4 minute read
A SPACE FOR DIALOGUE
IEF Vice President Jared Talley (pictured right)
The Idaho Environmental Forum
BY CHELSEA CHAMBERS
In times of political divisiveness, it is essential to find common ground, and although each generation could make the (accurate) case that political division has existed for decades, there have been a few commonalities over the years upon which all sides can stand together. Over time, one thing has remained consistent—we are all sharing planet Earth. Because we differ on how we should manage our natural world, it is fundamental to discuss. Whether for recreation and exploration or agriculture and grazing, these discussions about our land make all the difference.
“To live in Idaho is, for many, to love Idaho’s outdoors. But there’s often a lot of conflict around how we should relate to the environment,” said Jared Talley, who serves as the current vice president of the Idaho Environmental Forum (IEF). “IEF provides a space for civil discourse around Idaho’s environments. This means speaking intentionally and listening authentically.”
For this reason, and so many others, organizations like the IEF are vital. Founded in 1989, the IEF is an informal, nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational association whose sole mission is to promote serious, cordial, and productive discourse on a broad range of environmental policies affecting Idaho.
Andy Brunelle, who served on the IEF’s board for more than 13 years, has been an integral part of the nonprofit’s mission to provide a space for environmental conversation. A fourth generation Idahoan who spent several decades working for the U.S. Forest Service, Brunelle is now retired.
As a volunteer with Trout Unlimited and an outdoor recreationist, Brunelle has continued his involvement with environmental causes, recruiting several of the current IEF board members and supporting the nonprofit as a member. Through hosted lunch events, webinars, happy hours, and more, the IEF is able to facilitate important conversations about everything from wildlife corridors and dam management to cloud-seeding and native plants.
“As the community of environmental professionals has grown across Idaho, there is a need for a venue or forum where information, studies, and proposals can get some time and attention from knowledgeable and interested patrons,” Brunelle said.
Talley is himself a fifth generation (on both sides of the family) Idaho native. “Our families have hunted, shed, ranched, and farmed in Idaho for generations,” he said. “We’ve been raft guides, mountain bike riders, backpackers, and horseback riders. I am an environmental philosopher and love thinking about the ways we relate to nature, often doing so while I’m in the landscape experiencing it.” The IEF is comprised of a dedicated board of directors like Talley who share a similar passion for the environment. They come from both sides of the aisle and everywhere in between, bringing with them a wide range of perspectives to the table.
Brandy Wilson, a current IEF board member and former IEF president, is another lifelong Idahoan. She grew up in Pocatello and attended Idaho State University. Like many, she loves everything outdoors—including hiking, camping, and Nordic skiing. “Both my working and volunteer life are rooted in the environment,” Wilson explained. “My career has included environmental analysis, public outreach for environmental restoration projects, and sustainability.”
Wilson has been involved with the IEF for many years and has seen first-hand how contentious issues can be discussed amicably when given the proper platform for cordial dialogue. “IEF is important because we create a safe space for people with different viewpoints to talk. The best policy for the environment comes from walking in each other’s muddy boots. Challenges like wildfire, sustainable development, water stewardship, and conservation can only be solved if we work in community.”
To learn more about the Idaho Environmental Forum and to see upcoming events, visit them online at idahoenvironmentalforum.org.
