Explore Big Sky - June 13 to 26, 2024

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HIGH WATER AT OUSEL FALLS!

FIRE CHIEF GREG MEGAARD RETIRES

PRIDE WEEK PLANS FOR LATE JUNE

BSOA RESTORES RIVER, RENOVATES LITTLE COYOTE POND

VETERINARY HOSPITAL PLANS TO EXPAND

GALLATIN FOREST PARTNERSHIP BUILDS MOMENTUM

PLUS: PAINT UNDER THE BIG SKY FESTIVAL

June 13 - June 26, 2024

Volume 15, Issue No. 12

Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana

PUBLISHER

Eric Ladd | eric@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL

VP MEDIA

Mira Brody | mira@theoutlawpartners.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Jack Reaney | jack@theoutlawpartners.com

DIGITAL PRODUCER

Jen Clancey | jen@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

Leslie Kilgore | leslie@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL INTERN

Fischer Genau | frgenau@gmail.com

CREATIVE

LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER

ME BROWN | maryelizabeth@theoutlawpartners.com

SALES AND OPERATIONS

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Josh Timon | josh@theoutlawpartners.com

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Megan Paulson | megan@theoutlawpartners.com

VP DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Hiller Higman | hiller@theoutlawpartners.com

DIRECTOR OF RELATIONSHIPS

Ersin Ozer | ersin@theoutlawpartners.com

MARKETING MANAGER

Tucker Harris | tucker@theoutlawpartners.com

CONTENT MARKETING LEAD

Taylor Owens | taylor@theoutlawpartners.com

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Sara Sipe | sara@theoutlawpartners.com

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD

Patrick Mahoney | patrick@theoutlawpartners.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Mario Carr, Kathryn Eklund, Jeremy Harder, Rachel Hergett, Michael Hilliard, Claire Lichtwardt, Dave Marston, Charlotte Merryman, Tom Owen, Benjamin Alva Polley, Andrew Reed, Frankie Seelye, Suzy Sensbach, Ella Smith

TABLE OF CONTENTS

With the arrival of summer come longer days in Big Sky, offering spectacular sunsets behind Lone Mountain, much like this one captured on the Big Sky Golf Course on June 11.

FIRE CHIEF GREG MEGAARD RETIRES

After nearly eight years with the Big Sky Fire Department and a total of 31 years in fire service, BSFD Chief Greg Megaard has retired. Starting the role in the midst of a pandemic, his team of firefighters remember his composure in all situations and his “kindness and compassion.”

VETERINARY HOSPITAL PLANS TO EXPAND

14 11 14 17 35 21

Dr. Stephanie “Syd” Desmarais, who runs Lone Peak Veterinary Hospital and a related nonprofit, Riley’s Urgent Fund for Friends (RUFF), is working to expand Big Sky’s veterinary services. LPVH has plans to construct a new facility, with staff housing and a community animal shelter included, in Big Sky’s Westfork Meadows area.

PRIDE WEEK PLANS FOR LATE JUNE

Big Sky OUT, a new nonprofit focused on building Big Sky’s LGBTQ+ community, is hosting Big Sky’s first-ever official pride week at the end of June. Events include “decorate the town” with sidewalk chalk, a queer variety show, and a pride march with guest speakers Zooey Zephyr and Erin Reed.

BSOA RESTORES RIVER, RENOVATES LITTLE COYOTE POND

The culmination of 20 years of planning, the Big Sky Owners Association has finally renovated the Little Coyote Pond and restored continuous flow of the Gallatin River’s West Fork. The “earth work” is done, BSOA officials say, but recreational amenities and beautification will require one final fundraising push.

GALLATIN FOREST PARTNERSHIP BUILDS MOMENTUM

The Gallatin Forest Partnership, a broad coalition of recreationists, sportsmen and conservationists founded in 2016, has a proposal to permanently protect 250,000 acres in the Gallatin and Madison ranges, securing iconic wildlife and critical habitat, while also maintaining recreation access and preventing mining, new roads and other industrial development. The GFP will host a promotional event in Big Sky on July 2.

PLUS:

PAINT UNDER THE BIG SKY FESTIVAL

More than two dozen artists will come to Big Sky this June to capture views of the Gallatin Canyon “en plein air,” as part of the second annual Paint Under the Big Sky event. Paintings will be sold starting June 29 at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio, with the goal of capturing and recording local scenery between Spanish Creek and Taylor Fork, including Big Sky. The nonprofit Big Sky Artists’ Collective hopes that Paint Under the Big Sky will grow into a significant attraction for Big Sky, bringing new visitors every year in June and September.

The Gallatin River and its tributaries have been roaring, fueled by regular seasonal runoff and a spring which saw higher-than-average precipitation and a sustained snowpack. On June 7, EBS captured this image of the Gallatin River’s South Fork tumbling over Ousel Falls in Big Sky.

EDITORIAL POLICIES

EDITORIAL POLICY

Outlaw Partners, LLC is the sole owner of Explore Big Sky. EBS reserves the right to edit all submitted material. Printed material reflects the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the opinion of Outlaw Partners or its editors. EBS will not publish anything discriminatory or in bad taste.

EBS welcomes obituaries written by family members or from funeral homes. To place an obituary, please submit 500 words or less to media@theoutlawpartners.com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the editor allow EBS readers to express views and share how they would like to effect change. These are not Thank You notes. Letters should be 250 words or less, respectful, ethical, accurate, and proofread for grammar and content. We reserve the right to edit letters and will not publish individual grievances about specific businesses or letters that are abusive, malicious or potentially libelous. Include: full name, address, phone number and title. Submit to media@outlaw.partners.

ADVERTISING DEADLINE

For the June 27th issue June 19th, 2024

CORRECTIONS Please report errors to media@outlaw.partners.

OUTLAW PARTNERS & EXPLORE BIG SKY P.O. Box 160250, Big Sky, MT 59716 (406) 995-2055 • media@theoutlawpartners.com

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PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE

NEWS IN BRIEF BRIEFS

VISIT JACKSON HOLE OFFERS DETOUR UPDATE AFTER TETON PASS CLOSURE, ENCOURAGES PATIENCE

EBS STAFF

Following what was described by officials as a “catastrophic” mudslide on Teton Pass on June 7, the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board has released an update for those planning to drive into Jackson Hole in the coming weeks.

On June 10, the Wyoming Department of Transportation announced its plan to immediately build a detour that would allow for travel from Teton County, Idaho to Teton County, Wyoming in the coming weeks while a long-term plan to rebuild the road is developed. The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded a $430,000 emergency bid to Evans Construction to construct the detour during a June 11 special meeting, according to WYDOT.

The temporary detour will use local fill material around the current slide area, and will be open to the public in coming weeks, likely with some weight and width restrictions. Currently, those looking to visit Jackson Hole can do so by entering through Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, via U.S. Highway 26 and U.S. Highway 89.

The road failure was first identified on June 6 after a “crack and drop” in the pavement caused a motorcycle accident, according to June 8 reporting by the Associated Press. Crews repaired the crack, but in the early hours of Friday, June 7, the larger mudslide occurred a few miles from the initial site.

Up-to-date information about this closure is available online from Visit Jackson Hole.

BIG SKY FIRE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ANNOUNCES NEW FIRE CHIEF

BIG SKY FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Big Sky Fire Department Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the promotion of Dustin Tetrault to the position of Fire Chief. Chief Tetrault has served as the deputy chief of risk reduction and wildfire for nearly six years and brings 20 years of extensive and diverse emergency services experience to his new role.

Chief Tetrault is a second-generation firefighter who began his career in 2003 with the Peoria Heights Fire Department in Peoria, Illinois. While volunteering with the department, he completed his paramedic training and subsequently worked for various fire and EMS services in Central Illinois.

In 2012, he and his wife relocated to Montana, where he dedicated himself to learning wildland firefighting and deploying throughout the western U.S. on significant incidents. He later became the fire warden and emergency manager for Madison County before joining BSFD in 2018. During his BSFD tenure, Chief Tetrault successfully established the Community Risk Reduction program and worked to establish the department's Wildfire Division.

In addition to his work with BSFD, Chief Tetrault has been an active member of the State of Montana Wildfire Incident Management Team, serving as the lead planning section chief. From 2017 to 2023, he deployed to assist with wildfires and floods across the state, gaining invaluable firsthand experience in complex disaster management and community resilience.

Chief Tetrault is enthusiastic about stepping into the role of Fire Chief, succeeding the recently retired Chief Megaard. He is committed to advancing the organization and leading the Big Sky Fire Department to new heights.

SEARCH AND RESCUE RESPONDS TO DISTRESSED RAFTERS IN GALLATIN RIVER

EBS STAFF

On Wednesday, June 5 at 8:36 p.m., a group of rafters called 911 after flipping their raft downstream of “House Rock” in a whitewater section of the Gallatin River called “The Mad Mile.”

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from Gallatin Valley and Big Sky responded to the location, downstream of the Lava Lake trailhead on U.S. Highway 191 between Big Sky and Bozeman. The river’s water levels continue to reach new peaks this week, due to normal seasonal runoff.

“After the capsize, two of the party had made their way to the eastern bank of the river away from the highway and were stranded,” a June 6 Gallatin County press release stated.

After completing one run of the Mad Mile whitewater section—which includes House Rock among other obstacles—the group decided to repeat, with their second run beginning around 8 p.m.

The raft capsized shortly after navigating House Rock.

“Two individuals made their way safely to the western shore, but two others found their way to the eastern shore and were stranded by fast-running water and the fact that they had lost their shoes in the river,” the release stated.

A team of three SAR volunteers crossed the curved bridge near the Lava Lake trailhead, and hiked downstream on the east bank of the river. Volunteers met the stranded rafters, conducted medical evaluations, provided them with shoes and guided them out to safety.

“Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind whitewater enthusiasts that early season waters can be more turbulent and difficult to navigate,” the release added. “Whenever possible, it is beneficial to scout your intended float, noting hazards as well as possible escape [and] extraction routes. Always wear a personal flotation device, and a helmet. Finally—as much as the river allows— have clothing and supplies appropriate not just for the float itself, but for selfextraction by land or a possibly long wait on the riverbank for rescue.”

PUBLIC NOTICE

BUDGET AND RATES HEARING NOTICE

The Directors of Big Sky County Water & Sewer District No.363 will meet at the District office located at 561 Little Coyote Road, Big Sky, MT at 8:00 am on Tuesday June 18, 2024 for the purpose of public comment on the proposed rates for the 2024-2025 fiscal year; the proposed rate increases are for both water and sewer user charges. The proposed rate increase is 5% for user rates. The water rate increase proposed is 5% for both the base rate and all variable rate user tiers. The rate increase for sewer is 5% for both the base rate and the variable use rate. The Quarterly (calendar year quarter) sewer SFE flat rate is $101.88 a 5% increase to $106.98 is proposed. The Quarterly vacant lot charges $28.53 for water and $28.53 for sewer the proposal is to increase 5% to $29.97 for both water and sewer vacant lot charges. The proposed water base charge is $23.40 or $70.20 a Quarter. Please see the District’s website for the 5% increase in all water tier rates. The proposed sewer base charge is $37.57 or $112.71 a Quarter and usage charge of $9.16 for residential and $9.60 for commercial for each thousand gallons metered. The wholesale user rate will go from $4.36 to $4.58. The reuse rate will go from a $1.00 per thousand gallons to $1.05 for reuse water for irrigation. The annual user fee cost for a two bedroom two bath residence using three thousand gallons a month is estimated to be $780.60 for sewer, and $423.72 for water. Copies of the rate schedule are available at the District office from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, or online at www. bigskywatersewer.com. For written comments please send letters to PO Box 160670, Big Sky, MT 59716; or by email to billing@wsd363.com.

For more information, please call Terry Smith at 406-995-2660.

Cracks appeared in the pavement of Teton Pass on June 6, leading to WYDOT’s close monitoring of the location. PHOTO COURTESY OF WYDOT

Both lanes of travel collapsed on the evening of June 7 following increasing deterioration throughout the day. PHOTO COURTESY OF WYDOT

Building the Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD) budget is a 12-month process. The fiscal year starts off in July with gathering public feedback and FORECASTING expenses. This information is used for BUDGETING by impact area in November. RESERVES are committed in January. The funding process continues with the acceptance and review of Government and Nonprofit APPLICATIONS, and concludes with AWARDS in May and June.

For FY25, BSRAD committed $23,299,095 to community priorities in the following categories:

GOVERNMENT

Local government entities provide essential community services such as public safety, transit, water and sewer, which are traditionally funded through property taxes, fees and assessments. $14,986,044

NONPROFIT

Nonprofit organizations are responsible for programs and projects that address a wide range of community needs from childcare and housing to recreation and conservation. $7,193,947

RESERVES

Reserves play an important role in preparing for community emergencies and longterm capital investments.

