Boise River Enhancement Network

Love at First Flush, A Valentine's Tour of Your Water Renewal Facility
2026-02-13 17:30 - 21:00 (America/Boise)
February 13th, 5:30-9:00 Love at First Flush – A Valentine’s Tour of your Water Renewal Facility. Join the WaterShed for a sunset tour of the facility, followed by a plated dinner, chocolate fondue and card making. RSVP and find more information here.

----------------------------------------------------------------- 'Your Mother Doesn't Work Here' Annual Boise River Clean Up.
2025-09-20 09:00 - 12:30
We don’t know why people trash the river, but we do know we have amazing and underappreciated people who take time to clean it up! In acknowledgement of those doing the often-invisible labor of picking up after others the first annual ‘Your Mother Doesn’t Work Here’ Boise River Cleanup was held in 2023. The 2025 community wide cleanup will be held Saturday, September 20th. Bring your friends, family and co-workers and help clean up the banks of the Boise River. Trash bags and gloves will be provided or bring your own. Trash will be weighed at the end of the event and added to the 2025 total.
Location Glenwood Bridge area: Please arrive at 9 am to either Westmoreland Park on the north side of the river at 6515 N Glenwood OR the Greenbelt parking lot on the South side of the river at Glenwood & Marigold
Please complete the form below to register.
2025 ‘Your Mother Doesn’t Work Here’ Sign Up Form

City of Boise Water Jamboree
2025-08-16 11:00 - 15:00
Celebrate 75 years of keeping the Boise River clean at Ann Morrison Park on Saturday, August 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get your face painted before you hit the river, grab a post-float snack, explore local water and river organizations and jam out to some great music – all in celebration of our city’s gem, the Boise River!
75 years ago, the city built Water Renewal Services to stop pollution of the Boise River, which was, at the time, littered with trash and waste. After building Water Renewal Services, the river started to run clear again and trout returned to our waters, leading to the clean, clear, healthy river that we know and love today.
This event is located in the center of Ann Morrison Park next to the fountain. Parking may be limited.

Riverside Chat: Adam Bass - Stories from an Outfitter, Lessons Learned on the Boise River
2025-05-12 12:00 - 13:00
Riverside Chat, Monday, May 12th 12-1 pm, with Adam Bass. Adam, a past BREN board member, now owns and operates Boise River Outdoor Opportunities – BROO. He will speak about being an outfitter on the Boise River, lessons learned, and teach us how to remain safe when rafting. Join in person at the downtown Library! 3rd floor or by Zoom. Register at the link below
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IBdqXfPOTluXV8BJdXZ45w

BREN Annual Meeting at the Boise WaterShed
2025-04-24 18:00 - 20:00
Join BREN for our annual meeting and check out the new WaterShed!
This event does not require a ticket but please click here to RSVP to EventBrite and let us know you are coming.

Celebrate Earth Day with BREN at the City of Boise's Earth Day Event
2025-04-19 10:00 - 16:00

Riverside Chat with Tate Libunao - Conclusions from the Crayfish Mercury Project
2025-03-26 12:00 - 13:00
Join BREN and Tate Libunao as we discuss the data and implications from the Crayfish Mercury Study. This study concluded in 2024, much to the disappointment of our volunteer crayfishers who loved this opportunity to get in the river.
Wednesday March 26th, 12-1 Mountain Time. Online only.
Register for Zoom.

The WaterShed Grand Reopening Celebration
2025-03-15 10:00 - 16:00
The WaterShed Grand Reopening Celebration

Date: 3/15/2025 10:00 AM – 3/15/2025 4:00 PM
Location: The WaterShed (11818 Joplin Rd, Boise, ID 83714)

The WaterShed Grand Reopening Celebration

11818 W. Joplin Road, Ancell Avenue Entrance B
Boise, ID 83714
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
The WaterShed is reopening with NEW all-ages, hands-on activities. Discover your connection to the Boise River watershed through new exhibits plus our river campus and public art collection. Be among the first to explore the new exhibit hall on opening day by reserving your FREE tickets now at this link.
Please reserve tickets for all members of your party. Choose a 30-minute ticket window for your entry time. You are welcome to explore the outdoor river campus and activity tent without a ticket during the hours of 10:00-4:00.
Opening day events include

Ribbon cutting ceremony (10:00-10:30)
Activity tent (11:00-4:00)
Trash fashion by local designer Shaun Muscolo (10:30-12:30)
Food available for purchase through The Idaho Crepe Company (10:00-1:00)
Cookies and refreshments
Free Lakeshore Learning Kids of Idaho Activity Kits provided by the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, and more!

