Idaho Botanical Gardens and Old Idaho State Penitentiary

Also included: Museum of Mining and Geology

Guided tour through the Idaho Botanical Gardens, Old Penitentiary, and Museum of Mining and Geology explaining the history and unique qualities that each location has to offer.  The Idaho Botanical Garden features native and exotic plant communities, as well as fourteen themed gardens that have been designed and cultivated since 1984.  The Botanical Gardens is a living museum providing visitors with a stimulating experience in nature. 

At the Old Penitentiary, the historical interpreter will showcase the main prison yard, and cell houses. Idaho Territory was less than ten years old when the territorial prison was built east of Boise in 1870.  The penitentiary grew from a single cell house into a complex of several distinctive buildings surrounded by a high sandstone wall.  Over its century of operation, the penitentiary received more than 13,000 convicts. Find more information at www.idahohistory.net/oldpen

There will also be the opportunity for a self guided tour of the Museum of Mining and Geology. Located in Idaho’s Historical District, the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology (IMMG) offers exhibits and educational programs about Idaho’s fascinating geologic history and rich mining heritage.  Find more information at www.idahomuseum.org

The Discovery Center of Idaho and MK Nature Center

A wildlife educator will lead an informative walk along the Morrison Knudsen Nature Center path.  Guide will educate guests about Idaho wildlife and the importance of habitat, adaptation, conservation, and biodiversity.  Groups get an underwater look at native fishes, and wildlife viewing abounds.  During the visit to the Discovery Center, groups will be given approximately an hour to explore the 200 different in-house exhibits, as well as the exciting traveling exhibit. 

The Discovery Center of Idaho’s mission is to provide experiences and educational opportunities that inspire lifelong learning and interest in science, math and technology, and that supplement and enrich formal science education through interactive exhibits, education programs and teacher resources.

The Morrison Knudsen Nature Center offers a one-of-a-kind fish and wildlife experience on a 4.6 acre site along the Boise River Greenbelt near downtown Boise.  The Nature Center’s stream walk and education building provide a glimpse of Idaho’s many landscapes and abundant wildlife.  The underwater viewing windows along the stream walk give visitors a fish-eye view of the world.

World Center for Birds of Prey

Explore and discover the amazing world of raptors eye to eye at the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center. Continue your experience inside with raptor presentations, interactive exhibits, and falconry tours. Jack Cafferty, Interpretive Center Director, will lead the group through the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center and Archives of Falconry, which make up the Peregrine Fund Organization. 

Established in 1970, the Peregrine Fund works nationally and internationally to conserve birds of prey in nature.  They conserve nature by achieving results, restoring species in jeopardy, conserving habitat, educating students, training conservationists, providing factual information to the public, and by accomplishing good science. 

Jack is very knowledgeable in all things “Birds of Prey” and will be happy to answer any questions along the tour.