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Our values & beliefs
We acknowledge the history of the land and its original inhabitants by honoring their legacy. Nature is why we are here and what brings us together. We tread lightly in our natural world and with each other.
Respectful
We provide a safe space for everyone, we empower people to create their sense of place here.
Inclusive
We build and strengthen relationships with our partners to achieve better, far-reaching results in our community.
Collaborative
We eagerly share our expertise about our landscape, its history, and the best way to garden within it.
Knowledgeable
The garden provides a sanctuary and strives to make experiences here fun and memorable.
Approachable
Careers
The Garden provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
In addition to federal law requirements, the Garden complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
The Garden expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
Our Mission
We grow our community by
connecting people, plants and nature.
Executive Director
Erin Anderson
Development Director
Jennifer Dunmire
Visitor Services Senior Director
Kirsten Teegarden
Finance Director
Jennifer Dillon
Marketing Director
Chris Becker
Event Director
Eric Walle
Education Director
Katie Peterson
Horticulture Director
Michele Lesica
Meet the Directors
Medical, dental, and vision benefits • Maternity/Paternity leave • 3% matching 401K • Generous PTO accrual rates • Tickets to various garden events and concerts • Flexible schedules
Awesome benefits
Our vision
To be our region’s preferred space to gather and experience nature and to encourage advocacy in environmental stewardship.
Alex Childs
Event Operations Coordinator
Alissa Votroubek
Content Coordinator
Ariana Watson
Engagement Coordinator
Chris Becker
Marketing & Communications Director
Courtney VanMeer
Human Resource/Office Manager
Daniel Murphy
Plant Collections Curator
Dave Hibbard
Ground and Facilities Coordinator
Duran Villegas
Horticulture Director
Eric Walle
Event Director
Erin Manzutto
Horticulturist
Erin Anderson
Executive Director
Grace Johnson
Event Manager
Graham Knight
Associate Director of Horticulture Operations
Hannah Cain
Visitor Services/Event Coordinator
Hannah Hegdahl
Greenhouse & Nursery Coordinator
Jennifer Parks
Development Director
Jessica McLean
Education Program Coordinator
Karen Christeson
Volunteer Manager
Kathleen Li
Visitor Services Coordinator
Katie Peterson
Education Director
Kayla Wakulich
Education Program Coordinator
Kirsten Teegarden
Visitor Services Senior Director
Kristin Little
Horticulturist
Laura Mathews
Bookkeeping Assistant
Linda Laguna
Executive Assistant
Luke Hellwege
Visitor Services Manager
Michele Lesica
Garden Design and Aesthetics Curator
Monika Hickey
Visitor Services Coordinator
Mylee Dyke
Vegetable Garden Coordinator
Nathan Weinstein
Finance Director
Trevor Costello
Horticulturist
Anti-Racism Statement
The Idaho Botanical Garden acknowledges the harm and injustice committed against Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities including colonization, slavery, segregation, denial of proper resources, mass incarceration, police brutality, and economic and voter suppression--systems that have been perpetuated for hundreds of years.
We wish to honor Indigenous communities native to this region including the Paiute, Shoshone, and Bannock tribes. We express gratitude and appreciation to the traditional stewards of the land and to those who have been living and working in this valley from time immemorial.
We must continue to strategize and support one another, both within our organization and our greater community, to make space for diverse voices to express themselves fully and to cultivate a culture that embodies the means of a collective. We stand firm in our ability to name and eliminate racist behavior and to provide proper training to our Board and Staff in an effort to uphold this commitment.
We will continue to ask hard questions, share our stories, and think critically to ensure the longevity of a movement toward equity and inclusion. We strive to create an environment where welcome, wellness, safety, and success are possible for all who visit this space and to carry these efforts beyond our garden walls.
Where we came from
In 1984, The Idaho Botanical Garden was established on a 42-acre site of old prison grounds leased from the Idaho State Historical Society and the State of Idaho. Local botanist, Dr. Christopher Davidson, assembles the first board of directors comprised of 17 civic leaders and professionals. The Garden founders and board built an irrigation system, nature trails, and planted two acres, including the Meditation, Rose and Herb Gardens.
Where we're going
We commit to being a force for positive, actionable change to protect and co-exist within nature knowing the role we play will have a long-lasting impact on future generations.
Sustainability
We commit to being a force for positive, actionable change to protect and co-exist within nature knowing the role we play will have a long-lasting impact on future generations.
We are working on lowering our carbon footprint through sustainability efforts at all events. We provide many onsite bike racks and strongly encourage ride-sharing and biking to the garden. We are currently boosting our recycling programs and collaborating with vendors to offer eco-friendly solutions for food and drink, waste management, and more plant-based menu options. Potable water is available at the garden most months of the year. Bring a reusable bottle and fill it up at any event!
In the garden, we are continuously seeking sustainable ways to approach gardening, including water-wise crops, low flow irrigation techniques, and limited use of harsh chemicals.
We are committed to replacing our energy usage from electric to solar, wind, and hydroelectric. Our building materials will be healthy, highly efficient, and low impact. As we replace our tools, inventory, and other assets we are committed to continuously shifting our ways to live in harmony with the natural world.