Celebrating National Great Outdoors Month on the Riverbend Awareness Project
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In celebration of National Great Outdoors Month, the Riverbend Awareness Project podcast welcomed Heather Eastman, Executive Director of Idaho Business for the Outdoors, a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of Idaho businesses focused on preserving and protecting public lands.
Heather discussed the economic, mental health, and community benefits of Idaho’s extensive public lands, emphasizing their role in attracting talent and supporting local economies. She described public lands as part of Idaho’s “second paycheck” — a quality of life benefit that gives the state a competitive edge in business recruitment.
Heather highlighted the importance of preserving these lands, and encouraged public involvement through education, advocacy, and volunteerism. She portrayed public lands as an embodiment of the old West spirit of freedom and independence, expressing her passion for protecting them so everyone can explore and enjoy nature.
The episode also discussed city park and recreation departments as a great place to get involved in maintaining the outdoor spaces within a community, and explored accessible ways for people to enjoy the outdoors and responsibly engage with nature, regardless of experience or budget.
You can find June’s episode on the Riverbend Media Group Podcast page or anywhere you listen to podcasts.