Boise State University’s Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO) is moving forward with a unique opportunity to create a lasting legacy — outdoors. It is developing one of Boise’s premiere outdoor education destinations: The Diane Moore Nature Center.
IBO’s Research Station at the Diane Moore Nature Center is an outdoor place where everyone can explore and learn in a natural setting, not too far from town. It’s easy to get to, and it’s easy to love.
Support Our Programs — Make a GiftThe Boise River Research Station located at the Diane Moore Nature Center meets the need for hands-on learning that teachers request during the school year, and programs meet the State of Idaho science education standards for all grade levels.
The Diane Moore Nature Center is also a perfect spot for community members to immerse themselves in Boise’s beautiful and inspiring river habitat. Whether fly-fishing nearby, enjoying walks on the Greenbelt and nearby city park, or simply enjoying friends and family, The Diane Moore Nature Center is a world-class outdoor classroom.
As a tribute to the late Diane Moore, the site has been named in her honor. Diane was the wife of local businessman Winston Moore. She felt strongly that IBO’s work with children is vital. She valued every effort to interest and engage children in nature, the great outdoors and “all of God’s creatures.” The Moores provided a gift to the IBO that has been truly transformational, creating both stability and recognition.
The City of Boise awarded IBO a $440,270 Open Space and Clean Water Partnership grant to support this project. Together with the City of Boise, we will commit shared principles of conservation, community engagement, and partnership.
A new city park is proposed directly adjacent to the nature center. Shared features between the two areas, such as bus parking, restrooms, and covered teaching space, will also benefit IBO’s outreach work. The City of Boise and IBO are committed to collaboration so that community members can share both spaces: a special park dedicated to healthy outdoor activity and a natural open space dedicated to outdoor learning. IBO and the City will work together to manage these properties in a complimentary way, ensuring a city legacy outdoors — for years to come.
The Diane Moore Nature Center embodies Boise’s Open Space Values: Wellness, Ecosystem Health, Wildlife Connectivity, Economic Vibrancy, Culture, Sense of Place, and Social Connections.
Host K-12 students, university students, and the public to the site annually as part of a formal outdoor community education outreach program.
Develop 1.3 miles of gravel trails with elevated boardwalks, wildlife viewing structures, and interpretive signs that avoid and protect sensitive wetlands in the critical open space near the Greenbelt and Boise River. Maintain river habitat for fish health and improve river access for fishing.
Improve fish habitat and water quality by deepening and rewatering a historic river side channel, improve riparian habitat, restore shrub-steppe uplands, and create pollinator gardens.
Thanks to a gift from Micron Technology in October 2020, our dreams of a side channel are becoming a reality!
We endeavor to “impact human lives and significantly contribute to conservation through a unique combination of cooperative research, education, discovery of the natural world, and community engagement.”
This mission has resulted in 25 years of internationally-recognized scientific research, contributing to conservation, student learning and training, and community outreach. It also has proven to be foundational to award-winning public education to thousands of K-12 students in Idaho’s Treasure Valley.
Donations to Boise State University and IBO qualify for a 50% tax credit — a reduction in the actual tax you owe. If you itemize your taxes, a donation to Boise State allows income tax deductions on both your state and federal returns, plus a 50% Idaho income tax credit. This video is available with captions and a transcript.
