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Our river side-channel dreams are becoming reality!

We are SO excited to announce some amazing news for our Boise River Research Station at the Diane Moore Nature Center!

a scattered group of people stand underneath cottonwood trees with yellowing leaves. They are reaching down planting plants. The highway 21 bridge is in the background
Volunteers planted more than 1,000 seedlings at our 2019 habitat restoration day. Photo by Libby Burtner

As many of you know who have visited our river banding station, there is an old dried up side channel that was cut off from the river and runs the length of our property.

We’ve talked for a long time about re-watering this side channel. And now our dream is finally coming true!

With engineering support and funding from locally-based tech leader Micron Technology, a new river side-channel will improve water quality, reduce water temperature, recharge groundwater, improve fish and wildlife habitat, and mitigate flooding.

IBO Director Greg Kaltenecker stands in the Intermountain Bird Observatory Offices

“This incredible gift from Micron will create a lasting legacy for the Treasure Valley that will serve its residents for generations to come, and be the focus of IBO’s education and outreach activities,” said Gregory Kaltenecker, Diane and Winston Moore Family Endowed Director for IBO. “The site will become a place to enjoy, learn about, respect and cherish the Boise River.”

This incredible gift from Micron will create a lasting legacy for the Treasure Valley that will serve its residents for generations to come

With this gift from Micron, plus funding for trail building from the City of Boise Open Space grant, and your donations that keep our outreach programming running, our vision for this site is quickly becoming reality!

Construction on the side channel project will begin fall 2021 and is expected to last 4-6 months.

For more details on this exciting news, check out this press release.