Collecting Gems | Ada, Canyon, Lemhi & Owyhee Counties

To effectively manage ecosystems in which people have strong connections to the land requires awareness of local histories and perspectives, which in turn calls for increased dialogue between local stakeholders and scientists. However, ineffective communication ranks as one of the top barriers to such partnerships, and the interpersonal and communication skills needed to elicit these types of understanding are rarely taught formally. This workforce development project responded to this need by creating hands-on experiences for students to elicit local perspectives while helping them develop workforce skills in communication and technology. To practice active listening skills, undergraduate students at Boise State University conducted oral history interviews with Idahoans about their experiences living and working in sagebrush landscapes. An archive of the recorded interviews is hosted online at Boise State's Albertsons Library, and copies of the interview transcripts and associated exhibits are displayed at the Owyhee County Museum in Murphy, Idaho.