Schedule of Events

• Thursday, June 26 - Regional field trip to McCall, Idaho, and surrounding areas, exploring mountain streams and lakes. (about 2.5–3 hours from Boise).

• Friday, June 27

  • Volunteer-led visits to nature parks along the Boise River, including the Veterans Memorial Park, Esther Simplot Park, Kathryn Albertson Park, and Marianne Williams Park. These localities are home to over 20 species of Odonata, including the easternmost locality of the Pacific Clubtail (Phanogomphus kurilis) and a newly identified locality for the Western River Cruiser (Macromia magnifica). We will also offer a visit to the Orma Smith Museum of Natural History on the campus of the College of Idaho, including a volunteer session helping to identify odonate specimens in their collection.

• Saturday, June 28

  • Formal meeting at the JUMP building in Downtown Boise (1000 W Myrtle St.). This will feature our business meeting, contributed talks, a public Dragonfly Day event, and an evening reception with poster presentations. This venue is also accessible for members bringing children; there is a large climbing structure and multiple slides, and is within walking distance of the Boise Zoo and the Discovery Center, a children’s science museum.

  • Silent auction

• Sunday, June 29

  • Afternoon: Odonate bioblitz at Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve.

• Monday, June 30 - Regional field trips to Bruneau Dunes State Park and Three Island Crossing State Park (about 1.5 hours from Boise).

Official Boise Field Trip Info

Thursday, June 26 McCall Regional Field Trip

McCall sits at approximately 5,000 feet elevation, with opportunities to get up to higher elevations on backroads in the surrounding area.  There are several large lakes in the vicinity including Payette Lake and Lake Cascade (a man-made reservoir).  The Payette River and numerous smaller streams flow through the area offering a multitude of sites to visit.  

McCall Idaho:  From Boise  take State Street to Highway 55.  Take Highway 55 North to McCall.  Once in McCall, we will meet in the parking lot of Ridley’s Supermarket (411 Deinhard Lane) at 9am and caravan from there to the various sites of interest.  Note: There are only a few stops for gas between Boise and McCall, so be sure to fill up before heading up the canyon.

• Ponderosa State Park (44.92592, -116.08994) - 1920 N Davis Ave McCall, Idaho Phone: (208) 634-2164   Hours of Operation: Day-use locations within state parks are open from 7 am to 10 pm.  Located adjacent to Payette Lake, with numerous wetlands and ponds.  Camping is available.  Entrance Fee -  7.00 per vehicle

  
  

• The Meanders (44.99344, -11607071) Upper end of Payette Lake.  Slow moving, clear stretch of the North Fork of the Payette River.  Great on a paddleboard, flat water canoe, or even wading.  Lots of side channels, small pools.  

  
  

• Little Payette Lake (44.926891, -116.042972) This is a natural lake that since a dam was installed in the 1920’s  increases greatly in size during the irrigation season.  The influx of water increases the lake size greatly inundating trees, stumps and creating shallow flats, ideas for odonates.  Parking is available at multiple undeveloped pull-outs alongside Lick Creek Road.    

• Up the road from the Little Payette Lake parking area is Rowland’s Pond (44.91881, -116.01195).  A small pond, with a dirt parking lot and porta potty.  

• Continue up Lick Creek Road to just before MP 9.  Note, the gravel road gets a bit rougher after Snowden Wildlife Sanctuary, but is still navigable in a standard sedan.  A fen on the left side (and some additional wetlands on the ride side) should be buzzing with Odonates.

  
  

• Optional if time allows Cascade Lake State Park - Rainbow Point Campground (44.73552, -116.13201)

• Link to Google Map https://maps.app.goo.gl/Nw9GWzUwgs24wv1g8

  
  

  
  

  Species DOCUMENTED IN THE AREA include:

  River Jewelwing (Calopteryx aequabilis), Emerald Spreadwing (Lestes dryas), Boreal Bluet (Enallagma boreale), Western Red Damsel (Amphiagrion abbreviatum), Emma’s Dancer (Argia emma), Pale Snaketail (Ophiogomphus severus), Black Meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae), Pacific spiketail (Zoraena dorsalis), American Emerald (Cordulia shurtleffii), Mountain Emerald (Somatochlora semicircularis), Hudsonian Whiteface (Leucorrhinia hudsonica) ,
  
  

  Potential For: Ringed Emerald (Somatochlora albicincta), Taiga Bluet (Coenagrion resolutum)

Friday Boise Area Field Trips

Each park will have volunteers stationed at a table during the time frame listed below to answer questions and provide guidance about best viewpoints throughout the park.  Here is a link to a Google Map with all sites Link to Google Map

• Esther Simplot Park  - 3206 Pleasanton Avenue (10:00 am  - 12:00 pm. Esther Simplot Park is an expansive 55-acre site just west of downtown Boise that encompasses nearly 23 acres of ponds and wetlands. Fishing, paddleboarding, and swimming are popular activities in the park.  The park runs adjacent to the Boise River and the Farmers Union Canal.  There are numerous access points to the river and ponds.  The park includes numerous paved pathways and restrooms.  Pets are not allowed in the park.

