Sustainable Idaho

I-15 and I-86 Interchange Update: Bringing the Landscape Back to Life

By Holly Wilson,

Published November 4, 2025 at 6:05 AM MST

On this episode of Sustainable Idaho, co-host Holly Wilson dives into the vegetation restoration along I-15 in Pocatello. After major construction on the highway, the focus has shifted to bringing the surrounding land back to life — rebuilding soil health, planting native vegetation, and supporting local ecosystems. Holly talks with Alyssa Salmore, an environmental planner with the Idaho Transportation Department, about how sustainability shapes these projects, the challenges of restoring disturbed landscapes, and what it takes to create resilient, thriving habitats along the highway.

Sustainable Idaho

Holly Wilson

Holly Wilson is a sophomore at the College of Business at Idaho State University, double majoring in Economics and Finance. She currently serves as Vice President of the Portneuf Animal Welfare Society, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to animal welfare and sustainable community practices, and is also President of the ISU Economics Club. Holly has also worked as an ethics tutor in ISU’s Philosophy Department, reflecting her interest in thoughtful, values-driven leadership. A proud Pocatello native, Holly is deeply invested in creating lasting positive change in her hometown.

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Madison Long

Madison Long is a sophomore majoring in Communications and English with concentrations in Multiplatform Journalism and Professional Writing. She enjoys learning about sustainable practices within the local community and how these can expand throughout the state of Idaho. She looks forward to sharing what she learns from researching and through interviewing with field experts!

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