pkwy / Eagle Island Pkwy intersection. 

“We’re excited about the new entrance.  Park access will be more visible   from Highway 44,” said Eagle Island State Park Manager, Gary Shelley. “Several new experiences within the park; zip-line tours, expanded disc golf, a refurbished waterslide, and a restroom remodel/enlargement are planned for 2016 and we are looking forward to a busy summer.”

Park goers are urged to take note that the Linder / Hatchery Road entrance will close Monday, April 11, 2016. At that time, the new entrance on Highway 44 will serve as the only park entrance.

Boise Sportsman Show 2016

March 8, 2016 - The annual Sportsman Show in Boise at Expo Idaho is the premiere outreach event for the IDPR Recreation Programs. The four-day show is one of the most popular events for outdoor enthusiasts in the region boasting attendance of over 12,000. Pictured above, set-up of the IDPR booth with each Recreation Program represented.

Yurt Model

Thank you, DeEtta Petersen, newest member of IDPR's Non-Motorized Trails Program, for creating this amazing model of an Idaho City Backcountry Yurt...by hand! This small yurt will be on display at the Boise Sportsman Show taking place at Expo Idaho this weekend. DeEtta’s goal was to provide a realistic sample of what a yurt looked like. The expertly crafted model is complete with a 360 degree deck and Adirondack chairs. Great job, DeEtta!

It's Grant Season In Idaho!

February 18, 2016 - Have you ever wondered what grant season looks like at headquarters? Well, wonder no more. The image below (which only demonstrates a fraction of the applications) was captured late last week as our dedicated grant staff members were receiving and reviewing every application, to each and every program, to ensure eligibility. It's a big job and the IDPR Grants and Funding Program Staff should be commended. Thank you for all you do for Idaho!

The next step in the process is to deliver applications to Advisory Committee Members statewide who will review, rank, and prioritize projects for potential funding.

IDPR managed Grant Programs fund over $7 million dollars in projects benefiting recreationists throughout Idaho! You can learn more about our grants and funding programs here (under the grants and funding tab).

Thank You, IDPR! Sincerely, Idaho Dept of Ag

January 27, 2016 - The Idaho Department of Agriculture sent a heart-felt thank you to me this week, acknowledging IDPR employees for your continued assistance with the Idaho Invasive Species Program. I love receiving letters like these, demonstrating that your diligent efforts do not go un-noticed by those outside the agency. I'm proud of you all. Keep up the good work! View the actual letter as a PDF.

IDPR Will Host February Summit on Non-Motorized Trail Recreation in Idaho

January 27, 2016 - The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) will host a summit to discuss issues and solutions pertaining to non-motorized trail recreation in Idaho. The discussion will be held Thursday, February 11, 2016 from 6-8 PM inside the Andrus Center for Public Policy located at 301 South Capitol Blvd, Boise. Learn more >>

It’s Grant Season!

January 26, 2016 - You can view all of IDPR’s proposed applications here: http://www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/news

A Boo-ti-ful Gesture.

October 23, 2015 - Halloween is a week away and tiny little Idahoans will soon be going door-to-door with hopes of filling their loot bags with treats. Instead of sugary snacks this year, consider promoting our parks, the expereiences they provide and setting the stage for our youth to live healthy, active lives. What a boo-tiful gensture, right? Coupons that provide one free motor vehicle entry fee (MVEF) to any Idaho State Park are available for your use. Contact Jennifer Okerlund if you're interested. 

Idaho Will Embrace "Ride On" Campaign

Idaho's long-standing "Stay on Trails" campaign will be transitioning in 2016 to the "Ride On" campaign, backed by TreadLightly. Although the name of the campaign will change, the emphasis of the outreach efforts will still focus on encouraging safe and ethical use of Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) on public land. Idaho is not the only state to embrace the new campaign. In fact, most of our neighboring states have already done so.

Zamzows Sponsors the Idaho Outdoor Recreation Festival

Zamzows is a very generous sponsor of the first (hopefully annual) Idaho Outdoor Recreation Festival taking place at Eagle Island State Park on August 22, 2015. Take a listen to the radio spot they produced promoting the event. Thank you, Zamzows!

Boise's Mix106 FM is also a sponsor. Check out the spot that beganning running on that station last Saturday.

Public Meetings Scheduled on IDAPA Rule Changes For IDPR

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) is proposing new rules in IDAPA 26.02.06 that will govern cooperator recognition naming rights and provisions regarding the sale of advertising.