  • Notable Species:  Pacific Clubtail (Phanogomphus kurilis), Sinuous Snaketail (Ophiogomphus occidentis) , Pacific Spiketail (Zoraena dorsalis), Western River Cruiser (Macromia magnifica) | iNaturalist Link

    
    

• Kathryn Albertson Park - 1001 S Americana Blvd, Boise, ID 83706 (12 -2 pm). Kathryn Albertson Park is a 41-acre special use park located near downtown Boise. A haven for wildlife and quiet contemplation, the park features wide, paved footpaths and reservable outdoor gazebos in a beautiful natural setting.   This park includes acres of shallow ponds and excellent viewing sites from numerous bridges and overlooks.  The park is near the Boise River, although the river is not easily accessible directly from the park.  An irrigation can runs along the park perimeter.  The park includes restroom facilities.

  • Notable Species: Dot-tailed whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta), Shadow darner (Aeshna umbrosa), Paddle-tailed darner (Aeshna palmata), Eight/Twelve spotted skimmer cross (Libellula forensis × pulchella) | iNaturalist Page

    
    

• Marianne Williams Park - 3451 E Barber Valley Dr, Boise, ID 83706 (2 - 4 pm). Marianne Williams Park is a 72-acre park located on the Boise River in East Boise's Barber Valley with beautiful walking pathways. The park also features two large ponds and a smaller irrigation intake pond near the eastern edge of the park.  The park is directly adjacent to the Boise River and numerous wetlands.  There is a restroom near the main parking area.  

  • Notable Species: Four spotted skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata), Saffron winged meadowhawk (Sympetrum costiferum), White faced meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum) | iNaturalist Page

    
    

Other notable park sites near downtown

• Bernardine Quinn Riverside Park (3150 W. Pleasanton Avenue) is a 31-acre park and home to the popular 22-acre Quinn's Pond. Swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing are popular activities at the park. This park also runs parallel to the Boise River.  (From Boise Parks and Recreation. Note:  Parking is available in the large, vacant lot off of main street.  | iNaturalist Page

  
  

• Parkcenter Park  (385 E. Parkcenter Blvd.) located just east of downtown Boise, Parkcenter Park hosts Parkcenter Pond, an eight acre pond surrounded with willows, cattails and mature cottonwoods.  The pond is a short distance from the Boise River and is adjacent to Logger’s Creek (along the backside of the pond).  There are numerous access points for viewing odonates at the pond.  Logger’s Creek access is somewhat limited and poison ivy is abundant.  There is a bridge that overlooks the creek and a couple of established access points.  | iNaturalist Link

  
  

• Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History, College of Idaho. The Smith Museum of Natural History is hosting an open house for DSA members from 11am-1pm on Friday.  The museum is located at the College of Idaho, 2112 Cleveland Blvd, Caldwell, ID, approximately a 45-50 minute drive from Boise.  All exhibits will be open, including the insect collection.  If attendees are interested, there will be opportunities to identify undetermined material in the odonate collection.

  
  

Species Common at all park sites include:  

Aeshnidae: Common green darner (Anax junius), Blue-eyed darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor), California darner (Rhionaeschna californica) 

Libellulidae: Eight-spotted skimmer (Libellula forensis), Twelve-spotted skimmer (Libellula pulchella), Band-winged meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum), Variegated meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum), Western pondhawk (Erythemis collocata), Blue dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis), Black saddlebags (Tramea lacerata), Common whitetail (Plathemis lydia)

Sunday June 29th  Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve Field Trip and Bioblitz  2 - 4 pm 

• Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve 5301 N. Maple Grove Road. Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve is a 53-acre haven for birds, animals and people located on the edge of Boise's West Bench featuring trailheads, pathways and overlook areas.  The compacted dirt paths are primarily flat and well maintained.  There is a restroom near the trailhead.  The reserve includes a series of interconnected, shallow ponds and wetlands.  We will be documenting species throughout the park in a bioblitz style event. | iNaturalist Link

Optional site if time allows

• Eagle Island State Park  165 S Eagle Island Pkwy, Eagle, ID 83616, Phone: (208) 939-0696. Eagle Island State Park is a 545-acre park west of Boise. Eagle Island is bordered on the north and south by the Boise River.  There is a large shallow lake in the park.  

