Explore Big Sky - June 30 to July 13, 2022

June 30 - July 13, 2022 Volume 13 // Issue #13

BIG SKY CANCELS FIREWORKS DISPLAY WHAT TO DO? JULY FOURTH GUIDE INSIDE

WEST ENTRANCE TO YELLOWSTONE REOPENS

DEQ LABELS GALLATIN RIVER ‘IMPAIRED’ SCHOOL BEGINS NEW STEAM LAB CONSTRUCTION ORW INITIATIVE, I-191, FALLS SHORT FOR NOVEMBER BALLOT

OPENING SHOT

June 30 - July 13 , 2022 Volume 13, Issue No. 13

Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana

PUBLISHER Eric Ladd | eric@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, VP MEDIA Joseph T. O’Connor | joe@theoutlawpartners.com

Firefighters from across the country came to participate in the Big Sky Firefighter Challenger on June 25 and 26 to compete for the best time on an obstacle course focused on five fundamental firefighter functions. PHOTO BY JULIA BARTON

MANAGING EDITOR Bella Butler | bella@theoutlawpartners.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Gabrielle Gasser | gabrielle@theoutlawpartners.com DIGITAL PRODUCER Julia Barton | julia@theoutlawpartners.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Leonora Willett | editorial@theoutlawpartners.com

CREATIVE GRAPHIC DESIGNER ME Brown | maryelizabeth@theoutlawpartners.com

SALES AND OPERATIONS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Megan Paulson | megan@theoutlawpartners.com CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Treston Wold | treston@theoutlawpartners.com VP OF SALES EJ Daws | ej@theoutlawpartners.com MEDIA AND EVENTS DIRECTOR Ersin Ozer | ersin@theoutlawpartners.com MARKETING MANAGER Sophia Breyfogle | sophia@theoutlawpartners.com CONTENT MARKETING STRATEGIST Mira Brody | mira@theoutlawpartners.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT Sara Sipe | sara@theoutlawpartners.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD Patrick Mahoney | patrick@theoutlawpartners.com

CONTRIBUTORS Rich Addicks, Kaley Burns, Mark Castaneda, Tim Crawford, Matt Dodd, San Goveia, Marne Hayes, Ben Mackall, Scott Mechura, Holly Pippel, Steve Pyne, Cy Whitling, Todd Wilkinson

4 13 18 22 25 26 31 45

LOCAL 10 REGIONAL BUSINESS SPORTS 12 ENVIRONMENT A&E 13 OPINION FUN

ON THE COVER: The first 2022 Music in the Mountains headliner, Satsang, took the stage under red, white and blue lights while community members danced below.

To read more about the concert, which was paired with the annual Soul Shine celebration, see page 26. PHOTO BY JULIA BARTON

BIG SKY CANCELS FIREWORKS DISPLAY

WHAT TO DO? JULY FOURTH GUIDE INSIDE

Groups in Big Sky have canceled Fourth of July fireworks displays this year citing wildfire concerns among other factors. No bans or restrictions have currently been issued. Want to know what to do this Independence Day? Plenty. Check out our Fourth of July guide on page 10!

SCHOOL BEGINS NEW STEAM LAB CONSTRUCTION Construction is underway on Phase 2 of the Big Sky School District’s multimillion dollar project to upgrade facilities, and includes a new building to house a STEAM Lab, short for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.

ORW INITIATIVE, I-191, FALLS SHORT FOR NOVEMBER BALLOT Proposed ballot measure I-191, which would have added stringent protections to sections of the Gallatin and Madison rivers, did not garner enough support to land it on the voting ballot in November.

It needed more than 30,000 signatures to get on the ballot. It received zero.

16

WEST ENTRANCE TO YELLOWSTONE REOPENS

25

DEQ LABELS GALLATIN RIVER ‘IMPAIRED’

Widespread flooding in southwest Montana caused road and infrastructure damage in gateway towns Gardiner, Red Lodge and Cooke City, funneling many Yellowstone National Park visitors through the West Yellowstone entrance when it reopened on June 22. EBS was there.

On June 14, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality determined that algae blooms in the Gallatin River warrant a Category 5 “impairment” designation under the federal Clean Water Act. Local and regional groups weigh in.

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.

SCAN FOR TOWN CRIER NEWSLETTER. DAILY NEWS, STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

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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.

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ADVERTISING DEADLINE For the July 13, 2022 issue: July 6, 2022 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@outlaw.partners © 2022 Explore Big Sky unauthorized reproduction prohibited

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ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED IS DEEMED RELIABLE BUT IS NOT GUARANTEED AND SHOULD BE INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED. INFORMATION AND DEPICTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, PRIOR SALES, PRICE CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. NO GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY HAS JUDGED THE MERITS OR VALUE, IF ANY, OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ADVERTISEMENT OR ANY REAL ESTATE DESCRIBED OR DEPICTED HEREIN. THIS MATERIAL SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL IN ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE PRIOR REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED OR WHERE SUCH AN OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED, AND THIS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION IF YOU ARE WORKING WITH ANOTHER REAL ESTATE AGENT. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL, TAX, ACCOUNTING, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.

4 June 30 - July 13, 2022

Explore Big Sky

LOCAL

NEWS IN BRIEF

MAN GORED BY BISON IN YELLOWSTONE EBS STAFF

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS — A man was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park on June 27, according to a press release from the park. The 34-year-old man from Colorado Springs, Colorado, was walking with his family near Old Faithful when a bull bison charged the group. The family failed to immediately evacuate the area. The man was injured in the arm and taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Park officials recommend exercising caution around wildlife, advising visitors to stay a minimum of 25 years away from large animals and 100 yards from bears and wolves.

“Bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans” park officials said.

This is the second reported incident of a visitor being gored by a bison this year.

TESTER, DAINES, ROSENDALE PUSH TO SUPPORT MONTANA OUTFITTERS EBS STAFF

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines and U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale sent a letter to Bureau of Land Management Acting State Director Theresa Hanley and U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester Leanne Marten urging them to provide outfitters, guides and other members of affected communities support and flexibility in finding alternative options to operate on public lands in the wake of catastrophic flooding in Southwest Montana.

“We urge you to bring any relevant authority you have to bear to identify recreation options on public lands in the area, apply flexibilities to permit administration, and to expedite any necessary permitting for businesses affected by the recent flooding on the Yellowstone,” wrote the Montana delegation. “Without other options, these businesses could face significant cancellations during the most important part of their year, just as the communities they live in attempt to rebuild after this historic flood.”

$3 M IN EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS FOR MONTANA ROADS

CUSTER GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST UPDATES FLOOD ASSESSMENT

EBS STAFF

EBS STAFF

WASHINGTON D.C.— On June 23, U.S. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines and U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale announced $3 million in funding to repair roads and highways damaged from the flooding in southwest Montana. The Montana Department of Transportation was granted the funds after sending a letter to the Biden Administration requesting Federal Highways Administration emergency relief funding for the impacted areas.

CUSTER GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST — On June 28, the Custer Gallatin National Forest announced their plans to submit a preliminary damage assessment to Federal Highways as part of the Emergency Relief Funding for Federally Owned Roads package. After helicopter reconnaissance, the initial estimate is $20 million in flood damage, but grounds crew continue to survey impacted roads, trails and recreation facilities as well as recreational backcountry trails.

The funds will go toward repairing roads damaged in the floods.

Emergency repairs to restore essential traffic will be conducted followed by permanent repairs needed to restore roads to pre-flood conditions.

While Yellowstone, Gardiner and Beartooth Ranger District are open, some sites remain closed due to flood damage.

Contact your respective local ranger district for up-to-date information regarding specific sites, road and area closures due to flood damage.

BIG SKY WATER, SEWER RATES INCREASE JULY 1 EBS STAFF

BIG SKY — The Big Sky County Water and Sewer board voted Tuesday to increase water and sewer rates by 5 percent and approved a new budget for the district.

Both changes will go into effect at the start of the board’s 2023 fiscal year on July 1, 2022. Rate

increases apply to water and sewer user charges and do not affect hookup fees, according to the district’s general manager Ron Edwards.

“The increase in rates is to account for the increasing cost in providing water and sewer services,” said Peter Manka, the board’s newly elected vice president and a member of its budget subcommittee.

Most changes in the district’s budgeted expenses, which total approximately $4.8 million, address personnel costs, including increases to insurance coverage and salaries as well as two new salaries for additional water and sewer operators.

NOTICE: A memorial service will be held for John Palmer, formerly from Big Sky and Belgrade, on July 15 starting at 3 p.m. at the Gallatin Gateway Community Center. Bison burgers, bison chili and refreshments will be served. Guests are encouraged to bring side dishes.

BETTER TOGETHER

A biweekly District bulletin

HIRING!

Communications & Community Engagement Manager The Big Sky Resort Area District is seeking a Communications and Community Engagement Manager to facilitate the day-to-day communication of public information. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player with a desire to support the Big Sky community. Success in this role requires strong communication skills, organization, relationship management, and event promotion. This role will monitor public sentiment, thus informing the District to further support decision-making.

Responsibilities and Duties • Develop a thoughtful plan and budget for short and long-term public information goals.

• Creation and implementation of an annual District engagement plan.

• Work closely with contractors and others to ensure execution of communication plan.

• Identify and present opportunities for consistency in messaging across channels.

• Write and edit copy for distribution of public information.

• Answer to requests for information from media outlets.

• Respond to public inquiries and work with staff to provide answers to questions.

• Representation of the District at public meetings, events, forums, and presentations.

• Manage and create online content and messaging including websites, e-newsletters, social media, and more.

• Monitor analytics of websites, e-newsletters, social media, and more.

• Regular maintenance of distribution lists (mailing and digital).

• Promote District events including large public meetings and other community events.

• Establish and grow a photo collection for use in digital and printed materials.

• Prepare reports and presentations as needed.

• Support board/staff orientations and District elections.

• Execute projects as directed by management and see the projects through to completion.

Qualifications and Skills • Experience in management and communication • Superior organization skills and dedication to completing projects promptly • Superior written and verbal communications skills • Proficiency in Microsoft Office • Experience with website and e-newsletter software • Attention to detail • Capable of working well as part of a team as well as independently • Great multitasker and capable of simultaneously managing multiple projects with different deadlines Education and Experience • Bachelor’s degree • Experience in Government or Non-Profit environment preferred • Familiar with the Big Sky community

For complete job description and more information please visit ResortTax.org

About Big Sky Resort Area District In 1992, the general electorate of the Big Sky Resort Area voted to adopt a Resort Tax to be charged on “luxury” goods and services not deemed “necessities of life.” In 1998, the general electorate of the Big Sky Resort Area voted to create a District for local administration of the Resort Tax. Resort Tax is collected and remitted by local businesses operating within the District. The locally elected Board of 5 volunteer Directors strategically invests funds to address critical community needs. The District is administered by a small paid staff hired by the Board of Directors.

OUR VISION: “Big Sky is BETTER TOGETHER as a result of wise investments, an engaged community, and the pursuit of excellence.”

Info@ResortTax.org | ResortTax.org | 406.995.3234

6 June 30 - July 13, 2022

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Fourth of July fireworks were lit from the top of Lone Peak in 2020, allowing the community to celebrate from a distance. PHOTO BY JOSEPH T. O'CONNOR

BIG SKY GROUPS CANCEL PUBLIC FIREWORKS DISPLAY

BSSEF BOARD VOTES TO DISCONTINUE FIREWORK SALES AFTER 2022

BY JULIA BARTON BIG SKY – There are many ways to celebrate Independence Day in Big Sky, but this year, like last, fireworks will not be one of them. At least not a professional display.

Historically, the Arts Council of Big Sky has provided the community with a large Fourth of July fireworks show, however, according to a decision released on June 28, the organization decided against it.