• August 11, 2015 (Tuesday); 6-7pm; Kathleen Ave, Suite 1, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
• August 19, 2015 (Wednesday); 6-7 pm; 4279 Commerce Circle, Suite B, Idaho Falls, Idaho
• August 24, 2015 (Monday); 6-7 pm; 5657 Warm Springs Avenue, Boise, Idaho

Meeting details and the proposed rules can be reviewed here. Contact Anna Canning for additional information.

Scout Approved

08/03/2015 - (Submitted by: Jennifer Okerlund) Scout has a new logo. Thank you for voting on your favorite. Option #3 won by a landslide. Yes, we had to adjust his face slightly, this in an attempt to make him look more like himself. I think he looks great and the logo concept remained the same. We now have a graphic to use when branding Scout approved publications, programs and merchandise. The logo lives on the H: alongside all other agency, park and program logos. Just give me a heads-up before use. Thanks!

GOVERNOR APPOINTS FORMER DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER TO IDAHO PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD VACANCY

7/29/2015  (BOISE) - Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter announced the appointment today of Peter J. Black to the Idaho Parks and Recreation Board. Black is filling the vacancy of Jean McDevitt who had served on the Parks and Recreation Board since 1997. Black, who was a democratic member of the Idaho State House of Representative from 1982-1996, and was assistant minority leader from 1986-1996, will serve on the Board as the representative from District 5.

“Pete’s past legislative experience working on Parks and Recreation issues will be a great addition to the Board and I appreciate his willingness to serve,” Governor Otter said

The Idaho Parks and Recreation Board provides citizen oversight for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR). Board members are appointed to six-year terms. No more than three members can be from a single party, and each member represents one of six districts of the state. The Board appoints and supervises the agency director. 

IDPR manages 30 State parks throughout every region of Idaho and the registration programs for boats, snowmobiles and other off-highway vehicles (OHV). Money from these registration programs return to users to develop and maintain trails, facilities and programs. IDPR also provides free education courses for boaters and OHV operators.

“I love Idaho and all the recreational opportunities we have, especially our state parks,” said Black. “More people should experience our wonderful state recreation facilities while supporting local businesses in those areas. I am thankful the Governor appointed me and I look forward to working with the other Board members.”

Pete and his wife Ronda live in Pocatello and have one son.

Harriman Celebrates 50 Years and Heritage Days, 2015 (New)

I Love You, Idaho - Circa 1989

There was a promotional video for Idaho tourism included in the time capsule we recently unearthed during our 50th Anniversary Celebration at headquarters on July 1, 2015. What a gem. The quality is par although the audio may have been impacted by age. Turn it up. Be sure to watch all :15 glorious minutes.

Scout's Big Thousand Springs Adventure and A Square-Dancing Board Member

07/13/2015 - Photos:(left) Scout with two new friends at Thousand Springs 50th Anniversary Bash at Ritter Island. (Right) Board Member Charles Correll providing square-dance lessons.

Eagle Island Is Getting A Zip Line

Eagle Island State Park was recently featured in the Eagle Informer, a local, well-circulated magazine in Eagle, Idaho. Check out the complete story!

Ashton-Tetonia Trail Makes the Local News

ASHTON — One of the better-kept trails in Eastern Idaho has to be the Ashton to Tetonia Trail.

Completed in 2010 and administered by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and managed through Harriman State Park, the converted rail bed is nearly 30 miles long. The surface is a gravel and dirt combination. The trail isn’t difficult at all and is suited for just about any age level or experience for hiking and biking. Read more...

Scout Rocked Dworshak In 106 Degree Heat!

06/29/2015 - Dworshak held their (very successful) 50th Anniversary event over the weekend and it was hot, hot, hot!
Congratulations to Michelle and crew for a great event. Special thanks to the little lady who brought Scout to life for the day. What a trooper!

The Huckleberry Jam

06/29/2015 - The Idaho State Parks Passport is the official sponsor of the main stage for the 2015 Huckleberry Jam, August 14-15, happening at Tamarack. Check out the event online.

New Fishing Pond and 3-D Archery Range at Castle Rocks

06/29/20015 - We opened the new fishing pond and archery range at Castle Rocks over the weekend. What a great collaboration project between state agencies and a wonderful event. Pictures to follow!

