Jim Ekins

• 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

• Ekins, J.P., 2020. Community Learning in Social Resilience. Dissertation (unpublished doctoral dissertation). 105 pages. University of Idaho, Moscow, ID. Available: https://search-proquest-com.uidaho.idm.oclc.org/pqdtglobal/docview/2428115714/3C62188BE79D496DPQ/1?accountid=14551.
• Ekins, J.P., 2019. “University Extension Citizen Science Water Quality Monitoring Programs: Analysis of Volunteer Activities.” Rural Connections 13:1. Western Rural Development Center, Logan UT. https://www.usu.edu/wrdc/files/news-publications/RC-Spring-Summer-2019.pdf.
• Ekins, J.P. 2018. “Extension Involvement in Collaborative Groups: An Alternative for Gathering Stakeholder Input.” Journal of Extension 56:2, Article 2IAW5. Available at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/joe/vol56/iss2/17/
• Ekins, J.P., and Rennison, M. 2018. Protecting Streams and Lakes in Idaho: A Landowner’s Guide. CIS 1228, 2 pgs. Moscow, ID, University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
• Ekins, J.P. 2017a. Introduction to clean water video series. EVS 001; 2 min., 30 sec. Moscow, ID, University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. [Video File]. https://youtu.be/pmBP1_CHtPE.
• Ekins, J. 2015, “Waterways Connect Us”: Water Education Resources in States along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. In CHiXapkaid (D. Pavel), E. Inglebret, & S. Wood (Eds.),Volume II — Guide to Designing Curriculum, Honoring Tribal Legacies: An Epic Journey of Healing. P. 168-178. Eugene, OR: College of Education, University of Oregon and the National Park Service, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

Jim Ekins is the area water educator for University of Idaho Extension. His faculty role is to develop and deliver nonformal educational programs based on the best science to all parts of the community. Jim runs the IDAH2O Master Water Stewards citizen science volunteer water quality monitoring program, and leads the Cleaner Water Faster bi-state educational project related to stormwater pollution. He has worked with the University of Idaho since fall 2007.

He earned a bachelor's in natural resource management from Western Carolina University and a master's in natural resource planning from University of Oregon. He worked in three national parks, in Colorado and Oregon’s resort industry, on a research base in Antarctica and in wetland restoration for watershed councils in Oregon and Idaho. Before moving to Coeur d’Alene, he was the director for Service-Learning and Internships for over five years. In his spare time, he is pursuing a doctorate in conservation social sciences in social-ecological systems resilience and decision science; he also canoes, skis, runs and backpacks with his dogs.

• 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