Celebrating 20 Years of Conservation Leadership in Idaho
Founded in 2005, Conservation Voters for Idaho (CVI) began with a clear mission: to turn grassroots energy into real wins for Idaho’s environment and democratic institutions. Two decades later, that mission has become a powerful force for lasting change in Idaho. From protecting treasured landscapes to defending voting rights and empowering new leaders, CVI has helped shape a stronger conservation environment for Idaho.
The First Decade
CVI hit the ground running. In 2006 we released Idaho’s first Legislative Environmental Scorecard, bringing transparency to lawmakers’ conservation votes. That same year, we helped defeat Proposition 2, a radical land-use initiative that would have undermined local planning across the state.
Through our electoral work, CVI helped conservation-minded leaders win seats in local elections and the Statehouse. With every election cycle there are an increased number of leaders committed to public lands, clean water, and voting rights.
In 2015, two major victories defined our first decade. After a decade of advocacy, 275,000 acres of the Boulder-White Cloud Mountains were granted permanent wilderness protection, one of the strongest land protections in the nation. CVI mobilized Idahoans to support this designation and ensured local voices were amplified to protect these wild spaces. That same year, CVI led the charge for the Boise Clean Water & Open Space Levy, which passed with a 74% majority. This $10 million initiative secured funding to protect rivers, foothills, and open spaces for future generations in Boise.
Meanwhile, our organizing efforts were transforming civic participation. By 2016, CVI’s grassroots network had grown to more than 4,000 conservation advocates, and in one legislative session alone, volunteers made more than 14,000 calls to elected officials. Through community workshops, advocacy training, and voter education, CVI built a movement that turned passion into power.
A New Decade of Impact
The years that followed saw continued momentum and innovation.
In 2017, CVI organized the first-ever Public Lands Rally at the Idaho State Capitol, drawing hundreds of supporters in defense of our shared outdoor heritage.
By 2018, CVI had become a key voice on statewide issues, working closely with new leaders like Governor Brad Little to elevate conservation as a statewide priority.
In 2019, longtime CVI ally Lauren McLean was elected Mayor of Boise. Her bold leadership on climate, housing, and community connection reflects CVI’s vision for Idaho cities.
In 2020, CVI launched its flagship Boards and Commissions Leadership Fellowship, the first in Idaho and one of the first nationally. It empowers Idahoans from underrepresented communities to lead on local and state boards, guiding land use, natural resources, and more. That same year, we mobilized around the 2020 Census, ensuring fair representation and federal funding for Idaho communities in the years ahead.
In 2022, CVI helped secure an investment from the State of Idaho of $95 million in outdoor recreation and conservation funding. We also helped shift the balance of power in local government by supporting conservation champions as the majority of the Ada County Highway District, a pivotal change for land-use and transportation policy.
Meeting the Moment
This year marked another critical chapter for CVI. Entering the 2025 legislative session with a razor-thin conservation majority, our mission faced serious threats but achieved major victories. This session CVI:
- Blocked every attempt to restrict voting rights and dismantle Idaho’s ballot initiative process
- Mobilized 800+ public comments in 24 hours to stop an anti-absentee voting bill
- Defeated legislation seeking to politicize local elections and grant immunity to pesticide manufacturers, and more.
Our work to protect Idaho’s 32.5 million acres of public lands has also reached new heights. An 1,800 person turnout at the 2025 Public Lands in Public Hands Rally sent a strong message. The rally helped to shift the discourse with federal leaders, and Representative Mike Simpson is now co-sponsoring the Public Lands in Public Hands Act to fight federal land transfers.
For more than two decades, CVI has worked at the intersection of environmental protection and democratic engagement. Through voter registration drives, candidate trainings, community organizing, and direct mentorship of Idaho leaders we’ve expanded the definition of who gets to lead, and what conservation leadership looks like.These outcomes reflect the strength of years of groundwork and persistent advocacy that delivers results.
Our legacy is rooted in impact:
- Electing conservation champions
- Shaping policy at every level
- Empowering everyday Idahoans to lead
As we celebrate this 20-year milestone, we want to thank and honor the thousands of supporters, volunteers, and partners who helped make it all possible. We’ve kept rivers cleaner, landscapes wilder, elections fairer, and Idaho’s future brighter.
Here’s to the next chapter, and to the Idaho we love. Thank you!
Iseyda Lacombe
Communications Associate