Scout's BIG Debut

05/20/2015 - Submitted by Jennifer Okerlund

Scout made his debut appearance Tuesday at an all-school assembly in the Midvale School Gymnasium, Midvale Idaho.  The assembly was part of an IDPR-hosted celebration and ice cream social recognizing Mrs. DeVries' 4th Grade Class for winning the Name our Mascot contest.

The contest was open to all fourth grade classes in Idaho and IDPR received 58 name/story submissions. Scout and his wonderful story were selected as one of three finalists, then subject to popular vote on social media. Over 1,000 individuals participated in the online poll.

Pictured in photos are Mrs. DeVries and her students (top) and Manon Tyler, a student of Mrs. DeVries, selected the name authored Scout's story (bottom).

First Lady, Lori Otter had hoped she could join in the celebration but was unable to attend the event. Instead, she sent a note to the students of Midvale.

Special thanks to Betty Mills, Keith Hobbs, Surat Nicol and Kathryn Hampton for helping execute an incredible event. The kids and community of Midvale all commented on the afternoon, feeling well-celebrated! Thanks also go to Airstream Adventures Northwest for providing the funds that allowed us to bring Scout to life!

Board Member McDevitt Retires

After 18 years of service, Board Member, Jean McDevitt is set to retire in June, 2015. We celebrated Jean at the most recent Idaho Park and Recreation Board Meeting. Her knowledge and dedication to the people of Idaho will not be forgotten. Thank you, Jean for helping IDPR meet our mission 1997-2015!

Reflections from Conference 2015

03/31/2015 - Take a peek at the photo montage Evelyn Mason created, capturing moments from Conference 2015. A big thank you to all organizers for pulling together such a worthwhile event.

2015 Conference

Mark your calendars! March 17-18, 2015
Register today.

Backcountry Yurt Kudos

(Photo: Banner Ridge Yurt)

A customer sent an email recently praising our staff and their experience at the Skyline Yurt, managed by IDPR as part of the Idaho City Backcountry Yurt Program. I think it's important to share kudos as they come our way. What a great feeling it must be to receive such complimentary words on a job well done. Thank you, Leo Hennessy and Judy Ditto for your passion and talents in managing this successful program.  Below is the email from Chris, another satisfied Backcountry Yurt customer.

Judy,

We just returned home to Spokane. The long drive was well worth it, as the Skyline yurt and trails were excellent. Skyline, in particular, was well organized and supplied. Every year our group has gone to a different place in the NW, including BC, and this one could not be outdone by anywhere else.

Therefore, highest kudos to your organization for providing this gem experience. In particular, for making it affordable, so that it doesn't become an elitist experience. If your goal is make this experience possible for the public, then it is a great success! Ah, if I were a Boise-ite. you'd find me up there frequently. I am going to refer our Mt Spokane authorities to your system, with the hope of securing one yurt for our state park.

Thank you again. Feel free to to pass on my comments and use them for any advertising purpose.

Sincerely,

Chris

Heidi Kolsky Named Latest Juggling Cat Award Winner!

1/05/2015 – Heidi is honored for her contributions to both Eagle Island and Hells Gate State Parks retail programs.

Heidi undertook selecting and procuring over 70 new items for Eagle Island and entering retail inventory into the reservation system within 3 months of her transfer to Hells Gate, which was a major accomplishment considering the volume of inventory at that location.

Heidi orders, displays, and sells products that are park-specific and experience-based relating to activities in and around the park to maximize the appeal of the retail area to park visitors.

She manages inventory effectively by discounting merchandise that hasn’t sold to move it out the door and make room for new resale items, promoting greater sales.  Congrats Heidi!

Passport and 50th Commercials

12/18/2014 - Our 2015 Passport and 50th Anniversary video promotions are complete. Check out the Passport Marketing Plan and links under the 'Noteworthy News" tab.

The Importance of Your Opinion

11/26/2014 - All, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your contributions to the agency. I’d also like to thank you for your patience as I’ve worked to acclimate myself these last several months. There’s so much to learn and so many people to meet and I realize I’ve only scratched the surface thus far. But I’ve enjoyed (nearly ) every moment and I am looking forward to the experiences and challenges ahead.

If you recall, as part of my first few weeks as Director, I asked each of you to participate in a survey that would help me to better understand the climate and culture of the agency. The results of the survey have done just that – shed light on who we are, what you feel we do right and where we can make improvements. I’d like to share the results of that survey with you. Here's a link to the results. (Some slight edits and deletions were made where necessary to preserve confidentiality.)

