New! 2009 Grow Smart Application Form

2008 Grow Smart Award Winners

About Grow Smart Awards

Infill Report Released

Upcoming Events

Idaho Smart Growth Scorecards

Legislative Update

Growing Cooler Report

Proposition Two defeated

As more people call Idaho home, Idaho Smart Growth brings Idahoans together to keep our communities vibrant and our lands healthy.

Idaho Smart Growth is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

Call for Nominations 2009 Grow Smart Awards

Download Application Form
Idaho Smart Growth’s annual ‘Grow Smart’ awards recognize projects or efforts that exemplify smart growth principles. Our Awards program is another way we bring Idahoans together to keep our communities vibrant and lands healthy.

Nominations are being accepted through July 15, 2009

Nominated projects can be planned (must have final approval), under construction, or completed. Fully and partially completed projects receive extra point in their scoring. Winners are selected by an impartial and balanced jury. All jury members are knowledgeable about design, planning, development, and smart growth principles and may not participate in any discussions or voting related to any project in which they have a personal, professional, or financial interest.

2009 Award Winners will be recognized at the annual Grow Smart awards event on November 12, 2009 in Boise.

Heart of the Valley

As more people call the Treasure Valley home, the community must work together to assure vibrant communities and healthy landscapes. In March 2007, the Ada County Commissioners created the Ada County Open Space Task Force (Task Force). This group of elected officials, non-profits, business representatives, and community leaders identified important open spaces in Ada County, a list of possible tools that we could use to protect those places, and generated a list of recommendations.

The first recommendation of the Task Force was to conduct a public process. To implement this recommendation, Idaho Smart Growth, The Land Trust of the Treasure Valley, and Idaho Conservation League conducted a series of public workshops in Garden City, Meridian, Eagle, Boise, and Kuna.

During the series of public meetings, and through an online survey tool, Ada County residents responded to specific places and funding mechanisms that they prefer. Read the full report here

Springtime in Idaho

Snow one day, 70 degrees the next- classic signs of spring in Idaho.  Whether you are enjoying a last few runs on the ski hill or beginning to plant your summertime garden, spend a few minutes enjoying what you are doing.  Think about the things you love about Idaho- and keep your eyes open for opportunities to be involved with planning the future of your community so that as Idaho grows, the things you love about Idaho remain.

Transportation Choices

May in Motion is fast approaching- the one month every year that folks all over the Treasure Valley make an effort to try different transportation options.  Fun prizes, community gatherings, and some friendly competition all help make this one of the community’s best events.  For more information and to get involved go to: May in Motion, or contact Annette Harper at aharper@achd.ada.id.us.

Does your community have a great event like this that you would like to share?  Email Rachel at Rachel@idahosmartgrowth.org.

Keeping Our Communities Vibrant

After passing Idaho’s first county wide property tax levy for open space in November, Blaine County has been putting the pieces in place to launch their program.  They are currently accepting applications for a seat on the new citizen’s advisory board.  If you are interested, email your interest and qualifications to jadams@co.blaine.id.us.

2008 Grow Smart Award Winners

v Aspen Lofts, Infill
v Garden City Development Code, Planning/Policy
v Grand Avenue Homes, Infill
v Heights Home, General
v The Hub, Commercial
v Jackson Street Grain Elevators, Mixed Use
v Boise Mobile Home Living, Advocacy
v Pineridge, Attached Residential
v Frank Martin , President’s Award

More about award winners

Thanks to support from our sponsors Alliance Title and Escrow, Diane Kushlan Planning and Management Services, Suzi Boyle and Michael Hummel, Green Foundations Building Center, Green Remodeling, HDR, Idaho Power, Key Bank, Lenir, McKibben and Cooper Architects, Oppenheimer Development Corporation, Parametrix, Trillium Asset Management, Urban Land Institute Idaho District Council, Washington Trust Bank, Boise State Radio, the Idaho Statesman, the River 94.9 FM, and Erstad Architects.

Open Spaces: The Heart of Our Valley

Open space and parks form the Heart of our Valley- the places where our families have picnics, soccer games, go biking, watch wildlife, and hunt and fish. In April 2008, the Ada County Open Space Task Force finalized a report to the County Commissioners about special places in Ada County and various tools that can be used to protect them.  For a copy of the report Click Here