Celebrating Public Lands at Your Local Playground
Bogus Basin’s second annual National Public Lands Day celebration on Saturday, September 27th, was a success! Read on for a full recap of National Public Lands Day 2025.
National Public Lands Day is the largest national volunteer day in the United States, celebrated on the last Saturday of September. This year marked our second annual celebration, bringing together 23 partner organizations, a panel of local experts, a seed-collecting volunteer project, and more community-focused activities.
“It was very exciting to see so many people come up to the mountain, participate in activities, and attend the Public Lands 101 panel. We had a lot of fun!”
Nate Collins, Sustainability & Stewardship Coordinator
Volunteer Seed Collecting Event
- Day's Seeds Collected
- 420 g
- Volunteers
- 48
- Summer's Seeds Collected
- 2,000g
48 volunteers collected 420 grams of native seeds on Saturday morning, from 10 am to 11:30 am. Volunteers collected seeds on Bogus Creek and Sunshine cross-country trails, bringing the total amount of seeds collected this summer to just about 2,000 grams!
Preserving Native Species
Collecting seeds from native plants help us restore the natural habitat, reduce erosion, feed local wildlife and insects, and keep harmful, invasive species at bay. Seeds collected came from native plants such as:
- Western Yarrow
- Elegant Aster
- Wax Currant
- Rubber Rabbitbrush
- Lewis’ Monkey Flower (pictured)
- Penstemon (pictured)
- Giant Red Paintbrush
- Sticky Cinquefoil
- Rabbit Tobacco
- Horsemint
- Cow Parsnip
Public Lands 101 Panel
The National Public Lands Day 101 Panel featured local experts from the Idaho Conservation League, Conservation Voters for Idaho, Idaho Trails Association, Refuge Manager with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The discussion was moderated by Nate Collins. Panelists explored topics such as effective land management and the challenges and opportunities of interagency collaboration to ensure accessible, sustainable outdoor recreation for all.
Panelists:
- John Robison | Public Lands and Wildlife Director, Idaho Conservation League
- John Bengtson | Civic Engagement Coordinator, Conservation Voters for Idaho
- Liz Bridges | Advisory Council, Idaho Trails Association
- Eddie Owens | Refuge Manager, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Interactive Activities and Booths
Guests collected raffle tickets by engaging with activities throughout the event. Visiting vendor booths and collecting five stamps earned one raffle ticket. Attending the Public Lands 101 Panel rewarded participants with five raffle tickets, while answering public land–themed trivia questions at the Environmental Education booth earned one ticket per correct answer.
Some of the 13 raffle prizes included: Vortex Viper HD 10×42 binoculars, a throwback replica Bogus Basin Ski Area sign from Chisel Custom Decor, a Lonely Larch Supply Co coffee and tea package, winter lift tickets, and more!
“Get outside and enjoy your public lands! Whatever your thing is, go for it, support it. There are so many ways to give back.”
John Robison, Public Lands and Wildlife Director, Idaho Conservation League
Participating Organizations
- Wild Hearts Idaho
- Idaho Fish & Game
- Idaho Conservation League
- The Sawtooth Society
- Ridge to Rivers
- National Forest Foundation
- Golden Eagle Audubon Society
- Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
- US Forest Service
- Sierra Club
- Winter Wildlands Alliance
- Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
- Friends of Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
About Bogus Basin Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area is a 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to engaging the community to provide accessible, affordable, and fun year-round mountain recreation and education. Opened in 1942, Bogus Basin offers 2,600 acres of daytime skiable terrain and 200 acres for night skiing, seven chairlifts and three people-mover carpets, and an 800-foot tubing hill. The Nordic Center offers 37 kilometers of groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing. Environmental education and community outreach programs, primarily youth, serve over 20,000 individuals annually. Summer activities include The Glade Runner Mountain Coaster, The Mine Shaft Challenge Course, mountain biking, events, hiking and chairlift service for hike and bike transport. Bogus Basin is located 16.5 miles north of Boise, Idaho, and operates under a special use permit with the Boise National Forest. www.bogusbasin.org