$1,119,104

The Inn Residences at Montage Big Sky

Big Sky, Montana

LOCAL

BIG SKY FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF GREG MEGAARD RETIRES AFTER 31 YEARS OF SERVICE

AFTER ALMOST EIGHT YEARS WITH BSFD, MEGAARD WILL BE REMEMBERED AS A KIND, COMPASSIONATE, COMPOSED MENTOR

BY JEN CLANCEY

BIG SKY—When Greg Megaard first interviewed for a firefighting position, he knew the job was meant for him. But like most dreams, it came with challenges.

“I tested for the first time and didn’t finish number one,” said Megaard, retiring chief of the Big Sky Fire Department, adding that the Bozeman Fire Department was only hiring one person at the time, in 1998. Missing the cut didn’t matter. “From that day forward, I knew this is what I was put on this earth to do.”

Immediately after the rejection he asked the interview panel how he could improve his chances of working with BFD, and they recommended he start as a volunteer firefighter. This process led him to his final public service position, which ends this month, as fire chief of the Big Sky Fire Department.

Megaard joined the Bozeman Fire Department in 1998 and climbed the ranks until July 2016, when he transitioned to a position at the Big Sky Fire Department. When former fire chief William Farhat retired in 2020, Megaard took on the position for the next four years. During Megaard’s leadership, the Big Sky Fire Department, among thousands of fire stations across the country, faced brand new obstacles spurred by a worldwide pandemic.

“I try not to get emotional, but it’s tough not to. I love what I do. I love my job and I am so proud to be a firefighter. It’s the greatest job in the world.”

Greg Megaard, Chief of Big Sky Fire Department

“Overall, I’d say we were extremely proactive right out of the gate,” Megaard said, sitting in his office in Big Sky. Shelves of his desk behind him are near-empty with a little over a week to go in his role. “Nobody can plan for a worldwide pandemic. At that time, when it first came out, we didn’t even know how big this was.”

Under Megaard’s leadership, the fire department took on strict precautions—for the wellbeing of firefighters and the community alike. The department brought in dinners from local businesses to the station for firefighters, incorporated temperature checks and proper protocol in compliance with best practices at the time. If a firefighter was exposed, they were welcome to sleep and quarantine away from family at the department’s second station at the base of Lone Mountain.

“It’s amazing what can get done when you have great people around you, and you empower and trust them to do their job,” Megaard said of the

time period, saying that although he missed interacting with the community, he was proud with how the fire department adapted and communicated with Big Sky.

As restrictions began to lift, Megaard remembers how excited the department was to resume training—many stations in the U.S. had taken an entire year off training. He also remembers seeing how Big Sky grew, from his first year in 2016 through 2023 and understood why—who wouldn’t fall in love with Montana?

“Our shoulder seasons every year get smaller and smaller,” Megaard said. “We’re not seeing that drop off like we used to from a call standpoint. Every year since I’ve been here, our calls have increased.”

The fire department has worked to meet those increasing needs. Battalion Chief and EMS Coordinator Stephen Pruiett noted how Megaard led the charge on implementing Big Sky’s own fire training facility. Along with the training facility, Megaard organized the foundation for BSFD’s future station three, and a new fire headquarters station on the same property as the fire training space.

And in an area known for its winding mountain roads, steep incline grades and fire hydrants buried in snowbanks, a strong, synchronized department is crucial. The closest mutual aid is the Yellowstone Mountain Club Rural Fire District, and beyond that, it’s a 45-minute trip for nearby stations to assist in emergencies.

“We deal with a lot of different situations—we’re a young fire department, we’re still growing … and his experience brings a lot of insight to the table and helps us in leading our decisions,” Pruiett said.

Pruiett noted that Megaard’s impact one-on-one as a friend and peer has been invaluable: “I’ll forever be grateful for him, for the part he’s played in my career.”

Moving on from 31 years of service

Megaard is most proud of his fire department “brothers and sisters ” remaining safe throughout his years of service.

“That means everything to me as a fire chief—that throughout my whole entire career, anybody I’ve worked with has gone home at the end of their shift, to their family,” Megaard said.

He praised his staff for their love of serving and helping others. While he plans to remain in the area, he said he’ll miss seeing them day-to-day.

Teammates will remember his composure in the face of any circumstance. “I saw him tackle each unprecedented situation with maturity, calmness, and really thinking everything through,” said Seth Barker, deputy chief of operations. Barker added that Megaard showed “kindness and compassion to his team.”

“He’s been a very strong force in my life and a very powerful mentor for me.”

Megaard notified the fire district board of his retirement six months ago. “You think six months is a long time,” he said. He had just finished one of his last operations meetings a few minutes before his conversation with EBS. “I said this at the end of our meeting this morning, ‘Man has time gone fast.’”

“I try not to get emotional, but it’s tough not to. I love what I do. I love my job and I am so proud to be a firefighter. It’s the greatest job in the world.”

He thanked the community for their ongoing support and his team at the station and district that has trusted him as a leader and teammate. Lastly, Megaard thinks of his family: “the support they’ve given for me to live my dream—I can’t r epay them.”

Megaard glanced around his office and moved toward a couple of unsealed boxes in the corner. Inside is his collection of challenge coins— firefighters accumulate dozens of these in their years of service. They used to sit in display cases on a bookshelf facing his now vacant desk.

His uniform is ironed and hanging on the back of his door ahead of his retirement party the next day, May 23.

Megaard said he knows now is the right time to pass the department to new hands, ready to handle the changes to come.

“I’m going out, in my opinion, on top. And I’m very proud of that.”

Chief Greg Megaard grew up in Gallatin Valley and will remain in the area after his retirement. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

BSCO TO CUT THE RIBBON ON RENOVATED SKATEPARK AND PUMP TRACK, NEW PLAYGROUND

JUNE CELEBRATION TO FEATURE SPECIAL GUEST FROM NITRO CIRCUS, SKATEBOARDER BEAVER FLEMING

On Friday, June 21, the Big Sky Community Organization will host an event at Big Sky Community Park to celebrate the completed renovation of its skatepark and pump track, and construction of the Adventure Park playground.

The pump track upgrades were funded with support from the Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association, and the skatepark upgrades were conducted by Dreamland Skateparks. Both projects received significant funding from Resort Tax, as well as the construction of the new ADA-accessible playground, which includes a toddler play area, a kids zipline and junior towers among other new features.

The Big Sky Community Park Celebration will run from 3 to 8 p.m. on June 21, which is also National Go Skateboarding Day. Beaver Fleming, a professional skateboarder known for his involvement with stunt spectacle Nitro Circus, will drop in for a special guest appearance after working with Camp Big Sky kids earlier in the day.

“We are thrilled to host the Community Park celebration for our town,” Madeleine Feher, director of operations for BSCO, stated in an email to EBS. “This event is a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together, celebrate our shared achievements, and enjoy the beautiful new amenities in the park. We look forward to seeing everyone there and creating an exciting family-friendly event for all to enjoy.”

The event will also include live music from local heavy metal artist Scavenger, building on BSCO’s experimental event last August, Scavenger in the Skatepark.

“Scavenger in the Skatepark turned into a fun, casual community event where skaters, bikers, and music lovers could come together and just enjoy each other’s company,” stated Cassie Carlson, BSCO operations and communication manager, who organized both events. “… I am super stoked to be working with a local band and local vendors to showcase what our community has to offer.”

Vendors including Beehive Basin Brewery and BYWOM will sell food and drink at the event. BSCO gave credit to John Delzer for making Fleming’s appearance possible.

Scavenger performs at the Big Sky Community Park in 2023. COURTESY OF BSCO

Last year, BSCO hosted “Scavenger in the Skatepark” and will build on the event’s popularity at the Big Sky Community Park Celebration. COURTESY OF BSCO

1.

2. 3. Reserve your bear spray at heybear.com & pickup in store. Grab your Hey Bear recreation essentials. Get Outside!

LONE PEAK VET PLANS TO EXPAND AND INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY

BY MARIO CARR EBS CONTRIBUTOR

BIG SKY—The Lone Peak Veterinary Hospital plans to build an expanded facility, including an animal shelter and staff housing. This project is being led by Big Sky’s sole veterinarian for the past seven years, Dr. Stephanie Desmarais—nicknamed “Dr. Syd.” She views this as a community project and hopes the Big Sky community will rally behind her vision.

“Everything’s really moving forward. The biggest crux for me is a capital campaign to get it off the ground,” she said. Through her nonprofit, Riley’s Urgent Fund for Friends (RUFF), Dr. Syd has currently raised $500,000 for the project, and she is looking forward to RUFF’s biggest fundraising event of the year, Mountain Mutt Mania on Aug. 4 in Len Hill Park.

Named after Dr. Syd’s first dog, Riley, RUFF is a nonprofit organization that started in 2020 as a way for Dr. Syd to provide some financial assistance to people who found themselves having to make tough decisions about their pets during an emergency. The mission of RUFF is “to better the lives of animals by removing cost prohibitive barriers for medical access,” according to its website. This nonprofit will be the entity raising funds for the Lone Peak Veterinary Hospital expansion project. LPVH also put in for Resort Tax funding as a one time capital campaign.

Dr. Syd has already been working closely with Big Sky Build and has almost completed the plans for the new building, and says that all the necessary permits should be completed by as early as August. It is estimated the project will cost around $5 million.

In October 2023, Dr. Syd purchased the land for the project, a piece of property directly behind Caliber Coffee and Mountain Pearls Dentistry, with hopes of breaking ground as early as this fall. She hopes to hire an additional veterinarian, as she has seen a surge in demand over the past seven years.

“It’s getting harder and harder for me as one person to accommodate everyone,” she said.

Dr. Syd said that in addition to the much needed space, she plans to fill the new facility with more equipment and resources. She wants this facility to accommodate after-hours urgent care, and overnight care which she says Big Sky is currently lacking.

In addition to the expanded facilities, Dr. Syd plans to fill the second floor of the new building with five apartments for staff members.

“One of the biggest conundrums of the vet clinic is keeping working professionals—who need a certain skill set—here in Big Sky, because it’s just so hard, affordability wise,” she said.

She also made sure to mention that these units will all be pet friendly—she knows it’s difficult for pet owners to rent in Big Sky, and most veterinarians are pet owners.

With a veterinary clinic closing in Ennis recently, Lone Peak Veterinary Hospital has seen an influx of animals coming in from West Yellowstone and Ennis, putting even more stress on their already overloaded facility. The next closest veterinary clinic for Big Sky residents is in Four Corners, so Dr. Syd says that LPVH ends up having to do a lot of emergency care.

The Lone Peak Veterinary Hospital has always acted as a local shelter in Big Sky, and Dr. Syd believes that this will be a crucial part of the new expansion.

When the Sheriff’s office or Fire Department finds a lost or stray dog, Dr. Syd takes it in, checks it out, and does what she can to get it back to its owner, all free of charge as a community service. She hopes that the new shelter will provide opportunities for community members to volunteer and help walk and feed dogs, much like the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter in Bozeman.

Dr. Syd said that there are a lot of moving parts with this project, but she believes that rallying the community behind this expansion will be crucial for the long-term sustainability of the LPVH in Big Sky. She is currently running a business, designing a building, running a nonprofit, and hopes to soon become a landlord if the project succeeds.

“If you wanna do something in Big Sky, you wear a lot of hats,” she said.

Preliminary draft of a possible roundabout. COURTESY OF MDT AND HDR

Dr. Syd administers a shot. COURTESY OF STEPHANIE DESMARAIS

In Big Sky, the intersection of U.S. Highway 191 and Montana Highway 64 is known for long delays during morning and evening commutes.

PARTNERS PHOTO

SIX RANGE - SHOVEL READY PROJECT

Acres: 8.62± | Zoned: R-O

Uses: Residential - Multi-Family Condominiums

Units: 192 total - 25.16 Units/Acre

Status: Horizontal Infrastructure Completed

Listed with EJ Daws | (406) 589-6247

PARKVIEW CROSSING

Acres: 7± | Zoned: R-3

Uses: Residential - Townhomes

Units: 44 Total Townhomes

Status: Permitted and Approved

Listed with Ethan Stokes | (406) 579-1989

NEW BIG SKY NONPROFIT SHARES PRIDE WEEK PLANS

SIDEWALK CHALK, VARIETY SHOW AND PRIDE MARCH PLANNED FOR LATE JUNE

BY JACK REANEY

BIG SKY—One year ago, Big Sky OUT did not exist.

