Learn Over Lunch
Idaho Business for the Outdoors believes that education is a critical part of our mission to provide a collective, non-partisan business voice in support of the investments, jobs, innovations, revenues and wellness benefits sustained through the preservation of Idaho’s outdoors and public lands.
IBO provides a free educational series for our business members called Learn Over Lunch, where they have the opportunity to engage with some of the current conversations regarding our public lands.
Past Learn Over Lunches
Mental Health & the Outdoors
A discussion with mental health professionals from St. Luke’s Health System to learn about the rise in youth mental health issues and how the outdoors can be part of the solution. Hear more about what’s happening with younger Idahoans and how we as a community can help.
Making the case for a b corps: What it takes to be a b corp
Learn more about why companies are becoming Certified B Corps, what it means to be a B Corp, and what it means to consumers. Moderated by Idaho For Good and including participants from Lovevery, Figure 8 Investments, and FreeForm.
What is ESG & Why do Idaho Companies Care?
ESG, environmental, social, governance, has become a popular term for business reporting in recent years. Although this term first emerged in 2005, it wasn’t until 2017 when it became more well known. ESG policies are typically highly requested and often misunderstood. Idaho Business for the Outdoors, set out to clear the muddied water by hosting a panel discussion about how Idaho businesses view ESG in their operations. Panelists included Ambier Bieg from Warm Spring Consulting, Brandy Wilson from J.R. Simplot Company, Brian Buckham from Idaho Power, and Mckinsey Lyon from Perpetua Resources. The panel was moderated by Kaycee Royer from Perkins Coie.
Feeding the people and Tending the land Part 2
In part 2 of this educational webinar moderated by Amy Mattias, Program Director of the Sun Valley Institute, our panelists continued the discussion on the role farmers and ranchers play in climate change, from planting native windbreaks, to sequestering carbon through regenerative practices, to reducing food miles by growing and selling within local markets. We were joined by a group of panelists who are innovative ranchers and farmers who are going above and beyond the status quo to ensure the land, water, and air in which they depend gets regenerated for all. Our panelists were Wilder Jones from Wild Spaces Farm, Brett Stevenson from Hillside Grain, and Glenn Elzinga from Alderspring Ranch.
Watch Feeding the People and Tending the Land Part 2
Feeding the people and tending the land Part 1
In this educational webinar moderated by Amy Mattias, Program Director of the Sun Valley Institute, our panelists discussed the role farmers and ranchers play in climate change, from planting native windbreaks, to sequestering carbon through regenerative practices, to reducing food miles by growing and selling within local markets. Our speakers covered the value of providing a voice for all sectors in the industry, the idea of a patchwork of public and private lands across Idaho, and the importance of food locally, nationally, and globally.
Watch Feeding the People and Tending the Land
Understanding Recreation on Working Rangelands
Representatives from University of Idaho and Merrill Beyeler from Beyeler Ranches discuss Idaho’s public and private working rangelands are integrally tied together and an invaluable resource. This presentation brought to attention some challenges associated with increasing demands on rangelands, and what faculty at the University of Idaho are studying to help us all be better stewards of the rangelands at our doorstep.
Watch Understanding Recreation on Working Rangelands
What Sustainable Investors Like About Idaho
This educational opportunity was on the topic of sustainable or impact investing and what is taking place in Idaho and what it means to have sustainable investments and why they are important to Idaho companies. Lisa Cooper from Figure 8 Investment Strategies discussed how publicly-traded companies and other investment opportunities across Idaho stack-up when impact investing is hot.
Watch What Sustainable Investors Like About Idaho
For Health’s Sake - and the Bottom Line - Get Outdoors
Lyle Nelson from St. Luke’s discussed how the great outdoors revitalizes our bodies and minds and the physical and mental health benefits we can get from spending time outdoors. He also covered how the outdoors can be included in employee wellness plans.
The Business Opportunity of Clean Energy
Representatives from Clif Bar, Sprout Energy, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Conservation League covered clean energy opportunities, and discussed how businesses are tapping into Idaho’s energy resources to benefit their bottom line and resilience while creating quality jobs in Idaho.