Events

Four people smile while seated on a stage. A man on the far right holds a mic while interacting with the audience.

Engaging across the state

Communicating information to broad audiences across the state in an accessible manner stimulates public discourse and informs public dialogue and policy. The McClure Center’s public engagement includes Policy Pub, formal events in the State Capitol and presentations to governments, businesses, community groups and others. Many of our events have strong connections with democracy, law, civics and civil discourse.

Public dialogue can take place in many formats and venues. The McClure Center hosts events that are intentionally large or intimate, formal or informal.

Since 2017, the McClure Center has partnered with the University of Idaho Rangeland Center to co-host the annual Rangeland Fall Forum. We frequently partner with the University of Idaho College of Law and Boise State University’s Andrus Center for Public Policy.

Events calendar

Rangeland Fall Forum 2026: After the Smoke

A landscape with dry grassland under a blue sky and a large plume of smoke rising in the background, indicating a fire.

Fire activity is increasing across Idaho’s rangelands, leading to questions, conversations, and ideas about recovery, adaptation and restoration.

This year’s Fall Forum will explore examples of successful post-fire practices and delve into tools available to rangeland managers, users and policymakers when navigating this shifting fire regime.

The forum will focus on real world examples and practical lessons from post-fire recovery efforts in the Magic Valley.

The Rangeland Fall Forum is an annual event and a partnership between the University of Idaho’s Rangeland Center and McClure Center.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 — Herrett Center, College of Southern Idaho (CSI) Campus, Twin Falls, Idaho

9:30 a.m. — Welcome
10 a.m. — Panel 1: Post-fire policy
11:45 a.m. — Lunch
12:45 p.m. — Panel 2: Science of post-fire recovery
2:30 p.m. — Panel 3: Conservation readiness
3:45 p.m. — Interactive session: what new research and policies are needed?
5 p.m. — Close for the day
5:30 p.m. — Orton Botanical Gardens Fall Forum Social

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 — Rinker Rock Creek Ranch, Blaine County, Idaho

9 a.m. — Welcome
9:30 a.m. — Post-fire grazing test plots
11 a.m. — Drones and herbicide treatments
Noon — Lunch
1 p.m. — Landscape conservation strategies
2 p.m. — Closing remarks

The annual event has strong connections to policy conversations about rangelands in Idaho and the American West. In 2017, the McClure Center formed a partnership with the University of Idaho Rangeland Center to co-host the Rangeland Fall Forum. This dual focus on policy and rangelands formed the basis for a longstanding partnership that continues today.

Collaboration Summit 2026

The James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research, Rangeland Center at the University of Idaho and the Andrus Center for Public Policy at Boise State University are hosting a one-day Collaboration Summit.

The summit will:

Highlight Idaho partnerships formed around wildland fire — across boundaries and dynamic landscapes — both human and natural.
Be guided by collaboration practitioners to set the stage for engagement.
Connect participants with frameworks that can help navigate natural resources challenges.

Join us for Collaboration Summit 2026, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 22.

The Summit will be held at Boise State University’s Stueckle Sky Center, 1200 W. University Drive, Boise, Idaho 83706.

Registration closes Friday, April 10.

Policy Pub

Public policy dialogue takes place in the halls of government buildings and in gathering places for communities. Public houses or pubs have played an important role in addressing community questions, fostering relationships and even building nations.

In 2018, the McClure Center launched an informal event series aimed at bringing policy experts to community hubs, Policy Pub. The first Policy Pub was inspired by celebrations to mark 100 years of women’s suffrage. Policy Pub: Women in Policy brought to the stage three Idaho legislators from both parties to talk about being a policy leader and how women may bring unique perspectives to policy construction.

Over the years, Policy Pub events have been held across the state, at various Idaho public houses. Community members spend an hour with local and state policy leaders in a moderated discussion with the McClure Center director.

Each year, Policy Pub events facilitate important community conversations that connect those who make, administer and analyze policy and local communities. Held around the state, topics included:

America 250
The bench: Idaho’s judiciary
Fire in the West
Foreign policy and Idaho
Future of food
Housing
Invasives
Local government
Public lands
Waste
Water
Women in policy

Policy Pub: America 250

America 250 is the topic of the next Policy Pub at 5 p.m. Mountain time, Monday, March 2. The event will be held at Pengilly’s Saloon, 513 W. Main Street, Boise, Idaho 83702.

This year, the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. Panelists will share perspectives on principles and foundational ideas in U.S. and Idaho history. A brief discussion will be followed by an interactive question-and-answer session with the audience.

Panelists are:

Steven Hatcher, State Folklorist, Idaho Commission on the Arts
HannaLore Hein, Idaho State Historian, Idaho State Historical Society
Phil McGrane, Secretary of State

The panel will answer several questions provided in advance by the McClure Center. Then, the floor will open for a facilitated question and answer session with the audience. McClure Center Director Katherine Himes will moderate the discussion. Attendance typically ranges from 50 to 90 attendees.