When LGBTQ+ Pride Month rolled around last June, Big Sky’s only queer-focused initiative was a small, informal group of friends called “Big Sky Pride,” who decided to organize a gay pride march.

The initiative blossomed.

Now, Big Sky OUT is a registered nonprofit focused on making Big Sky a place “where individuals of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions can thrive,” according to its mission statement. Big Sky OUT has a five-member board and has planned a four-day schedule of events for Pride Week 2024.

Board member Taylor McCaslin said strong participation in last year’s pride march fueled the community’s desire to keep momentum going as “a legit organization.” Nonprofit status has helped them gain funding and support.

“I love Big Sky OUT,” said board member Morgan Heckerd. “I’m so glad it exists.”

McCaslin, Heckerd and Big Sky OUT founder Brit Dierch have all moved to Big Sky in the past three years. They’ve already felt a change.

“When I first showed up, I didn’t feel like there was any queer community,” Heckerd said. “I knew that there were people who were queer... but there was no cohesive bond to bring the community together for certain events.”

McCaslin agreed, and believes Big Sky OUT has created that unifying space. “It’s helped us connect with each other and find the larger group... Queer people are everywhere, you just have to find them,” he said.

When Diersch began forming the nonprofit, she had concerns about turnover within Big Sky OUT’s leadership, knowing the transient tendency of young folks in Big Sky. But she’s found a solid team, and perhaps the organization will provide another reason to stay.

“Everyone that’s a part of Big Sky OUT right now just has a really big passion for maintaining a queer community in Big Sky,” Diersch said.

Pride Week schedule; Zooey Zephyr and Erin Reed to visit June 29

At the end of June, Big Sky OUT will host a multi-day celebration of the queer community. Organizers believe this will be the first Big Sky’s first-ever official Pride Week.

All events are open to the public, including non-queer allies who wish to support Big Sky OUT’s purpose. Big Sky OUT is still looking for volunteers for the pride march and variety show.

On Wednesday, June 26, Cowboy Coffee will host a postermaking event at 6 p.m. during the Big Sky Farmers Market.

Before Music in the Mountains on Thursday, June 27, Big Sky OUT and its allies will test their sidewalk-chalking skills in a “decorate the town” event around Len Hill Park from 4 to 6 p.m.

On Friday, June 28, Big Sky OUT will host a Queer Variety Show at 8 p.m. at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center.

“This is going to be all sorts of local queer talent,” Diersch explained. “It’s going to be comedians and singers, and burlesque dancers, belly dancers, drag performances. As far as we’re aware of, it’s the first drag show—or show with drag in it—to happen in Big Sky... We’re very, very excited about that.”

The week will culminate on Saturday, June 29.

Big Sky OUT’s pride march will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Len Hill Park, after face painting and poster-making at 1:30.

The march will follow a different route this year, based at Len Hill Park and looping around Town Center.

After the march, a pair of guest speakers—Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr and her fiancée, journalist and activist Erin Reed—will speak to the Big Sky crowd. Both Zephyr and Reed are trans women, and well-known public advocates of the queer community.

After Zephyr and Reed, Big Sky OUT will host a local market featuring participating businesses and allies, and a raffle with items donated by supportive local businesses.

At 6 p.m. that Saturday evening, Gallatin Roller Derby will perform a bout at Len Hill Park—the event was planned independently through the Big Sky Community Organization for the same day, but the Big Sky OUT board is pleased by the overlapping plans—the athletes are going to join the pride march on roller skates.

“Roller derby has historically been a very queer organization,” McCaslin said. “A lot of lesbians tend to participate in roller derby... It was one of those unplanned, but beautiful intersectionalities between the two groups that I think resonated with both of our organizations.”

Safety and support

Big Sky OUT recognizes the bomb threats that impacted Bozeman’s recent Pride Week.

“That was something that we were obviously very heartbroken to see, but I think further cements... the importance of doing pride in a small community like ours,” McCaslin said.

“We don’t let the hate stop us from continuing,” Heckerd said.

Big Sky OUT is working with the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office to ensure a safety plan. Sheriff’s deputies will be on hand during the march to keep the peace.

McCaslin said it has been welcoming to see a surprisingly large, diverse group, including non-queer allies, rally behind Big Sky OUT’s efforts. He said Big Sky OUT has not experienced any reason to feel threatened.

Diersch said Big Sky OUT’s goal is for everyone in Big Sky to feel safe to exist in the way they want to exist. She said the queer community is an identity and a lifestyle—not a political issue—and members are not going to change their lives in response to disapproval from the outside.

“We just want our community to be accepting, and vice versa, we need to be accepting to others too,” Diersch said. Echoing remarks made by leader Ray Black at last year’s pride march, Diersch said Big Sky OUT aims to respond to hate by showing love and respect.

Speaking on a Zoom call with EBS, McCaslin pointed out his virtual background: a photo of Lone Mountain, with stickers showing his pronouns (He/Him) and a pride flag.

“I am very proud to live in this beautiful place... we do have pride in where we live, in who we are in our community, and I think that is the heart of Big Sky OUT,” McCaslin said.

For supporters who don’t identify with the queer community, Diersch said it’s important for communities to show support.

“I really think breaking through that silence is very important, even though it’s really hard for people sometimes. It’s really the only way we know if there’s support,” Diersch said. “... Because unfortunately, silence does leave a lot of room for us queer folk to sometimes assume the worst. We don’t really know if we’re supported, and we feel like we have to be quieter in some situations because we’re not sure if we’re safe.”

McCaslin said a pride flag or a little sticker goes a long way—Big Sky OUT offers stickers to local businesses that say “Everyone is welcome here, #supportlocal,” and those can be picked up at the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce.

He also joked that allies can “silently donate” to the nonprofit if they wish to show support in a non-public way.

Heckerd said it’s valuable for allies to stay curious and educated.

“It is just so nice to be surprised by someone knowing anything about the queer community, if they are not themselves queer,” she said.

Local organizations step up

The group praised the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center and its executive director, John Zirkle, for being “overwhelmingly helpful and supportive,” Heckerd said.

The variety show, a historic evening for Big Sky, would not be possible without Zirkle’s willingness to host it on the WMPAC stage, they agreed.

“WMPAC is thrilled to participate in Pride month in Big Sky,” Zirkle wrote to EBS, “and we are so excited to support Big Sky OUT in their mission to create spaces that foster a vibrant and inclusive LGTBQIA+ community.”

“We love John,” Diersch said.

They also credit the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation for supporting the group “since day one” as they worked to form the nonprofit, Diersch said. Big Sky OUT holds meetings at YCCF’s Social Impact Hub.

Diersch said BASE has been donating space and hosting events since the beginning. Cowboy Coffee has opened their doors, Blue Moon Bakery has donated pizza, and the Hungry Moose has donated hot chocolate for winter events.

“So many businesses in town right now are giving us donations,” she said.

One year ago, on a sunny Thursday afternoon, a colorful mob marched past commuters and into Town Center. Unexpecting drivers, many of them visitors or non-resident workers, honked their horns and waved. Most signals appeared to be accepting, joyful and clear. Leaders took note.

As Pride Week returns this June, Big Sky will have another chance to welcome its own.

Big Sky Pride, which later formed into Big Sky OUT, hosted its first pride march in 2023. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

TWO $10,000 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDED THROUGH FOBSE

In late May, Friends of Big Sky Education awarded new scholarships to two graduated seniors: Chloe Unger and Juliusz Shipman.

In its first year, the Loren Bough Legacy Scholarship for Community Service awarded $10,000 each to two graduating seniors, and is just the start of a yearly contribution from CrossHarbor Capital Partners and Lone Mountain Land Company, which endowed the scholarship.

The scholarship honors Loren Bough’s 14-year legacy of serving the Big Sky School District and community.

“This scholarship is awarded to two graduating students who exemplify a commitment to excellence in service and leadership through volunteerism that enhances living in Big Sky for all community members,” the award description states.

CrossHarbor and LMLC celebrated Unger’s involvement in Big Brothers Big Sisters/ STEM Sisters, varsity sports, Interact Club, National Honors Society and Big Sky Thrift. The letter also noted Unger’s completion of Holistic Emotional First Aid training and teaching HEFA skills to LPHS faculty and businesses across Big Sky.

“Your leadership with Be Well Big Sky and advocating for youth behavioral health needs is

truly admirable and your commitment and dedication to all that you pursue is inspiring,” the award letter stated.

CrossHarbor Capital and LMLC honored Shipman’s involvement in coaching flag football, Big Brothers Big Sisters, intramural volleyball, National Honors Society, reading with younger students and teaching English.

“These dedications impact the future students within the district and reach families across Big Sky,” Shipman’s letter stated.

The Loren Bough Legacy Scholarship for Community Service will continue on an annual basis in the FOBSE scholarship program. EBS STAFF

BIG SKY SCHOOL DISTRICT RECEIVES

$345,000

IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR FIRST ELECTRIC BUS

The Big Sky School District is on its way toward securing its first electric school bus. A May 29 press release from Big Sky Sustainability Network Organization (SNO) stated that BSSD is a grant recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Rebate Program.

The news comes after a successful application for the program by Students for SNO, a group founded by Lone Peak High School juniors Libby Coltea, Frieda Fabozzi and Addy Malinowski. In January, Lizzie Peyton, director of community sustainability for SNO, and community member Barbara Rowley mentored the students as they presented the benefits of electric buses to the school board.

Upon the board’s approval, BSSD will welcome its first electric bus.

“We are thrilled that our community will benefit from cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions, thanks to the efforts of these motivated students,” Peyton stated in the release. “Their advocacy and determination have not only been integral to secure this funding but have also set a powerful example of youth leadership in climate action.”

The CSB Rebate Program is part of a $5 billion federal initiative to incorporate electric school buses and reduce emissions. The program makes electric buses accessible to school districts across the country.

According to the release, an electric bus would result in health improvements, environmental benefits and economic savings. By December 2024, the bus will begin transporting 78 Big Sky students.

“This initiative aligns with similar efforts in other highaltitude, cold-climate communities, demonstrating the feasibility and reliability of electric buses in challenging conditions,” the release stated.

EBS STAFF

LONE PEAK HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2024 COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

FOBSE thanks the businesses, individuals and community organizations who contributed to these scholarships and congratulates all LPHS graduates.

Astrid McGuire

Drew DiTullio

Max Woodger

Matthew Jennings

Maddie Miller

Keelan Grupe

Charlee Sue Dreisbach

Samantha Ayres

Dylan Klein

Piper Niva

Logan Barker

Aidan Germain

Jonah Adams

Greta McClain

David Perdue

Emmy Tatom

Simon Gough

Cash Beattie

Abby Meredith

Juliusz Shipman

Chloe Unger

Vera Grabow Mason Dickerson

Ella

A RIVER NO LONGER RUNS THROUGH IT BSOA

POND RENOVATION RESTORES FLOW OF THE GALLATIN’S WEST FORK, WILL ADD SWIMMING AND FISHING AMENITIES

BY JACK REANEY

BIG SKY—It took about two decades, but a project to dredge and improve community access to Little Coyote Pond—and restore the river’s flow around the pond—is finally within months of the finish line.

The Big Sky Owners Association is behind the renovation, which will cost roughly $2 million once shovels retire. The pond, which BSOA purchased from Big Sky Resort in 1992, was originally intended to collect silt from construction upstream. By around 2005, the pond had filled with silt and BSOA has since been engaged with multiple efforts to dredge the pond— stymied by regulations and water rights negotiations— for almost 20 years.

As of March 2024, it has finally been dredged, and silt will no longer settle in the pond.

The West Fork of the Gallatin River previously flowed through the pond, depositing sediment and eventually flowing through a dam-like structure under the Little Coyote Road bridge. After renovation, the river now circumvents the pond and maintains continuous flow.

Suzan Scott, BSOA executive director, explained the environmental benefits of taking the pond off stream.

“That ensures, first of all, that the pond doesn’t silt back in again. And it allows for the river to once again freely flow downstream without the pond impeding the flow,” Scott said. She added that the vegetation being planted—about 400 native willows, all harvested upstream—to stabilize the man-made riverbank will help filter the river, and water will remain cold as it avoids the stagnant pond.

Kristin Gardner, chief executive and science officer for Gallatin River Task Force, said the new section of river has more curvature, or “sinuosity,” which helps connect the stream to the floodplain and can remove pollutants, including nutrients and sediment. She also confirmed that water will run colder in the west fork as it bypasses the pond.

“It’s definitely a huge benefit to the river system, as far as making sure the waters are cool,” Gardner said.