The Arts Council inherited the firework show from the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce when they began hosting Fourth of July Music in the Mountains concerts more than a decade ago, explained Brian Hurlbut, executive director for the Arts Council, but the nonprofit hasn’t hosted July Fourth fireworks since 2019. The COVID pandemic halted the show in 2020 and last year’s display was canceled due to the high wildfire risk, prompting internal discussions about whether they should continue hosting fireworks displays.

“The main concern was that even if we decide that we want to do fireworks, we recognize that there’s a chance we might not even be able to set them off because every year it seems like the fire danger is getting higher and higher,” Hurlbut told EBS. “Do we really want that responsibility on our shoulders?”

In addition, Hurlbut said that the liability insurance policy the Arts Council would need for the show has increased more than $10,000, contributing to the decision.

By this time last year, much of southwest Montana was inundated with wildfire smoke. On June 30, 2021, Gallatin County announced a strict firework ban in response to widespread drought conditions and high fire danger that lasted through the summer. Currently, however, no bans or restrictions are in place for purchasing or lighting off fireworks in Big Sky. The announcement came with support from various community stakeholders including Big

Sky Resort, the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, the Town Center Owners Association, the Big Sky Community Organization, Lone Mountain Land Company and the Big Sky Fire Department.

Outlaw Partners, publisher of this newspaper, also canceled its fireworks display that typically lights up the sky at the Big Sky PBR in late July.

Big Sky Resort made a similar decision to forgo a summer firework show this year.

“We have a shared responsibility to protect our forests and community from wildfire, so the decision not to host a fireworks show is a nobrainer,” said the resort’s general manager Troy Nedved in a statement to EBS. “We are so lucky to enjoy Big Sky Fourth of July traditions like biking, hiking and live music—and the opportunity to create new ones, such as a fireworks-free Fourth.”

Big Sky local JeNelle Johnson said she was happy to hear that Big Sky won’t have a professional fireworks show this year. Johnson was a strong proponent of last year’s firework ban after she witnessed a fire in Big Sky’s South Fork Loop, near her neighborhood. The fire wasn’t caused by fireworks, but she said seeing flames so close to the community illustrated how at risk the Big Sky environment is to wildland fires.

She knows it may not be a popular stance among some community members to be against fireworks but says a public display is not worth the risk. “I am totally in favor of a fireworks ban,” Johnson said.

“But there are other ways we can celebrate.”

Hurlbut pointed out that some other community fireworks shows have switched from lighting off explosives to coordinated drone light shows in recent years, so alternatives do exist.

Deputy Fire Chief Dustin Tetrault with the Big Sky Fire Department said he believes the joint decision by the Arts Council and Big Sky Resort was the right move. Although this spring was uncharacteristically wet in southwest Montana, Tetrault explained that wildfire danger still exists and conditions can change quickly.

“It’s just not really worth the benefit of having the firework displays,” Tetrault said, referencing persistent wildfire danger in the area. “You’ll see that it’s become pretty common in mountain towns throughout the West and California. They’ve really gone away from [fireworks shows.]”

Despite the lack of professional fireworks in Big Sky, BSFD hasn’t indicated that there will be any bans on personal fireworks use in town, though they urge the public to be cautious.

The only place in Big Sky to purchase fireworks is at the Big Sky Ski Education Foundation’s booth near the Conoco gas station, one of the ski team’s primary annual fundraisers since the 1990s. BSSEF Program Director Jeremy Ueland said that summer fireworks sales bring in as much as $25,000 for the organization.

“We’d like people to set [fireworks] off safely at all times,” Ueland said. “People can save the fireworks for their New Year’s shows if they don’t want to set them off now.”

The booth closed down last summer following countywide bans on fireworks. At BSSEF’s board meeting on June 29, members decided that firework sales would continue this year but in the 5-2 vote, determined that this will be the final year for the fireworks fundraiser.

Tetrault said there may be an uptick in personal fireworks use this year without any professional shows, but explained that larger public displays are often well policed by neighbors and others in the community.

The fire department doesn’t anticipate implementing any July Fourth restrictions at this time according to Tetrault, however, they urge people to be conscious of where and how they use fireworks to mitigate both the risk of wildfires and personal injury.

7th Annual Big Sky Art Auction

Collectors Collecting July 13th-16th, 2022

Join us in the Grand Tent on the Plaza of the Wilson Hotel in Big Sky, Montana. The 7th Annual Big Sky Art Auction will feature carefully curated paintings, photography, bronzes, furniture, and jewelry crafted by skilled artists.

This year’s theme is Collectors Collecting.

There will be three panel discussions that will highlight the theme.

The items below will be in our live auction on Saturday, July 16th at 6:10p.m.

A portion of sales will go to this year’s beneficiaries: Warriors and Quiet Waters, Big Sky Bravery, Bozeman Art Museum, Gallatin River Task Force, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Big Sky Arts Council and Big Sky Community Organization.

Jake Mosher | Lone Peak | 36” X 72” Value:$6,000-$7,000

Shelly Bermont | Kalani “Of the Heavens or Sky” vCollar Necklace 18kt Yellow Gold, Tahitian Pearls & Italian Leather Value: $35,500-$36,500

Luke Frazer | Frick and Frack | 24” X 30” Value: $18,000-$19,000

Century Studio | Camera Made:1925 4’ X 3’ | Value: $16,000-$20,000

Colt Idol | Teepees Value: $9,500- $11,000

Big Sky Addition 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback

Auction Schedule July 1st at 5:30p.m. Preview at Bozeman Art Museum and Virtual Bidding Begins July 8th at 5:30p.m. Art Walk in Big Sky

PRE-REGISTER WITH AUCTRIA

July 13th at 4p.m. Grand Tent is Open July 16th at 6:10p.m. Live Bidding takes place July 16th at 8:00p.m. Virtual and Live Bidding ends

Information and schedule also available at bigskyartauction.com

And the Winners Are… From left to right: Ron Edwards, Big Sky Water & Sewer | Christine Alexander, Big Sky Post Office | Christine Lugo-Yergensen, Sweet Buns Bakery | Laura Seyfang, Big Sky Community Housing Trust | Taylor Rose, Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center

Congratulations to our winners of the 25th Annual Black Diamond Business Awards.

We’re beyond grateful for the hard work, entrepreneurship, and enrichment that each of these individuals and organizations bring to our Big Sky Business Community.

EMERGING ENTREPRENUER CHRISTINE LUGOYERGENSEN, SWEET BUNS BAKERY

NONPROFIT PERSON OF THE YEAR LAURA SEYFANG, COMMUNITY HOUSING TRUST

Christine has taken her love of baking sweet treats and savory delights from farmers markets to important community events like the opening of BASE and Friendsgiving. On top of that, this year she opened a brick and mortar to continue the spreading of joy and bolstering the offerings we have in our community.

Laura is a fierce advocate, not only for the improvement of attainable housing across the community, but also for the people who live in it. Laura assembled and deployed a variety of tools and programs to mitigate the housing difficulties in Big Sky, resulting in over 200 locals obtaining housing in their community who otherwise would not have been able to live here.

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR CHRISTINE ALEXANDER BIG SKY POST OFFICE

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR BOZEMAN HEALTH BIG SKY MEDICAL CENTER

The post office is a hub for businesses and residents to stay connected and get what they need to keep moving. Running it is tough business but vital to the success of our community.

For supporting this community’s health needs through a two year pandemic on top of elevating Big Sky’s ability to care for its residents and visitors no matter what comes their way.

CHET HUNTLEY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RON EDWARDS, BIG SKY COUNTY WATER & SEWER DISTRICT As General Manager of the Big Sky Water and Sewer District, Ron’s leadership has navigated the complexities of our community’s growth. With a constant eye on the future, he’s led multiple facility improvement projects over the years, including the current and monumental $45 million dollar plant upgrade that will provide Big Sky with increased treatment capabilities of the highest standards. Its vision like this that will leave a positive generational impact in Big Sky. Ron’s been referred to as an “amazing steward for our community for so many years”. His focus on clean and reliable water is a vital part of the health and sustainability of our community and his efforts don’t come without challenges, but Ron’s unrelenting efforts show that stewardship in action.

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsors:

OUR COMMUNITY. OUR BUSINESS. BIGSKYCHAMBER.COM | 406.995.3000 | CAITLIN@BIGSKYCHAMBER.COM The Big Sky Chamber is a 501 (c) (6) nonprofit membership organization.

Additional funding for this programming and advertising is supported by Big Sky Resort Tax

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FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND: BIG SKY VISITOR’S GUIDE

BY JULIA BARTON BIG SKY — Summer feels like it is finally here and what better way to celebrate than with the season’s most quintessential holiday: July Fourth. Big Sky is brimming with events to honor America’s independence all weekend long. To save you the trouble of researching and planning an itinerary, EBS has compiled a list of activities to help you get out and celebrate.

SATURDAY, JULY 2 Start the weekend off with a by swinging by the Big Sky Artisan Festival inside the BASE community center and outside in Len Hill Park all day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 70 local and regional artists will be showing off their work beside live music performances and food trucks.

Afternoon family fun could include heading up to Big Sky Resort for live music by The Cross Pollinators and celebratory activities including crafts and bike decorating, face painting and root beer floats beginning at 1 p.m.

Finish off the night with live music by Big Sky’s own: The Damn Duo at the Independent starting at 8 p.m. or check out Tips Up to hear some “Big Sky Metal” from Scavenger at 9 p.m.

PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

SUNDAY, JULY 3 Nothing says ‘America’ quite like some classic slow-smoked barbecue.

Spend some time looking at the Gallatin River and listening to Jim Salestrom live at the Riverhouse BBQ & Events at 5:30 p.m. The Independent is hosting a special showing of “Saving Private Ryan” at 8 p.m., a patriotic film that isn’t for the faint of heart.

If you find yourself in Bozeman on Sunday, the Ellen Theater is hosting an All-Star Jam! at 8 p.m. featuring a trio that has collectively played with The Alan Parsons Project, Billy Ray Cyrus and Jerrod Neimann.

BY DAVIT85/ADOBE

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MONDAY, JULY 4 Finally, the day we’ve been waiting for: July Fourth. Kick things off bright and early by running in the Big Sky Community Organization’s 4th of July 5K Road Race.

The course leaves from the Big Sky Community Park at 9 a.m. and is followed by a free kids Fun Run around the softball field.

If running isn’t your thing, try your hand in the Firecracker Open golf tournament at the Big Sky Resort Golf Course. The tournament benefits the Folds of Honor Foundation that provides educational scholarships to the children and spouses of fallen and disabled service members. Call the golf shop at (406) 995-5780 to register.

Have your choice of live music in the evening with Kent Johnson performing at the Independent at 5 p.m. and Wyatt Hurts at the Riverhouse BBQ & Events at 5:30 p.m. A special edition of Big Sky’s free outdoor concert series, Music in the Mountains, will feature The Tiny Band in Len Hill Park. The park opens at 6 p.m. but music and festivities will continue well into the evening.

The late-night crew can finish their July Fourth celebrations with more music from Austin Gackins at Tips Up beginning at 9 p.m.

PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS MAP

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PHASE 2 CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY AT BSSD EDUCATORS CALL NEW STEAM LAB A ‘GAME-CHANGER’

“It’s just going to completely expand our programming for students to have more career and technical ed offerings,” BSSD Superintendent Dustin Shipman said.

“We’re going to expand our art and music facilities so students [will] have opportunities to really dive into those pathways for secondary education.”

BY GABRIELLE GASSER BIG SKY – Construction on Phase 2 of the multimillion-dollar project to upgrade and expand the facilities and educational opportunities at the Big Sky School District has begun.

One teacher who will be using the new STEAM Lab, or “Innovation Center” as he likes to call it, 6-12-grade technology teacher Jeremy Harder, is excited for the new space and the opportunities it will provide.

After the Big Sky community voted to pass a $23.5 million school district bond in May of 2020, Phase 1 of the project was constructed last summer, with a couple outstanding items now being built in Phase 2, and included an eight-lane track encircling a new turf field, stadium lighting, additional bleachers, and two 35,000 gallon buried fire tanks which would serve as a water source in the event of a fire.

