Dr. Colden Baxter

Professor, Department of Biological Sciences

Colden Baxter is a Professor of Biological Sciences at Idaho State University. He leads the Stream Ecology Center and directs the cross disciplinary and community partnership-focused Center for Ecological Research and Education. With many students, collaborators, and community partners, his research focuses on rivers and streams, ecological linkages between water and land, and connections between people and rivers.  During his 21 years at ISU, Colden’s service activities have been diverse and extensive. A global leader in his discipline, he was elected and served as president of the international Society for Freshwater Science. Locally, he has been an active contributor to long-term efforts to improve stewardship of the Portneuf watershed and revitalize the Pocatello community’s connection to the Portneuf River.  Colden has also worked for many years as a partner with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes to accomplish research and educational goals, cultivate collaborative Tribal-university relationships, and co- produce freshwater science in service of the Tribal community. Colden’s service within the ISU community has also been extensive, ranging from serving as director of graduate degree programs in Biological Sciences to his 9 years as a faculty senator, and recent service as the Chair of the Faculty Senate. Colden and his wife Lenny are parents to two daughters, Arwen and Iris.