Due to warm temperatures, trout were not able to spend winters in the shallow, silted-in pond, according to Emma Lawler, BSOA project manager. Plus, the warm water may have impacted the Gallatin River.

Trout need a pond to be about 14 feet deep for winter survival, Lawler said. Scott said they’ll dredge the pond to a new depth between 14 and 16 feet—before the renovation, the pond was between two and five feet deep, increasingly filled with sediment since it was last dredged more than 30 years ago.

A public beach for Big Sky

Aside from benefits to fishery and river health, the pond renovation is intended to improve recreational community access to Little Coyote Pond.

Lawler said fishing and swimming are the key improvements, but the pond—now much deeper—will also welcome kayaks and paddle boards. Because the pond still interacts with the river through controlled headgate and outflow structures, the pond water will be constantly refreshed at a controlled rate, and Lawler said it will be clean and safe for swimming, once construction is complete.

“It’s basically just like swimming in the river,” Lawler said.

On the south side of Little Coyote Pond near the Big Sky Chapel, BSOA will construct a second beach, and plans to construct a small building for equipment storage and restrooms. A waterfront deck would overlook the pond, with an ADA-access ramp connecting the parking lot to the beach.

Other recreational additions include a picnic area, benches, docks and peninsulas for fishing, and a trail wrapping around the pond, parallel to Little Coyote Road. BSOA hopes to collaborate with Camp Big Sky and offer the pond for group activities like paddleboard yoga.

In 2020, BSOA surveyed its members about the pond project. Seventy-seven percent voted in favor, with 16% unsure, Scott said.

“That told our board of directors to move forward with this and expend the money,” she said. Excavators finally dug in by late September 2023. Lawler said most people who understand the project

have expressed positive feedback. They’re excited for a new public gathering space and a beach.

“It looked like a pretty gnarly mud pit for a while, but that’s just because they encountered a really high excess of dredge material,” Lawler said—about 12,500 cubic yards of silt, much more than expected.

Lawler added that under the bridge, a dam of sticks and logs had been helping keep the pond full. It was apparently the work of local beavers. Construction crews needed to remove the dam—doing so all but emptied the pond—but Lawler was happy to report that the beavers are still thriving, just a bit downstream.

“They’re very resilient, and they came back strong,” Lawler said.

A final fundraising push

The restoration “earth work” to dredge the pond and restore river flow is complete, Lawler said, but the pond’s beautification and recreation amenities remain.

Remaining work will cost about $300,000 or $400,000— due to rising costs and evolving plans, that amount is still “a moving target,” Scott said. BSOA has exhausted its budget for the project, and additional fundraising will be necessary to reach the goal of finishing before this upcoming winter.

Grants and fundraising—to the tune of $887,000— have covered roughly half of the project thus far. Large contributions came from Resort Tax, Lone Mountain Land Company, Rotary Club of Big Sky, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and a Gallatin County Open Lands Grant.

Amy Wiezalis, recently hired as communications, outreach and development manager, will strategize the remaining fundraising. She’s excited about her first project.

“It’s gonna be special,” Weizalis said. “From the perspective of a parent, there was no organized place to take your kids, your family swimming.”

BSOA created a nonprofit, Benefit Big Sky, to raise money for community projects like this, and is hosting an online auction to raise money for the project.

“I believe we have a lot of interest in getting this done, from our members but also the community, and I think we can fundraise for that,” Scott said. “... It’s a great project, it’s a win-win-win-win, all the way around.”

One beach is already constructed on the north side of the pond.

PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

Proposed recreational improvements. COURTESY OF BSOA

The West Fork of the Gallatin River now flows around Little Coyote Pond. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

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A&E

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ARTISTS TO PAINT BIG SKY LANDSCAPES, TEACH PLEIN AIR FUNDAMENTALS

SECOND ANNUAL PAINT UNDER THE BIG SKY FESTIVAL AIMS TO BUILD OUTDOOR PAINTING INTO BIG SKY’S GROWING ART SCENE

BY JACK REANEY

BIG SKY—In June, more than two dozen painters will visit Big Sky to practice “en plein air,” the art of painting outdoors, as they capture Gallatin Canyon landscapes. As part of a competition for the second annual Paint Under the Big Sky event, they must paint between Spanish Creek and Taylor Fork, including Big Sky, during the month of June.

The painters’ completed works will be sold in the Big Sky Artists’ Studio and Gallery from June 29 to July 31, according to a press release from the nonprofit Big Sky Artists’ Collective. The gallery will launch on June 29 from 5 to 8 p.m., including awards to top artists.

“Plein air painters have become an important historical resource to record and capture local scenery with emotion and passion for future generations,” the press release stated.

Interested artists can register through the event website. Competition classes are divided into “experienced” and “open” categories.

In addition, 36 kids aged 6 to 15 years old will spend June working on a plein air painting. The program, Plein Air Kids, is free and registration is open online. The Artists’ Collective will provide free art kits, which must be used to be eligible for the kids’ gallery.

The children’s works will also be judged and awarded, on June 29 from 1 to 4 p.m., and sold for $30 apiece, with $25 going to the young artist and the other $5 for supplies.

A few adults can learn plein air, through the Let’s Try Plein Air program open to six beginners, age 16 or older. Registration is already full, but the class will be offered again in the fall. Local painter Annie McCoy will guide the beginner program, from June 7 to 9.

Building a new art tradition

In April, the Big Sky Resort Area District granted $10,000 to the nonprofit Artists’ Collective for this summer’s Paint Under the Big Sky, to help the program expand. The grant came from BSRAD’s Opportunity Fund, after the BSRAD board reviewed the application for $12,115 on April 17.

“We decided that PUBS last year, even though it was on a small scale, we wanted it to go big,” McCoy said, explaining the grant application to the BSRAD board.

The press release stated that programs are offered for free thanks to BSRAD’s “generous support,” but BSRAD board members still expressed hope that

this event would transition away from public tax dollars in future years.

Maggie Shane, gallery director and president, also spoke to the board explaining why the one-year-old nonprofit applied for Resort Tax funding.

“The gallery is all volunteer, we have no staff, all of the artists work at the gallery. And we give 90 to 70% back to the artists, so a little bit of an ask to help us get this off the ground,” Shane said.

McCoy said Livingston has benefitted from a popular plein air festival, as well as other Western mountain towns with established painting festivals. The Artists Collective hopes that Paint Under the Big Sky will grow into a significant attraction for Big Sky, bringing new visitors every year in June and September.

Plein air artist Annie McCoy prepares to paint along the Gallatin River. COURTESY OF BIG SKY ARTISTS’ COLLECTIVE

ROAD TRIP: LAVA HOT SPRINGS

A HISTORIC IDAHO TOWN CENTERED ON WELLNESS, NATURE AND HEALING WATERS

BY LESLIE KILGORE

This time of year, I’m always looking for new hot springs to soak and rest after the many months of winter sports and belowfreezing temperatures, and before the hot summer days of July and August arrive.

One of my favorites in the area is Lava Hot Springs in Idaho. Just a five-hour drive from Big Sky, the town is filled with a variety of hot pools along the Portneuf River to go cold plunging and tubing in as well. There’s a waterpark during the summer months with an Olympic size pool, water slides and several large diving platforms. It’s always chilly enough to have a good soak in some varying water temps, but also nice to enjoy the sunshine and the blossoming gardens that surround the property.

My daughter and I recently visited the springs on our way home from a trip to the East Coast. We often fly out of Salt Lake City airport, both for cheaper flights and so we can stay at Lava Hot Springs for a night or two.

Like many small towns in the Rocky Mountain region, there’s a history to the area of Lava Hot Springs, which is indicative of the architecture on its Main Street. While many Airbnb cabins and tiny homes have recently popped up around town and along the river, the historical buildings and hotels, each with their own hot spring pools, still take precedence. Many of the hotels also offer day passes, which are a bit more expensive, but provide a quieter soak than the main pools and facilities in town.

My favorite hotel is the Lava Hot Springs Inn and Spa for an overnight stay or a day pass and water therapy treatment. A very eclectic and historic hotel, guests are offered a complimentary hot breakfast each morning and priority on spa appointments, which include a variety of healing modalities in their water therapy pool right along the river.

Along with soaking, tubing and lots of water time, Lava Hot Springs also offers some fun shopping, a few coffee shops with healthy snacks and smoothies, and good dining options downtown, all within walking distance from the hotels and hot springs. Here are a few of my favorite.

Dempsey Creek Trading Company is the best shop in town to wander through and look at the intricate Native American jewelry, rugs, clothing, blankets and skulls. Their jewelry and stone collections are robust, and the owner is knowledgeable and helpful in sharing information.

Purple Moon World Market is another fun store to peruse with plenty of crystals, candles, jewelry, astrological trinkets and other knickknacks that fit with the vibe of the wellness-focused community.

While dining options are limited in Lava, there are a few spots that stand out. The Portneuf Grille and Lounge is located in the Riverside Hot Springs Inn and Spa and offers a relaxed atmosphere that the owners describe as “an ambiance that reflects a time gone by of Lava’s 20s and 30s, where the West and bootlegging inspired a storied history.” The menu highlights dishes with Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain influences and a great regional wine menu too. The patio along the river in the summer makes the experience even better.

Riverwalk Thai Food has been a staple in Lava Hot Springs for decades and is great for a low-key, quick meal with authentic homemade dishes and reasonable prices.

The Rooftop Bar is a fun stop for American bar staples and their Day Drinkers Breakfast Buffet on Saturdays and Sundays is great for those who like a big meal at the start of their day. It’s “all you can eat” for $10.99 per person, and the Bloody Marys are good too. The views are fantastic when the weather is right.

While there are a lot of activities to choose from when visiting Lava Hot Springs at any time of year, the Spring into Wellness festival would be an ideal trip to plan for those looking to improve their health and wellbeing, which is a big draw for many who visit the area. The weekend includes speakers, exhibitors, healthy meals, body treatments and plenty of water therapy.

Lava Hot Springs is a great destination to unwind and unplug, whether it’s for one night passing by to other Idaho and Utah destinations or for a multiday visit. Everything is within walking distance, the options for soaking are plenty and the riverside body treatments never disappoint. It’s a spot I’ve been visiting for more than 25 years that has not changed much in that time, and I never seem to tire of how I feel after an annual visit.

Dempsey Creek Trading Company is known for its western artifacts, gems, Native American jewelry textiles and more. PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE

Lava Hot Springs’ warmest pool is surrounded by their lush gardens and is 112 degrees. PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE

The main pools at Lava Hot Springs have a variety of temperatures and sizes for all ages. PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE

Lava Hot Springs’ warmest pool is surrounded by their lush gardens and is 112 degrees. PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE

Annual

Black Diamond Business Awards Dinner 27th

Tuesday, June 18 Big Sky Resort, 5 - 9 PM

Leader in Sustainability

An individual or business who pushes the boundaries of sustainable action.

Big Sky Recycling Center

Big Sky Resort

Gallatin River Guides

Hungry Moose

Junk In The Trunk

Lizzie Peyton, Big Sky Sno

Max Scheder-Bieschin

Outlaw Partners

Water and Sewer

YES Compost

The Master of Making it Happen

An individual who transforms ambition into reality, and turns visions into victories.

Al Malinowski, Big Sky Post Office

Alli Mooradian, Yellowstone Club

Amy Vance, Big Sky Bandage

Danny Bierschwale, Big Sky Resort Area District

Eric Ladd, Outlaw Partners

John Haas, Haas Builders

John Zirkle, Warren Miller Performing Arts Center

Non-Profit

Person of the Year

An individual that has achieved success for our community in this capacity.

Jess Olson, Gallatin River Task Force

Anna Shipley, Moonlight Community Foundation

Becky Brockie, The Big Sky Housing Trust

Brittany Diersch, Big Sky Out

Kiernan McCarthy, Wellness In Action

Kim Hall, Greater Gallatin United Way

Steph Kissell, Morning Star Learning Center

Whitney Montgomery, Big Sky Community Organization

Chet Huntley Lifetime Achievement Award

An individual who has, over a period of time, provided leadership to our community.

Retired Fire Chief Greg Megaard

David O’Connor, Big Sky Housing Trust

John Haas, Haas Builders

John Hannas, Lone Peak School District

For the past 27 years, the Big Sky Chamber has honored excellence in the business community with Black Diamond Business Awards. Our members nominate their peers in this celebration of hard work that is done in service of Big Sky. This year’s nominees are:

Business Person of the Year

An individual who helps elevate Big Sky with their service to our community.

