Get to know one of our incredible volunteers, Nick Poling! From leading Boise State students on unforgettable trail projects for the past five years in Hells Canyon to chasing peaks, miles, and perfect landscape shots across Idaho, Nick brings passion and a deep commitment to stewardship to everything he does. Thank you for all you do for trails, Nick!

What is your background in? What are some of the things you enjoy doing for fun?

My name is Nick Poling, and I’ve had the pleasure of living in Idaho for the past five years! I’m a transplant, and moved here from Boston having originally grown up on the east coast. I’m in the higher education field, and work in the Student Involvement and Leadership Center at Boise State. While Boise State was a draw, my move to our beautiful home was led by the pursuit of a larger ‘playground’. My idea of fun includes anything outdoors including backpacking, mountaineering, peakbagging, ultra-running, and everything in between. I’m also a passionate landscape photographer, which is woven into my adventures. While I loved growing up around the mountains of New Hampshire and surrounding areas, my time in Boise has included so many priceless adventures and it feels like my ‘to-do’ list of Idaho peaks and trails is ever-growing and endless.

How and why did you first get involved with ITA? What are the different ways you’ve volunteered for ITA over the years?

Through my role at Boise State, I help manage our Alternative Spring Break program, which provides students with opportunities to volunteer in a variety of settings during their break. One of our long-standing options has focused on trail maintenance, and since 2021, we’ve been grateful to partner with ITA to offer a trip to Hells Canyon. I have been the lucky-staff lead for this trip since starting at Boise State in 2021, and have now been on five week-long excursions into the Canyon to help with trail maintenance. It’s an incredible place, and I’ve appreciated seeing how our work has continually contributed to the well-being of the trails and lasted beyond any one trip. Our students have always learned so much from the ITA staff that join us, and leave the trip feeling fulfilled and motivated to continue stewarding trails.

What do you like about volunteering with ITA?

As a frequent user of trails, and often ones that are seldom-traveled, I’ve increasingly looked for ways to give back to the systems that we all enjoy and often take for granted. ITA does such a great job creating opportunities to do this, and I always leave our projects feeling reconnected to the ‘why’ of the work, and with a constantly increasing appreciation for the beautiful places we get to experience in Idaho.

Most memorable backcountry or ITA experience?

Many of my favorite backcountry memories center on moments of solitude, and experiencing the stillness of a place that feels untouched. Examples this year included four days off-trail in the Sawtooths without seeing anything other than remote alpine lakes and peaks, and a bighorn sheep herd wandering through my camp in the Lost River Range one weekend. That being said, the Hells Canyon trip always offers an added benefit of watching others discover the feeling that comes with these experiences. For many of our student volunteers, the Hells Canyon trip marks their first experience spending an extended period of time in the wilderness, with all of the questions and comforts (or lack thereof) that it brings.

This year, we had several students who had never seen the Milky Way in the night sky. Luckily, our trip coincided with the new moon and we had several nights of clear, beautiful skies. Sharing that moment with a group experiencing it for the first time was special, because it serves as a reminder of why we’re initially drawn to these places while reconnecting us with a sense of wonder that comes from a ‘first’ experience.

Why are trails worth protecting?

We live in a world that increasingly shifts many of our daily lives away from ‘wild’ experiences, whether it means being deep in the backcountry or going for a short hike in the foothills. Protecting trails helps to create accessible experiences for all, in pursuit of helping others get outside. Outdoor hobbies can often feel intimidating, which challenges us to consider how we can better help people see that these experiences are for everyone. ITA and trail stewardship help to provide an answer to this challenge.