Sustainability

The best part of my day is when I take my dog Tig to the river, into the desert, or up 8th Street. Like a lot of Boiseans, we enjoy open spaces and public lands – we are glad they are here for us, and we intend to protect them for future generations. On City Council I will continue Boise’s track record of success with protecting our open, wild places from needless development.

I also will prioritize continuing Boise’s hard work on clean water and air. Air pollution is one of the biggest, yet most overlooked, problems facing Boise. Believe it or not, we are one of the worst cities in the northwest when it comes to air quality. Our annual winter inversion traps pollution from cars, the beet factory, and industrial plants, and the seasonal problem is compounded by our heavy reliance on natural gas. I believe climate change is real, so I know that this pollution has long-term effects. I also believe in science, so I know pollution shortens the lives of us all. Boise’s commitment to switch to clean and renewable energy is one of the best investments we can make in future generations, public health, and our economy. I will look for ways to build on that investment, push it further, and help Boise continue to lead in this critical area.

While the air needs attention, so does the grass under our feet. Overuse of pesticides and herbicides are a serious problem in our parks. On Boise City Council, I will make sure that our Parks & Recreation Department meets the same high standards for safety, sustainability, and livability that Boise is famous for. That means adopting a comprehensive city sustainability plan and then giving it teeth -- by keying it into the budget. Sustainable approaches to the management of city property, and the landscapes it sits within, are the approaches I intend to champion.