The highlights: Almost every respondent feels, as I do, that this is a wonderful place to work, filled with talented, very dedicated people.  There are, as with all agencies, improvements that can be made. For IDPR, you feel improvements are most needed in the way of internal communications, training and dissolving barriers between divisions.  What I can say without reservation is that we will always strive to get there. In fact, in response to your feedback, we’ve tried to address a few concerns. The IDPR Insider is one small step towards improving access to internal information like agency news, events, meeting agenda’s and minutes. There are many more steps to take but I’m confident we will get there. We’ve also implemented new processes for collecting and posting minutes to all agency meetings and we will continue to identify ways where we can improve communications internally.

Please keep in mind that a management strategy of openness includes some important assumptions.  It assumes that we are professional in our work, and that our intentions are for the improvement of the agency and our daily work.  The freedom to express ourselves to each other comes with a responsibility to not overreact or take things personally or negatively.  If you see an area suggested for improvement that you feel personally responsible for, don’t assume that it is aimed at you.  We are all responsible. Consider how much better it is to actually know what our co-workers are thinking or feeling, and to be able to look for the ways that each of us can contribute to improvement.

Your opinions matter greatly to me.  This survey was the first of what I hope will be several opportunities annually for you to comfortably share your opinions, comments and concerns.  To reinforce openness and transparency in our agency, I will be publishing answers to your questions regularly on the IDPR Insider, (even the sensitive ones.)  Thank you all for what you do for your agency and for the people of Idaho!

- Director Langhorst

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! It's certainly festive in sections of IDPR headquarters. (Pictured, Left to Right: Kristy Bobish-Thompson, Robert Wiley, Anna Canning)

Accepting Award Nominations: Due 11/28/2014

Get your nominations in now for the following awards:

• Director’s Award
• Beth Durham Award
• Ranger of the Year Award
• Certificate of Merit (Appreciation)
• Excellence in Interpretation
• Volunteers in Parks
• Distinguished Citizen Award
• Regional Recognition Award
• Certificate of Valor: requires Board approval

Let’s not forget the all coveted Outhouse Award!  Send an e-mail to Kristy Bobish-Thompson with a worthy story…oh and don’t forget to include any pictures!

The Cat Keeps on Juggling

And the most recent winner is….Carl Byrd!  After attending a conference in Wyoming, Carl came back with the revenue-producing idea for a 3-D archery course at Castle Rocks State Park that could appeal to a new audience. The park manager carried Carl's idea to the IDPR leadership, and everyone gathered with partners and private citizens to discuss the opportunity. IDPR, Fish and Game, and representatives of a bow hunting association supported the idea. Park staff are in the process of designing a course, developing a project budget, and pursuing a Fish and Game grant.  While projects of this size and nature involve many employees working together, it begins with one employee (and in this case Carl), offering the idea, advocating for it, and willing to see it through.

Although classified as a Maintenance Foreman, Carl looks for ways to contribute in all facets of the park operation, from compliance enforcement, to coordinating large-scale events such as Ride Idaho, where Carl coordinated community volunteers for the feeding of over 300 bicyclists, to leading new construction projects, such as the recently built picnic shelter at Castle Rocks, where Park staff contributed significantly. Twice Carl has been called upon to serve as Acting Superintendent for City of Rocks National Reserve when the superintendent was on vacation or out-of-state. He is not only a valuable asset to City of Rocks and Castle Rocks, but also to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Carl has served on the recent RMSPEC planning committee. Carl and his team will play an important role in the planned restoration work at Ritter Island.  Congrats Carl!

IDPR Insider

In the recent staff survey, most of you mentioned a need to improve access to agency-related information.  You also indicated that email was the most desired way of sharing and receiving information.  In response, we’ve created the IDPR Insider. The Insider will feature information about agency meetings, news and opportunities. In addition, there will be links to national and regional natural resource news from our field’s most influential organizations. We’ll post relevant information, classes and events in addition to meeting agendas and minutes.

The great thing about an online information portal is that it can grow to encompass new features with changing interests and needs. I encourage you to take a look at what’s offered and make suggestions on features and links that might improve the Insider’s usefulness.

So, set your browser’s default home page to: http://www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/idpr-insider and stay on top of the latest IDPR-related information.

