Idaho
This University of Idaho research could change how we manage our forests • Idaho Capital Sun
Just as the microorganisms in the human gut play a crucial role to our well-being, microorganisms in forests are essential to forest stability.
Researchers at the University of Idaho are working to understand exactly how those microorganisms respond when faced with stressors, such as drought and wildfires, and what their role could be in helping trees survive. Their research could influence forest management practices and resilience in the face of climate change, principal investigator Tara Hudiburg told the Sun.
Hudiburg, who is leading the project, is a professor in the university’s forest, rangeland and fire science department. This year she and her research team received a six-year, $15 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study how microorganisms in Idaho forests respond to stress and how they rely on each other to survive.
The microbiome, or the community of microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria and viruses, exists in any given place. They’re in the soil. They’re in the leaves. They’re in the water, and just about everywhere else.
The project – coined EMBER, or the Embedding Molecular Biology in Ecosystem Research – can help scientists and forest managers better understand which of those microorganisms can help tree species endure harsh conditions under a warming climate.
What does the research look like?
What’s unique about this project is its focus on coniferous forests. In Idaho, common conifers include ponderosa pines, Western red cedars and Douglas firs.
Previous agricultural studies show how microorganisms can help plants deal with toxicity in the soil or on leaves, Hudiburg said, but there are no studies showing how microorganisms help coniferous trees adapt to drought and wildfire – all of which are common in the West, she said.
Hudiburg said the research also addresses some of the failed tree planting projects conducted by nonprofits and environmental organizations across the world.
“With less snowpack, you get less melting time when trees need water – especially the seedlings because they don’t have those deep roots yet, and so they’re failing,” Hudiburg said. “You can’t just plant them and leave.”
The research is also unique because it incorporates scientists from different backgrounds.
The EMBER research team includes professors, undergraduate and graduate students in the biology, chemistry, forest science and soil science departments. They will manipulate drought and wildfire conditions on coniferous trees near Moscow.
The EMBER researchers began the project in May by building structures around the trees to shield the soil from water, mimicking drought conditions. Throughout the drought simulation, they will collect samples of different tree parts, including leaves, roots, and wood, as well as the soil beneath the trees, to identify which microorganisms remain present in the harsh conditions. In three years, they will conduct a controlled burn of the trees, with assistance from wildland fire professionals and collect additional samples to see which microorganisms survive the wildfire simulation. In six years, the team will apply for another grant to continue the research.
By eventually understanding and matching microorganisms that help trees resist drought and wildfires, Hudiburg said forest managers could maintain healthier forests, which are natural mitigators of climate change. That’s because trees store more carbon dioxide than grass, their dark colors absorb more heat than other surfaces, and they provide humidity to an area, Hudiburg said.
“You could start actually manipulating a little bit, just like we do with agriculture,” she said. “You could plant tree seedlings with their bacterial symbionts, maybe spray (bacteria) on their leaves. Everything we do should be pushing us in a direction towards where we can at least help managers, landowners and restoration efforts be more successful.”
As global temperatures continue to rise, Peter Goebel, a Ph.D. student in environmental science involved in the project, told the Sun that this research will help guide forest managers on what to prioritize to maintain forest health.
“If we really want to … get a grip on climate change, we have to put in the money, resources and the time to understand how they’re affecting ecosystems and find and pinpoint the exact areas where management will do the most,” Goebel said. “Does that mean we need to focus on the trees? Does that mean we need to focus on microbes? I feel like that’s what this project really gets to.”
Lead researchers discuss ‘new opportunities’ from climate change
The professors leading the EMBER project believe its results could bridge the gap between those concerned about climate change and skeptics.
Laurel Lynch, the coprincipal investigator of the project and an assistant professor at University of Idaho’s Department of Soil and Water Systems, grew up in Alaska in the 1990s and understands the impact extractive industries have on local economies. She told the Sun that while she has sympathy for those industries, she believes climate change provides opportunities for innovation and economic growth.
“Climate change is not ideal,” Lynch said. “No one wants to be here, but there are so many new opportunities that this challenge is presenting too. New trades will develop. For me, part of this is focusing on opportunities rather than kind of the doomsday spiral.”
“If you work in an extractive industry, that’s your livelihood, so there’s a huge vested human interest in pretending this isn’t happening,” Lynch said. “We can’t think about or conceptualize climate change or think about adapting or mitigating climate change without considering how we’re impacting the microbiome,” she said.
Klas Udekwu, an assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Idaho, said the project will bridge the political divide by providing more knowledge.
“The more knowledge we can infuse into the discussion, and the more trans disciplinary that discussion becomes, the better the chances that even those who don’t believe in climate change might start to see the connections and implications,” he said.
Blending modern science with Indigenous knowledge
In addition to research, part of the project will incorporate community outreach. EMBER will partner with youth in the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to include Indigenous forest management practices.
“It’s a really great opportunity because it coincides with us trying to grapple with the same issues that EMBER is meant to address, like higher intensity fires that you know could do a lot more damage to trees than lower historic fires. And how can we manage all of that?” Laura Laumatia, the environmental programs manager at the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, said in a phone interview.
