Ida Clarke is a former water treatment technician at Denver Water. She holds an AA in Journalism from Bismarck State College and a BS in Environmental Physical Science from Black Hills State University.

Ida grew up in Oglala, South Dakota and is a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe. Her research involves drinking water and waste water treatment with the goal to better understand how climate change will impact water treatment. She aspires to support tribal water utilities as they prepare for the future of climate change. Outside of school Ida enjoys photography, writing, fishing, watching documentaries, reading non fiction and the news.