The Juggling Cat

In September, I announced the beginning of my version of an “Employee of the Month” type of award: the Juggling Cat Award.  The Juggling Cat symbolizes what I have come to think of as public service working culture at its best: juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities, going beyond the call of duty, or “doing more with less.”  Not to mention doing this while standing one-legged on a snowman’s head, smiling.

The Juggling Cat will be awarded at my discretion.  It is (admittedly) very subjective… but with a purpose.  It allows me to single out and draw attention to employees and accomplishments that fit priorities that I want to highlight.  It could be an employee’s single act or idea that provides a good example, an ongoing program that is important and underappreciated, kudos to someone who boosts morale or makes us all proud, or even a random act of kindness.  Who knows?  But you can bank on this: it will remain a sincere gesture of gratitude, and it will be well deserved.

I am very aware that there are numerous accomplishments you are making every day, and employees deserving of recognition, that I may not be aware of.  The Juggling Cat is (by far) not the ONLY way we recognize your good works.   We have a series of awards.

Jeff Cook was the most recent recipient of the Juggling Cat Award for providing IDPR “position” on over 100 federal planning and National Environmental Policy Act document and for providing outdoor recreation planning and data support to National Forests, National Parks, and Bureau of Land Management for federal planning processes. Jeff was also recognized for representing IDPR on BLM/Forest Service travel planning teams, providing tech and database support for the OHV Interactive Mapping Project and assisting parks and programs with their GIS and mapping needs. Congratulations, Jeff!

 Priest Lake crew enjoying ice cream for employee appreciation DAY!

Make this the year you thrive…

Are you ready to take charge of your health so that you can do more of what you love?

When you participate in thriveidaho, the Office of Group Insurance employee health promotion program, you can assess your health, better understand your health benefits, and engage in activities that enhance your overall well-being. Plus, you can earn a $250 cash reward!

Important Dates:

July 1, 2015-April 30, 2016: FY16 thriveidaho.  There’s still time to earn points and be eligible for the $250 reward!

A BLAST FROM THE PAST    (New)

2014 Award Winners!

Director’s Award – Gary Rucker

Beth Durham Award – Kevin Lynott

Ranger of the Year – Brad Shilling

Certificate of Merit (Appreciation) – Juelie Traska, Ed Lyon, Keith Jones, Curt Creson, Staff of Priest Lake State Park, Ken Blake, Chris Hoosick, Beth Simanek, Travis Taylor, Matt Cooper

Excellence in Interpretation - Loretta Sherrets

Volunteers in Parks - Harvey Burns (Priest)

Distinguished Citizen Award - Alex Ernst

Regional Recognition Award – Jayker Field Nursery, Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy

Certificate of Valor -

Remember Award nominations for 2015 are due to HR no later than 02/15/2016!

Step it up! ...to a healthier family, a healthier new year and a healthier you! Taking more steps will...

• bring more oxygen to your brain and help you think better
• will improve your kids' test scores and grades
• create more energy
• help you sleep better
• create better coordination
• create stronger bones
• help manage weight
• help ward off chronic disease

March is Colon Health Month (New)

03/11/2015 By Kristy Bobish-Thompson

March is all about colon health and good nutrition. The two are closely tied.

Take 30 minutes to an hour out of your day on Thursday, March 19^th to attend the No Buts About It Seminar in the basement of the Len B. Jordan Building in Boise. A panel of professionals will answer your questions about nutrition and cancer, hands-free at home screening kits, and prevention and treatment of colon cancer. Panel members are from Mountain States Tumor Institute, Central District Health, and the Division of Health, Health and Welfare. If you can’t stay for the panel, pick up a FREE screening kit. For more information about the seminar and colon cancer, visit the Your Colon webpage. Or, register for this class now!

Part of the March 19^th seminar is the announcement of the winning entries(s) in The Bottom Line Poetry Contest. Poetry entries are accepted from employees across the state until 11:00 p.m. on Monday the 16^th.  Check out the guidelines and the current entries on the bottom of the Your Colon webpage. Don’t stifle yourself. You could be a poet…

Policy Changes

12/4/14 (Author: Kristi Bobish-Thompson)
You’ll start seeing changes in the format of agency policies.  Most of them really include both policy and procedure so we’ve created a format to reflect that.

Standards you’ll see included in each:

• Policy Statement – Overall statement of the policy
• Definitions – Standard definitions of key words
• Purpose – Outlines the purpose of the policy/procedures
• Scope – Describes who and what the policy/procedures apply to
• Responsibility – Outlines any specific responsibilities of individuals/groups
• Standard Procedures – Step by Step on how/what to do
• References – Cites any specific policies, procedures, or forms that also relate to the topic.