Questions? Contact us at Watershed@cityofboise.org

Riverside Chat with Christian Petrich
2025-02-11 12:00 - 13:00
Riverside Chat with Christian Petrich
A River Runs Through It: The Boise River and the Treasure Valley Aquifer System

Tuesday February 11th 12-1 at the Downtown Boise Library or register for Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/…/register/NpUDTLhFSDK36NzIHDIUIw

It’s no secret – the Treasure Valley population is growing rapidly. Will we have enough water in the coming decades to meet the needs of a growing population? This riverside chat will begin with a brief review of the Treasure Valley aquifer system and its connection to the Boise River. We will then explore options for meeting growing municipal water demand, discuss the role that the Boise River will play in meeting this demand, and consider possible impacts of climate change on the Boise River and the Treasure Valley water supply.

Christian Petrich is a hydrologist with over 35 years of academic and professional experience in water-supply planning, hydrologic investigations, numerical modeling, and water rights. He has graduate degrees in civil engineering and geology, and he has been registered as a professional engineer, professional geologist, certified water-rights examiner, and certified mediator. Dr. Petrich was a co-founder of SPF Water Engineering, which was subsequently acquired by HDR.

Riverside Chat with Artist Benny Merris
2025-01-25 12:00 - 14:00
Join BREN and meet artist Benny Merris at The Common Well by Fort Builder, Saturday Jan. 25 from 12-2 110 W 31St Street, Garden City.

As part of the expanding Art Program, The Common Well has welcomed home New York-based artist Benny Merris for a solo exhibition and the lighting of new public artwork. Coinciding with Winter Solstice, IN LOVE WITH THE WORLD, came to life this December at The Common Well and features photographs from Merris’ ongoing series, An Other Another. IN LOVE WITH THE WORLD includes photographs Merris made this past summer in the Boise foothills, Boise River, Payette Lake in McCall and in Lost River Range, Idaho, during the 2017 total eclipse. Merris, who is based out of Brooklyn, New York, often uses an iphone to take his photographs and has long considered the iphone a lightbox. Not only does this exhibition mark his first solo show in his home state of Idaho, but it’s the first time he’s had his images turned into transparencies and displayed in a giant light box. The 2-story, former Culligan sign, is a lighted box that illuminates at night via a photocell making it visible from the adjacent highway where passersby can also see the Boise foothills in the distance. This exciting exhibition officially opened on December 5, 2024. The gallery portion closes on January 31, 2025, but the outdoor light box installation will remain up until December 2025 when it is replaced with the work of our next featured artist.

The Beaver Believers sponsored by RIVHAB – The Flicks
2024-12-05 18:30 - 22:00
Jeanne McFall, president of RIVHAB Engineering, is proud to invite you to join her company as we give thanks for our State’s riverscapes and wildlife, and the industrious little paddle-tailed engineer that supports it all, the beaver. Seating is limited, so reserve your tickets below! Through this event, we’re proud to be raising funds for one of our favorite nonprofit organizations, the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Doors will open at 6:30, and the screening will begin at 7pm. Our venue, The Flicks in downtown Boise, will have food and beverages available for purchase. After the screening, we’ll share what’s happening with beavers and riverscape restoration right here in Idaho! Jeanne will moderate a Q&A and panel discussion featuring filmmaker Sarah Koenigsberg, Cory Mosby of Idaho Fish and Game, and Brian Cluer of NOAA Fisheries West Coast. Join us at The Flicks — The Beaver Believers

Boise River Night - A Fundraiser For BREN
2024-10-24 18:00 - 21:00 | Basque Center, 601 W Grove St, Boise, ID, 83702
Who Doesn’t Love a Party?
Especially When it is a Costume Party!

Join in the fun at the second annual Boise River Night! Celebrate fall and show your love for the Boise River by dressing for how you enjoy the river, or as something from the river.

Are you a rafter, floater, jogger, bird watcher, angler, paddle boarder or something else? Dress the part!
Or dress up as a fish, crayfish, squirrel, heron, snake, raccoon, deer, tree, or anything else you can think of!
Music by Tejano Outlaw

Tickets are $25 per person and include dinner. Available at:
Costume party and fundraiser for the Boise River Enhancement Network Tickets, Thu, Oct 24, 2024 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

-----------------------------------------Postponed -Miracle on the River - Art Gala and Auction
2024-09-25 18:00 - 21:00
Originally scheduled for Sept 25th, this event is being postponed until spring 2025.
Engage with renowned Idaho wildlife photographer
Ken Miracle at BREN’s upcoming art gala and auction. Ken will share his work and experience throughout the evening. Music will be performed by the talented harpist Danae Fails.
• Speak about his journey as an artist.
•Offer hands-on advice on how we all can capture the beauty of
the river with our phones!
•Auction large format prints of his work to support BREN’s work on
the Boise River.
Wednesday, September 25th. Dinner at 6, auction begins at 7.
On the lawn at Veolia Marden St. off Warm Springs Ave. Boise.

