Outdoor Edition

Protecting Our Thriving Ecosystem

Residents of Harris Ranch know how special our surroundings are and the land’s contribution to their high quality of life. Framed by the foothills on one side and the Boise River on the other, the Barber Valley is a thriving, nature-rich ecosystem.

A focus on environmental stewardship was a focus of Dallas and Alta Harris when they ranched on this land, and it remains a priority today. When the Harris Ranch Specific Plan was created to lay the groundwork of our community, the Harris Ranch Wildlife Mitigation Association (HRWMA) was formed to continue that legacy of protecting the land and all that call the valley home.

The HRWMA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was conceived to implement the Harris Ranch Wildlife Impact Assessment and Management Plan. This plan, adopted into Boise City Code in 2007, prescribes actions to avoid and to reduce adverse impacts to wildlife associated with our growing community.

The HRWMA has planned and brought to fruition many projects in its 15 years and has several current underway that you may have noticed throughout the community. For example, near the bike mechanic station where the Greenbelt meets Eckert, the HRWMA is employing an eco-friendly weed banishment technique that also helps beautify the area. Instead of spraying the area for weeds, the poisonous hemlock that was thriving on that plot was cut down and the ground was covered with wood chips. Now native plants like goldenrod, yellow currant, and others will spring to life.

The HRWMA hosts regular classes February through May and September through November, including beginners bird walks, eco-friendly weed management for your garden, wildlife education, and more. More details on classes (including how you may be eligible for $200 refund on your title transfer fee!), neighborhood specific real-time weather, and educational resources are available at www.hrwma.org.

Tired of Tires?

Help Idaho Foundation for Parks & Lands Restore Habitat in Barber Valley

The Barber Pool Conservation Area, located between Harris Ranch and the Highway 21 bridge, is a 700+ acre wildlife refuge that harbors more than 300 native species of plants and wildlife. This rich riparian habitat is crucial to the ecological health of the Barber Valley.

One of the last large privately owned parcels of land in the Barber Pool was recently acquired by the Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands with the intent of protecting it for the benefit of wildlife and residents alike. The 36-acre plot, known as the Gregerson Property, features over a mile of frontage on the Boise River.

Unfortunately, the land is in a state of disrepair and needs to be cleaned of debris before it is to be rehabilitated – and Idaho Lands needs your help to finish the job. To properly recycle and dispose of more than 1000 cubic yards of abandoned vehicles, farm equipment, discarded tires, lumber, broken appliances, and other junk, Idaho Lands needs both able bodies and monetary donations.

Donations to Idaho Lands’ “Tired of Tires” campaign will help fund the tools, equipment, and hauling services to properly dispose of and recycle the junk. If physical labor is more up your alley, gather your neighbors and sign up for a work party to clear the land. In just over a year, volunteers and donors have already removed a stunning amount of junk, including over 1100 tires, 20 large dumpsters of recyclables, 17 dumpsters of trash, and many old cars, trucks, and farm vehicles. One local contractor, Warner Construction, has repeatedly donated much-needed heavy equipment and professional operators to remove the largest items. But there is much more to do! Head over to idaholands.org/tiredoftires to learn more and contribute to the restoration of natural habitat in your neighborhood.

Community Spotlight: The Switchback

Now in its fourth season, The Switchback quickly established itself as a beloved institution in Harris Ranch. You may have already seen The Switchback in action for the 2022 season on the corner of Haystack and S Millbrook Way.

At its core, The Switchback is a food truck park that brings Boise’s best mobile food offerings to Harris Ranch, but it has evolved to be a community gathering spot that draws customers from a block away and from across town. While you’ll regularly find Boise’s favorite food trucks like Off the Grid-L, Lime & a Coconut, El Paco Taco, Rockin Q BBQ, and many more, patrons also enjoy live tunes from a rotating cast of local musicians, yard games, and plenty of distractions for the kids.

This year, there is even more to take in as The Switchback has performances planned from the Idaho Ballet Youth Troupe, a Lego building truck, breakfast trucks on select days, and even its annual bocce tournament later this summer. To check the schedule to see what’s cooking and who’s playing, head over to SwitchbackBoise.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @SwitchbackBoise for a daily schedule, hours, and more details. Welcome back to The Switchback!

Community Pools Are Open!

The community pools at each neighborhood clubhouse are now open for the summer. Please observe posted safety and security rules and have a fun summer making memories at the pool!