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ESTO PERPETUA: ‘OUTDOOR IDAHO’ LIVES FOREVER
Above: In the field at work: Producer Lauren Melink left Washington and lived in Oregon, but her love for Idaho runs deep and the terrain always surprises her. PHOTO COURTESY OF IDAHOPTV AND "OUTDOOR IDAHO" PRODUCTION
BY APRIL NEALE
“Outdoor Idaho” passed its 40th season on October 13, 2022 for Idaho Public Television, and through the curated genius of longtime retired producer, writer, and host Bruce Reichert, “Outdoor Idaho” and “Idaho Experience” writer/producer Bill Manny continues that vision of the series.
Idaho PTV’s grand travelog remains beautifully lensed, in part because astonishing things occur in Idaho’s geological formations. For example, it is perhaps bewildering to people beyond our Idaho borders that divisive topics seem to unite the various political factions within Idaho—that love for preserving the beauty and resources of the state.
The air, rivers, salmon, and wolf, are passionately cared about and intensely debated, and “Outdoor Idaho” explores them all with fresh perspective, delighting new Idahoans and filling longstanding Idahoans with pride. The show has an unfair edge, as the Gem State’s enviable public lands and diverse terrascapes are unmatched in the lower 48.
Unquestionably, Idaho is a sexy state, an adventurer’s paradise with curvaceous hillsides, jutting alpine peaks, shifting dunes, seductive geothermal crystal-clear hot springs, and verdant rainforests. Yes. Idaho is a woman; the state motto confirms this. “Esto Perpetua. May she live forever?” The state offers up an embarrassment of natural riches and eye candy for a producer to craft compelling and—at times—controversial tales, from historical moments to modern ecological and agricultural innovations.
It’s an addictive watch, and Reichert knew this when he quipped to a 2022 City Club Awards audience: “I know in some circles, ‘Outdoor Idaho’ gets the blame for migration into the state, and OK, maybe we did one too many shows on the Sawtooths. But the show has never aired in California, and I hope to hell it doesn’t,” when accepting the Stimpson Award for Civic Engagement.
Reichert’s achievements are honored by Manny, who started his improbable journey with the series in 2018 after a long newspaper career. He paid homage to his friend that carved the path he now walks. “’Outdoor Idaho’ will be starting our 41st season this fall. And we are so lucky to have this incredible legacy that Bruce Reichert and his team over those 40 years left us. There would be nothing for us. We’re lucky to have the goodwill, credibility, track record, integrity, and quality they built over those 40 years. We’re building on that legacy. The show will evolve; we’re trying to find new ways to incorporate new participants and audiences while keeping all those loyal people who love Outdoor Idaho and have made it such a success,” he said.
Today, Manny’s team includes two exceptional producers, lead producer Laura Melink and producer/director Forrest Burger, each keeping the engine of “Outdoor Idaho” revved. They seek out and get into those hard-to-reach areas and capture the moments we dine on for inspired television.
Burger has a bit of Idaho connectivity—a legacy family getaway in northern Idaho. “My family wanted to pursue a quality of life and found Boise. New York wasn’t for me. I’m an Oregonian,” Burger said. “Boise allowed me to do documentaries again. That’s what I wanted to do.”
While the “Outdoor Idaho” team would never play favorites, there are a few places that occupy a special place in their hearts. “If you were to nail me down to my favorite place in Idaho, it’s north Idaho. My family has had a place on Hayden Lake since 1946. I’ve been going there for my whole life. But aside from that, I love Stanley. You have to love the Sawtooths and Salmon too. Driggs and Victor, where you see the Tetons just over the border into Wyoming, is quite special,” said Burger.
Lauren Melink left Washington and lived in Oregon, but her love for Idaho is deep. “The terrain is something I didn’t expect in Idaho, and when I tell people about it, they’re shocked by the east Idaho ranges that are so magnificent. North Idaho is luscious. I grew up in western Washington and didn’t realize this rainforest landscape existed. If you’re a boater, there are lakes all over the place. If you’re an angler, there are high alpine lakes to fish in, and if you love the desert rangeland vibe, hundreds of miles of trails await. There are amazing hikes. Idaho has so much to offer—a unique landscape, a handful of mountain ranges, hot springs; it’s a pretty special place.”
Part of the change that Manny referenced sees the roles of female staff increasing, but he assured that their presence behind the scenes was always there. “Women have been involved in this show from the beginning, and we’ve had women producers and staffers throughout the years. But today, we have a female team, a producer, and a videographer working together. If you encounter ‘Outdoor Idaho’ in the field, you’ll see Lauren Melink and Mya Long, our lead videographer. That’s a unique moment in the show’s history.”