Benjamin Axe, The Waypoint

Cara Blodgett, The Rocks

Dr. Kaley Burns, Big Sky Natural Health

Kelly Kern, The Hungry Moose

Mandy Hotovy, The Wilson

Paul Makarechian, Lone Mountain Ranch

Tanner Dunlap, First Tracks Tire

Taylor Middleton, Big Sky Resort

Twist Thompson, Blindside Burger, Blue Buddha, Drunken Monk, Tres Toros

Business of the Year

A business that best exemplifies success in our community this past year.

Ace Hardware

Alpine Property Management

Big Sky Build

Big Sky Thrift

Montage Big Sky

River House

Santosha Wellness Center

Surefoot

The Rocks Tasting Room

Emerging Entrepreneur

A person who has brought fresh entrepreneurial engagement to the Big Sky Business Community.

Andrew Robin, Peak Creatives Design

Caroline Kelter, Blue Bird

Love Street Media and Second Season, Erik Morrison

Janet and Brandon Tran, Big Sky Noodles/Scoops

Patrick Griffith, Blue Moon Bakery

Sam Rickenbaugh, Rocky Mountain Toy Company

Shawna Bennett, The Big Sky Experience

Vicky Childres and Beth Johnson, Reset Big Sky

THANK YOU SPONSORS

BIG SKY EVENTS CALENDAR

Thursday, June 13 - Wednesday, June 26

If your next event falls between June 27 - July 10, please submit it to media@theoutlawpartners.com by June 19.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13

Visit Big Sky Tourism and Marketing Luncheon (registration required)

The Wilson Hotel, 11:30 a.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 14

Live Music: Kent Johnson The Waypoint, 6 p.m.

Live Music: Ticket Sauce Tips Up, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

Big Sky SNO Highway Cleanup Upper Deer Creek River Access, 8 a.m.

Stop, Drop and Collage Museum of the Rockies (Bozeman), 10 a.m.

International Folk Dancing Class Bozeman Public Library (Bozeman), 3 p.m.

Welcome to Summer Party with DJ Take a Chance Tips Up, 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 16

St. Joseph of Big Sky Catholic Mission Big Sky Chapel, 8 a.m.

All Saints in Big Sky Big Sky Chapel, 10 a.m.

Free Guided Plant Walk Triple Tree Trailhead (Bozeman), 10 a.m.

Soldiers Chapel Service Soldiers Chapel, 11 a.m.

Big Sky Christian Fellowship Big Sky Chapel, 4:30 p.m.

Fathers Day Whiskey and Cigars

The Montage Hotel, 5 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 17

Big Sky Water Plan public meeting The Wilson Hotel, 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 18

27th Annual Black Diamond Business Awards Dinner (registration required) Big Sky Resort, 4 p.m.

Bozeman Farmers Market Lindley Park (Bozeman), 5 p.m.

Ben Goldfarb, guest author; discussion on wildlife crossings Big Sky Community Library, 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19

Big Sky Farmers Market Town Center, 5 p.m.

Trivia The Waypoint, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

Community Yoga Kickoff Len Hill Park, 8 a.m.

Music in the Mountains: Jeff Crosby Band Len Hill Park, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

BSCO Community Park Celebration Big Sky Community Park, 3 p.m.

Wilson Lobby Jazz Concert The Wilson Hotel, 5 p.m.

Live Music: Outlaw Soul Tips Up, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

Live Music: Old Man Ben and the Grown Ass Men The Waypoint, 8:30 p.m.

Live Music: DJ Chedda Tips Up, 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23

St. Joseph of Big Sky Catholic Mission Big Sky Chapel, 8 a.m.

All Saints in Big Sky Big Sky Chapel, 10 a.m.

Soldiers Chapel Service Soldiers Chapel, 11 a.m.

Big Sky Christian Fellowship Big Sky Chapel, 4:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 24

Hike Big Sky: Free guided hike with BSCO South Fork Storybook Trailhead, 8 a.m.

June 2024 Networking with Prospera Peak Skis (Four Corners), 3 p.m.

Riverscapes: Unseen Universe—Pop-Up Exhibition & Fundraiser Beehive Basin Brewery, 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26

Watercolor Wednesdays BASE, 1 p.m.

Big Sky Farmers Market Town Center, 5 p.m.

FEATURED EVENT: Big Sky Sustainability Network Organization (SNO) will hold its highway cleanup on Saturday morning, June 15. The event aims to clean up 2 miles along U.S. Highway 191 and volunteers can meet at the Deer Creek River Access starting at 9 a.m. followed by snacks and drinks post-clean.

DINING

SAVOR BIG SKY CELEBRATES MONTANA CULINARY CREATIONS

BY LESLIE KILGORE

As summer kicks into full swing in Big Sky, Big Sky Resort will host its second annual Savor Big Sky food, wine and spirits festival June 27 through 30. The three-day event includes a variety of tastings, dinners, seminars and lunches focused on pairing wine and spirits with culinary creations that reflect Montana and the Rocky Mountain culture, all alongside the backdrop of Lone Mountain.

“This is the third event I have done with Savor and I am so excited to be a part of it,” said Montana-based chef, Daniel Cox. “Multi course dinners with beautiful wine pairings are what I’m most passionate about and I plan on making this one incredibly special.”

The weekend’s events include pairings and tastings with world-renowned chefs, wineries, breweries and spirit purveyors using local ingredients and recipes that celebrate summer in Montana.

“With my business as a private chef, these opportunities to cook for large events like this are really exciting and fun for me,” said Cox. “I’m looking forward to highlighting dishes that I love and sharing that with the guests of Savor.

Along with food, wine and spirits, the weekend’s events will include hikes and scenic chairlift rides on Ramcharger 8 to several culinary events at Everett’s 8800.

New to Savor this year is the Reds and Ribs lunch at Lone Mountain Ranch, featuring more of Montana’s Western culture and the region’s culinary roots.

“We’re excited to be part of Savor Big Sky again this year and thrilled to take a bigger role by hosting a luncheon in the Ranch Hall,” said Michael Jacquard, food and beverage director at Lone Mountain Ranch. “The Ribs and Reds luncheon will pair Lone Mountain Ranch’s famous BBQ with wines from K Vintners out of Washington State. We’re also delighted to take part and share all that Big Sky has to offer at the Grand Tasting again. It was such a great community event last year.”

The Lone Mountain Ranch culinary team will share dishes at the Grand Tasting again this year, along with other local chefs from the Wilson Hotel and Block 3, Montage Big Sky and Thorn Apple Baking.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this year’s Savor Big Sky event and will be showcasing some of our new dishes in Cortina,” said Michael Patria, executive chef at Montage Big Sky. “Members of our culinary team will be in attendance and are excited to meet guests and share details about our cuisine and summer programming. The destination in summer is

the perfect location for enjoying community and the culinary attractions in Big Sky.”

Another new event this year is Trailhead Tastings, which will include a guided hike followed by a three-course, wine-paired lunch featuring high altitude wines with Chef Emily Hahn from Mountain Provisions, who is new to the Big Sky area. She said she’ll be using ingredients carefully curated from several local farms in Montana for the event.

“I have discovered that the best way to connect to people when you are new is through community-driven events such as local farmers markets, local farmers, and locally-driven food events such as Savor Big Sky,” Hahn said. “While it’s always a pleasure to cook private dinners for our beloved clients, a larger local platform like this gives me an opportunity to truly connect, shake hands, make people smile through my food and introduce myself to new faces.”

Savor Big Sky will kick off on Thursday evening at Peaks Chophouse & Wine Lounge, and continue through Friday and Saturday with several events leading up to the Welcome Party on Friday night and the Grand Tasting on Saturday. Sunday’s Bubbles + Brunch will cap off the culinary weekend.

For the full four-day schedule, details about each event and to purchase tickets, visit bigskyresort. com/savor.

This year’s event will include wine from K Vintners out of Washington State. PHOTO BY CLAIRE LICHTWARDT/BIG SKY RESORT

Savor takes advantage of Big Sky Resort’s natural beauty and views of Lone Mountain. PHOTO BY CLAIRE LICHTWARDT/BIG SKY RESORT

Last year’s premiere event brought wine and food lovers to taste Montana cuisine in higher elevations. PHOTO BY CLAIRE LICHTWARDT/BIG SKY RESORT

COMMUNITY, BREWS AND BIKES RECAPPING THE FIRST HEADWATERS LAGER FESTIVAL

BY TAYLOR OWENS

THREE FORKS—The Headwaters Lager Festival at Bridger Brewing’s Three Forks location on June 1 featured lagers from over 15 of the best Montana-based breweries, as well as live music, food trucks and community fun.

All proceeds from the event supported Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association, a nonprofit committed to building and enhancing access to trails for mountain bikers in this region. The event featured a group bike ride with SWMMBA at Copper City, as well as the ability to demo bikes with Owenhouse Cycling.

The festival allowed participants to sample brews from all over the state of Montana with their ticket. Breweries included at the festival were Philipsburg Brewing Company; Blackfoot River Brewing Co; MAP Brewing Company; Bayern Brewing; Cranky Sam Brewing; Butte Brewing Company; Katabatic Brewing Co.; Last Best Place Brewing Company; Bozeman Brewing Company; Lewis & Clark Brewing Co.; Copper Furrow Brewing; Beehive Basin Brewery; Neptune’s Brewery; Smelter City Brewing; and Sawdust and Steel Brewing; and the host, Bridger Brewing.

Each person attending the event was given a red ticket to cast their vote for their favorite brewery of the evening. Smelter City Brewing from Anaconda, Montana walked away as the crowd’s favorite of this year’s festival.

The event featured live music by Roadrunner and Chester Floyd, and guests filled the lawn while sitting and enjoying the music.

Great Creations Mobile Kitchen food truck was also available at the event, serving up

dishes including currywurst, garlic parmesan fries and fresh salads to pair with the brews.

Prior to the festival, Bridger Brewing was the recipient of a handful of major awards given at the International Beer and Cider Awards for their beers.

“[We] just had the North American Beer Awards hosted in Idaho Falls,” said Jason Brenden, head brewer at Bridger Brewing. “We were lucky enough to come away with four medals there and the Wildlands Mexican Lager took bronze in that category.”

The awards given to Bridger Brewing at the International Beer and Cider Awards included bronze for Wildlands Festival Mexican Lager; bronze for Higher Haze IPA; silver for Premo Pilsner; and gold for Blue Horse Kolsch.

The Wildlands Festival Mexican Style Lager, a beer brewed in collaboration with Outlaw Partners, publisher of Explore Big Sky, for this summer’s live music event, was available at Bridger Brewing that evening. Bridger Brewing will donate 5% of gross sales of the Wildlands Mexican Style Lager to the beneficiaries of the festival.

“Super stoked to have everyone out here enjoying everyone's great lagers, and we're extra excited to have our Wildlands Mexican Lager on tap today,” Brenden said. “It's a really nice, easy-drinking Mexican style lager. We've got a little bit of corn in there, some Vienna malt, which adds a little bit of sweetness, a little bit of character. Nice and light, a perfect summer beer.”

When asked what he was most excited about this summer, Bridger Brewing owner David Breck responded.

“Our Summer Concert Series,” Breck said, referring to the Three Forks location’s live music offerings. "We’ve got an incredible lineup of acts coming this year."

Bridger Brewing is set to host their biggest year of shows in 2024 with many different acts gracing their stage. Some of these artists and events include Paul Cauthen, Grace Potter, Kitchen Dwellers and a two-night bluegrass festival.

The Headwaters Lager Festival hosted live music, celebrated the region's lagers and raised money for the Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association. PHOTO BY TAYLOR OWENS

The event featured live music from Roadrunner and Chester Floyd. PHOTO BY TAYLOR OWENS

A LA CARTE: RANCH STYLE

BY RACHEL HERGETT EBS COLUMNIST

Let’s talk about something controversial: ranch dressing.

Maybe you put it on everything. Maybe you think it’s basic and boring. Maybe the idea of ranch on pizza makes you seethe. Or maybe you can’t eat pizza without ranch.

No matter how you feel about it, ranch has been the most popular dressing in the United States since 1992. Statistically, it blows every other dressing out of the water.

My earliest memories of ranch dressing are tied to my grandmother’s garden in Billings and summers filled with fresh vegetables. Grandma Dora, like her father before her, was a magical gardener. As summer went on, it gifted us an endless supply of carrots, kohlrabi, cucumbers and more—but those three were my favorites. I remember filling my arms with vegetables, taking them to the hose by the back door for a rinse and then heading inside to the fridge.

On the bottom shelf of the fridge door, a Tupperware dressing container waited. Inside that, of course, was a seemingly endless supply of Hidden Valley ranch dressing, made from the packets.