Parking provided beyond the gate at Veolia.

---------------------------------------------------- Crayfish Mercury Project
2024-09-14 09:00 - 12:00
The Boise River Enhancement Network (BREN) is once again partnering with the University of Idaho to catch crayfish for the Crayfish Mercury Project. This multi-year project measures the level of mercury in Crayfish which helps determine if crayfish and other fish caught from the river are safe for humans to eat.
This is a family friendly event and a great science project for children to participate in. A University of Idaho graduate student will be on site along with BREN professionals to answer questions about crayfish and the Boise River. Please note, although the U of I is looking into methods to test for mercury that preserve the life of the crayfish, at this point in time the crayfish are humanely killed once they reach the university.
. This year we will be upstream and downstream from where the fifteen-mile creek enters the river, near Middleton. Please join us Saturday, Sept 14th at 9am. This is a family friendly event! Just bring shoes and clothes that can get wet. Meet at the sportsman access off Midland Blvd and the River. More info on the study can be found here:

University of Idaho graduate student teaching Boise children about crayfish.

Kegs 4 Kause
2024-08-26 18:00 - 22:00
We are excited to be selected as a beneficiary of Payette Brewing’s Kegs 4 Kause program! Not
only will our organization be featured in their Tap Room,they also will be donating half ofthe
proceeds from draft beer sales directly to us on Monday, August 26th from 6-10pm!
#kegs4kause #payettebrewing #payetteforward

Riverside Chat - Women in Fly Fishing with Christine Panagos
2024-04-25 12:00 - 13:00
Women are currently the fastest growing demographic in fly-fishing, which has largely been a male-dominated outdoor activity. It is estimated that women now make up approximately 31% of all fly-fishers on the water. Although this relatively recent surge in the number of women fly-fishers is becoming common knowledge, the role of women in fly fishing has a very long history.

Christine Panagos was born and raised in Manchester, NH. She grew up working and recreating on the lakes and rivers in southern NH. Her love and endless curiosity for aquatic wildlife has made her a lifetime student of the lakes, rivers, and streams in the places she has been lucky enough to live. She views each of the waters she fishes with a unique personality and enjoys capturing their character with each changing season.

Please join us to learn more about the history of women in fly fishing and hear Christine share her personal story of how she became involved in the sport. She will share her insights on some of the first steps she took towards returning to her roots and the restored passion she has found returning to the waters of Idaho.

oin in person at the downtown library or via zoom. Register for Zoom at this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/…/tZYocuqprj8pE9ejmFornbntw…
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Riverside Chat with Christine Panagos

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City of Boise 2024 Earth Day Celebration
2024-04-13 12:00 - 16:00
Saturday, April 13th from noon to 4 p.m. at Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park. Join BREN at this family-friendly event, with activities like face painting, bouncy houses, food trucks and t-shirt printing.

Riverside Chat with Colin Custer: Native Mussels of the Lower Boise River
2024-02-28 12:00 - 13:00
In Person or register via Zoom here

WaterShed Watch
2023-09-21 08:00 - 17:00
Watershed Watch is a one-day science event to help gather data about the health of the Boise River. The event takes place the fourth Thursday in September with upper elementary students in the Treasure Valley.
For more info visit the Boise WaterShed website.

Riverside Chat: Crayfish Mercury Project
2023-07-28 12:00 - 13:00
Friday, July 18th join BREN and U of I graduate student Tate Libunao for a Riverside Chat. Tate will be in Boise this fall when BREN volunteers collect crayfish for his study. Friday he will discuss the science and the results so far.
Register in advance at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0oc-iupjorEtV6hKSI19gW0DhVAGx2-Qre

BREN and Boise Bicycle Project Plant Tour and Social Bike Ride
2023-06-21 17:45
Save the date!
BREN is teaming up with Boise Bicycle Project (BBP) to host a plant tour, led by our own Rob Tiedemann, and social bike ride along the greenbelt. Exact details are still being worked out but mark your calendars for June 21st at 5:45 pm and meet in front of BBP located at 1027 S Lusk St, Boise, ID 83706 (parking available in Ann Morrison).
We will ride the greenbelt to the bridge near the racetrack at the fairgrounds where there will be two choices: 1. Head to Barbarian Brewing in Garden City or 2. Continue another few miles to the Notch to view BREN’s revegetation worksite, then go to Barbarian Brewing. This is an all ages/all abilities ride and children are allowed at the brewery with adult supervision.
This will be a leisurely ride and open to everyone of all ages!

