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We'll be in touch!

Have questions? Feel free to leave us a message and we will get back to you soon!

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

No open positions

Our vision

To be our region’s preferred space to gather and experience nature and to encourage advocacy in environmental stewardship.

Event Operations Coordinator

Alex Childs

Event Operations Coordinator

Content Coordinator

Alissa Votroubek

Content Coordinator

Engagement Coordinator

Ariana Watson

Engagement Coordinator

Human Resource/Office Manager

Courtney VanMeer

Human Resource/Office Manager

Plant Collections Curator

Daniel Murphy

Plant Collections Curator

Horticulture Director

Duran Villegas

Horticulture Director

Executive Director

Erin Anderson

Executive Director

Associate Director of Horticulture Operations

Graham Knight

Associate Director of Horticulture Operations

Visitor Services/Event Coordinator

Hannah Cain

Visitor Services/Event Coordinator

Greenhouse & Nursery Coordinator

Hannah Hegdahl

Greenhouse & Nursery Coordinator

Americorps 4H Youth Development Instructor

Hannah Kittler

Americorps 4H Youth Development Instructor

Development Director

Jennifer Parks

Development Director

Education Program Coordinator

Jessica McLean

Education Program Coordinator

Volunteer Manager

Karen Christeson

Volunteer Manager

Education Logistical Coordinator

Kathleen Li

Education Logistical Coordinator

Education Director

Katie Peterson

Education Director

Education Program Coordinator

Kayla Wakulich

Education Program Coordinator

Visitor Services Senior Director

Kirsten Teegarden

Visitor Services Senior Director

Horticulturist

Kristin Little

Horticulturist

Bookkeeping Assistant

Laura Mathews

Bookkeeping Assistant

Executive Assistant

Linda Laguna

Executive Assistant

Event Director

Luke Hellwege

Event Director

Garden Design and Aesthetics Curator

Michele Lesica

Garden Design and Aesthetics Curator

Visitor Services Coordinator

Monika Hickey

Visitor Services Coordinator

Vegetable Garden Coordinator

Mylee Dyke

Vegetable Garden Coordinator

Finance Director

Nathan Weinstein

Finance Director

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.

Volunteer Manager

Event Manager

Open Positions 

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