Hidden Valley is the original ranch, I’ve since learned. It was created by Steve Henson in the ’50s, and was served at his Hidden Valley Ranch before being commercialized. Yes, the namesake was an actual working ranch called Hidden Valley.

My ranch dressing tastes have evolved, however. I can’t remember the last time I bought a Hidden Valley packet, though it remains the ranch-iest of ranch tastes in my book. Thinking about this column this week, I mentioned the idea to a friend, who immediately asked me to define “ranch” dressing. I quoted chives, garlic, and buttermilk.

“What makes ranch ranch?” Julia Moskin writes in the New York Times. “It’s a combination of creaminess (from buttermilk, sour cream, sometimes mayonnaise) and herbaceousness (often parsley, thyme, dill), plus a long pull of allium (onion and garlic) and a shot of black pepper.”

This jives well with my own definition. Still, the beauty of ranch is that there is no one way to make it. While Hidden Valley is the standard, even they have changed up the recipe over the years. I highly doubt Henson used maltodextrin and xanthan gum—both of which are in the ingredients on the powdered package version. These seem to be modern additions based more on shelf life than quality of ingredients.

Truth is, you don’t need the package at all. If your kitchen is even minimally stocked, you probably have everything you need to make ranch in a matter of minutes.

I make ranch dressing in a jar. This allows me to toss ingredients in, lid up, and shake the hell out of it in lieu of stirring and having to wash more dishes—I detest doing dishes.

Start with the creamy ingredients. I tend toward a mayonnaise and sour cream combo, with buttermilk added to make it more like a dressing and less like a dip. But you could use plain yogurt and any sort of unsweetened milk. These ingredients are a guide and not a rule. And really, who keeps buttermilk on hand at all times? A small cap full of vinegar in regular old milk will give you that same tang. Another alternative is buttermilk powder, which lives in the baking section of most grocery stores.

Fill the jar up a quarter of the way with mayo. Add another quarter jar worth of sour cream, then splash some buttermilk over it. You’re looking for consistency here. If you want a more pourable dressing, use more milk or buttermilk. If you like it more dippable, add less.

Next, you need to spice up your creamy base. My go-to is chives and garlic, salt and pepper. Simple and classic. These are dry ingredients that are always in my cupboard. But remember the possibilities. Fresh ingredients are welcome additions. Spice is also nice. Think chipotle ranch, buffalo ranch or bacon ranch. A dill-forward ranch can be a nice departure, especially as the plants grow out of control in the summer. Sometimes my ranch dressing becomes a cilantro and serrano ranch perfect for salads with a southwest flair. And if I go that route, I consider avocado as an alternative or addition to some of the creamy ingredients.

I’m usually tasked with bringing salads to dinner parties, so I must be doing something right. To me, ranch is neither basic nor boring. It’s a base that allows me to experiment with flavors. And yes, I do put it on pizza—at least the mildly soggy frozen kind that Grandma Dora also kept on hand.

Rachel Hergett is a foodie and cook from Montana. She is arts editor emeritus at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and has written for publications such as Food Network Magazine and Montana Quarterly. Rachel is also the host of the Magic Monday Show on KGLT-FM and teaches at Montana State University.

PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT

PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT

BUSINESS

ENJOYING THE RIDE

THE STOCK MARKET IN OUR DAILY LIVES

BY MICHAEL HILLIARD EBS CONTRIBUTOR

Sponsored Article

I’ve heard many times— in both good and bad markets—confusion about the stock market. Some say it’s like gambling, others think it’s too confusing, and many only invest through their workplace retirement plan.

I’ve thought a lot about this, and wanted to highlight the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which is an assembly of thirty stocks across ten industries and one of the more popular benchmark indexes.

So, let’s look at the components of the Dow thirty and how they fit into the typical American lifestyle, with over 300 million United States citizens.

How many of us wake up and check our Apple device for messages and news, before using a Proctor & Gamble or Johnson & Johnson product, and take medicine developed by Merck & Company or Amgen? At work, do we fire up our IBM computer, which contains software from Microsoft, Intel, and Cisco? Don’t we use sticky notes from 3M to keep ourselves organized? Our employer may use systems from

Salesforce and your healthcare benefits may include United Health or Travelers Insurance.

Do we fill up our cars with Chevron gas, and drive to McDonalds to drink a Coke with lunch, while paying with a Visa credit card? When we come home, there could be a package from Amazon, and we’ll likely watch television or use a computer supported through the Verizon network. Furthermore, much of the infrastructure we experience during the day could have been forged by Caterpillar.

On the weekend, we put on Nike apparel and run errands to Home Depot and Walmart. We pay bills and check our finances, possibly using the services of big banks such as JP Morgan or Goldman Sachs. For vacation, we take the kids to Walt Disney World and fly in a Boeing airplane, which uses components from the Dow Company and Honeywell, while paying for the trip with an American Express card.

And that’s the Dow thirty in simple terms. So, the question is, if these companies are so embedded in our lives, and each strives to make a profit, wouldn’t it be prudent to work with a financial advisor to invest, specific to your risk posture, time frames, and financial goals?

Michael Hilliard is a Managing Director at Shore to Summit Wealth Management. He currently works and lives in Severna Park, MD with his wife and children.

Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is not a legal or tax advisor. Be sure to consult your own tax advisor and investment professional before taking any action that may involve tax consequences.

Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network did not assist in the preparation of this report, and its accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed. The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network or its affiliates. The material has been prepared or is distributed solely for information purposes and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network and Shore to Summit Wealth Management are not legal or tax advisors. You should consult with your attorney, accountant and/or estate planner before taking any action.

Shore to Summit Wealth Management is located at 105 E. Oak Street, Unit 1A Bozeman, MT 59715 # 406-219-2900.

This advertisement was written by Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network and provided to you by Michael Hilliard, Managing Director. Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Shore to Summit Wealth Management is a separate entity from WFAFN.

©2023 – 2024 Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

As market experts, Outlaw Realty offers a complimentary equity analysis based on current market values. To schedule an assessment, give us a call or scan the QR code below. CURIOUS ABOUT THE MARKET?

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Clean your gear and watercraft. Remove mud, water, and vegetation after every trip. Use a brush and water, there is no need for chemicals.

Drain water from your boat and equipment at your access point. Pull the drain plug. Use a sponge for items that can’t be drained. Dry your equipment thoroughly. The longer you allow waders and other equipment to dry out between trips, the better.

ENVIRONMENT DISPATCHES FROM THE WILD: WHICH INVASIVE PLANTS TO FOCUS ON

HOW TO IDENTIFY AND FIGHT NOXIOUS WEEDS TO PROTECT PRIME HABITAT

BY BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY EBS COLUMNIST

This is the second installment in a three-part series on invasive plants. Read my last column to see what is at stake and how invasive species ruin wildlife habitat. In parts two and three, we will explore specific invasive plants and how to manage them.

Rest assured, the best defense against weeds is within your reach.

Start by taking a photo and marking the invasive plant’s location on your GPS unit once you spot it in your yard or the backcountry. Then, contact your county weed district or the local office of the Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management, or state wildlife agency. These organizations play a crucial role in fighting invasive plant species, and asking to speak to the range management specialist or noxious weed coordinator can provide you with the most relevant and practical guidance. These steps, when taken, can genuinely make a huge difference.

According to Montana State University research, vinegar is an alternative to herbicides when it comes time to fight the weeds.

Skeletonweed

Rush skeletonweed, aptly named for its rapid spread, has gained notoriety as it races across Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, and now Montana. It poses a significant threat to our ecosystems.

“I feel like I am on top of a dike that springs a leak, and before you know it, I am plugging holes with all ten fingers and ten toes,” says former Bitterroot National Forest ecologist Gil Gail.

This Eurasian native sprouts 20,000 seeds per plant. Like dandelion seeds, they’re built to ride the wind for miles. Skeletonweed has blown deep into the backcountry, far from any trail to places that can be nearly impossible to treat before an area becomes a trash-forage monoculture.

However, there is hope. Agencies, weed districts and groups like Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are joining forces to stop or at least slow its spread, attacking new infestations before they gain a foothold. Nineteen states are reporting infestations. The most effective treatments are herbicides. Non-toxic methods include spraying vinegar or using biocontrols, which have shown promising results in controlling the spread of these invasive species.

Spotted knapweed

Knapweed hitchhiked with alfalfa seed shipments from Eurasia to America in the 1800s. It now chokes out native plants across the West, grasping the dirt with a stout taproot and injecting its herbicide into the soil to kill off its native neighbors. It jumps on other plants in early spring, then generates flowers

Sand thousands of seeds straight into the fall after most plants have wilted.

Early detection and rapid response are vital in managing invasive plant species. Researchers have counted knapweed infestations with 2 million plants per acre, snuffing native forage so completely that biologists have seen declines in elk, mule deer, moose and pronghorn numbers in hard-hit locations.

Yet weevils that attack seeds and roots, combined with repeated annual herbicide treatments, can K.O. knapweed and restore the vitality of infested landscapes. The species has infested 48 states.

Another non-toxic method to kill knapweed includes weevils and vinegar.

Yellow starthistle

Covered in yellow flowers and wicked thorns, this invasive arrived in California as a stowaway from the Mediterranean in the 1850s and quickly spread across five other western states. Starthistle barely needs water to survive and uses drought and wildfire to infiltrate prime wildlife habitats, choking out native plants with impenetrable stands five feet tall.

It’s also poisonous—it paralyzes the lips, tongues and esophagus of livestock and wildlife alike, eventually leading to starvation. People, meanwhile, need chaps to walk through it as starthistle can shred jeans in minutes. Most importantly, anyone tangling with Starthistle on foot or in a vehicle must inspect for seeds. They eagerly cling to fur, hair, or clothing and readily adhere to the tires and undercarriages of vehicles. They also infiltrate hay that is not certified as weed-free.

Forty-one states report infestation. Hairy weevils and biocontrols, as well as herbicides, help control the spread, and hand-pulling and/or using vinegar are the most effective treatments.

Cheatgrass

Cheatgrass is from Europe, Africa and Asia snuck into the U.S. in a wheat shipment in 1861. It’s now found in all 50 states and has overrun over 100 million acres in the West, disrupting and displacing the bunchgrass and sagebrush communities on which thousands of elk and mule deer rely.

Your role in this fight is crucial. By being vigilant and reporting sightings, you can help prevent the further spread of these invasive species. When most plants have barely turned green, cheatgrass is already done growing and is curing to rusty red, arrow-shaped seeds tailor-made to drive pets, livestock, wildlife and sock-wearing humans crazy. It has notoriously shallow roots that deplete soil organics, kill off lichen, fungi and microbes that store water, and slow erosion and stymie wildfire.

By mid-summer, cheatgrass is so combustible that it’s often compared to gasoline. Research shows that the average fire rate in some areas has accelerated from twice per century to almost once a year, and cheatgrass probably has much to do with it. Scientists are working on defenses. A bacterium native to North America that weakens cheatgrass root systems and allows native plants to compete has been greenlighted by regulators and is now being tested as a bio-herbicidal spray. Here’s hoping it proves lethal to cheat.

Benjamin Alva Polley is a place-based storyteller with stories published in Adventure Journal, Audubon, Esquire, Field & Stream, The Guardian, Outside, Popular Science, Sierra, and other publications on his website. He holds a master’s in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism from the University of Montana.

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO

COURTESY OF MONTANA WEED CONTROL ASSOCIATION

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO

BIG SKY STUDENTS SHARE STORIES FROM MULTI-DAY

YELLOWSTONE

FIELD TRIP

EXPEDITION YELLOWSTONE RETURNS TO BIG SKY SCHOOL TRADITION

BY JEREMY HARDER GUEST COLUMNIST

Expedition Yellowstone is a four- to five-day adventure into the world’s first National Park. Since Ophir Middle School students began attending back in the late 1990s, they have broken into “clans,” or small collaborative groups, and explored the magic of Yellowstone National Park by diving deep into geology, ecology and human history.

While staying in cabins in the Lamar Valley or dorms in Mammoth Hot Springs, fourth and eighth grade students practice essential life skills like preparing meals, cleaning sleeping quarters and building resilience by hiking five to eight hours daily while surveying the park.

The trip has recently evolved since COVID. Before then, fourth grade students accompanied by me, Mr. Coppola and numerous outstanding Big Sky volunteers, would venture into the park for what most locals call “EY.” As the school district realigns its mission and staff placements, beginning this year, the trip will be moved from fourth grade to a culminating middle school adventure in eighth grade, led by Dr. Eisele.

This year, Ophir was fortunate to still send both a fourth and eighth grade class in March. These reflective stories are written by students from the eighth grade class of 2024—now enjoying summer break.

A final campfire: The importance of Expedition Yellowstone

By Charlotte Merryman and Andrew Reed

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend a week in the wild?