Laumatia said the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has thousands of years of cultural burning experience, and the study is an opportunity to blend traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern science.
“The forest of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has plenty of the focal species involved in the study that there’s an opportunity to involve tribal youth especially in citizen-science type work and gathering data,” she said.
Third time’s a charm for National Science Foundation grant
This year was Hudiburg and her colleagues’ third time applying for the National Science Foundation’s Biology Integration Institute grant. The grant is for research that spans multiple disciplines within and beyond biology, according to its website.
After submitting three different versions of a study, she and her team finally received the grant.
“We really didn’t have that engaged molecular and microbiology team before,” Hudiburg said about her previous submissions. “I would say two-thirds of the research is now at a much smaller scale, with a lab, genetics and evolution focus versus the ecosystem scale.”
To receive a grant from the Biology Integration Institute is extremely rare, Lynch said. The EMBER project is one of 31 groups who has received a grant since the program launched in late 2019.
“We had to go pretty far outside of our comfort zone and start talking to people we’ve never interacted with before scientifically,” Lynch said in a press release.
However, Lynch told the Sun she is excited to see how other scientists will interpret their data, a highlight of the integrative approach to this research.
“We could be looking at the exact same data set and pull out or find different parts of it that could be interesting,” she said.
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FILER, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Filer High School quarterback Tristan Rea announced his commitment to College of Idaho.
Rea finished the season with 25 touchdowns, 136 completions and 2,023 passing yards.
He earned KMVT Player of the Week honors twice. Against Battle Mountain, he went 14 for 23 passing with five touchdowns and 359 passing yards. He also ran the ball four times, pushing his total yardage to just under 400.
The Coyotes ended their season with an 11-2 record at the NAIA semifinals.
Copyright 2026 KMVT. All rights reserved.
Idaho reaches beyond its rugged wilderness into hospitable towns built around lakes and old main streets. Sandpoint pairs Lake Pend Oreille with the Panida Theater. McCall brings Payette Lake, Brundage Mountain, and its Winter Carnival. Wallace keeps silver-mining history alive beside the Route of the Hiawatha. Driggs opens into Teton Valley, while Stanley sits beneath the Sawtooths near Redfish Lake. The towns ahead combine outdoor access with festivals and welcoming downtowns that make each trip feel easy.
Sandpoint
Sandpoint serves as a premier example of Northern Idaho hospitality, balancing a tranquil lakeside atmosphere with a creative arts scene. The town sits on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille and provides a friendly environment for families. After spending a morning boating or swimming in the largest lake in the state, visitors often head to Schweitzer for skiing or mountain biking. This outdoor energy carries over into the local culture at the historic Panida Theatre, which acts as a hub for live performances. To round out the day, the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market includes boutique shops and cafes for those seeking community warmth and water-based recreation.
McCall
McCall is a mountain resort known for its friendly “lake life” culture and alpine scenery. The town remains a popular destination for those seeking nostalgia and modern recreation, starting with Ponderosa State Park. Here, travelers find diverse hiking trails and beaches for swimming in Payette Lake before attending the McCall Winter Carnival. This popular annual event showcases snow sculptures and festive parades that celebrate the season. Beyond the winter festivities, Brundage Mountain Resort is a favorite for its consistent powder. For a different perspective, McCall Lake Cruises gives a guided sightseeing tour that shares the history of the region while drifting across the water.
Driggs
Driggs embodies the authentic Western spirit, serving as the commercial heart of the Teton Valley. It gives a relaxed, community-focused alternative to busier resort areas, particularly for guests visiting the nearby Grand Targhee Resort in Wyoming. Known for deep snow and a family-oriented vibe, the resort is a major draw, yet the local culture shines during the annual Driggs Plein Air Festival. This event invites artists to paint the landscape outdoors, while the nearby Teton Geo Center has interactive exhibits on regional history. To see the valley from above, the Teton Aviation Center allows enthusiasts to take scenic glider rides or visit the on-site museum to view historic aircraft.
Wallace
Wallace is a historic silver mining town that prides itself on a quirky personality and well-preserved architecture. The entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, allowing guests to step back in time. On the Sierra Silver Mine Tour, visitors travel underground on a trolley to learn about mining heritage before cycling the Route of the Hiawatha. This rail-to-trail mountain bike path crosses the Bitterroot Mountains, leading back to a landmark manhole cover downtown that marks The Center of the Universe. To finish the historical journey, the Wallace District Mining Museum houses artifacts detailing the Silver Valley and the Great Fire of 1910.
Moscow
Moscow offers a welcoming college-town ambiance, driven by the presence of the University of Idaho. It is frequently referred to as “Fest City” due to a calendar packed with community performances and events. The University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden has walking paths through diverse plant collections, which provide a bridge to the award-winning Moscow Farmers Market. Held every Saturday, this market features local produce, crafts, and live music. Musical heritage continues at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, which brings performers to the area. Additionally, the Appaloosa Museum celebrates the history of the horse breed and its cultural ties to the Nez Perce people.
