Executive Director greg@idahorivers.org

Greg comes to IRU after spending 17 years at Trout Unlimited working on conservation campaigns across the west. Most recently he led TU’s campaign to remove the lower four Snake River dams and recover Snake River salmon. Prior to that, he was a journalist and newspaper editor, including at the Idaho State Journal.

Greg is a proud resident of Pocatello, where he lives with his wife Denise, 14-year-old boys Luke and Gordon, and 8-year old daughter Brenna. He is an avid boater, angler, upland hunter and workshop tinkerer.

Development Director ren@idahorivers.org

Ren was raised paddling rivers and lakes, growing her passion for rivers and watershed work. As the Development Director for IRU, she is dedicated to connecting people with opportunities to invest in the rivers they love. Her background in watershed restoration and science communications led her to see the importance of expanding IRU’s capacity to further our mission.

After first joining IRU as the Communications Manager in 2019, she returned to lead our fundraising efforts. You can usually find her enjoying the wild spaces that she loves protecting, whether hiking, paddling, or skiing.

Conservation Director nkunath@idahorivers.org

Originally from Minnesota, Nick has been drawn to water and wild spaces since childhood. Spending his summers in college guiding sea kayaking trips on Lake Superior in the Apostle Islands, Nick eventually swapped out the sea kayak for a whitewater boat as he moved to Idaho in 2016 and fell in love with the rivers and multi-day trips Idaho is known for.

As Idaho Rivers United's Conservation Program Manager, he works directly with the rest of the conservation team on individual projects and focuses on local and national policy that impacts the rivers and fisheries of Idaho.

Wild Fish & Hydropower Policy Manager stephen@idahorivers.org

Stephen has been with IRU since 2019, focusing on fisheries and hydropower issues across the state, and primarily on our campaign to recover wild salmon and steelhead via dam removal on the Lower Snake. His degree in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability from Colorado State and experience with fieldwork on desert rivers were the foundations of his work in river conservation.

Stephen grew up in the Wood River Valley and feels fortunate to continue to call Idaho home today. He enjoys skiing, trail running, hiking, and learning about the land and waters of the Intermountain West.

Mining & Policy Manager sydney@idahorivers.org

Sydney grew up in Oregon and living in the PNW influenced her to care about being an environmental steward early on, and enjoys running, hiking, and bouldering. As a recent graduate from the Boise State University Master’s of Public Administration program, she focused on environmental governance and geographic information analysis.

At IRU, Sydney gives a voice to our watersheds by working to protect them from irresponsible mining practices, and reform policy to better preserve our natural resources. Sydney’s passion lies in protecting the beautiful outdoor spaces that we get to enjoy, especially our rivers.

Volunteer & Engagement Manager lindsey@idahorivers.org

Lindsey entered the conservation field as a zookeeper shortly after graduating with a BS in Biology from Boise State University. Through her work at the zoo, Lindsey discovered that she loved working with volunteers and helping others discover their aspirations. Her passion for grassroots conservation efforts in her home state lead to her transition to IRU.

Lindsey came to IRU with more than a decade of conservation experience and is an avid volunteer herself. At IRU, she is responsible for managing our volunteer and stewardship programs, as well as cultivating donor and supporter relationships. When Lindsey isn't working you can find her riding her hot pink road bike on the Boise Greenbelt, scouting out the local concert scene, or playing fetch in the Boise River with her golden-border collie, Memphis.

Communications Director tess@idahorivers.org

Tess prides herself on being a steward for rivers and the species who call them home. Her undergraduate degree in Photojournalism and master's in Environmental Education, combined with 18 years of river guiding across the West, give her experience in connecting people to the environment through inclusive storytelling. Tess's favorite place to be is on the river.

Tess still river guides part time in Idaho, and feels that it’s critical to stay connected to the places we work to protect. You can find her paddling, fly fishing, skiing, trail running, and enjoying the mountains on the Salish Kootenai and Nez Perce lands (in Missoula, Montana, and central Idaho).