Work on Phase 2 began May 2 on a new parking lot, practice field, a commons remodel of spaces outside classrooms, track fencing, and a STEAM Lab, short for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.

Currently, crews with Jackson Contractor Group are relocating utilities and drain fields and moving dirt for the new facility. Once that work is completed, new foundations will be poured and the new wing, which will attach to the existing school, will start to go vertical in August.

Phase 2 was originally bid in May 2021 and due to material and labor shortages, bids came in $6.7 million over budget, according to district representative Cristie Tate. The project was rebid in January 2022 in the hopes that the market would improve, Tate said. This time, bids came in $10.68 million over budget.

“Now we have a safe, proper space that allows students to tap into skills and build on skills that they otherwise wouldn’t have in a traditional classroom,” Harder said.

The new practice field being graded. PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

Factors contributing to the increased costs include supply chain issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a manpower shortage, according to Shane Roy, project manager with Jackson Contractor Group. Lead times for steel have doubled, Roy said, taking 16 weeks instead of the typical eight.

“In general, the project is off to a good start,” Roy told EBS. “It’s been tough due to COVID… Finding people to do the right work for the right price is difficult.”

Despite these challenges, the project remains on schedule and Roy expects Phase 2 to be complete and the STEAM building occupied by August 2023.

The new space will offer wood and metal shops, potter’s wheels, crafting space, a video processing room and a music room. Harder called the STEAM Lab a “game changer,” saying it will help students learn differently and cultivate lasting career skills.

He added that the space wouldn’t have been possible without the Big Sky community voting to pass the bond and that it will serve as a valuable community resource.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity for the community to access those facilities after school hours,” he said.

After the STEAM Lab is completed in 2023, the final piece of the project will be the construction of a new gym in Phase 3. According to Tate, the Phase 2 contract amount is $16.3 million and remaining funds will be made available for Phase 3 construction.

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13 June 30 - July 13, 2022

Explore Big Sky

REGIONAL

I-191 FAILS TO QUALIFY FOR NOVEMBER BALLOT

BY GABRIELLE GASSER BIG SKY – Proposed ballot measure I-191, which would have added stringent protections to sections of the Gallatin and Madison rivers, did not garner enough support to land it on the voting ballot in November.

The measure—submitted by Cottonwood Environmental Law Center, Gallatin Wildlife Association, and Montana Rivers—needed to gather 30,180 signatures by June 17 to appear on the ballot. Sponsors of the measure submitted 10 electronic signatures by the deadline which weren’t accepted.

An unofficial Secretary of State report on the I-191 petition shows that the office had received no signatures as of June 29, though that number could change in the certified totals which must be filed by July 15.

The Montana Supreme Court in May ruled that the state would not accept electronic signatures for the initiative, which was the preferred way supporters of the initiative wanted to collect signatures, according to Clint Nagel, president of GWA. Nagel added that his organization lacked the resources, financial and

otherwise, to travel across the state to physically collect signatures.

in effect for waters in national parks and wilderness areas.

toughest water-quality laws in the country.

In a letter to Commissioner of Political Practices, Jeff Mangan on May 25, John Meyer, executive director of Cottonwood, wrote, “The original petitioners, Cottonwood Environmental Law Center, Gallatin Wildlife Association, and Montana Rivers have decided not to continue working on I-191.”

“I-191 would have prohibited DEQ from issuing any surface or ground water discharge permit that results in a permanent or temporary change in water quality in the designated sections of the Gallatin and Madison rivers,” the Montana Department of Environmental Quality wrote in a June 29 statement to EBS.

Many who opposed the measure claimed it would not only halt development work in the greater Big Sky area but also hinder conservation efforts.

Despite the decision to stop spending money on I-191, Meyer said he still supports the measure.

The proposed ballot measure was met with widespread opposition from conservation organizations, developers, farmers and the Montana Legislature’s Water Policy Interim Committee, among others.

“The ballot initiative would have likely prevented us from doing restoration work on the Gallatin, which is really needed,” said Kristin Gardner, chief executive and science officer with the Gallatin River Task Force. “It’s being loved to death, and so not being able to move those projects forward would be detrimental … to the river.”

“I was really surprised at the number of organizations and the variety of interests that came together to oppose this initiative,” said Chuck Denowh, campaign manager for the “No on I-191” coalition.

Gardner said that some restoration work, like projects at Moose Creek and Deer Creek, require DEQ permits which would have been denied under the proposed designation.

He went on to point out that these organizations—including sportsman, agricultural and conservation groups—have worked collaboratively over the past few decades to find solutions and create what are now, according to Denowh, some of the

Meyer says there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.

“Regular Montanans that we’ve talked to value the Gallatin River and they don’t want development in Big Sky, destroying our lifestyle and our enjoyment of our clean water,” Meyer told EBS in a June 29 interview.

I-191 sought to give Outstanding Resource Water designation to the section of the Madison River between Hebgen and Ennis lakes and the section of the Gallatin River between the Yellowstone National Park boundary and the Spanish Creek confluence. ORW is the highest protection possible under state law and this designation currently is only

“The DEQ never pointed to any sort of effort that would be stopped,” Meyer said. “Everyone says things will be stopped but no one could point to anything definitive.”

Both Nagel and Meyer in interviews with EBS emphasized the importance of protecting the Gallatin River, pointing to excess discharges of treated wastewater in the Big Sky area as the cause of degraded water quality and nuisance algae blooms that recently led to the DEQ labeling the river “impaired.”

“The reason we got involved is because we have a deep concern for the water quality of the Gallatin and how that could impact fisheries as well as wildlife and even human contact,” said Nagel, the GWA president. “We have to get a handle on this excess discharge from whatever the many sources are.”

Since I-191 won’t be on the ballot this cycle, Meyer said he will try to get it on the ballot in 2024.

According to Gardner, the task force is working on a range of alternative initiatives to protect the river. The recent DEQ decision to list the Gallatin River as impaired, she says, will ultimately lead to a larger restoration plan, and she hopes to see the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act move forward. The MHLA would provide federal protection to nearly 350 miles of river in southwest Montana, including a 39-mile section of the Gallatin River.

An angler enjoys a sunny day on the Gallatin River. OUTLAW PARTNERS PHOTO

BIG SKY, MT

L I M I T E D AVA I L A B I L I T Y

POR TI ON OF PROC E E DS TO B E N E F I T

FRIENDS OF BIG SKY EDUCATION ANNOUNCES

LONE PEAK HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2022 COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS FOBSE thanks the businesses and individuals who contributed to these scholarships and congratulates all LPHS graduates.

CONGRATULATIONS

ON A BRIGHT FUTURE!

Oliver Gough

Madison Perdue

NAPA Scholarship $500

Wilson Peak Properties Scholarship $500

Devon White Memorial Scholarship $1,000*

Amy Raden Memorial Scholarship $1,000*

Conoco Scholarship $1,000

Summit All-Terrain Scholarship $1,000

*Indicates the recipient will receive that scholarship again after a successful first year in college

Kassidy Boersma

Campbell Johnson

Warren Miller Performing Arts Center Scholarship $1,000

Lee Poole Memorial Scholarship by Moonlight Community Foundation $5,000

Spanish Peaks Community Fund Scholarship $2,000* Hungry Moose Scholarship $1,500

Robert Pruiett Corral Bar and Grill Scholarship $1,000 ACE Hardware – Big Sky Scholarship $2,500

Lone Peak Physical Therapy/Performance Scholarship $1,000

Anthony Brester

Luke Kirchmayr

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Gregory Mistretta Memorial Scholarship $1,000

Richard “Dick” Allgood Memorial Scholarship by American Legion Post 99 $2,500

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Big Sky Vacation Rentals Scholarship $2,500 Scott and Martha Johnson Scholarship $2,500

Mark Robin Scholarship for Creative Writing $1,000

Haas Builders Scholarship $1,000 Mike and Kirsten King Scholarship $1,000 Anonymous $500

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Yellowstone Club Community Foundation Scholarship $3,000*

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Lissy Samantha Suazo Glore Family Fund Scholarship $1,500 Gallatin Canyon Women’s Club Scholarship $6,000

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Simkins Family/Town Center Scholarship $1,500

Huntley Family Scholarship for Environmental Study Scholarship $1,000

McKillop Electrical Services/Mountain Scapes Scholarship $850

Cyr/Gorman Early Childhood Scholarship $1,000

Sophia Cone American Bank Scholarship $1,000 Buck and Helen Knight Foundation Scholarship $2,500 Lone Mountain Land Company Scholarship $2,000

Hammond Property Management Scholarship $600 Bechtle Architects Scholarship $1,000

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Milkie’s Pizza and Pub Scholarship $500

Bough Family Scholar Athlete Scholarship $2,500

Richard and Marie Luechtefeld Memorial Scholarship $1,000

Helms Family Fund Scholarship $2,500

Tina Barton Memorial Scholarship $2,500

Friends of Big Sky Education Scholarship $2,000

16 June 30 - July 13, 2022

R E GI O NA L

Explore Big Sky

AS YELLOWSTONE BEGINS TO REOPEN, BUSINESS OWNERS, VISITORS AND A ‘REPORTER’ RESPOND

BY BELLA BUTLER PHOTOS BY GABRIELLE GASSER

WEST YELLOWSTONE – West Yellowstone doesn’t have its own community newspaper, but Amy Beegel considers herself an unofficial reporter for the community.

Case in point: It’s Wednesday, June 22, and Yellowstone National Park has just reopened after shutting down for nine days due to historic flooding that wreaked havoc on the park’s infrastructure. Beegel owns Easy Tours Yellowstone, and she’s waiting for breakfast at the Book Peddler & Coffee Café off Canyon Street in West before a tour. As not only a guide but also a football coach and well-known Bingo caller, Beegel is one of those prolific people in the community that knows everyone at the coffee shop. She strikes up conversation with a few others in line about the park’s reopening.

“They already caught someone with fake plates,” she tells someone.

Since roads in the park’s north loop were washed away by the floods last week, the south loop is the only area currently open in Yellowstone.

To limit traffic in the reduced park space, the National Park Service implemented a license-plate system wherein plates ending in odd numbers can enter the park on odd-numbered calendar days and those ending in even numbers can enter on evennumbered dates.

According to Beegel, some determined visitors were willing to risk a federal offense to get in one day early.

On the day of the reopening, the park is accessible by its West Entrance in West Yellowstone, its East Entrance in Cody, Wyoming, and its South Entrance near Jackson, Wyoming.

The North Entrance in Gardiner and the Northeast Entrance in Silver Gate and Cooke City remain closed, but NPS hopes to open those entrances within the next two weeks.

In West Yellowstone, a stalled line of cars backed up from the West Entrance clogs Canyon Street as well as most side roads. Someone reports it took them three hours to get into town from where traffic started to back up at the Yellowstone Airport—2.5 miles away. The entrance reopened at 8 a.m., but the congestion of eager visitors started closer to 7 a.m. and didn’t free up until after noon.

Business was exactly zero for Beegel since the park closed on June 13.

This morning, she’s buzzing with excitement to take clients into the park. Though the town of West Yellowstone was unscathed by the flooding, businesses still took an economic hit when the park closed.

The streets—normally bustling during one of the busiest times of the summer—resembled those of a ghost town. Many of these business owners say they don’t know what visitation trends the summer may hold, but they also share a consensus voiced by Beegel: “I’m gonna get through this.”

Last week, a friend called Beegel and jokingly serenaded her with James Taylor’s lyrics: “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain.” Beegel’s worked in Yellowstone since 1988, the summer

A line of cars stretches back from the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park on June 22 just before the park reopens after closing the week prior due to flooding.

infamous fires ravaged the park.

Following the recent floods, Taylor’s song felt too ironic.

“I’ve lived through a lot here,” Beegel says. Even with record visitation to the park throughout the pandemic, she was still impacted by COVID-19 cancelations in 2020 and 2021. More recently she’s worried how ballooning gas prices could affect her business this summer.