They can be found on our external facing webpage at: http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/policies-and-procedures

Our goal is to slowly move these here, to IDPR Insider, rather than having them external facing and each will be moved over as they are revised.  Notification will be sent when they will no longer be available on the external facing page.

At some point we’d also like to make them interactive so the links included within them work, but at this time our only option is for them to reside as non-interactive PDFs.

The policies and procedures will also be placed on an annual review cycle in order to stay current with any changes that occur. 

When a policy and procedure is revised an e-mail will be sent out notifying everyone so they may review.  Best attempts will be made to outline significant changes to the policy and procedure; however it is the responsibility of each employee to review and be aware of current policy and procedure.

Financial Fitness Expo

Attend the Financial Fitness Expo and learn how you can make the most of your financial future. Download the event flier.
Date: December 9, 2014
Location: State Capitol, West Side Auditorium, 9a-12p
Topics include:

• How the PERSI Base Plan works and the benefits of the PERSI Choice 401(k) Plan
• How the 457 Deferred Compensation Program fits into your retirement goals
• Helping families save for college and career education in a tax advantaged way
• Preventing & Elimintating Debt: Three Financially Fatal Mistakes that keep us in debt forever!

Holiday Timesheet Coding

11/24/2014: Just a reminder that it’s the Holiday Season.  Because the holiday will shorten the time to do payroll, please submit/approve your time sheets ASAP on Monday, November 24^th and Monday, December 22^nd.  For more information check out the Holiday Coding List.     

Don’t forget overtime should be pre-approved by your supervisor.  If you have any questions, please Denice me know.  Thank you!

IDPR Staff Get's Spooooky for the All-Agency Halloween Decorating Contest

11/07/2014: Photos of event decor and participants are available at  H:\H Drive 2013\Pictures\Halloween Fun. Enjoy! Highlights include zombie's and ghosts from Priest Lake State Park and Anna's Disney Halloween Twist.

United Way Campaign Update

11/07/14:  Submitted by - Denice Gardner
I wanted to send an update on our current amount raised so far for our United Way Campaign.  So far we have received $1143.86 in pledges and cash donations; so we are almost halfway to our goal of $2500!  The campaign runs through November 14 so there is still plenty of time to send your pledge forms inJ.  As you know every dollar counts when helping others in need.  Please let me know if you have any questions. Download a pledge form!

Agency-Wide Halloween Decorating Event

Benefits News

Billingsley Creek, Thousand Springs State Park

What's going on with Billingsley? Considerations for appropriate development of the property have been under consideration and in review for several years. Recently, Management Services Administrator Anna Canning and Park Planner Adam Straubinger met with Idaho Park and Recreation Board Members individually on ideas for Billingsley Creek use and development. The purpose was to sleuth out what kind of experience the Board wanted visitors to have when they came to the park. Some of the key ideas that came out of the meeting were:

• They wanted the park to be connected to the area. This meant not only sidewalks and bike connections to other park units, but also ties to other recreation or education opportunities in the area like the fossil beds, the hot water pools, diving adventures, the fish industries, power generation, local entertainment (plays and music) providers, and endless other ideas.
• They wanted to prioritize creating a gathering facility that could adapt to a number of users throughout a number of seasons and that could expand over time.
• They wanted Billingsley Creek to become the hub for Thousand Springs State Park and for the visitor center to carry that name.
• They wanted to take advantage of naming and sponsorship opportunities.
• They wanted it to be different kind of FUN park experience than our traditional FUN park experience.

Adam and Anna will work with Development Bureau Chief Jim Thomas and Park Manager Dave Landrum to develop a site plan and development timeline for the Board’s May meeting in Challis.

Success For Boise's Non-Motorized Trail Recreation Summit

March 1, 2016 - The Summit, held Febraury 11th in Boise was well-attended, with over 100 attendees, proving that there’s a lot of interest in non-motorized trail recreation and finding a long-term, sustainable funding solution for maintenance is a desire for recreationists in Idaho. Check out the complete summit summary for meeting minutes and a comprehensive list of attendees. Similar summit's will be held in other regions of Idaho to gather as much input on the subject as possible.

