Who we are
The Friends of Idaho State Parks was formed in 2009 when a state budget crisis threatened to dismantle the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and close many state parks. Initially, the group was just a Facebook page devoted to passing along news about possible closures.
In 2013, the Friends of Idaho State Parks became a 501 (c)3 nonprofit, dedicated to supporting Idaho’s state parks.
In 2013, the Friends of Idaho State Parks became a 501 (c)3 nonprofit, dedicated to supporting Idaho’s state parks.
President, Rick JustRick Just worked for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for 29 years as communications manager and then as chief of planning. He has served on boards for the Learning Lab of Boise, ANSER Charter School, the National Association of Recreation Resource Planners, the Presto Preservation Association, the Idaho Writers Guild, and the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals. He has written several books, including Images of America, Idaho's State Parks. Rick served as the Idaho State Senator from District 15 in 2023 and 2024.
|
Vice President, Jennifer OkerlundJennifer Okerlund served as the Communications Manager for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for nearly 20 years and is currently Director of the Idaho Forest Products Commission. A lover of the outdoors, Jennifer supports efforts that expand recreational opportunity and create connections for Idahoans to experience the wonder, beauty and uniqueness of our state. She lives in Eagle, Idaho with her daughter and relishes time spent camping and kayaking.
|
Treasurer, Will BirdsallWill Birdsall is a native Idahoan and a Shareholder at Sorren CPAs, P.C., with over ten years of experience supporting nonprofit organizations through audit and assurance services. He is passionate about helping mission-driven organizations steward their resources responsibly and build sustainable operations for the future.
Will has a deep personal connection to Idaho’s state parks and regularly spends time exploring them with his wife and young son. As a lifelong Idahoan, he values preserving the state’s natural spaces for future generations and is honored to support Friends of Idaho State Parks in advancing that mission. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, being outdoors, and playing guitar. |
Secretary, Christine GertschenChristine Certschen has long been involved as a natural resources educator and scholarly writer. She has served on the board of the Ketchum-Sun Valley Ski and Heritage Museum, been the director of the Idaho State University Blaine County Center, was president and executive secretary of the Idaho Environmental Education Association, and was the founding director of the Sawtooth Science Institute. She was a collaborator and steering committee member in the founding of the Master Naturalist program through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
Chris, who lives in Hagerman, has a BA in English from California State College, Long Beach, a secondary teaching certificate from the College of Idaho, and an MS in Natural History from Boise State University. |
Board Member, Steve SmylieSteve Smylie is a lifelong Idaho native and holds degrees from NNU, BSU, and the U. of I. He worked as a teacher, coach, and educational leader for 38 years and is currently an adjunct professor at BSU. He served 4 terms in the Idaho Legislature, representing West Boise and Meridian. Parks hold a special place in Steve's heart, his father, Gov. Robert E. Smylie championed the creation of the Idaho Dept. of Parks and Recreation in 1963. Steve participated in an historical preservation project at Harriman Park in 2006 and has researched the history of the parks system, writing a chapter in the book 100 Years: Idaho and It's Parks (2008). He also serves as Idaho President of Phi Delta Kappa International and on the Advisory Board of the Treasure Valley Salvation Army, as well as other community organizations. He and his wife, Marsha, love hiking, cross country skiing, travel, and so many other things that make Idaho special.
|
Board Member, Chelsea ChambersChelsea Chambers is a lifelong learner with a passion for nature, storytelling, and public service. She currently serves as the Government Affairs and Funding Services Program Coordinator at Merrick & Company, where she helps communities navigate complex funding landscapes and secure critical water infrastructure financing. Prior to this role, she worked at the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, where she deepened her commitment to preserving Idaho’s natural resources and supporting outdoor access. With a background in rhetoric and technical communication from Boise State University, Chelsea brings a narrative lens and strategic mindset to every project she undertakes.
|
Board Member, Bill DrakeBill is the chairman of Drake Cooper, an marketing and public relations firm in Boise. Bill is an author, a frequent lecturer for BSU, U of I and a myriad of marketing venues, and a contributor to the book, Inside the Minds: Advertising Best Practices. Bill gives back to the community, serving on boards and working with non-profits such as: The Idaho Shakespeare Festival, FUNDSY, Bogus Basin, the Red Cross, the Boise Philharmonic Association, The Boy Scouts of America, Friends of Idaho State Parks, and the Metro Boise Chamber of Commerce.
|