Tourism markets face significant vulnerabilities, however many West Yellowstone businesses like Beegel’s boast a resume of resilience.

Bob Jacklin has owned Jacklin’s Fly Shop in West Yellowstone for 49 years and has guided fishermen on nearby rivers for more than a half century. He knows how fragile West Yellowstone’s economy becomes when the park shuts down.

“We all worry when the park closes because the town dies,” Jacklin says behind the counter at his shop.

Boots Hodges, who works for Jacklin’s, said last week he worried for Jacklin when the park closed.

“This is his life,” Hodges says. “And if it was taken away from him it would hurt me as much as it hurt him.”

Traffic heading into Yellowstone on June 22 snakes down Canyon Street in West Yellowstone behind Amy Beegel, owner of Easy Tours Yellowstone.

The park service made some exceptions to its alternating license plate system, one of which allows commercial operators like guides to enter the park regardless of their license plate numbers. A few people come into Jacklin’s asking if they can book guided fishing trips in the park to take advantage of the exception.

Hodges says they received a few trip cancelations last week but added that nearly 50 years of business has built Jacklin’s a loyal and local clientele.

Many customers, some friends of Jacklin’s, called to check in, Hodges said, but never canceled.

“I think we’ll get back to somewhat normal,” Jacklin says as traffic continues to block the road outside his shop. “This is the busiest week of the year [for] fly fishing … but it’s gonna be good all summer.”

Back at the Book Peddler, employees are huddled around café owner Debbie Griffin, who’s watching Beegel’s livestreamed video on Facebook as she bikes around West Yellowstone reporting on the traffic.

“You gotta remember this is opening day,” Beegel says on the livestream as she pedals past cars. “And we knew there was gonna be kinks, right? I know it seems bad, but I feel like a lot of people were hanging in there for this opening day … It might need some time to work out.”

Despite the traffic, Beegel said she’s grateful to park administration, specifically Superintendent Cam Sholly, whom she and other residents often refer to simply as “Cam,” for getting the gates open.

For some businesses, the nine-day park closure translated to big loss.

Aaron Hecht, owner of Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon, said during that time his sales were down 60 percent.

“Those [nine] days in the peak of summer really add up to quite a lot of revenue,” Hecht says. “It’s definitely

17 June 30 - July 13, 2022

R E GI O NA L

Explore Big Sky

a large sum that’s going to be hard to make up the rest of the year.”

Down the street from Wild West, Alberto Martinez and his wife, Fatima Uribe, slice green peppers inside their Mexican food bus, Las Palmitas. It’s their first day back at work since closing Monday and Tuesday.

“We couldn’t really afford to stay open,” Martinez says. Wanting to get his employees’ minds off the closure, Martinez bought them a day riding razors in Island Park and another whitewater rafting in Big Sky. He says it was a chance for them to relax with what he thinks could be a busy summer ahead.

“Once the season starts, I think it’s gonna be a very tough one this year,” he says. “With the two northern gates being closed, I think people are gonna kind of swarm this way and [to] Cody.”

Bob Jacklin (center), owner of Jacklin’s Fly Shop, stands behind the counter with his employees Ken Maccubbin (left) and Boots Hodges (right).

Regardless of any rush the summer might bring, Alpine Motel owner Brian Watson is lamenting what he believes could be irreversible loss for his business of 15 years. Last week, he fielded a wave of cancelations. Even with the park opening, he says many of his guests, especially those who typically book stays between two and four weeks, were turned off by the alternating license-plate system.

loop, which the park service has said would expand open areas in the park to approximately 80 percent.

“They’ve called me and they said, ‘There’s no way I’m going to come here for a month so I can spend half the time in the park,” Watson says.

“And the park service, they weren’t sympathetic to that.”

While snaking traffic lines on June 22 indicated booming business as the park reopened, the park service later reported that as of 2:30 p.m., fewer than 5,000 vehicles had entered the park that day, down from the usual 10,000.

Another exception to the alternating license-plate system is for guests with overnight reservations inside the park. Watson believes this unfairly disadvantages lodging outside the park.

Watson is hopeful NPS will reconsider its limitations on visitors if and when it’s able to open its north

“Once the upper loop is open, I would like to see them return to normal,” he says. “It won’t undo the cancelations that have already occurred, that ship has sailed basically, but it should be able to help the gateway communities recover going forward.”

“While it’s too early to tell if the license-plate system worked, it appears to have done its job by cutting our normal traffic counts by half,” Sholly said in a June 22 statement. “As we’ve discussed with our community partners, we will monitor this together and make adjustments if necessary.

We’re happy to have visitors back

in Yellowstone and appreciate the patience of the public and community partners as we continue working through this difficult situation.”

Like Sholly, most business owners in West Yellowstone remain uncertain about what challenges or victories

may define the remaining months of the season.

From her observations—on the streets of town to inside the park— Beegel reflects on her unofficial reporting from June 22. Her headline for the day, she said: “Let’s play this out and see.”

Big Sky Wildflower Festival July 11-15 7.11

Flower Arranging Workshop with The Hungry Moose

7.12 Crail Garden Open House 7.13 Sidewalk Chalk Art @ BASE with Arts Council & BSCO 7.13 Noxious Weed Bouquet Contest @ the Farmers Market 7.14 Wildflower & Weed Hike @ Porcupine 7.15 Wildflower Photography Workshop with Paul Holdorf 7.15 Creating Native Landscapes with Dr. Tracey Dougher and Larry Holzworth

Details @ gallatinisa.org/events L-R: Alberto Martinez, Fatima Uribe and Sergio Gutierrez prep food in Martinez’s Mexican food bus, Las Palmitas.

18 June 30 - July 13, 2022

Explore Big Sky

BUSINESS MAKING IT IN BIG SKY: WILDWOOD NURSERY

BY MIRA BRODY BIG SKY — Wildwood Nursery founders and friends San Goveia and Cindy MacDonald first came to Big Sky in 1978 to work a summer at the 320 Ranch. After deciding to stay, the two opened the nursery—at that time a modest lawn-care company—in 1981. With the area, the nursery has gown into a full service landscaping company with a talented, 20-person crew making many of the lawns and yards in Big Sky beautiful.

Forty-two years later, Goveia is still passionate about horticulture and her family-run, teamoriented business. Explore Big Sky spoke with her for the latest Making it in Big Sky and even dug up an old photo of her first season on the job.

This series is part of a paid partnership with the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce. The following answers have been edited for brevity.

Explore Big Sky: I’d like to start with a little background information on you, when did you come to Big Sky? San Goveia: I came to Big Sky in 1978 with my dear girlfriend Cindy Drury (MacDonald is her married name now). We traveled together from Ohio to work and spend the summer in the Rocky Mountains. I lived and worked at the 320 Ranch my first summer here for Gale & Jim Walma. Patty Goodrich still was living on the Ranch.

“

I would like to think that the mark of Wildwood Nursery on the Big Sky community has been a part of building what we all love here—natural beauty!

”

– San Goveia, Owner & Founder, Wildwood Nursery

EBS: How big is your team?

S.G.: Our team has operated with a 20-person crew—retail nursery and custom potting, landscape maintenance, and landscape design and installation.

With the staffing challenges we are having in the Gallatin Valley we now are operating with a 12-person team.

EBS: Tell me about the different services offered at the nursery?

S.G.: Our Nursery specializes in Custom Container Gardens. We have won half a dozen (or so) awards for these at our state’s Yearly Nursery Trade Shows.

Our maintenance crews focus on healthy plants and turf along with exceptional curb appeal for our clients. Our landscape services specialize in designing and planting to re-establish the native setting that gets damaged when a new home is built.

EBS: On your website it says you use “organic, microbebased products.” Can you tell us a little about what that means and why it’s important?

S.G.: We use live microbe-based fertilizers at our Nursery, on all of our accounts, and when planting our nursery stock. The microbes put life back into the soil around the root zone that enables the plants to uptake water and nutrients. Our success rate on all of our Nursery stock speaks for this.

EBS: What is the best part of working at Wildwood?

S.G.: Wildwood is a team company. This has started with my family—my husband Rob and our kids have all been a part of this company. Along with all of their help, their support over the years is immeasurable. After 42 years, I am still passionate about horticulture.

EBS: What is the best business advice you have ever received?

S.G.: While building Wildwood, I was advised to always invest into my company in ways that would build and prosper the business. I would like to think that the mark of Wildwood Nursery on the Big Sky community has been a part of building what we all love here—natural beauty!

EBS: Tell me about the history of Wildwood Nursery, when did it start? How has it grown over the years?

S.G.: In 1981 Cindy and I started Wildwood Landscaping (the first name of the company). We took care of a few lawns around the Big Sky area.

There weren’t too many back then! Cindy went to Nursing School a year or two later. I continued to build the maintenance business and also began small landscaping jobs. My ex-husband joined in and we continued to steadily grow the business over the next 20 years. In 2007 I created Wildwood Nursery Inc (after my divorce) and built our greenhouse and nursery with my now husband, Rob Goveia. This was in 2008 when our economy was not in the greatest shape!

San Goveia owns and operates Wildwood Nursery since founding the business with her friend Cindy in 1981. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAN GOVEIA

JOIN US THIS SUMMER FOR

Big Sky’s Biggest Week WED. JULY 13 – SUN. JULY 16 Big Sky Art Auction

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Big Sky Community Rodeo Street Dance, Len Hill Park

TUESDAY, JULY 19 Big Sky Bingo Night

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

Big Sky PBR Golf Tournament at Black Bull Golf Course

THURSDAY, JULY 21

Big Sky PBR Basecamp Vendor Village Open PBR Bull Riding Night 1

FRIDAY, JULY 22

Big Sky PBR Basecamp Vendor Village Open PBR Bull Riding Night 2 Live Music Following Bull Riding, Tony Marques Band

SATURDAY, JULY 23

Big Sky PBR Basecamp Vendor Village Open PBR Bull Riding Night 3

Live Music Following Bull Riding, Hayes Carll

VISIT BIGSKYPBR.COM FOR TICKETS & INFORMATION BIG SKY EVENTS ARENA, BIG SKY, MONTANA

20 June 30 - July 13, 2022

Explore Big Sky

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22 June 30 - July 13, 2022

Explore Big Sky

SPORTS

BIG SKY CO-ED SOFTBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS The 22nd season of The Big Sky Softball League is underway with tight competition. Four teams, Milkies, Riverhouse, Wildhouse and Huckers, are all top performers so far this season. As of June 28, Milkies sits undefeated with four wins.

The season runs June 6 through August 19—with games Monday

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Below are softball standings as of June 28.

TEAM NAME

WIN LOSS

1. Milkies 2. The Huckers 3. Herbaceuos Smokey Bears 4. Riverhouse 5. Wildcats 6. Yeti Dogs 7. LPC 8. Ballers 9. Lone Mountain Land Company 10. Lotus Pad 11. Meadowlarks 12. Cab Lizards 13. The Rubes 14. The Cave 15. Mooseketeers

4 3 2 4 4 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 0

0 0 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 2 2 3 4 3 5

The Rubes compete against Lone Mountain Land Company on the evening of June 28.

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25 June 30 - July 13, 2022

Explore Big Sky

ENVIRONMENT

Bright green algae blooms are visible on the Gallatin River near Deer Creek trailhead in August 2018. PHOTO BY RICH ADDICKS

DEQ ASSESSMENT FINDS GALLATIN RIVER IMPAIRED BY ALGAL BLOOMS

BY GABRIELLE GASSER BIG SKY — In response to a petition submitted by a coalition of five organizations, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality made a preliminary finding that the middle segment of the Gallatin River is impaired by algal blooms, or an excess of algae in the water.

On June 14, DEQ announced its determination that the Gallatin merits a Category 5 impairment designation under the federal Clean Water Act. An assessment of data collected by the Gallatin River Task Force and Upper Missouri Waterkeeper revealed that the Gallatin is affected by humanmade nutrient pollution and is not fully supporting two beneficial uses—aquatic life and recreation—which led to the impairment finding.

