Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center

3188 Sunset Peak Road, Boise

The Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center (JHFLC) is situated in the heart of the Boise foothills, surrounded by native sagebrush steppe ecosystem and a diverse assortment of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and amphibians.

Annually, the Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center serves over 10,000 students and community members, offering environmental education programs designed to ignite interest in natural resources, science, and Idaho's cultural and ecological heritage.

In addition to education programs, JHFLC houses the City of Boise's Foothills Open Space Division and the Ridge to Rivers Program. Together, all of these programs are working to protect our foothills and keep them accessible to the community.

The JHFLC site offers a Native Plant Garden, self-led story trail and a picnic area, while the building has two classrooms used for field trips, community programs and facility rentals.

Boise Outdoor Preschool

Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center (FLC) is a great place to connect with nature and immerse your preschooler in the outdoors. Explore all of our options for ages 2-5.

Learn More

Lessons & Tours

Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center provides environmental lessons and programs to schools and groups of all ages. The unique lessons and learning experiences can be utilized by schools and community groups.

Learn More

Activity Registration

We offer seasonally themed classes for youth, families and adults all year. Register for upcoming classes and activities may be completed online, over the phone at (208) 608-7680 or in-person at Fort Boise Community Center, 700 Robbins Road.

Enroll

Special Events + Upcoming Classes

Homeschool Days

September 8 (Foothills Ecology), October 13 (Sustainability & Stewardship), and November 10 (Winter Adaptations)
1:30-3 p.m.
Cost: $11

This is a drop-off program for ages 6-12. Come dressed for the weather as we’re mostly exploring outdoors!

Explore Nature Adult/Child

September 12 & 26 and October 10 & 24, from 10-11 a.m.
Ages 2-5 + Adult
Foothills Learning Center
Cost: $9 (includes adult + child)

Foster an appreciation of the natural world and increased family connections! We provide an hour of themed activities and stories with time for explorations of our facility and foothills environment. Children should dress for the weather and be accompanied by an adult. Fee includes adult and child.

Boise Birding

September 5, October 10, October 31, and December 5 from 9-10 a.m.

Listen to a presentation by local bird expert Terry Rich and then walk the trails looking for birds. Binoculars available to borrow.

Folk Art Series

Saturday mornings, September-November

Topics, ages, and prices vary so check the online guide for full details.

September 13 (Milkweed Cordage), September 27 (Natural Rope Making), October 4 (Cordage Friendship Bracelets), October 25 (Fire Starting), November 1 (Fire Starting), November 8 (Spoon Carving), and November 15 (Spoon Carving)

Group hiking in the boise foothills on a fall day

Tour of the Reserves

Get to know your backyard as the Foothills Learning Center and Idaho Conservation League team up to offer short hiking “tours” of the city-owned natural reserves.

September 18: Hawkins Range Reserve

October 16: Mesa Reserve