Idaho has an abundance of natural beauty, from high deserts and open plains scattered with wildflowers to rugged mountain ranges, towering forests, and crystal clear waters. These remarkable landscapes remain here for us and for future generations to enjoy thanks to Idaho’s early conservationists, and to those who carry on that work today.

Join us for an evening with Will Whelan, author of the new book “Connected by Nature: Sixty Years of The Nature Conservancy in Idaho,” as he shares vivid stories of the people, places and pivotal moments that have shaped conservation across the state.

A lifelong conservationist, historian, and gifted storyteller, Will served for 18 years as The Nature Conservancy’s government relations director in Idaho and prior to that spent over a decade with the Idaho Attorney General’s office. His deep knowledge of and passion for Idaho’s landscapes brings this history to life.

For “Connected by Nature,” Will pored over hundreds of archival documents, sifted through decades of photographs, and conducted dozens of interviews. The story of conservation that emerged is one of enduring commitment, demonstrating time and again just how much depends on the relationship between humans and nature. It shows the profound impact that occurs when passionate people take initiative and act creatively. And it reminds us that what may begin as a small-scale effort—protecting a single place or addressing a specific challenge—can spark momentum that shapes landscapes and communities for generations to come.

Free digital copies of Connected by Nature are available to download at preserve.nature.org/page/186626/data/1.