GRTF, Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, Montana Trout Unlimited, American Rivers and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition submitted the joint petition on March 31 asking DEQ to assess the middle segment of the Gallatin and make the determination that recurrent, nuisance algae blooms have degraded the waterway.

“This is a science-based determination that’s going to trigger a thoughtful process for understanding where the different pollution causes [are] and what do we do as a society, as a community that cares, to reduce the sources of pollution that are causing these big algae blooms,” said Guy Alsentzer, executive director and founder of Upper Missouri Waterkeeper.

Now, DEQ is holding a public comment period on the draft assessment which opened on June 20 and closes on Aug. 22.

There will be a public meeting in Big Sky on July 14 where DEQ representatives will present data from the assessment and answer questions.

After the public comment period closes, DEQ will review comments and make

any necessary updates to the assessment.

The impairment listing will then move to the federal level where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will have the final authority to approve or deny the listing. If the listing is approved, it will trigger the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads which define the amount of certain pollutants a waterbody can hold without impacts to water quality and beneficial uses.

Nuisance algae blooms, which have been affecting the Gallatin for years and worsened significantly in 2018, degrade the Gallatin’s water quality and are likely caused by large amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen in the water, according to Northern Rockies Regional Director with American Rivers Scott Bosse.

“We strongly suspect that it’s excess nutrients that are getting into the river that are causing these algae blooms,” Bosse said. “It’s those excess nutrients in combination with warming waters as a result of climate change that we think are triggering these algae blooms.”

The blooms disrupt recreation while harming fish and their food sources, Bosse said, adding that the Gallatin is historically a nutrient-poor river with some naturally occurring nitrogen and phosphorus. Those excess nutrients, he says, are coming from human sources.

The data reviewed by DEQ do not show that nutrients exceed current thresholds, but Kristin Gardner, chief executive and science officer with GRTF, pointed out that the Gallatin is more sensitive than standards set by the state.

To address those human sources of nutrient pollution, Gardner says an important project will be providing centralized wastewater treatment to the Canyon area of Big Sky, which has traditionally used septic systems. Right now, the Gallatin Canyon Water and Sewer District is conducting engineering studies to evaluate disposal capacity.

Eventually, the goal is to connect the

Canyon area to the upgraded water resource recovery facility in Big Sky’s Meadow Village.

Gardner expects the task force will help develop a river restoration plan working as a local liaison between the state and the community alongside the other organizations that signed the petition.

“That’s the end result of collaboration,” Gardner said, “[a bigger] impact and better results because everyone’s engaged and participating in the process.”

As public comment begins flowing in, Bosse, Gardner and Alsentzer all agree that DEQ must focus on the nutrient pollution that causes the algae blooms.

The impairment finding in its current, preliminary state lists the river as impaired based on excessive algae growth, not nutrient pollution.

Alsentzer said he’s enouraging commenters to ask DEQ to clearly state that nutrient pollution is the issue to

better guide the development of TMDLs and future restoration projects.

“Let’s focus on the things over which we have control and not try to kick the can down the road with some sort of ambiguous listing for just algae pollution,” he said. “It’s not just about algae, it’s about the fact [that] manmade sources of nutrients are giving rise to the causal effect of severe algal blooms that are affecting recreation and aquatic life.”

The impairment listing by DEQ is a positive step in the right direction, Alsentzer said, adding that his organization will continue collaborating with other organizations to make appropriate decisions.

“If there was ever a community that cares about the river and depends on the river, but also has the means to properly and sustainably protect the river, it’s the community of Big Sky,” he said.

26 June 30 - July 13, 2022

Explore Big Sky

A&E ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

SOUL SHINE, MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS EMPHASIZE COMMUNITY

Community members gather around the stage in Len Hill Park as locals Jackie Robin and Janie Bertelson speak about Soul Shine's history in Big Sky and the experiences their families have had with ALS. Both Robin and Bertelson lost their husbands to the disease. PHOTO BY BELLA BUTLER

BY JULIA BARTON BIG SKY — The feeling of community is hard to describe but it’s one that was clearly embodied on the evening of June 23 as visitors and locals alike packed into Len Hill Park on blankets, chairs and bikes to enjoy one of the first nights of summer through music and celebration.

After a brief stint of rainy afternoon weather, the sky cleared and the 10th in-person Music in the Mountains in Len Hill Park kicked-off. Hosted annually by the Arts Council of Big Sky, the free summer concert series brings music groups of varying styles and sizes to Big Sky for the community to enjoy.

Since 2017, Music in the Mountains has partnered with the Robin family of Big Sky to host Soul Shine, a celebration of the well-known father, community member and business owner Mark Robin who lost his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in December of that same year.

“Soul Shine being the first show of the summer is always really special,” Arts Council Executive Director Brian Hurlbut said. “It’s one of my favorite nights of the year just being able to celebrate with the Robin family and getting the whole community together.”

For this year’s installment of Soul Shine and the first Music in the Mountains show of the summer, opener Cole & The Thornes preceded the nationally renowned, Montana-based headliner, Satsang. Both bands sang original music about soul searching, positivity and love, matching the sentiment of Soul Shine.

Cole Thorne, lead singer and ukuleleist of Bozeman’s Cole & The Thornes, said Len Hill

Park is one of the best local venues to perform at, especially for Soul Shine.

the organization’s help with their families, inviting willing community members to donate to the cause.

“That’s kind of my little saying,” Thorne said in an interview with EBS. “It’s all about the soulshine searching.”

Jackie concluded her message by welcoming Satsang to the stage.

After a slow start to summer this year, the crowd eagerly filled in Len Hill Park, dancing, eating and conversing to the Thornes’ groovy tunes, summer sun filling the space between people.

Prior to Satsang’s performance, Mark’s wife, Jackie Robin, took the stage with her three sons and Janie Bertelson, whose husband Eric Bertelson passed away from ALS earlier this year. The two women explained the severity of the disease, expressing love for the Big Sky community in supporting them through the loss of their husbands.

“There was no time for anything except for the Big Sky community to rally around us,” Jackie said to the crowd, reflecting on Mark’s 2016 diagnosis. As Jackie spoke, the crowd gathered close to the stage, many in turquoise Soul Shine t-shirts, hugging each other—smiling, crying or both—in remembrance of Mark and Eric.

Eric lived an active, outdoors life up until his diagnosis with ALS in 2019, Janie told the crowd, and her family felt lost following his diagnosis.

“That is when Jackie Robin, her three boys and beloved members of the Big Sky community entered our lives and provided a guiding light forward,” she remarked.

Soul Shine supports Team Gleason, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help those diagnosed with ALS to continue living full lives. Team Gleason supported the Robins through Mark’s illness and was there for the Bertelsons as well.

Both women voiced their appreciation for

“We are going to rock the house tonight,” she said.

“I can tell.”

Hurlbut booked bands for Music in the Mountains earlier than usual this year following uncertainty instigated by the pandemic in recent years. As a result, he feels he snagged a particularly impressive lineup or artists, Satsang among them.

Led by cowboy hat-clad Drew McManus, Satsang took the stage just before a pink sunset drenched the sky behind Lone Peak. The spiritual roots group played into the dark, sharing sweet melodies and powerful messages with listeners.

McManus first heard the word “satsang” on a trip to Nepal where he found himself searching for a new path forward in life, he told EBS in an interview after the show. Derived from Sanskrit, the word refers to a sacred, spiritual gathering.

“That day in Kathmandu, I was like ‘I’m gonna start a band, and I’m gonna call it Satsang,’” he said.

Despite most of their music being written in Montana’s Beartooth Mountains where McManus lives, Satsang rarely plays shows in the state.

“Playing here is really special,” he said, mentioning the lively crowd. “I’m on a constant quest to make a soundscape for Montana, so to get to play— especially looking at the mountains—is always the goal.”

In front of the stage, the community danced and celebrated for hours, their souls shining vibrant light into the darkening night.

27 June 30 - July 13, 2022

PHOTO BY JULIA BARTON

PHOTO BY JULIA BARTON

A&E

Explore Big Sky

PHOTO BY JULIA BARTON

PHOTO BY JULIA BARTON

A&E

28 June 30 - July 13, 2022

Explore Big Sky

BIG SKY BROADWAY PRESENTS 'WILLY WONKA' EBS STAFF PHOTOS BY MATT DODD

BIG SKY — After two weeks of hard work, more than 30 local youths took the stage on June 24 and 25 to perform “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka.” The two performances were the first of two Big Sky Broadway sessions this year.

For 14 years, local youth theater program Big Sky Broadway has gathered kids from first through eighth grade in the summertime for two-week sessions that culminate in the performance of a play.

This year, the fifth through eighth graders attended the June 13-25 session ending in their performance of Willy Wonka.

A professional staff of 18 including choreographers and a vocal coach are joined by Big Sky Broadway

Pretty wildflower?

THINK AGAIN!

Below are photos of the colorful, candy-filled production of Willy Wonka.

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alumni now in high school who volunteer to help with the program serving as interns, directors and even producers. Barbara Rowley, longtime Big Sky resident, serves as the producer of each show and is helped this year by recent Lone Peak High School graduate Samantha Suazo as an associate producer.

Land Stewardship Partners:

www.gallatinisa.org Native plants evolved with our local climate, soil types, and animals. Their deep roots stabilize soil, increase water infiltration, and enable them to survive during drought conditions. When used in the garden, they save water, sustain wildlife, and preserve our historic landscape.

Join us for: - Crail Garden Open Houses · July 14, Aug 30 - Wildflower & Weed Hikes · July 14, Aug 18 - Big Sky Wildflower Festival · July 11-15 - Noxious Weed Bouquet Contest · July 13 - Bag the Peak Cornhole Tournament · Aug 2

Sign up to volunteer at Crail Gardens on events page @ gallatinisa.org!

Visit Crail Gardens, our native demonstration garden, to get educated and inspired!

Located at the Historic Crail Ranch, open 7 days a week during daylight hours @ 2100 Spotted Elk Road.

Crail Garden Partners:

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A&E

30 June 30 - July 13, 2022

Explore Big Sky

BIG SKY EVENTS CALENDAR Thursday, June 30-Wednesday, July 13

If your event falls between July 14-27, please submit it to media@theoutlapartners.com by July 6.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30

Live Music: Rubby Hutto & Kent Johnson

SUNDAY, JULY 10

Len Hill Park, 6:00 p.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 7

BASE, 4 p.m.

Music in the Mountains: Fireside Collective

Live Music: Ian Thomas Tips Up, 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 1

Live Music: Mandy Rowden

Riverhouse BBQ & Events, 5:30 p.m.

Live Music: Aaron & Gabe Tips Up, 9 p.m.

Live Jazz

The Independent, 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 2 -MONDAY, JULY 4

For July Fourth weekend events, refer to page 10

TUESDAY, JULY 5

Intro to fly fishing with Gallatin River Guides

Deer Creek pullout on Hwy 191, 1 p.m.

Family Roller Skate

Len Hill Community Park, 5:30 p.m Outdoor Group Bike Ride BASE, 5:30 p.m

Live Music: Mandy Rowden

Riverhouse BBQ & Events, 5:30 p.m.

Film: "Valley Uprising"

The Independent, 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6

Lunch on the Lawn: Honey and Rye The Emerson, 10:30 a.m.

Community Board Games BASE, 2 p.m.

Big Sky Farmers Market Firepit Park, 5 p.m.

Open mic night

The Emerson, 5:30 pm Trivia

Tips Up, 9 p.m.

Live Music: Jim Salestrom

Riverhouse BBQ & Events, 5:30 p.m.

Music in the Mountains: Jeffrey Foucault Len Hill Park, 6 p.m.

Music on Main: Wildermiss

Downtown Bozeman, 6:30 p.m.

