Educating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders

Public Interest – Boise State University School of Public Service

July, 2018

These are exciting times at Boise State and across the Treasure Valley. The secret is out about our growing economy and high quality of life, and people are moving to Idaho and joining us at Boise State.

We know from our regular public opinion surveys that the rapid growth in the region might bring some growing pains. And these include challenges to preserving our natural environment. The School of Public Service is working hard to educate our students on complex environmental issues, and to be a resource for community leaders who make decisions on the important issues of our day.

In this Public Interest, we’ll tell you about the Treasure Valley Water Atlas, introduce Professor Kathleen Araújo, the new director of the Energy Policy Institute, and show you how the Andrus Center for Public Policy, led by University Distinguished Professor John Freemuth, is preparing Boise State students for meaningful environmental careers.

Thanks for listening,

Corey Cook
Dean, School of Public Service
Boise State University

Introducing the Treasure Valley Water Atlas

The Treasure Valley is growing. But do we have enough water for sustainable growth? With the Valley expected to surpass 1 million inhabitants by the middle of this century, water use is bound to look very different in the coming years.

With this in mind, researchers at Boise State have been studying the Boise River Basin for the past five years. The result of their findings is Treasure Valley Water Atlas, a resource for decision-makers, educators, and water-users who care and wish to know more about water in the Valley.

The Water Atlas allows viewers to:

explore the source of our water,
understand water law and how water is delivered,
read a case study of the refill issue,
learn how we use water,
and consider the potential future of water in the Boise River Basin.

Read About the Treasure Valley Water Atlas in The Blue Review

Andrus Center Launches environmental career prep website

A new website from the Andrus Center for Public Policy builds on the conservation legacy of Governor Cecil D. Andrus by helping a new generation turn their love of the natural environment into meaningful careers.

Andrus Career Prep includes a job opportunities board for entry-level environmental jobs, a guide to in-demand career paths, maps for creating a career preparedness plan, and an overview of the federal hiring process.

Visit the Andrus Career Prep Website

JOHN FREEMUTH HONORED AS 2018 BOISE STATE DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR

John Freemuth, Executive Director of the Cecil D. Andrus Center for Public Policy and professor of Public Policy and Administration, has been selected as the 2018 Boise State University Distinguished Professor. Only one Boise State professor is selected as Distinguished Professor per year. Honorees are recognized for making significant contributions to their academic disciplines.

Though well-known for teaching Public Policy and Administration students and for directing the Andrus Center, Freemuth may be best known as a public intellectual. Widely quoted in local and national media, he is a leader in translating complicated and multi-layered scientific and political thinking to a broad audience.

Read About Distinguished Professor Freemuth in The Boise State Update

BOISE STATE, SCHOOL OF PUBLIC SERVICE WELCOME NEW ENERGY POLICY INSTITUTE DIRECTOR KATHLEEN ARAÚJO

Kathleen Araújo has been named the new director of the Energy Policy Institute. Araújo comes to EPI from Stony Brook University, where she was an assistant professor of energy-environmental innovation systems and policy.

Araújo earned her Ph.D. at MIT, completing post-doctoral research at the Harvard Kennedy School in science, technology and public policy, and nuclear safety, building expertise in the intersection of energy decision-making, science and technology.

The Energy Policy Institute is an integral part of the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES), a consortium comprised of the Idaho National Laboratory, Boise State University, the University of Idaho, Idaho State University, the University of Wyoming and private industry.