It’s that time of year when we reflect on all that’s happened over the last 12 months.
This year was a a big year for conservation in Idaho. Conservation Voters for Idaho and our supporters faced many threats to our environment. As we approach year end, we want to remind you of some of our shared victories in 2017.
For years, the Idaho Legislature has introduced bill after bill hostile to public lands in a misguided scheme to seize our public land. But this year things changed.
In March, CVI and our partners organized more than 3,000 public land owners who descended on the Idaho State Capitol to demand our politicians leave our public lands in public hands. The rally had a huge impact – for the first time in four years, not one anti-public lands bill was introduced during a legislative session!
Less than two weeks later, CVI helped organize a climate change hearing at the Lincoln Auditorium in the Idaho State Capitol. So many people showed up, Capitol security had to open three overflow rooms to accommodate the crowd of 650 people. For the first time in the history of the Idaho Legislature, the topic of climate change was discussed among scientists, lawmakers and stakeholders.
It won’t be the last.
This fall, CVI spearheaded the campaign to renew the Boise Clean Water and Open Space Levy, a ballot measure that helps protect lands in the Boise Foothills and along the Boise River that protect native plant and animals while offering Boiseans irreplaceable places to recreate.
The levy passed with 82 percent of the vote.
What’s more, this past November thirteen CVI endorsed candidates throughout the state won their elections.
This is a short list of just some of our shared victories in 2017. Behind each of these stories there’s one common theme; the bold and growing group of conservation voters across Idaho who are raising their voices for Idaho’s environment.
CVI works to educate, organize, and get people like you to take action on issues that impact our quality of life all year long. We are an organization dependent on the actions of people like you — thank you for being partners in this work. These victories are yours and and in benefit of the next generation.
As we move onwards to organize against continued and future threats to our environment and look to promote sound environmental policies, we ask that you stay engaged, stay determined, and vote your conservation values!
For Idaho,
Courtney Washburn
Conservation Voters for Idaho