Live Music: Wes Urbaniak Tips Up, 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 8

CureCervicalCancer with Dr. Patricia Gordon

Film: Finding Nemo

The Ellen Theater, 7:30 p.m.

Film: "Raiders of the Lost Ark" The Independent, 8 p.m.

MONDAY, JULY 11

Water Quality Monitoring

Gallatin River Task Force, 8 a.m.

Ousel Falls Hike

Ousel Falls Trail Head, 9 a.m

Mural unveiling

Flower arranging workshop

Parks, Trails & Recreation Gala

Community Crochet and Craft

Film: "The Duke"

Live Music: Wyatt Hurts

Live Music: Jim Salestrom and Friends

Outdoor Futsal

Tinworks Art, 4:30 p.m.

BASE, 6 p.m.

The Ellen Theater, 7:30 p.m.

The Independent, 8 p.m.

Live Music: StiLlGonE Tips Up, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 9 The Herd Relays trail race

Crail Gardens, 12 p.m.

BASE, 2 p.m.

Riverhouse BBQ & Events, 5:30 p.m.

Len Hill Park, 6:30 p.m.

Community Theater

The Independent, 7:30 p.m.

Film: "Divergent"

Len Hill Park, sunset

Big Sky Resort, 7:30 a.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 12

Native fashion show

Crail Gardens, 4 p.m.

Tinworks Art, 4 p.m.

Live Music: The Sprees

Riverhouse BBQ & Events, 5:30 p.m.

Film: "Yesterday"

The Ellen Theater, 7:30 p.m.

​​Crail Garden open house

Family Roller Skate

Len Hill Park, 5:30 p.m.

Intro to Roller Derby

Big Sky Town Center, 4 p.m.

Sidewalk wildflower chalk art BASE, 1 p.m.

Community Board Games BASE, 2 p.m.

Big Sky Farmers Market Firepit Park, 5 p.m.

Open mic night

The Emerson, 5:30 pm Live Music: Brian Stumpf

Riverhouse BBQ & Events, 5:30 p.m.

Trivia

The Independent, 7 p.m.

Live Music: Cole Thorne Duo Tips Up, 9 p.m.

FEATURED EVENT: 4TH OF JULY 5K ROAD RACE BIG SKY COMMUNITY PARK, 9 A.M. Big Sky Community Organization’s annual 4th of July 5K Road Race is returning for the holiday weekend at the Big Sky Community Park.

The in-person run begins at 9 a.m. immediately followed by the free kids Fun Run around the softball field. For runners not in Big Sky, there is a virtual 5K race that can be completed from anywhere. Registration will be available in the lobby of BASE on Friday, July 1 at 4 - 6 p.m. and on Sunday, July 3, at 4 - 6 p.m. Same-day signups are available and no registration is needed for the kids Fun Run. Visit runsignup.com/ Race/MT/BigSky/Bigskyroadrace for more information.

Len Hill Park, 7:30 p.m.

Live Music: Savanna Basset

Film: "Notes From the Road and Journey On"

The Independent, 8 p.m.

The Independent, 8 p.m.

Live Music: Kapeeah Duo

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13

Tips Up, 9 p.m.

Big Sky Art Auction

Lunch on the Lawn: Estival The Emerson, 10:30 a.m.

The Independent, 7 p.m.

Do You or Someone You Know Need Help Getting Sober?

Contact A.A. - We’re alcoholics helping other alcoholics stay sober.

Call 1-833-800-8553 to talk to an A.A. member or Get the Meeting Guide app or Go to aa-montana.org for virtual and face-to-face meeting times and locations

31 June 30 - July 13, 2022

Explore Big Sky

OPINION

THE NEW WEST

DOES GROWTH MOST CHANGE LOCAL PEOPLE OR THE PLACE?

BY TODD WILKINSON EBS COLUMNIST

About 15 years ago, as the Jackson Hole economy continued its transformational shift into overdrive with no turning back, the Sonoran Institute held a conference in the Tetons. Invited were commissioners from a number of rural counties in the “New West.”

In reflection, the issues that were confronted—ag lands being converted to development, rising fiscal challenges, gaps opening between haves and have nots, living wages, affordable housing, impacts on wildlife—seemed almost quaint. At least at the time compared to where those same issues are today.

Commissioners from non-booming counties in the Northern Rockies got to see, firsthand, what consultant and former Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce executive director Suzanne Young called the “upside of the downside of growth.”

Young didn’t speak at the event but earlier coined the term in an interview I had with her while writing a story for Jackson Hole Magazine about the chamber’s “Power of Place” marketing slogan.

Every commissioner who came to Jackson Hole was looking for the same thing: the secret formula that allows a community to achieve sustainable economic prosperity without sacrificing the oftenintangible elements that make their place special.

And no one wanted to become Jackson Hole or Bozeman.

Ironies, paradoxes and hypocrisies can be found everywhere, though the challenges of inward population growth are now being manifested in every town that has become a magnet for pilgrims fleeing cities for the perceived Holy Grail of a better life.

I mention the Sonoran Institute because no other organization at the time was doing a better job of examining the upside of the downside of growth.

Now, ironically, the founder of that nonprofit, a true out-of-the-box thinker named Luther Propst, is again running for the county commission in Teton County this 2022 election cycle.

Sonoran didn’t paint growth as “good” or “bad,” or undesirable, or necessarily counter to the values, both real and mythological, that shape local community identity.

Yet as its then staff eco-economist Ray Rasker (also former executive director and founder of Headwaters Economics in Bozeman) noted, in stating the obvious, counties that fail to plan for the consequences—and costs—of growth are destined to be negatively overwhelmed by them.

As one visiting outside county commissioner was heard saying: “In our town it’s okay to utter the ‘s’ word (sprawl) but people take offense when you say the ‘z’ word (zoning).”

Not only that, observers say, but today there is a sleight of hand occurring with developers advancing schemes allegedly to create more affordable housing when they are really just token ruses to sell more expensive units.

Rasker has divined numerous insights over the years, but in his hometown of Bozeman the impacts of growth are more personal. Bozeman, like Jackson, is a more dynamic community than it used to be, but something has slipped away.

“It used to be that when the college students left in summer, the pace of things quieted down,” Rasker said more than a decade ago. “This year it was busy

all the time. When I walk downtown to the coffee shop, it’s full but I don’t know as many people as I used to. When I get off the plane at the airport, I couldn’t catch a ride home.”

In the gridlock of poorly designed transportation infrastructures, amid the honking and sprawl, the biggest casualty was, and continues to be, the loss of civility.

Fifteen years ago, Rasker and a friend were riding their mountain bikes in the Gallatins south of Bozeman and both remarked how cyclists don’t wave to each other anymore as they blow by one another on the trail.

As a group of young twentysomethings surged by without exchanging pleasantries, Rasker’s friend turned around and hightailed after them, eventually forcing them to halt and get off their bikes.

For a few minutes, Rasker said, his middle-aged friend lectured the startled lads. Frustrated and annoyed, he told them: “This is a friendly town, damn it! We need to be nice to each other!”

Where does the small-town friendliness that drew us here, the sense of interpersonal connection we all live for, begin and end? This, too, is another paradox of the new West.

Todd Wilkinson is founder of Bozeman-based Mountain Journal (mountainjournal.org) and a correspondent for National Geographic and The Guardian. He’s authored numerous books, including the new release, “Ripple Effects: How to Save Yellowstone and America’s Most Iconic Wildlife Ecosystem.”

An earlier version of this column first ran in Explore Big Sky in July 2018.

Meanwhile, many of the downhome icons of our Western river valleys—ranchers and farmers—are selling off their cows and some, by personal choice, are getting into the far more lucrative real estate business, an act once considered heresy.

Working-class locals, who are credited with emanating community charm to wealthier outsiders eying new places to settle, are sent packing because they and their kids can’t afford to own property.

In scurrying over the mountain passes to other less expensive bedroom communities, refugees cause police and fire departments, schools and road maintenance crews to become overwhelmed as their swelling numbers outstrip the ability of government to deliver essential services.

Growth happens, and dominoes of what towns used to be begin to fall. Economies seem to be roaring along swimmingly, but in hindsight, as citizens ponder the tradeoffs of what was gained and what was given up, the feeling of lament toward “new prosperity” is like the old Peggy Lee song: “Is That All There Is?”

In 2018, this trailer park on the north side of Bozeman was demolished by developers and replaced by condos/townhouses that sold for values well beyond reach of longtime locals trying to eke out a living. Prices only soared higher following the pandemic. Has this kind of economic “prosperity” made Bozeman and Big Sky, Jackson and Teton Valley, Idaho better communities? PHOTO BY TIM CRAWFORD

32 June 30 - July 13, 2022

OPINION

Explore Big Sky

EVERY DROP COUNTS CONSIDER A WATER WISE LANDSCAPE

A local example of water wise landscaping. Planting native plants and using efficient irrigation practices will help restore habitat, conserve water, and save money. PHOTO BY MARK CASTANEDA

BY MARNE HAYES EBS COLUMNIST

With all the recent heavy rain, the unprecedented floods, and the shattered records for high river flows, it is hard to consider that Southwestern Montana may still be facing a potential drought. But considering our water table, the long- and short-term implications of a lower snowpack year and a late season, quick onset of rain and highwater runoff, it is more important than ever to be mindful of the summer months ahead, and how we address water conservation, including in the spaces both in and outside of our homes.

Landscapes in Big Sky are part of the Gallatin River Watershed, and our landscaping choices influence water quality, water quantity, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities reliant on a healthy river. With summer water use in our community outpacing winter use by nearly seven times, thoughtful landscape design and maintenance are the keys to creating a water-wise landscape, conserving water and protecting the Gallatin River’s sustainability.

Landscaping that requires considerable irrigation contributes largely to wasted water through evaporation. In fact, 65 percent of water used in irrigation is lost when we water our lawns and landscapes in the heat of a summer day. This puts enormous pressure on our water resources, lowering the flows of the Gallatin and its tributaries while exacerbating water quality challenges that already exist.

By planting native wildflowers, grasses and shrubs instead of the traditional green-grass lawn, and

incorporating efficient irrigation practices, we can actually use the spaces in our backyards and around our homes to restore habitat while conserving water, saving time and money.

There are several resources that can provide helpful landscaping tips for our drought-prone mountain environment—and which offer guidelines and principles for planting that optimize water use while maintaining flexibility in the design of healthy, attractive, cost-effective and water-wise landscapes. Our Big Sky Water Wise Landscape Guide is a good place to start. This planning tool outlines several basic principles that are easy to implement and guarantees a more mindful way of creating a space that saves water, habitat and clean and healthy flows in the Gallatin.

Things to consider as you get started on your own journey for more water-wise landscapes: 1. Start with a Plan: consider the elements of your own space that include sunny, windy, shaded or sloped areas.

2. Design Like a Pro: incorporate ideas for practical lawn areas, mulch and plants grouped by watering needs, or areas of shade or sloped areas.

3. Soils are the Secret: soil textures and organic matter are key influencers in how soils store water. Think, water-holding capacity: how water moves naturally through your soil will be key to how efficiently you can use water to optimize plant health.

4. Go Native: native plants grow in better balance with nature in their endemic regions. In Big Sky, those native characteristics include drought tolerant and fire tolerant plant choices that are also quick to mature, hardy in low temperatures, and can adapt to dry, rocky or sandy soils.

5. The Grass Isn’t Always Greener: meaning, lawns are usually the biggest culprit of inefficient water use in our landscapes. Where

water is scarce, highly irrigated and maintained areas of green grass don’t make sense, consider a more drought tolerant grass species instead.

6. Irrigate Efficiently: think about how to optimally deliver efficient water to your landscape. Plan ahead to reap the benefits that efficient irrigation will bring to your landscape.

7. Maintenance is Key: all landscapes require care and maintenance to thrive, and a waterwise landscape is no different. Take good care of your native areas, follow recommended guidelines for efficient planting and smart irrigation, and your landscape will help you conserve water, habitat and money in the long run.