  • Entrance Fee - 7.00 per vehicle

Monday, June 30th Bruneau Dunes State Park and Three Island Crossing State Park

Google Map Link ; click here for the Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park meet up location at 11am

• Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park (42.91133, -115.71509) 27608 Sand Dunes Rd. Mountain Home, ID 83647. Phone: (208) 366-7919

  • Bruneau Dunes park boasts the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America with a peak rising 470 feet above the surrounding desert floor.  Adjacent to the dunes are two large ponds (99 and 35 acres respectively).  The ponds are surrounded by vegetation including Russian olive, Willow, and abundant emergent vegetation.  To my knowledge, the odonates in the vicinity have not been widely sampled.  

  • Entrance Fee - 7.00 per vehicle. We will stop at the Sportsman Access on the south side of the Snake River along the way.

  • Potential for White-belted ringtail (Erpetogomphus compositus), Olive clubtail ( Stylurus olivaceus)  

• Three Island Crossing State Park (42.91133, -115.71509). If time allows, we can make a stop at this park alongside the Snake River. Three Island State Park is located along the Snake River in Glenns Ferry, 72 miles east of Boise.  

  • Entrance Fee - 7.00 per vehicle

Online meeting registration is closed.

Walk-up registrants are still welcome:

• $50 non-members meeting registration for those who are not DSA members. Welcome or welcome back!

• $35 members meeting registration for those who are DSA members. Thank you for your continued support!

• $10 one day meeting registration for those who only want to attend the June 28 business meeting. See you at the JUMP center!

Abstract submissions are closed.

Now accepting donations for the silent auction

Please donate to the DSA silent auction!  As in years past, DSA will be hosting a silent auction during our annual meeting as a fundraiser for our programs.  Dragonfly photos, art, books and jewelry are among some of the wonderful items that members have donated to be auctioned off.  Auction items will be available for bidding during the annual business meeting on June 28 at the JUMP Center in Boise.

If you have an auction item to contribute please bring it to the registration desk by the morning of the meeting.  If you are not attending but would like to contribute an item, please contact Chris Beatty at president@dragonflysocietyamericas.org to help arrange shipping.  Thanks for your continued support of DSA!

Meeting T-shirt

The design of this shirt was inspired by research done in Boise to sequence the DNA of a Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis). Miss the deadline? There will be a limited number of shirts for sale at the meeting.

Lodging Options

There are numerous lodging options around Boise. If you choose to stay outside of the downtown area, the daily parking rates downtown range from $10/day to $20/day. If you prefer to stay near the conference venue, here are two hotels with blocks of rooms held under "the Dragonfly Society of the Americas.” Please note that only a certain number of rooms are available at each venue. Book before May 30, 2025 when these discounted rates end.

Hampton Inn, downtown Boise - 495 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise, ID 83702 (about 3.5 blocks from JUMP building)

• $199/night for 1 king bed and $20/day parking

• 20 rooms blocked nights of Friday June 27, Saturday June 28, and Sunday June 29 

• Use this link to book a room in the block: https://group.hamptoninn.com/hfa0xb

• Comments: a pretty standard Hampton Inn with pool, gym, hot breakfast, etc.; great family hotel 

  
  
  

  The Arcadia - 3433 W Chinden Blvd, Garden City, ID, 83714  (about 4 minute drive from JUMP building)      

• Room rates start at $95/night for a Queen room. These rates will increase as the Arcadia starts to fill up and we get closer to the conference date. The Arcadia was completely remodeled over the last 3 years and just reopened in February. Parking is free. You can cancel 48 hours ahead of arrival for a full refund. 

• How to book:
  1. Visit WWW.STAYARCADIA.COM

  2. Choose your room type (Queen or King Suite)
  3. Apply Promo Code : DRAGNFLY 

   *** note that it is easier to see the space for promo code on a desktop. But if using a mobile device, click the "see booking details" to find the promo code field 

• The Arcadia is about a 5 minute drive to JUMP.

• Bicycles are available for rent near the Arcadia at one of the river supply shops. 

• The Arcadia has a small "light gym".

• They do not use scented cleaning products or air fresheners. 

• There is no food on the premises, but there are several options that are very close, and they give discounts to customers of the Arcadia. Seems like there are a lot of taco options. 

If you travel in an RV, the Boise River RV park is a clean and comfortable place located in Garden City, about 8 miles from the JUMP building. The current rates are $58.66/night for a pull-through with sewer, water, and power hookup. The location is right next to the paved greenbelt path for bikers and walkers and along the Boise River. They have (older) bicycles to rent and electric bikes are often available. If you are traveling with pets, be aware that the local baseball stadium is close by and they occasionally have fireworks after the games.   6000 N. Glenwood St, Garden City, ID  83714 - 208-375-7432