[Dear Idaho conservation voter,
This year, Conservation Voters for Idaho will celebrate our 15-year anniversary. From the very beginning, our mission has been to create the political environment to protect the natural environment. From up and down Idaho, our electoral work has elected strong conservation champions to city, county, and state offices while our advocacy efforts have moved Idaho towards a clean energy future and defended our public lands from repeated attacks. Of course, for an organization working to protect Idaho for so long, change is bound to occur.
In December, newly-elect Boise Mayor Lauren McLean hired our Executive Director Courtney Washburn as Chief of Staff. Although we were sad to say goodbye, we know the Mayor’s incredible team will help move Boise forward in a new direction. Shortly after, the board of directors appointed me as Acting Executive Director while they search for a permanent replacement. I am honored to lead the organization through a smooth leadership transition. We are already starting to grow CVI and our programs in new and exciting ways.
Many of you may know that we also had to say goodbye to our Program Associate Crystal Rain who was instrumental in growing our clean energy program. We’ve elevated the position into a managerial role and are hiring for a Program Manager as her replacement. I’d also like to congratulate Tess Wallace on her new promotion to Field Organizer, as well as welcome Eliza Walton and Ryan McGoldrick as they assist our work during the Legislature.
While the board conducts its search, my focus is to keep Conservation Voters for Idaho moving forward and continuing to do what we do best: protecting Idaho through political action and voter mobilization.
Last month, we worked on defending multiple legislative attacks on Idaho’s science standards, public lands, and climate science. And, that’s only the beginning. Next week, we will start to see what we’re really up against when the bill introduction deadline hits. There’s plenty to defend, but we’re excited to do some proactive work this session, too, such as advancing policies that protect Idahoans from toxic chemicals. You can sign up for our weekly legislative emails here to stay updated and take action when it matters most.
On behalf of our board and staff, I’d like to thank you for your continued support and commitment to advancing conservation in Idaho. We can not do this work without you.
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions.
For Idaho,
Rialin Flores
Acting Executive Director
Conservation Voters for Idaho