Boating Program Will Launch Life Jacket Awareness Campaign in 2016

October 23, 2015 - Submitted by Jennifer Okerlund

The Boating Program will launch a new life jacket awareness campaign spring of 2016. In order to have video for the PSAs we plan to release in May, we had to take advantage of the last tiny moments of sunny, warm-ish, fall weather. Juelie Traska and a few partners in McCall took to the water last Tuesday (brrrrrr) to shoot some footage. What great sports for a good cause!

The Life Jacket Loaner Program Continues to Expand in Idaho

October 23, 2015 - In an effort to save lives and promote boating safety in Idaho,the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation boating program installed 13 life jacket loaner stations around the state in 2015. A loaner station consists of a kiosk, instructions on how to properly fit a life jacket, and a variety of life jackets ranging in size from infant to adult extra-large. Life jackets at these loaner stations are provided free of charge for the public for short-term use. Stations are installed adjacent to boat launch facilities so they are easily accessible to the boating public. Learn more.

Farragut Celebrated In The News

Farragut State Park and The Idaho Parks and Recreation Department mark their 50th Anniversary this year. To celebrate, Farragut has opened a new wing of their museum at the old Navy Brig. Until this new expansion, the Brig has only featured a wing dedicated to the parks military past during World War Two. Read more.

IDPR's New Fox Mascot & Naming Contest

03/11/2015 - Based on popular vote, the red fox was selected as the new IDPR mascot. Our fox, patterned after the red fox found in most parks across Idaho, is in production and will be delivered late April. He can begin making appearances at park and program events as soon as he arrives.  

He’s adorable. But what’s his name?

We’re kicking off a naming contest the last week of March. Idaho fourth graders will be asked to participate. Submissions will include a suggested name and background story. The top three names and stories will be selected by a team of IDPR staff, then subject to a public vote via social media. If you know fourth grade teachers in your communities, encourage them to participate! The final name and story will be revealed
mid-May. The selected classroom will win an ice cream social and visit from Mr. Fox for their school.

Special thanks to Airstream Northwest for financing our new mascot!

HUD Indefinitely Delays Enforcement of Park Model RV Porch Restrictions

What Does the Fox Say? (I love IDAHO, of course!)

2/3/2015 - Keith Hobbs
Thank you all for participating in selecting IDPR’s new mascot. It is time to make the official announcement of what most of you already know. The fox WON! The moose ran a pretty close second. Other notables on the list included the Osprey, Otter, Bigfoot, and Squirrel/Chipmunk.

We had a high participation rate from IDPR staff and in the process received some very creative input, beyond just identifying what our mascot should be. You might recall, we used the following criteria for the mascot selection.

• Is it timeless as opposed to trendy.
• Does it represent an active recreation persona.
• Does it create a lasting and positive impression.
• Does the image identify with children and can it be used to promote family-oriented activities with IDPR.

The fox rates well against these criteria. Going forward, we will have an image that serves as a good representative of IDPR.

So, on to the next steps. Naming the new mascot in a public and possibly competitive manner provides an opportunity to generate some publicity and excitement about IDPR’s new mascot during our 50^th Anniversary. We are developing a process to allow for this to happen and as always, welcome suggestions. Let myself or Jennifer know if you would like to offer suggestions.

Contact will be made this week with a potential vendor(s) who will take the process from design to delivery. This process will take some time, but hopefully within three months we will have a completed project. Thanks for your participation so far and for the help we will be asking for soon.

Greenbelt Magazine Features Idaho City Backcountry Yurt Program

Yurt the Days Away :Parks and Recreation Offers Hidden Treasures

Being a part of nature has always been revered throughout Idaho. Our expanses of wildlife and beautiful scenery allows Idahoans to be next to nature at nearly every turn. One of the most extravagant ways to harmonize with nature and escape the bluster and stresses of daily life is to book a stay at the Idaho City area back- country yurts. Read more...

Maps On-The-Go

01/12/2015 - Submitted by Jeff Cook
The December 2014 Trails.Idaho.GOV web report showed that 18% of visitors last month were using either a smartphone or a tablet. This compares with 14% in 2013 with this same time period and is a reminder that it's always a good idea to keep mobile devices in mind when you're designing resources for customers, maps included. ArchGIS now has a review platform where you can see how reference maps will appear online to a variety of devises including smart phones and tablets.

Social Media Madness

12/18/2014 - Spread the good news: you can now follow IDPR parks and programs on Facebook, Twitter (@idparksandrec), Instagram and Pinterest.