Celebrate Idaho Gives with BREN and our Partners
2023-05-03 17:30 - 19:30
We hope you can come to our party! Join BREN and our partners to celebrate Idaho Gives.

RSVP: Idaho Gives Celebration Tickets, Wed, May 3, 2023 at 5:30 PM | Eventbrite

It is Idaho Gives Week! Thank you for supporting BREN.
2023-05-01 08:00 - 2023-05-04 23:30
Thank you for considering BREN during Idaho Gives week. Here is the link to the Idaho Gives website, or you can donate here.

Please join us for our Idaho Gives Party, Wednesday, May 3rd 5:30-7:30 at Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park.

Make Star Shine! With BREN
2023-04-22 09:00 - 12:00
Celebrate Earth Day by helping to clean up the Boise River! We will meet at Star City Hall at 9 am, then head to the river to pick up trash. Trash bags will be provided, please bring gloves.
Star City Hall
10769 W State Street

WaterShed Weekend Earth Day Celebration
2023-04-15 10:00 - 13:00
BREN will be at the Boise WaterShed for their Earth Day Celebration! This is a great family activity, be sure to stop by our table and say hi!
TACOS, LIVE MUSIC, GIVEAWAYS, TOURS, ART & GAMES
SATURDAY, April 15th – FREE ACTIVITIES 10 AM – 1 PM
The WaterShed, 11818 W. Joplin Road, Boise 83714
More Info on the Boise WaterShed website.

Riverside Chat - Adam Bass River Guide Down Under
2023-03-28 12:00 - 13:00
BREN board member, Adam Bass, spent the winter being a river guide in Australia. March 28th he will host a Riverside Chat to talk about his travels and compare Australian rivers to the Boise River. Register at the zoom link here.

Riverside Chat: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. What is it and what do they do?
2022-11-15 12:00 - 13:00
Join BREN for a Riverside Chat with Marve Griffith from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. See registration information below.
When: Nov 15, 2022 12:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District, Regulatory Program is one of many missions the Walla Walla District administers within the Boise River Watershed.
Please Join Marve Griffith, a Regulatory Project Manager from the Boise Regulatory Office to learn a bit about the history of the Corps Regulatory Program, how that intersects with the Public, and lessons learned which can help support successful restoration projects within the watershed.
Christen Marve Griffith
Senior Project Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, Regulatory Division.
Marve Griffith has been with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for over 10 years,
primarily as a Project Manager implementing the USACE’s Regulatory Program in Idaho. The
USACE Regulatory Program intersects with most major industry sectors in Idaho and requires
strategic involvement to adapt to the changing needs and diversity of applicants. Marve has
had the pleasure of working across the entire spectrum of industries, to include being the lead
Project Manager, for major mine, water resource, and infrastructure development projects, as
well development groups, local highway departments and “mom and pops”.
Prior to his role with USACE, Marve worked across various trades in residential and commercial
construction.
Marve holds a B.S. in Geosciences from Boise State University (2014).
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqd-Grpz4vG9amOgUAgnW2aV_ZB19eT_GH
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Annual Meeting and Social Hour
2022-11-14 18:00 - 21:00 | Boise Library, 715 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, 83702, United States
Join BREN as we celebrate another successful year protecting the Boise River. The annual meeting will start at 6 pm at the Boise Main Library in the William F. Hayes Memorial Auditorium (first floor through the children’s section). After, we will walk over to Payette Brewing where the first drink will be on us. Hope to see you all there!
Our agenda for the meeting is: Opening Remarks and Call Meeting to Order, Year in Review Video, Financial Reports, Volunteer Recognition, Introduction of 2022 CT Members and Board, Announcements and Adjournment.
Please let us know you will be joining us by registering here.

Crayfish Mercury Project
2022-08-27 08:00 - 17:00
BREN will once again be collaborating with the University of Idaho to collect crayfish for the mercury study. We will be meeting Saturday August 27th to catch crayfish from the Boise River. This is a family friendly event but be aware that these crayfish will not be returned to the river. More info will be posted soon. You can register at this link.

Riverside Chat: Crayfish Mercury Project
2022-07-12 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for a Riverside Chat as University of Idaho graduate student Tate Libuano discusses the Mercury Crayfish Project. This multi-year project looks at levels of mercury in the river using crayfish. Zoom registration link can be found here.