Saving water in your landscape is a small way you can make a huge difference for the Gallatin River, and transforming your landscape should be easy, so check out the new outdoor rebates offered by the Gallatin River Task Force for residential and commercial properties, for purchase and installation of drip irrigation, use of water-wise plants, turf conversion, rain sensors, and more. Taking advantage of the rebates helps save even more money and water all for the good of the Gallatin.

To top it all off, taking our Trout-Friendly Pledge solidifies your commitment to keeping water in our rivers, our streamflows high, and addresses our goal to be more resilient to drought and our community’s sustainable water use.

If you have any questions, need more resources, want to apply for rebates, or want to dig into your own waterwise landscaping, you can visit gallatinrivertaskforce. org/water-conservation. And remember, every drop counts.

Marne Hayes is the communications manager for the Gallatin River Task Force.

140 Upper Beehive Loop Road | $6,250,000 | 4 Beds | 4.5 Baths +/- 6,705 Sqft | +/-20.67 Acres | MLS# 366377 Listing Advisor: Stacy Ossorio, Broker | Private Office

stacy.ossorio@engelvoelkers.com | 406.539.8553

170 Gray Owl Lane | $4,850,000 | 4 Beds | 5.5 Baths +/- 4,832 Sqft | +/- 3.8 Acres | MLS# 368621 Listing Advisor: Stacy Ossorio, Broker | Private Office

stacy.ossorio@engelvoelkers.com | 406.539.8553

Shining a light on the future.

25 Blue Spruce Way, The Pines B-4 | 3 Beds | 2 Baths +/- 2,016 Sqft | $1,900,000 | MLS# 368974 Listing Advisor: Stacy Ossorio, Broker | Private Office

stacy.ossorio@engelvoelkers.com | 406.539.8553

Making smarter decisions about renewable energy requires knowledge. NorthWestern Energy’s solar projects throughout the state of Montana provide clean energy to the power grid – and they’re shaping the future of renewable energy, too. We’re working with local universities to better understand where solar energy belongs alongside a balanced energy mix.

And that research is helping us build a brighter future for the next generation of Montanans.

2270 Yellowtail Road | Golf Course Location | 4 Beds | 3.5 Baths +/- 2,757 Sqft | $2,795,000 | MLS# 371585 Listing Advisor: Stacy Ossorio, Broker | Private Office

stacy.ossorio@engelvoelkers.com | 406.539.8553

DON’T JUST VISIT HERE, LIVE HERE.

© 2021 .. All rights reserved. Engel & Völkers and its independent franchisees are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act. Each property shop is independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an attempt to solicit your listing.

View more of the story at NorthWesternEnergy.com/BrightFuture

OPINION

34 June 30 - July 13, 2022

Explore Big Sky

WRITERS ON THE RANGE

WE NEED EVERY TOOL TO FIGHT TODAY’S WILDFIRES

BY STEVE PYNE WRITERS ON THE RANGE We know now that the largest recorded fire in New Mexico history was started by an escaped “prescribed burn,” or rather by two. The Hermit’s Peak fire bolted away on April 6 when unexpectedly gusty winds blew sparks beyond control lines.

The real threat to fire management is death by a thousand cuts, each breakdown leading to shutdowns, each partisan group extracting a concession, that together so encumber the practice that it can’t be implemented.

There is always something that can cause a prescribed burn to be shuttered. There is no equivalent mechanism to make up the loss.

It’s not news that the Western fire scene has become complicated. The early 20th century days, when one response—extinguish by 10 am the next morning—was adequate are long past. It was a marvelous administrative stroke: No confusion, no compromise, one size fits all.

Then the Calf Canyon fire raced off on April 9 when similar winds fanned embers in burn piles first kindled in January. The two fires soon merged. Together, as of June 12, they have scorched 320,333 acres, with two-thirds of the fire perimeter regarded as contained.

But it made the fire scene worse by encouraging ecological rot and an incendiary buildup of fuels.

The change in policy was clear and necessary: Fire is inevitable, and we need to manage it.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s reaction was to insist that federal agencies reconsider their policy on spring burns. The chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Randy Moore, responded by announcing a halt on prescribed burning for a 90-day review period.

Today, all aspects of landscape fire are plural. Fire control does not mean one thing; it embraces many strategies. It might refer to protecting towns or sage grouse habitat. It can resemble urban firefighting, or for reasons of safety, cost and environmental health, it could mean containing fires within broad borders.

Inevitably, the blowups invited comparison to the 2000 Cerro Grande fire in New Mexico that began as a prescribed burn, then blew out of Bandelier National Monument and into Los Alamos. It was the largest chronicled fire in the state’s history—until now.

Prescribed fire is not likely to be challenged in principle.

Recognition seems widespread that controlled burning is a legitimate source of good fire that can reduce the threat from areas likely to burn. States from Florida to California have even reformed liability law to encourage burning on private lands.

It varies from extinguishing an abandoned campfire to herding mega-fires rolling over the Continental Divide. It might involve bulldozing around municipal watersheds, or working-with-nature firelines in wilderness. It might mean setting emergency backfires that can resemble a prescribed fire done under urgent conditions.

So, also, with prescribed burning. It might mean burning logging slash or piled cuttings from thinning operations.

Or it might refer to broadcast burns that range freely over areas from an acre to a landscape. It can mean

burning to improve forage in tallgrass prairie, to prune pine savannas, or to promote habitat for Karner blue butterflies.

Wildfire acts as an all-spectrum ecological catalyst.

Good prescribed burns will do the same thing.

The choice isn’t between one strategy or the other; it’s selecting from a variety of techniques that work in particular settings and seasons. We need them all, not least because each strategy by itself can fail.

Fires escape initial suppression at a rate of 2-3 percent.

Prescribed fires escape at a rate of 1.5 percent for the National Park Service, or less than 1 percent according to Forest Service records. Managing naturally caused fires has a similar rate of failure. When an escape occurs, however, its destructiveness makes news.

Those figures are not likely to drop. We can’t control the setting of a wildland fire as we can a blowtorch.

All we can do is juggle strategies so that each strategy’s strengths fill the others’ weaknesses.

The 2000 blowout in New Mexico made prescribed burning more difficult but led to a National Fire Plan.

Twenty years later, the fire scene has grown bigger, meaner, tougher. The Hermits Peak fire will likely end up an order of magnitude larger than Cerro Grande.

Inevitably, our future holds a lot of fire. The goal is always to find and employ the right mix of fire for the land.

Steve Pyne is a contributor to Writers on the Range, a nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He is a fire historian, urban farmer and author of “ The Pyrocene.”

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36 June 30 - July 13, 2022

OPINION

Explore Big Sky

HEALTH BUZZ YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

BY DR. KALEY BURNS EBS COLUMNIST

The saying “you are what you eat” may be a cliche, but it reflects the fact that nutrition serves as a foundation for our health.

An excess of unhealthy dietary factors and deficiency in required nutrients are both associated with increased risk of chronic diseases and malnutrition. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted in 20032006, reported that “8 out of 10 Americans” do not meet recommended intake of colorful foods, creating a “phytonutrient gap.”

Here are some of Dr. B’s tips on improving your diet.

Enhance Your Immunity Eating an assortment of whole foods can enhance the immune system by providing the body with adequate nutrients, providing their respective antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties.

Chronic inflammation can compromise the body’s ability to guard against disease and illness.

Eliminating the “phytonutrient gap” by consuming an assortment of colorful, plant-based foods can enhance health and longevity and reduce the risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders, and can be used in combination with traditional medical protocols to minimize multidrug resistance in cancer treatment.

Engage Your Microbiome An eating plan consisting of a variety of whole, plant-based foods supports the gut microbiome in producing a diverse population of bacteria and microorganisms

needed for overall health. A systemic relationship exists between the microbiome and the body as a whole, affecting illness or health, as well as how the gut interacts with the brain. A healthy approach to eating that includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can increase the diversity of gut microbiota. Cocoa has also been shown to enhance beneficial and decrease non-beneficial bacteria, as well as boost immunity and aid anti-inflammation.

Augment Peaceful Mood Substantial evidence provides support for the role of diet in the prevention and control of mental disorders. Foods such as artificial sugar, sweetened beverages and processed foods may lead to several health issues such as indigestion, bloating, restless sleep and agitation. A balanced diet rich in a variety of foods can promote better sleep and improved overall mood. As you consume a more balanced and diverse diet, energy increases and stress hormones become more optimally balanced.

Finding the right nutrition routine for you and your goals can be tricky to navigate.

Truth is, there is no one-regimen-fits-all, since every individual has a unique metabolism, genetic makeup, health history and goals. A diverse diet can ensure that you benefit from the complementary actions of the micro-components of your food. Now is the time to start incorporating a variety of healthy foods into your diet. If you have food allergies or questions about which foods can best support your health goals, talk to your healthcare team for options based on your individual circumstances.

Dr. Kaley Burns is the founder, owner and Naturopathic Doctor at Big Sky Natural Health. She embraces a natural approach to health and aims to similarly inspire and guide others on their health journey. Dr. Burns has advanced training application of regenerative and intravenous injection therapy. She also serves as the Vice President and CE Liaison of the Montana Association of Naturopathic Physicians.​

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Let me be your community connection. ©2021 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an attempt to solicit your listing. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.E&OE. Published by REAL Marketing (REM) | www.REALMarketing4You.com | 858.254.9619

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TBD Lot 26A Upper Promontory Big Sky, MT Listed at $2,600,000 | 39.88± Acres This sprawling 39-acre parcel has jaw-dropping views of the Spanish Peaks and the Gallatin Range and adjoins thousands of acres of US Forest Land where you can hike, ride snowmobiles, 4-wheelers, RZRs, horses, and mountain bikes utilizing the neighborhood’s direct access trail. The land has an abundant variety of trees, a seasonal stream providing that tranquil sound of running water, and diverse wildlife. If nature, recreation, and privacy is what you are searching for, search no more as this is the pinnacle of Big Sky property!

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Surround yourself with the best of what Montana has to offer. Located at Spanish Peak Mountain Club, this beautiful 2.59± acre south-facing lot offers coveted views of the Spanish Peaks, the Gallatin Range, and Yellowstone National Park. The old-growth natural timber that shields the property, as well as the empty neighboring lots, provides plenty of privacy and the desired terrain for all types of wildlife.

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You can help preserve fish and wildlife habitat and scenic open spaces in Montana.

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OPINION

41 June 30 - July 13, 2022

Explore Big Sky

THE TASTING ROOM SUNSHINE WINES

from getting too floral or peachy like some French examples can be. Drink it ice cold (or—gasp—maybe even throw a cube in?).

BY BEN MACKALL EBS COLUMNIST

While a cool, wet spring had me drinking red wine well into June, we’ve perhaps reached that time of year where the Chacos and shorts come out, the days get longer and hotter and the best thing I can think of is a bottle of rose or crisp white sweating in the Yeti on the driftboat deck. We get questions a lot at the Hungry Moose about what wines to buy as the weather gets warmer. If you’re a red drinker, this is the time to branch out. Here are some of my tips for choosing the perfect porch-pounder.

When in doubt, think light: Light in color, light in body, light in alcohol. There’s a reason light beer and rose rule the summertime. All of these things will keep you in the game long after that 10 p.m. sunset and barbecue action without having to take a 6 p.m. nap under the picnic table.

Look to higher-acid wines. High acid is the primary factor that makes a wine “refreshing” because acid is what makes us salivate. High-acid wines are typically produced in cooler climates, so look to Oregon, Germany, Switzerland and New Zealand.

For those who typically reach for beer, fear not!

Bubbles are the ultimate summer quaff—particularly “pet-nats”, the trendy style of sparklers generally under a beer-like crown cap and sporting low alcohols and fun flavors. Bubbles keep the palate light and refreshing

Gabernik 20 White Piquette - $20 Slovenian wine! This is your go-to for when you can’t decide on beer or wine. Piquette is a traditional sparkler made from the already-pressed grapes after the first round of wine is finished. At a featherweight 7 percent alcohol, it’s lower gravity than some IPAs. Drink the whole thing, we aren’t judging.