2015 Passport Campaign

12/18/14 - The Passport marketing and PR campaign will kick of in just two short weeks. The plan for next year includes a lot of social media, a direct mail effort, Programmatic Marketing, assistance from RV and Automobile Dealerships throughout the state, strategic television buys (using new ITD sales data) and more! Check out our latest video advertisment.

IDPR Trail Rangers/Trail Cat Program Maintained Over 2,000 Miles Of Trail in 2014

11/24/2014: The Idaho

Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) Trail Ranger and Trail Cat Programs, funded by the registration sticker for off-highway motorcycles and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), together  maintained 2,482 miles of trail last summer.  The Trail Rangers removed 16,583 downed trees, cleaned or installed 579 water drainage structures, and re-established tread on 2,541 feet of trail.  The Trail Cat Program consists of a trail dozer and mini-excavator. The mini excavator reconstructed 44.15 miles of trail, constructed 1.2 miles of trail and installed 419 water dips.  The trail dozer reconstructed 233.4 miles of trail, constructed 8.5 miles of trail, and installed 1,927 water dips. Read more...

Free Ski & Snowshoe Day 2015

Free Ski & Snowshoe Day, historically (pre 2012) referred to as Cross-Country Idaho or Free Ski Day will be held Saturday, January 10, 2015. On this day, parks with snow have typically hosted events and lessons, allowing for free motor vehicle entry. Ponderosa State Park and The Non-Motorized Trails Program have two exciting events planned so far!

Haunts of Harriman a HUGE Success

11/07/2014: The 2014 Haunts of Harriman was deemed a HUGE success and the park would like to thank all who helped.

OHV Economics

11/07/2014: The IDPR Trails Program has just released the economic impact study they commissioned to understand the impact of Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) on Idaho economies. The results - OHVs are BIG business in Idaho to the tune of $434 million dollars per year! Read the complete report.

Annual Conference 2015

11/07/2014: An Annual Conference has been scheduled for March 17^th and 18^th at the Red Lion here in Boise. Anna Canning is the Chair for the Planning Committee and is seeking volunteers to serve on the conference committee. The committee tasks include:

• Solicit ideas for sessions
• Evaluate sessions and develop a conference agenda
• Encourage and assist with registrations
• Prepare conference materials
• Coordinate events and catering
• Seek out sponsors and swag.

If you are interested in being a committee member, please check with your supervisor and then let Anna know. The meetings will all be held in Boise. I will look for members in the regions to participate through phone or videoconferencing.

Federal Parks and Recreation News

Headlines for October, 2014: NPS concessioners upset; big Florida initiative leads ballots

Cabela’s Celebrates Veterans Day with Hometown Heroes Event

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, will honor the contributions of those who serve with their Hometown Heroes Celebration on beginning on Saturday, November 8th and running through Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11th.

The Hometown Heroes event will recognize the sacrifice and dedication of those who protect and serve our country and communities every day.
Cabela’s Boise will honor their contributions by offering a 10% discount to all veterans and active duty military and reserve, law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel. Learn more.

The Big 5-0

IDPR will celebrate 50 Years as an agency in 2015. The Anniversary Planning Committee, comprised of park and program managers, has draft plans on how to celebrate and market the milestone. The final plan will be available soon.

Passports

The Passport grossed over $1.2 million in fiscal year 2014. Take a look at the revenue actuals. The 2015/2016 marketing efforts will begin in January 2015. New commercials will be produced later this fall and will air in select markets statewide, for the first time. New sales data from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will allow us to make strategic advertising decisions, allowing IDPR to target new areas of Idaho where Passport sales could use a boost. Details of the new 2015-2016 Passport Marketing Plan will be available in November.

Go-Pro

Bear Lake State Park has an amazing new video. Produced by manager Kirk Rich's son, Quincy Rich, the video features aerial views of the park taken by a drone-mounted go-pro video camera. Check it out on YouTube.

Discounted COSTCO Memberships for State Employees

To take advantage of the Special Offer, the ​flyer​ needs to be brought into Costco. The special offer runs from September 29 – November 23, 2014, and is as follows:

• Join as a New Executive Member and receive a $20 Costco Cash Card.  You’ll earn an annual 2% reward (up to $750) on qualified Costco purchases.
• Join as a New Gold Star Member and receive a $10 Costco Cash Card.

Agency Meetings / Trade Shows

Executive Staff
 

Recreation