Earlier this March, eighth grade students from Ophir Middle School answered this question with a four-day ruck into Yellowstone. This outing, known as Expedition Yellowstone, was an educational journey to the national park meant to strengthen the students’ bonds to nature. But what is the importance of these bonds? And how did EY improve them?

These questions can best be answered by reviewing the campfire ceremony, an end-of-camp celebration. Under the flickering orange light, the students were stunned by stories of all different kinds. But by far the most emotional part of this ceremony was when students were asked to share something they would remember forever, either a memory or experience.

“The views,” Ella, a student, remembered about her favorite part of the experience. “I loved the Lamar Valley, and my favorite part was the last wolf cage.”

Many students shared Ella’s renewed emotional ties to nature. Apart from the wolf cage, the eighth grade class proclaimed varying answers for their favorite experience, from a field of animal bones to Rose creek, where the

kids observed the ecology of Yellowstone. Each of these places dazzled the students with tales of the bizarre, the inspiring, and the unexpected. They learned about the emotional tale of a lone female wolf, who helped revive Yellowstone’s wolf population, and the reason for a boneyard. But no matter the story or landscape, EY also strengthened students’ bonds to each other.

Another student, Frankie, said the most memorable part of EY was “being able to bond with classmates that I haven’t bonded with in a very long time.”

Alone in the wild, without phones for communication, the kids learned to trust each other and themselves. Divided into clans, students bonded with people they wouldn’t normally hang out with. Together, clans were taught how to trust others, either on the trail or in the kitchen.

The clans, consisting of six or seven people, had to prepare two meals over the four days. With every meal, clans laughed, chatted and cooked. Cooking wasn’t the only thing students did with meals. Each

When asked about the cooking experience, Angus replied, “The best part was being able to bond with my clan.”

Even though the students couldn’t toast s’mores on the campfire, they still made use of the light to tell stories. The five clans told Native American-style legends about their clans’ mascots. With the mascots varying from falcons and beavers to mountain lions and lynx, each tale was unique. From a marmot searching for a home to how the mountain lion got its name, the pupils managed to amaze the chaperones with their creativity.

When asked about her favorite legend, Dr. Eisele said, “I truly enjoyed them all, it’s hard to pick a favorite. I think my favorites were the Falcons for its spirituality, and the Marmots for its humor.”

While provided with minimal props, the eighth grade class still made their legends come to life in front of the fake fire.

Kenan, a member of the Majestic Mountain Lion clan, explained that making the legends “was challenging, but in the end, it all fit together, and my group was better than expected.”

The students weren’t the only ones sharing stories around the fire. Trudy, one of the lead rangers of EY, shared a story about how the night and carnivorous animals were created. Michael, another ranger, started off

the evening by sharing how Yellowstone National Park was created from a fireside idea.

With all the fun and exploration involved in EY, it’s no wonder the campers came back full of possibilities for the future.

Expedition Yellowstone: A journey of personal discovery

By Ella Smith and Frankie Seelye

The eighth grade class of 2024’s experience on Expedition Yellowstone was a long time coming after our school year’s worth of hard work and dedication became irrelevant in fourth grade due to a COVID outbreak. When we heard the news of a trip redo, we were exhilarated.

Every student marked March 8 on our calendars, and it felt so very far away. By the time the trip came, we had been training and working hard, by bowling to raise money for this trip, going on two all-day training rucks, and coming together in five clans. Everyone was ready and well-prepared for the adventure ahead.

“Every expedition is unique in itself. There are dynamic personalities, varying ways to solve puzzles, and different landscapes we explore in each expedition. This particular group of extraordinary humans practiced kindness, teamwork and innate observation skills surrounded by the oddities of nature. This pack of students overcame adversity and explored with an open mind and curiosity.”

-Mr. Harder

On March 8, we hopped on the bus and were excited for the next four days. With 35 students, five chaperones, three coolers and 45 bags packed up on the bus, we were on our way. We stopped at a lunch spot along the Yellowstone River, about an hour and a half away from the Yellowstone Conservation Corps. Upon arrival, we were greeted by three rangers, Ranger Trudy, Ranger Michael and Ranger Izzy. After a short tour of the YCC, we geared up for a practice snowshoe hike. During the hike we got used to circling up, doing lessons outdoors, and coming together as a class to learn. Following the snowshoe hike, we gathered in the mess hall for our first dinner—each clan was in charge of making two meals for the trip. We later experienced our first class in the classroom, where we played the first of many games of Clan Feud.

Over the next couple of days, we experienced two all-day rucks, one at Mammoth Hot Springs, and our second in the Lamar Valley. Over these day trips our class went through geography lessons, along with biology lessons. During lessons, whether they be on hikes or in the classroom, we learned how to come together to answer questions, and problem solve during different scenarios. On the final night, we spent time around a beautiful campfire. We shared clan legends about how our clan mascots came to be what we know the animal as today. We sang songs, and we went around telling everyone our favorite parts of the trip. Over these four days we laughed and shared moments with people we may not have bonded with in a while. We shared stories and moments together as a class. During the hikes, we all grew as people. We all bonded during the activities and became better friends.

As the class of 2028 we can all say that our class shares a bond like no other. The word incredible doesn’t even begin to describe this trip, it truly is a once in a lifetime experience. This trip has given us the memories and experiences of our lifetimes and we could not express how this trip has helped us grow into better people.

We can say that the 8th grade 2024 trip to EY was a journey of personal discovery, where each and every one of us grew into better people over only four days on this unimaginable trip.

COURTESY OF JEREMY HARDER

COURTESY OF JEREMY HARDER

Students visited the wolf pen that was used during the 1995 reintroduction. COURTESY OF JEREMY HARDER

MADISON, GALLATIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SUPPORT PERMANENT PROTECTION FOR GALLATIN AND MADISON RANGE

BY KATHRYN EKLUND AND TOM OWEN GUEST COLUMNISTS

With summer fast approaching, people are turning their attention to the mountains—planning hiking trips, reserving campsites, and dreaming about the meadows, streams and wildlife encounters that await them.

The GFP proposal will permanently protect 250,000 acres in the Gallatin and Madison ranges, securing iconic wildlife and critical habitat, while also maintaining recreation access and preventing mining, new roads, and other industrial development.

With the Madison and Gallatin ranges right outside our door, opportunities for summer adventures are endless. To safeguard these mountains and the joy they bring, the Gallatin Forest Partnership continues to build public support for permanent conservation—including recent outreach with Big Sky community leaders.

On May 8, the Gallatin Forest Partnership presented to the Big Sky Resort Area District, Madison County Commission, and Gallatin County Commission at their bi-annual joint meeting in Big Sky. The GFP is a broad coalition of recreationists, sportsmen and conservationists who have worked together since 2016 on a shared vision for management of the Gallatin and Madison ranges. The GFP proposal has benefited from the active involvement of several longtime Big Sky community members, including Denise Wade, Tom Owen, the Nine Quarter Circle Ranch, and our dear friend, Steve Johnson, who we already miss.

At the joint meeting, we shared an overview of our conservation vision and explained our upcoming shift to legislation, seeking congressionally designated protections. Following the presentation and public comment, the Madison and Gallatin county commissions both unanimously voted to sign a letter of support for the GFP’s legislation.

To all the Madison and Gallatin County Commissioners—thank you.

What we’re fighting for

Informed by the recently updated Custer Gallatin Forest Plan, the GFP proposal will permanently protect 250,000 acres in the Gallatin and Madison ranges, securing iconic wildlife and critical habitat, while also maintaining recreation access and preventing mining, new roads and other industrial development. The legislation would designate nearly 124,000 acres of new wilderness.

It will also create three unique designations totaling 126,000 acres to ensure commonsense management can take place. This includes continued access to the existing trail system for all user groups, and forest management near our watersheds and communities to protect public safety and drinking water.

In addition to the county commissioners’ vote, we are gratified by the show of support we received from the audience.

During public comment, Brad Niva with the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce described the GFP legislation as a “realistic solution” that supports the continued success of the Big Sky economy, which is closely linked to the health of our surrounding public lands.

Kevin Germain with the Big Sky Resort Area District said that although BSRAD does not have the authority to sign a letter of support, they look forward to helping “take this effort to Washington D.C.”

Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown supported the effort as well, explaining that by including people of varying backgrounds and viewpoints, the GFP’s collaborative process resulted in a centrist, “modern day” conservation effort and legislation that “meets the moment.”

In the Big Sky area, the GFP proposes several additions to the Lee Metcalf Wilderness by expanding the Taylor Hilgard wilderness unit and connecting the Spanish Peaks to Bear Trap Canyon. In the Gallatin Range, the GFP proposes the creation of a new designation—the Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wildlife and Recreation Management Area—to protect the high-quality wildlife habitat in the area by preventing timber harvest, mining, and road and trail building, while also ensuring that existing recreational access in the area continues.

Call to action

So, what’s next for this effort? We’re asking you to learn more and get engaged.

The Gallatin Forest Partnership is planning community events for June and July to gather supporters and celebrate the amazing landscape that we all love, further discuss our legislation, and provide steps for public involvement.

We hope you will join us for our upcoming event in Big Sky, which will take place on July 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gallatin Alpine Sports. If you can’t make the party, you can learn more by visiting our website at gallatinpartners.org.

And while you’re there, we hope you will add your support alongside the Madison and Gallatin Commissions by clicking the “Take Action” button.

Kathryn Eklund is a GFP member representing The Wilderness Society. Tom Owen is a GFP member representing Big Sky Mountain Bike Alliance.

CROSSING TO SAFETY: NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR U.S. HIGHWAY 191

BIG SKY RESORT AREA DISTRICT ALLOCATES $179K TO STUDY FEASIBILITY OF WILDLIFE CROSSING SITE

CENTER FOR LARGE LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION

This article is the last in a three-part series on wildlifevehicle conflict.

The Gallatin Valley has it all. Its natural beauty, access to recreation and quality of life all make it a highly desirable place to live and to visit. But can a place be too popular? U.S. Highway 191 through Gallatin Gateway is among the busiest two-lane highways in the state, with around 16,000 vehicles traveling on it each day. The growth of Gallatin County’s population and robust tourism in this gateway to Yellowstone National Park may be great news for the region’s economy but is not-so-great news for wildlife.

Adjacent to much of U.S. 191, the Gallatin River corridor serves as a migration route for deer and elk, and connects habitat for species such as wolverines, lynx, grizzly bears, mountain lions and wolves. Yet, the presence of U.S. 191 along the corridor means a high-volume road bisects national forest, wilderness areas and even a corner of Yellowstone National Park. The result is wildlifevehicle collisions, and the less obvious “barrier effect” of heavy traffic on the daily and seasonal movement of a host of species.

Data from accident reports and animal carcass counts suggest a recent surge in collision numbers, which are a problem for human safety, in addition to wildlife. Unfortunately, impacts are likely even broader than available data indicate.

“What researchers see from systematic roadkill surveys in other locations is that road-killed animal numbers are often much higher than the crash and carcass data. This is especially true for smaller or rarer species, and for large animals that get hit, but don’t die on the road,” said Liz Fairbank, a road ecologist with the Bozeman-based, nonprofit Center for Large Landscape Conservation.

In 2021, the organization initiated a citizen science effort, involving local volunteers in mapping observations of live and road-killed wildlife on the highway. Fairbank says the data they collected complements the state’s carcass and collision data and enriches understanding of wildlife movement.

In 2023, CLLC and Montana State University’s Western Transportation Institute published the results of a multi-year U.S. 191/MT-64 Wildlife and Transportation Assessment. The Assessment combined local and expert knowledge, public data, citizen science and engineering expertise to identify important areas where wildlife accommodation measures—such as culverts, bridges, underpasses, overpasses and animal detection systems, together with fencing—can improve the safety of travelers and wildlife.

The assessment found 11 priority sites and developed recommendations to reduce wildlifevehicle collisions and reconnect habitat along the 80-mile stretch of U.S. 191 between Four Corners and West Yellowstone, along with Montana Highway 64 (Lone Mountain Trail). The study analyzed 25 data sets from public sources and

citizen science, including GPS-collared animals, aerial surveys, wildlife-vehicle collisions, wildlife carcasses, and habitat characteristics. Each 0.1mile road segment was investigated, and priority areas were examined by a team of independent researchers and county, state and federal agency representatives.

The first and second highest-ranked priority sites are the Gallatin Gateway to Spanish Creek and the north of Big Sky entrance areas (the latter tied for second with a site surrounding Porcupine Creek). Now that priority sites have been identified, the next step to pursue measures within these or other areas is an engineering feasibility study of the exact location, design, constructability and cost of potential wildlife accommodations.