Bonners Ferry
Bonners Ferry is often cited as one of the friendliest towns in the state, with a calm environment near the Canadian border. Nature lovers typically begin at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, which gives exceptional opportunities for birdwatching and spotting moose. After exploring the refuge, the Boundary County Museum downtown displays artifacts from the Kootenai Tribe and early settlers. The town is also a key stop on the International Selkirk Loop, a scenic drive that displays the views of the Cabinet Mountains and Selkirk ranges. Nearby, the Kootenai River is a local focal point, popular for calm-water fishing and photography from the community’s many historic bridges.
Stanley
Stanley is a remote mountain town that offers a warm welcome to travelers passing through the rugged Sawtooth Mountains. Redfish Lake has a historic lodge and white-sand beaches with views of Mount Heyburn, serving as a gateway to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This paradise for backcountry travel has over 700 miles of hiking trails for every skill level. Between hikes, the Stanley Baking Company and Cafe is a local institution where residents mingle over homemade pastries. For a different experience, Boat Box Hot Springs has a riverside soaking tub made from a repurposed mining cauldron, giving a viewpoint to admire the wide river views.
Sun Valley
Sun Valley is a world-renowned destination that maintains a tight-knit, walkable feel. The Sun Valley Resort, site of the world’s first chairlift in 1936, offers skiing and summer golf, but the local culture reaches far beyond the slopes. Fans of literature can visit the Ernest Hemingway Memorial near Sun Valley Lodge and Hemingway’s grave at Ketchum Cemetery to pay their respects. For music lovers, the Sun Valley Pavilion is an outdoor venue that hosts free orchestral concerts during the summer months. To conclude a trip, a visit to Bald Mountain, known locally as “Baldy,” offers challenging ski runs and panoramic views of the skyline, making it a primary cultural destination.
Priest River
Priest River is a scenic timber town situated where the Priest River meets the Pend Oreille River. Logging history built this community, and the Priest River Museum and Timber Education Center provides a deep dive into that heritage. After learning about the local industry, residents and visitors alike gather at The Mudhole for an afternoon of picnicking and swimming. Just a short drive north, Hill’s Resort on Priest Lake is a primary destination for those visiting the area for its traditional lodge feel. The nearby Selkirk Mountains have extensive forest service roads and trails for off-roading, hiking, and seasonal huckleberry picking in a largely undeveloped environment.
Preston
Preston is a thriving agricultural community in Southeast Idaho that rose to fame through the film Napoleon Dynamite. Visitors can follow a tour map to see filming locations, including the local high school, before shifting focus to the Preston Night Rodeo. This major highlight of the summer calendar provides entertainment for all ages. For those interested in regional history, the Bear River Massacre National Historic Landmark gives an educational look at a significant event in the West. Finally, Bear River Hot Springs, formerly Riverdale Resort, has hot spring pools and waterslides five miles north of Preston in the Riverdale Valley, providing a friendly atmosphere for families and road trippers.
The Heart Of Idaho Communities
The hospitable towns of Idaho demonstrate that the state is more than just a wilderness destination; it is a collection of welcoming communities. Lakeside retreats like Sandpoint and McCall illustrate how residents embrace their natural surroundings to create an inviting environment for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Meanwhile, historic centers such as Wallace and Moscow highlight a commitment to preserving local heritage and fostering a community spirit. These destinations show a blend of traditional values and modern amenities, proving that Idaho’s best assets are its people and their enduring spirit of neighborly kindness.
BY KAREN BOSSICK
Ketchum’s annual Wagon Days celebration received the prestigious Esto Perpetua Award from the Idaho State Historical Society this week.
The award, named for Idaho’s state motto “Let it be perpetual,” recognizes individuals and organizations dedicated to preserving the stories, places and traditions that define the Gem State.
This particular award honors the region’s mining legacy and pioneering spirit preserved through Ketchum’s nationally recognized Big Hitch Parade with its museum-quality stagecoaches, freight wagons, and carriages. It also acknowledges Wagon Days’ full lineup of cultural programming that includes talks about the history of mining in the area, an afternoon of cowboy poetry, Sun Valley history bus tours, horsemanship demonstrations, Shoshone-Bannock dancing, close-up looks at the Lewis Ore Wagons that ferried silver and ore and a street dance featuring country western music.
“Wagon Days is one of Ketchum’s most treasured traditions,” said Ketchum Mayor Pete Prekeges. “It’s a unique opportunity for our community and visitors to come together and experience the history, culture, and spirit that define this valley.”
This year’s Wagon Days celebration, held Sept. 4 and 5 over Labor Day Weekend, will feature the Big Hitch Parade at 1 p.m. Saturday.
That will be followed by a Wagon Days Street Party at Ketchum Town Square featuring Susie Brown, a Billboard Top-15 hit songwriter and recording artist, who has shared the stage with such notables as Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood.
Originally from Alpine, Utah, she began playing fiddle at 4 and went on to master multiple instruments, including guitar, mandolin, ukulele, accordion and bass before achieving national prominence as the lead singer of The JaneDear Girls on their breakout hit “Wildflower.”
Reserved seating for the Big Hitch parade along Main Street near Sun Valley Road is now available for $30 a seat at https://www.wagondays.com/.
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