North Idaho Green Summit Set for March 21 in Coeur d'Alene

The Kootenai Environmental Alliance is bringing its third annual North Idaho Green Summit to First Presbyterian Church at 521 E Lakeside Avenue on Saturday, March 21, running from 8 a.m. to noon in a format designed to move participants from awareness to action on the region's most pressing environmental challenges.

Themed "Our Gem: Coeur d'Alene Lake Collaborative," the half-day event will feature 10-minute TED Talk-style presentations from Pacific Northwest environmental leaders, followed by three separate 30-minute breakout sessions covering topics that include sustainable food systems, renewable energy, climate action, aquifer protection, responsible recreation and waste management. KEA Board President Dave Muise will serve as emcee.

Confirmed speakers include representatives from HMH Engineering presenting on the Big Creek Project and Woody Wood addressing water monitoring and management. The full speaker roster had not been announced as of this writing.

The summit's roots trace back to 2024, when Muise presented findings from a climate and conservation action plan at the first North Idaho Green Summit. "After that, I was invited to join the KEA board," Muise said. He has since helped shape the organization's continued focus on resource protection, advocacy and environmental education, including its ongoing collaborative work with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.

Carol Corbin of the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, which is providing complimentary coffee, pastries and charcuterie to attendees, framed the stakes plainly: "The Idaho Panhandle is arguably one of the most beautiful places to live in the lower 48! The crystalline rivers and lakes, towering forests, verdant meadows, and big skies make this a special haven for those wanting to live close to nature. But with the increasing population and the resulting environmental impact, the natural resources that support our quality of life here need protection more than ever before."

Tickets are available for individuals or families through the KEA event page, and vendor spaces are open to nonprofits and businesses. First Presbyterian Church sits at the corner of Lakeside and 6th in downtown Coeur d'Alene, roughly a mile from the lake the summit is named for.