On June 6, the Big Sky Resort Area District allocated $179,000 to study the north of Big Sky entrance site. An engineering firm will examine wildlife overpasses, bridge retrofits and associated accommodations, including fencing to funnel wildlife to suitable structures, at this area and the “mouth of the canyon” within the Gallatin Gateway to Spanish Creek priority area.

Whether a crossing can be built, or another mitigation measure is suitable, will come down to a combination of soils, topography and the ability of a site to function as a wildlife crossing long-term. For any structure, the land on both sides of the highway must serve as wildlife habitat in perpetuity, whether through a conservation easement on private land or the presence of public land, depending on a priority site’s surroundings. Willing landowners and often the involvement of land trusts, are crucial for success.

The momentum toward addressing wildlifevehicle collisions and other impacts of roads on ecosystems is growing in Montana and nationally.

The Montana Department of Transportation is currently investigating safety and mobility needs through its U.S. 191/MT-64 Optimization Plan, and the federal Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program will accept applications in fall 2024 and 2025.

Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program grants require a 20% non-federal match, so strong public-private partnerships are essential to unlock 80% of project costs from federal funds. But the competitive grant program isn’t the only time-sensitive factor in pursuing crossings on U.S. 191.

“There is no ‘undo button’ for development,” says Fairbank. “The U.S. 191 area is developing, and the window of opportunity is closing to build a crossing in much of the northern part of the study area.”

Fairbank, who has participated in wildlife crossing projects in Montana, Wyoming and other western states, says that partnerships are key.

“The most successful efforts to stitch together fragmented landscapes and restore ecological connectivity with wildlife crossings happen when community leaders, citizens, scientists, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations work together with a common goal.”

The U.S. 191/MT-64 Wildlife and Transportation Assessment and subsequent work have been supported by area contributors, including Big Sky Resort Area District, Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, Moonlight Community Foundation, Turner Foundation, The Volgeneau Foundation, Weeden Foundation and Cinnabar Foundation.

Individuals interested in the findings of the US191 Wildlife and Transportation Assessment and updates can learn more at largelandscapes.org/191

Aerial view of U.S. Highway 191 and the Gallatin River. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GALLATIN RIVER TASK FORCE

WRITERS ON THE RANGE IT’S A PERFECT STORM FOR FIRE INSURANCE

BY DAVE MARSTON WRITERS ON THE RANGE

Westerners have begun looking at their homes differently these days. Are those trees too close? Should I move all that firewood stacked up next to the deck?

Meanwhile, in California, some fire insurers have lost so much money they’ve pulled out of the state. Overall, fire insurance is becoming as expensive and unpredictable as the natural disasters—not just wildfires but also hail and windstorms—that are driving up rate increases. In some places, increases are as much as 1,000% for houses and condos nestled close to trees.

In Colorado, Tiffany Lockwood said she was dropped twice by fire insurance carriers over the 10 years she’s lived in Evergreen, a heavily forested exurb of Denver.

A former Florida resident, Lockwood, 59, only has one way out in case of a wildfire—and even then she’ll have little warning. “When I lived in Florida,” she said, “we knew four days ahead when a hurricane was coming. Here we get 40 minutes.”

Lockwood thinks insurance companies are running scared and giving impossible directives. One insurer asked her to remove all the shrubs and trees within 30 feet of the house. But the plan meant taking down a lot of her neighbor’s trees, too.

Evergreen’s attraction is that residents live amidst towering conifer trees. But red zones on fire maps are being expanded all over Colorado after several recent large forest fires and the wind-driven Marshall grassfire outside of Boulder, in December 2021. It destroyed more than 1,000 suburban

homes and was the state’s most expensive fire yet. Formerly “safe” places are now described as at-risk.

Jeff Geslin lives in high and dry La Plata County, in southwestern Colorado, surrounded by 35 acres of piñon and juniper trees. He and his wife Lorna are used to remediation plans, he said, and when their insurance increases, “I just pay it, no questions asked.”

But they were shocked when their condo association in Summit County, governing their second home, lost its insurance policy.

“It might be because we’re close to Forest Service land,” Geslin said, “which must be more risk.” Every condo owner was assessed $6,772 extra for the new policy the Homeowners Association managed to find—an increase of 1,000%.

Colorado State Senator Dylan Roberts is working on legislation to insure larger structures. “I’ve gotten calls about insurance for the last year if not two years,” he said. “The single-family upset has quieted down, but the big thing I hear about is HOA and condo buildings.”

The state already has what is called the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan in place for smaller buildings when insurance companies refuse to underwrite traditional coverage. It’s backed by private insurers and administered by an appointed board of insurance professionals.

“We hope to insure no one,” said FAIR Plan board member Carole Walker. She’s the executive director of an insurance trade group covering, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.

“This is insurance of last resort,” she said, “as we don’t want to compete with private insurers. They’re struggling after 10 straight years of unprofitability in property insurance.”

The FAIR Plan board, which plans to sell policies late next year, hired industry veteran Kelly Campbell as executive director this May. It will offer bare-bones coverage with high deductibles and low maximum amounts. The plan would offer coverage of $5 million per commercial structure and $750,000 per house.

“Everything has escalated,” said Walker. “Colorado is in that perfect storm of catastrophes. The number of claims and the cost to pay those claims is at a record pace. Add in the escalating number of events like hail and wildfire, and it’s the hardest insurance market in a generation.”

Walker says Colorado established a resiliency code board via state law in 2023, with a mandate of hardening structures with fire-resistant siding, metal roofs and landscaping. “We need confidence back in the marketplace,” she said about the board. “Ultimately, this is a life-safety issue because wildfire knows no boundaries. You’re dependent on your neighbor.”

Kevin Parks, a State Farm insurer in Western Colorado, has some advice for Western homeowners: “Widen your driveway and road to 20 feet, install a turnaround big enough for fire vehicles, remove shrubs and trees close to your house, and add a perimeter of gravel all around your structure. Finally, hope you live where two roads lead to your house.”

In this new age of longer and meaner fire seasons, Parks added, “The fire is coming—now it’s a question of being ready.”

Dave Marston is the publisher of Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West.

HEALTH

LET’S TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH: COMMUNITIES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY

FINDING YOUR PEOPLE IN BIG SKY

BY SUZY SENSBACH GUEST COLUMNIST

In August 2019, I had been in Big Sky for two weeks. I met a few people but was feeling pretty lonely.

I ran into someone I had met once or twice, and he inquired how it was going. When I blurted out, “It’s fine, except for last Sunday, I stayed home all day crying, missing my friends and family,” he immediately invited me to join him and friends on his boat the following weekend. Those were my first people in Big Sky.

Humans are social creatures; it’s in our DNA to seek out social connections, and we have for thousands of years. One Harvard study shows that loneliness increases our vulnerability to mental and physical ailments, including depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disorders. Community plays a pivotal role in fostering and maintaining mental health. Another study demonstrated that social connectedness protects adults from depressive symptoms and disorders.

A variety of factors have led to increased isolation among American life, especially since the COVID pandemic. In ski towns such as Big Sky, the risks are higher due to factors such as geographic isolation, limited resources, culture of partying, disconnection from social networks and support, and challenges to meet basic needs. Montana ranks high in suicides—top 5 for the past 30 years—as well as mental health crises and substance use. A five-year study of rural community residents also found that low perceived interpersonal support was associated with adverse mental health outcomes, including depression.

The importance of community cannot be overstated in a place like Big Sky. Humans seek to be “a part of” not “apart from.” Let’s dig into why community is crucial for mental well-being and how it shows up in Big Sky.

Social support

Community provides a network of social support, which is essential for coping with life’s challenges. Whether it’s a shoulder to lean on during tough times or someone to celebrate successes with, having a supportive community can significantly impact one’s mental health. Knowing that there are people who care about you and are there for you can alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. True community can grow out of a shared interest or affinity and lead to deeper connections and social support. For example, Moving Mountains is a gym that moves beyond fitness and fosters community.

“Our gym family has always felt supportive and inclusive without any feeling of competition,” said

Robbeye Samardich, a longtime member “It’s a safe place where I can be myself, so it was only natural that those connections would evolve into friendships well beyond the gym.”

Sense of belonging

Being part of a community gives individuals a sense of belonging and identity. It provides a space where people can feel accepted, valued and understood. This sense of belonging is essential for mental health as it helps combat feelings of alienation and disconnectedness.

Consider that most residents of Big Sky did not grow up here. By definition, their family of origin and their trusted network of people are elsewhere, so we must create those relationships here.

Participating in community activities and events can serve as a form of stress relief and distraction. Especially in the summer, so many community events bring people together organically, like the Big Sky Farmers Market, Music in the Mountains and hikes organized by the Big Sky Community Organization.

A new Community Resource Group, hosted through Visit Big Sky, helps foster a sense of belonging and inclusion. Its purpose is to help the workforce of Big Sky, seasonal and others, feel welcome and connected in their new or temporary home by offering free or low-cost activities. This past winter, the new group hosted an ice skating night in Town Center, bowling at the Montage and community dinners. More events and resources are scheduled throughout the summer to help Big Sky’s workers find their sense of belonging.

Resilience

Community support can enhance resilience in the face of adversity. When individuals have a strong support system to rely on, they are better equipped to bounce back from setbacks and overcome challenges. Knowing that they are not alone in their struggles can give people the strength and courage to persevere. As an example, Big Sky Resort Ski Patrol’s Peer Resilience Team is made up of about 20 patrollers who support their fellows through challenging or traumatic events by being vulnerable and real. By having conversations and giving peers the space to talk, this group models the idea best expressed by patroller Nelson VanTassel of “living through who I am.”

Opportunities for growth

Communities offer opportunities for personal growth and development. Whether it’s through learning new skills, volunteering, or engaging in meaningful activities, being part of a community can enrich one’s life and contribute to overall wellbeing. Having a sense of purpose and connection to something larger than oneself is essential for mental health.

With more than 30 nonprofits in Big Sky, there are many opportunities to get connected. As a new resident, I volunteered for everything I could and met people along the way including a few who became core friends. Classes and clinics abound, such as the Arts Council of Big Sky’s art classes at BASE. Students have signed up for these classes expecting art instruction but end up getting so much more: a sense of belonging and connection as a bonus.

Validation and empowerment

In a supportive community, individuals feel validated and empowered to express themselves authentically. This validation of one’s experiences and emotions can help reduce feelings of shame and self-doubt. Furthermore, being surrounded by peers who uplift and encourage each other can boost self-esteem and confidence. Big Sky OUT is an example of an organization that provides validation and belonging through its mission “to create safe spaces for LGBTQ people of Big Sky and our allies to build community, be seen, to belong, and recreate together in this beautiful place we all live in,” according to founder Brit Diersch. “Our programming helps bridge Big Sky’s LGBTQ community across seasons, spreads love to stop hate, and to ensure our great outdoors welcomes everyone.”

Access to resources

Communities often provide access to resources and support services that can benefit mental health. This includes mental health professionals, support groups and recreational activities. Having these resources readily available within the community makes it easier for individuals to seek help when needed. Be Well Big Sky and its Navigator Network have created an effective pathway for people to find what they need through the “Resources” tab on its website, as well as volunteer Navigators from all parts of the community who can direct, assist and support.

What can we do? Community plays a vital role in promoting and maintaining mental health. By fostering social connections, providing support and belonging, reducing stress, enhancing resilience, offering opportunities for growth, validating experiences and providing access to resources, communities contribute to the overall well-being of individuals. As Big Sky grows, it is essential to prioritize community-building efforts and creating spaces where people can connect, thrive, and support each other mentally, emotionally and socially.

Suzy Sensbach is a lifelong educator and learner currently overseeing training and development at the Montage. She has been working to break the stigma associated with mental health with children and adults for over 20 years. She is a skier, reader, game player, friend and mother.

Contact Capt. Jack Hudspeth at contact@bigskypost99mt.com or visit our website at www.post99bigskymt.com www.post99bigskymt.com POST 99 NEEDS YOU!

Big Sky Post 99 endeavors to bring the Mission of the American Legion National Headquarters to the community of Big Sky, and to serve its veterans and community members with unique outreach programs, and in unique ways that represent the character and culture of the area.

Become a member today! Didn’t Serve? Join Sons of American Legion today!

River and stream flows begin to decline

Groundwater begins to decline

Potential water supply constraints

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12th Annual

Big Sky Community

Park Weed Pull

Pull together for the Park!

Tuesday, June 18 5-6:30 pm

Meet @ the River Pavilion

Bring gloves • Pull weeds

Get fed @ BBQ following!

growwildmt org