2025 Idaho Camping Reservations Paused, One Company Will Now Manage Both IDPR and IDFG Databases. By Sarah Clendenon (07/27/24)

idahodispatch.com/2025-idaho-camping-re…

According to the article, all 2025 Idaho camping, cabin, and yurt reservations through the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) will be paused starting August 1, 2024.

The “pause” will allow the department to change reservation system companies. Going forward, IDPR will use the same company — Brandt Information Services, LLC (Brandt) — that Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) uses.

A staff report says “IDPR would save approximately $331,906.50 per year from what we are paying now.”

With IDFG and IDPR both using Brandt, all state park activities, fish and game activities, recreational vehicles, and recreational reservations will be in databases within one company with the customer data becoming a revenue stream.

But, here’s the rest of the story: Brandt recently announced an “equity investment from Providence Equity Partners, a premier private equity firm specializing in growth-oriented investments in media, communications, education and technology.” So, what’s the catch?

Again, Idaho Dispatch (ID) does a deep dive into the story behind the story, explaining that Providence Equity Partners is deeply committed to DEI / ESG. ID also provided a July 2022 video from Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth about the dangers of ESG to our state and to Idaho’s businesses: youtu.be/BzusFkYyPIU

All Idahoans who love the outdoors should be concerned about handing over their data to a company that is controlled by the DEI / ESG mindset of Providence Equity Partners (provequity.com/our-firm/responsibility).

No wonder IDPR is saving money: As with “free” Google products, YOUR DATA is the product so, of course, they can charge the state less.

We hope Idaho Treasurer Julie Ellsworth will consider reviewing this contract in light of her strong stance against ESG.