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University of Idaho Extension

Physical Address:
E. J. Iddings Agricultural Science Laboratory, Room 52
606 S Rayburn St.
Moscow, ID

Mailing Address:
University of Idaho Extension
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2338
Moscow, ID 83844-2338

Phone: 208-885-5883

Fax: 208-885-6654

Email: extension@uidaho.edu

Google Maps

Barbara Petty

Jim Ekins

Jim Ekins

Extension Educator — Area Water

Phone

208-292-1287

Mailing Address

University of Idaho Harbor Center
1031 N Academic Way, Ste 242
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

Ph.D., University of Idaho, 2020
M.S., University of Oregon, 2002
B.S., Western Carolina University, 1992

  • Adult and youth educational programming
  • Community learning and social resiliency
  • Water quality and stormwater solutions
  • Watershed science and wise water use
  • Wetland restoration for watersheds

Impact statements

  • Extension Water Outreach develops online and home-ready learning activities

Jim Ekins is the water educator for University of Idaho Extension. He develops non-formal education programs based on the best available science to all parts of the community. Jim runs the IDAH2O Master Water Stewards citizen science water quality monitoring program, and co-leads Idaho Project WET (Water Education for Teachers). He has worked with the University of Idaho since Fall 2007.

He earned a bachelor's in natural resource management from Western Carolina U., and a masters in natural resource planning from U. Oregon, and doctorate in conservation social sciences from University of Idaho. He was a ranger in three national parks, worked in Colorado and Oregon’s resort industry, spent two Austral summers on a research base in Antarctica, and worked in wetland restoration for watershed councils in Oregon and Idaho. Before transferring to the UI Extension faculty, he directed University of Idaho’s Service-Learning and Internships program. In his spare time, he canoes, tele-skis, runs and backpacks with his dog.

  • 2023 NACDEP Educational Materials Award (Wildlife and Water Habitats 4-H Curriculum)
  • 2023 ANREP Book or Comprehensive Program Curriculum Silver Award (Wildlife and Water Habitats 4-H Curriculum)
  • 2022 NACDEP Educational Materials Gold Award (The Confluence Project Snow Science Instructional Video)
  • 2022 IANCDEP Educational Materials Award (The Confluence Project Snow Science Instructional Video)
  • 2022 ANREP Outstanding Educational Materials, TV/Video Silver Award (IDAH2O Master Water Stewards Educational Video Series)
  • ANREP National Bronze Award, TV-Video (Cleaner. Water. Faster. Educational Video Series), 2019
  • IANCDEP State Award, TV-Video (Cleaner. Water. Faster. Educational Video Series), 2019
  • NACDEP National Honors, First Place, Educational Materials (Water and Rural Living: What Idaho Homeowners Need to Know), 2018
  • NACDEP Western Regional Honors, First Place, Educational Materials (Water and Rural Living: What Idaho Homeowners Need to Know), 2018
  • Coeur d'Alene Business Hall of Fame, Colleges and Universities category, 2018
  • Best of Coeur d’Alene Award, Colleges and Universities category, 2018
  • Coeur d'Alene Business Hall of Fame, Colleges and Universities category, 2017
  • Best of Coeur d'Alene Award, Colleges and Universities category, 2017
  • Best of Coeur d'Alene Award, Colleges and Universities category, 2016
  • Advanced to Candidacy: Ph.D. Candidate, College of Natural Resources/Conservation Social Sciences, 2016.
  • National Diversity Multicultural Award for the Western Region, Epsilon Sigma Phi, 2016
  • Distinguished Member, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, 2011

University of Idaho Extension

Physical Address:
E. J. Iddings Agricultural Science Laboratory, Room 52
606 S Rayburn St.
Moscow, ID

Mailing Address:
University of Idaho Extension
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2338
Moscow, ID 83844-2338

Phone: 208-885-5883

Fax: 208-885-6654

Email: extension@uidaho.edu

Google Maps

Barbara Petty