Idaho Conservation League Names Courtney Washburn Director

Washburn, a former Boise chief of staff, succeeds Justin Hayes, who moved to American Rivers.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration of a winding river through a sagebrush high desert basin lined with cottonwoods, evoking Idaho's public land and water stewardship. — The Idaho Conservation League named Courtney Washburn its executive director, succeeding Justin Hayes, who joined American Rivers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Idaho Conservation League has named Courtney Washburn its executive director, succeeding Justin Hayes, who took a position at American Rivers. The appointment was announced by the nonprofit's board of directors.

Why it matters

The Idaho Conservation League is a nonprofit more than 50 years old that works to protect clean air, clean water, land, and wildlife across Idaho. Washburn's leadership will shape the organization's approach to public-land issues in the state.

Washburn served as ICL community conservation director and statehouse lobbyist from 2006 to 2015, then as executive director of Conservation Voters for Idaho from 2015 to 2020. She later spent 2020 to 2026 as chief of staff for the city of Boise.

The players

Idaho Conservation League

A nonprofit founded more than 50 years ago that works to protect clean air, clean water, land, and wildlife in Idaho.

Courtney Washburn

A longtime Idaho conservation advocate and former Boise chief of staff who now leads the Idaho Conservation League.

Justin Hayes

The former Idaho Conservation League executive director who left to take a position at American Rivers.

Gregg Servheen

The board chair of the Idaho Conservation League.

The details

Washburn opposes data centers on public lands and recently visited the site of a proposed data center south of Boise, where she saw 25 pronghorn. Justin Hayes endorsed her hiring in a written statement, and the league's entire staff and board were invited to sit in on her final interview.

Washburn served as ICL community conservation director and lobbyist from 2006 to 2015.
Washburn led Conservation Voters for Idaho from 2015 to 2020.
Washburn served as chief of staff for the city of Boise from 2020 to 2026.
In May 2026, Boise Dev reported a large severance payment for Washburn after she left the city position.
In October 2026, the league and its board announced Washburn's appointment as executive director.

Market Landscape

Washburn's move from city government back to a statewide conservation nonprofit follows a path she previously traveled through Conservation Voters for Idaho. Her appointment comes as the league faces public-land disputes over proposed data centers in southern Idaho.

The appointment signals who will set the league's public positions on land use and data center proposals affecting Idaho residents. Readers following Idaho conservation policy may see shifts in the organization's advocacy priorities.

The takeaway

Leadership transitions at advocacy nonprofits can signal changes in which public-land issues get priority. Following board announcements and organizational statements is the most direct way to track those shifts.