About

The first Student Congress was held in 2012 in conjunction with a symposium commemorating the 200th anniversary of the creation of the General Land Office (predecessor of the Bureau of Land Management). A Student Congress has been convened every other year since then, with the exception of 2020. Each of the subsequent Congresses has a different focus including: wilderness management, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, wildland fire and renewable energy. The first four Biennial Student Congress events were hosted by the Public Lands Foundation (PLF), a national membership organization that advocates and works to keep public lands in public hands. Beginning in 2022, Student Congresses have been hosted by the Andrus Center for Public Policy along with the Public Lands Foundation and the National Association of Forest Service Retirees.

Each biennial Student Congress is place-specific and centered on a particular theme. Approximately twenty-five undergraduate and graduate students from across the nation are invited. Retirees, professors, and experts provide context and insight during four days of on-site meetings, panels, field trips, and activities. The Congresses make important progress on four main goals:

• Educate our youth on the history and current issues related to public land management;
• Engage students in providing input into the future of these lands;
• Expand potential career consideration and enrich student resumes; and
• Memorialize the contributions of Dr. John Freemuth to public policy and public land management

Program Funding

Students have no out of pocket expenses when selected to participate. Expenses are covered by the generosity of donors, grant funding, and facilitating partners. There is an estimated $3,000 per student cost and coordination involves a large group of volunteers and constituents to facilitate.

2024 John Freemuth
Student Congress

The Andrus Center for Public Policy, Public Lands Foundation, and National Association of Forest Service Retirees hosted the 2024 John Freemuth Student Congress October 7 – 10, 2024, in Las Vegas, NV. The 2024 Student Congress focused on public lands policy issues associated with the transition to renewable energy. Select college and university students from across the country examined renewable energy development on public land through field work and policy discussions, culminating in a student-authored report that will be presented to the heads of Federal land management agencies, in Washington, DC. Contact Mike Ferguson, PLF for additional information.

The late Dr. John Freemuth, Boise State University Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and Cecil D. Andrus Endowed Chair for Environment and Public Lands, was heavily involved in past biennial Student Congresses. Starting in 2022, the event will be re-named in his honor to continue his legacy. John was a prolific scholar, influential educator, and celebrated member of the Boise State University community until his passing in May 2020. As the Cecil D. Andrus Endowed Chair of Environment and Public Lands, John made profound contributions to the conversation surrounding our public lands through his many books, journal articles, presentations, and student advocacy and engagement efforts. Given John’s role in all previous Student Congress events and his commitment to public lands, this is a fitting tribute.

2024 John Freemuth Student Congress

The Andrus Center for Public Policy at Boise State University, Public Lands Foundation, and the National Association of Forest Service Retirees are pleased to announce the students selected for the 2024 John Freemuth Student Congress.

Aaron Cobas, Colorado State University

Alexander Butler, Portland State University

Camellia Schwartzman. Macalester College

Connor Hughes, University of California, Berkeley

Estella Percarpio, Northern Arizona University

Gabriela Peralta, University of Colorado

Josefina Hajek Herrera, University of Colorado

Julia Martinez, University of Georgia

Kole Fortson, Florida A&M University

Maia Cuddy, University of Idaho

Maria Mlinarcik, Duquesne University

Marwa Mahmoud, Washington State University

Megan Chan, University of California, Berkeley

Michael Murphy, Vermont Law & Grad School

Molly Hoffman, Gettysburg College

Natalie Lopez, University of Southern California

Natasha Lorenzo, University of California, Davis

Seth Flanders, Washington State University

Sierra Santosuosso, Boise State University

Skyler Bollar, University of Idaho

Victoria Villagomez, University of Texas, El Paso

Yasaman Jafari, Boise State University

Read the Report and Recommendations from the 2024 John Freemuth Student Congress. Click the cover, below, to read the PDF document.