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.*, Galbreath-Rawls, M. 2022. Wildlife and Water Habitats 4-H Curriculum (Idaho): ECS 014. Moscow, ID, University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.)
• Ekins, J.P. 2016. Water and rural living: What Idaho homeowners need to know. Bulletin 905; 17 pgs. Moscow, ID, University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/BUL/BUL905.pdf
• Ekins, J.P., & 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. http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS1228.pdf
• 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., 2021 “EVS 031 – Master Water Stewards Module 2: Key Water-Quality Concepts in Idaho.” University of Idaho CALS Educational Video Series. Moscow, ID. 16 min., 8 sec. https://youtu.be/1U6F8mQ2Pkg
• Ekins, J.P., Galbreath-Rawls, M. 2022. Wildlife and Water Habitat 4-H Curriculum: ECS 014. Moscow, ID. University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. 
• Ekins, J.P., 2020. Community Learning in Social Resilience. Dissertation (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.

Impact statements

• Extension Water Outreach develops online and home-ready learning activities

Jim Ekins is the water educator for University of Idaho Extension. He develops non-formal education programs based on the best available science to all parts of the community. Jim runs the IDAH2O Master Water Stewards citizen science water quality monitoring program, and co-leads Idaho Project WET (Water Education for Teachers). He has worked with the University of Idaho since Fall 2007.

He earned a bachelor's in natural resource management from Western Carolina U., and a masters in natural resource planning from U. Oregon, and doctorate in conservation social sciences from University of Idaho. He was a ranger in three national parks, worked in Colorado and Oregon’s resort industry, spent two Austral summers on a research base in Antarctica, and worked in wetland restoration for watershed councils in Oregon and Idaho. Before transferring to the UI Extension faculty, he directed University of Idaho’s Service-Learning and Internships program. In his spare time, he canoes, tele-skis, runs and backpacks with his dog.

• 2023 NACDEP Educational Materials Award (Wildlife and Water Habitats 4-H Curriculum)
• 2023 ANREP Book or Comprehensive Program Curriculum Silver Award (Wildlife and Water Habitats 4-H Curriculum)
• 2022 NACDEP Educational Materials Gold Award (The Confluence Project Snow Science Instructional Video)
• 2022 IANCDEP Educational Materials Award (The Confluence Project Snow Science Instructional Video)
• 2022 ANREP Outstanding Educational Materials, TV/Video Silver Award (IDAH2O Master Water Stewards Educational Video Series)
• 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