Jim Ekins
Jim Ekins
Area Water Educator
Harbor Center, Room 127B
208-292-1287
University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene
1031 N Academic Way, Suite 242
Coeur d’Alene, Id 83814
Jim has a natural resource degree from Western Carolina University and a master's in natural resources planning from University of Oregon. He worked in three national parks, on a research base in Antarctica and in wetland restoration for watershed councils in Oregon and Idaho. He's an avid canoeist, skier and runner.
Ph.D. Candidate, University of Idaho, TBA
M.S., University of Oregon, 2002
B.S., Western Carolina University, 1992
Courses
- ENVS 498: Intern: IDAH2O
- ENVS 498 Intern: Stormwater Research Internship
- EDCI 505 PD: The Confluence Project
- EDCI 505 PD: Project WET Certification
- EDCI 505 PD: IDAH2O Master Water Steward
- 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., 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. 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.
- Ekins, J.E. 2016. Water and Rural Living: What Idaho Homeowners Need to Know. University of Idaho. Bulletin 905.
Videos
- 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.P. 2017b. Riparian vegetated buffers protect land and streams. EVS 002; 2 min., 25 sec. Moscow, ID, University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. [Video File]. https://youtu.be/CPqc2561y9E.
- Ekins, J.P. 2017c. Wastewater treatment plants removing phosphorous. EVS 003; 4 min., 10 sec. Moscow, ID, University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. [Video File]. https://youtu.be/S8k596weSGA.
- Ekins, J.P. 2017d. Urban farming (gardening) for healthy water. EVS 004; 2 min., 20 sec.. Moscow, ID, University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. [Video File]. https://youtu.be/ZQqge4K8CZo.
- Ekins, J.P. 2018a. Urban forests and protecting lakes and streams. EVS 005; 2 min., 40 sec. Moscow, ID, University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. [Video File]. https://youtu.be/hGAStyoQrBM.
- Ekins, J.P. 2018b. Urban greenspaces for clean water. EVS 006; 2 min, 9 sec. Moscow, ID, University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. [Video File]. https://youtu.be/yGMRywTnhKk.
- Ekins, J.P. 2018c. Bio-swales for natural stormwater treatment. EVS 007; 4 min. 10 sec. Moscow, ID, University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. [Video File]. https://youtu.be/MXIJ6fu2xHU.
- Ekins, J.P. 2018d. Highway districts protecting clean water. EVS 008; 2 min., 34 sec. Moscow, ID, University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. [Video File] https://youtu.be/uqHfltUyU3w.
Impact statements
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.
- 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