Ovum Big Salt White - $18

Certified Wine Specialist Ben Mackall’s recommendations for wines to drink this summer. PHOTO BY BEN MACKALL

and make them perfect for cutting through mayo-rich slaw and other such barbecue fare.

If you gotta have your red fix, remember tip No. 1: Reds that are lower in alcohol, lighter in color and lower in tannin won’t weigh you down in the hot sun.

Don’t be afraid to throw these lighter reds in the fridge either. A chill sometimes does wonders.

Here’s what I’ve been loving lately: Illahe Willamette Valley Viognier - $21 Adult lemonade. Oregon’s cooler climate keeps this

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.

A day at the beach in a bottle. A new darling of wine lists all over the U.S., Ksenjia Kostic’s utterly mouthwatering flagship white from Oregon marries the acid of riesling with the floral and spice of gewurtztraminer and muscat. The name is apt too, a subtle saltiness ups the refreshment factor.

Why am I Mr. Pink? Rose - $13 Perfectly light in color and heft but with ripe enough fruit to let you know it came from the hot sun of Washington. Punches way above the price! Bonus points—we love a good movie reference, in this case a Steve Buscemi line from “Reservoir Dogs.”

Ben Mackall, Certified Specialist of Wine, is the wine curator and beverage specialist for the Hungry Moose Market & Deli. When not nerding out on all things grape, you can find him on the river or going (slowly) up and down mountains.

42 June 30 - July 13, 2022

OPINION

Explore Big Sky

AMUSE BOUCHE NEW & CONSIGNED GEAR FOR ALL YOUR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

FIVE FEET HIGH AND RISING

BY SCOTT MECHURA EBS COLUMNIST

In his song “Five Feet High and Rising,” Johnny Cash

sings: “My mama always taught me that good things come from adversity if we put our faith in the lord.

We couldn’t see much good in the flood waters when they were causing us to have to leave home.

But when the water went down, we found that it had washed a load of rich black bottom dirt across our land. The following year we had the best cotton crop we’d ever had.”

As a lifelong Cash fan, I’ve held this song high on my list of favorites.

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These words always meant something to me. But they came to mind on a different level recently as I watched the news of the floods across Montana and communicated with friends in Paradise Valley; as I watched businesses and livelihoods swept away by the hour.

Big Sky is growing by leaps and bounds. I remember not so many years ago when restaurant owners would talk about how they had 12 months worth of bills, but only six months worth of income; truthfully, it was more like four months.

In an industry where profit averages about 5 cents on the dollar, you can imagine how those four to six months were so precious.

I’d hear staff talk about how on a given night the restaurant or bar was “crushing it.” And it was. But for every one of those nights, there were six or seven when it wasn’t.

Big Sky has a winter and a summer season to thrive. And while winter was where you “made it,” summer now allows us to keep the lights on and the kitchen equipment fired up.

Imagine tourism towns like Gardiner and Red Lodge that essentially only have one season.

Sure, it’s not like they roll up the sidewalks in the fall and roll them back out in the spring. But let’s be honest. They rely on the summer tourists visiting our parks and all the rich, environmental bounty Montana has to offer for their year-round survival.

A few months into the pandemic, I wrote about how the best way to assist our bars and restaurants was to purchase gift cards. This gave them some immediate income to stay afloat, without costing them too much upfront.

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Another call to arms is in order.

These towns need us. They need our patronage.

Maybe you spend more in gas driving from Bozeman to Gardiner than you will having lunch at the Wonderland Café & Lodge or the Iron Horse. Or maybe it’s a weekend day you should be doing house chores, but instead you drive to Red Lodge and go to Foster & Logans Pub & Grill or Prerogative Kitchen.

We haven’t felt an economic pinch like we are now in 40 years. But for many of us, it’s just that, a pinch.

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For the families and restaurant and bar owners effected by the floods, the pinch is more like a tourniquet.

But Montanans are resilient.

I’m talking about Montanans that are multi-generational. Montanans that have grandparents who survived the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl years, World War ll, the energy shortages of the late 1970s, and many other hardships.

But while the rivers subside, fertile land dries out, fish find new areas to spawn and the vast majority of us move on with our daily lives, there are those who will feel the pinch for years to come.

I don’t know what the coming year holds for towns like Gardiner and Red Lodge, but let’s hope they find their rich black bottom dirt.

Scott Mechura has spent a life in the hospitality industry and is a former certified beer judge.

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45 June 30 - July 13, 2022

FUN

ILLUSTRATION BY CY WHITLING

BIG SKY

BEATS

SUMMER BARBECUE

BY LEONORA WILLETT

The Summer Solstice marked the official start to summer with the longest day of the year—and the most sunshine. The Fourth of July is almost here, meaning summer barbecues are in full swing. Whether you prefer to grill or hangout and relax, these tunes are perfect for your next summer barbecue. Kick back, relax and enjoy these classics with friends and family.

1. “Take It Easy” by The Eagles 2. “Baba O’Riley” by The Who 3. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison 4. “Mr.Brightside” by The Killers 5. “Ramblin’ Man” by Allman Brothers Band 6. “American Girl” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers 7. “Listen To The Music” by The Doobie Brothers 8. “Here Comes Your Man” by Pixies 9. “Out of My League” by Fitz and the Tantrums 10. “Walking On A Dream” by Empire of the Sun

Explore Big Sky

46 June 30 - July 13, 2022

BAC K 4 0

BACK 40

Explore Big Sky

For Explore Big Sky, the Back 40 is a resource: a place where we can delve into subjects and ask experts to share their knowledge. Here, we highlight stories from our flagship sister publication Mountain Outlaw magazine.

Noun: wild or rough terrain adjacent to a developed area Origin: shortened form of “back 40 acres”

SAVING GREATER YELLOWSTONE AMERICA’S ‘WILDLIFE SERENGETI’ DEPENDS ON A RALLY TO SAVE THE WILDNESS WE TREASURE STORY BY TODD WILKINSON PHOTOS BY HOLLY PIPPEL The other day while sitting in my living room in Bozeman, I joined a Zoom call with students from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies who were taking a class taught by Dr. Susan G. Clark. Clark’s curriculum focuses on how to save some of the last remaining wildland ecosystems on Earth. And, as she noted, one of the greatest is a miracle that still exists in America’s own wild backyard.

Surprisingly, few citizens realize this.

Clark and I have been friends for more than 30 years.

When she’s not delivering lectures at Yale, she spends much of her time at her Jackson, Wyoming home located across the street from the National Elk Refuge.

She is author of a long-awaited book published this summer, Yellowstone’s Survival: A Call to Action for a New Conservation Story. Like many of her contemporaries who came to the northwest corner of Wyoming a halfcentury ago, this septuagenarian has witnessed changes that in recent years have begun accelerating. They’re

visible in Jackson Hole and in Teton Valley, Idaho; in Big Sky and the Madison and Paradise valleys. And they are most pronounced, perhaps, in Bozeman—the fastestgrowing small city in America and in Gallatin County that surrounds it.

Clark, founder of the Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative, had asked me, as she does each year, to discuss the fate of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in both my work as a writer and founder of the nonprofit journalism site, Mountain Journal. As our readers know, MoJo explores the intersection of humans and nature in a region without parallel in the Lower 48.

In anticipation of a lively exchange with Yale graduate and undergraduate students, I asked them to ponder an amazing map (below) produced by the Wyoming Migration Initiative that illustrates where elk herds move across Greater Yellowstone.

It’s a truly extraordinary thing to have tens of thousands of wapiti migrating seasonally across the tri-state landscape—not only because it still happens at all, but because human development and land-use patterns,

including outdoor recreation, have not yet reduced or eliminated such movements of large ungulates, as has happened nearly everywhere else.

Greater Yellowstone is, in many ways, the last great large-mammal ecosystem still standing in the American West. The truth is we are steadily losing this place through a process that Yellowstone’s former chief scientist David Hallac has called “death by 10,000 scratches.”

It’s occurring right now in real time right in front of our noses, and while wildlife experts and land managers concur with this premise, citing accumulating evidence, there is currently no plan or sense of urgency to talk about it, let alone save the country’s most iconic terrestrial ecosystem.

In fact, if you ask people on the street, many longtime local citizens, including young people, be they products of Bozeman, Jackson Hole, Cody, Lander, Livingston, Soda Springs, Driggs or Dillon, don’t even understand how globally special their home region is.

Nor do most of the wealthy set who have retreated to their second homes here during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even people who ought to know better.

Supermodel Gisele Bündchen, spouse of Super Bowlwinning quarterback Tom Brady, has a house in the Yellowstone Club near Big Sky. She is a global goodwill ambassador for the United Nations’ Environment Program. Do she and Brady know how ecologically significant Greater Yellowstone is? Did Yellowstone Club residents Bill and Melinda Gates and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan?

Does former Google CEO Eric Schmidt?

Do they care?

They ought to. They ought to be giving back to this wild region that has served as an extraordinary sanctuary for them. And, if they are mildly curious, they would discover things that are profound.

Nearly a dozen major elk herds converge in Yellowstone National Park in summer and then circuit outward in the fall toward winter range. They touch the far extent of Greater Yellowstone and demonstrate why it’s an extraordinary ecosystem of intertwined wildlife populations.

A stark reality is that you can’t protect what you can’t see—or don’t know exists or don’t have the mental wherewithal to understand why it’s important. That’s why the work of the Wyoming Migration Initiative led

by USGS researcher Matthew Kauffman is extraordinary.

What I wanted the bright young minds from Yale to ponder—and it’s what I ask here—is to consider not what is illustrated on the elk map, but rather what’s missing.

Yes, we easily recognize the cartographic boundaries of federal, state, county, local and private property jurisdictions, but elk migrations flow across them like rivers.

This map shows elk migration patterns across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. MAP COURTESY OF THE WYOMING MIGRATION INITIATIVE

What’s absent, I mentioned to the students, is a chronicle of the seasonal migrations and movements of several other species, as in bison, mule deer, pronghorn, moose, bighorn sheep, and wolverines.

All of these animals, like elk, migrate, too, and they need spaces and habitat not fragmented or overrun by humans in order to keep doing it. Grizzlies and wolves also peregrinate, as do bald eagles, peregrine falcons, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, bobcats, lynx, and wild neotropical songbirds.

BAC K 4 0

47 June 30 - July 13, 2022 Greater Yellowstone is a vast remnant symphony of wildlife whose movements are like the melody articulated by notes scrawled across a beautiful, complicated, harmonious masterpiece of sheet music.

This is the reality; hope does not reside in wishful thinking or looking the other way, it demands that we actually do something.

This is the reason why Greater Yellowstone warrants rough comparison to the other great wild ecosystem, the Serengeti, in East Africa. This is our still living, breathing version of that. Other regions can only dream of bringing back species that have been lost and some will spend millions of dollars trying to recover them and never succeed.

Those who are informed know the direction where this is headed. It’s not a mystery because our future has already been written with what’s not present, in terms of wildlife, in other regions. The question is: Are we willing to chart a different course which must necessarily involve each of us giving up a little bit of our personal ambitions to give wildness in Greater Yellowstone as we know it today a chance of persisting in the face of growing human pressure?

Greater Yellowstone is the only one of its kind on the planet and it’s every bit as valuable a national treasure as anything else in this country. Yet by neglect, indifference, lack of mass awareness of what we have right before our eyes—and add to that a fragmented way of thinking about it—we are losing this place.

Can we reduce our relentless appetite of trying to blindly monetize as much undeveloped private land as possible and scrambling as outdoor enthusiasts to cross (or conquer) every still-wild corner of Greater Yellowstone in order to, instead, leave space for the animals you see represented in the graphic.

How?

Can we look past the manic focus on rational selfinterest no matter what the cost to nature and accept limitations on how we develop and use landscapes? Can we be a lot smarter? If we’re not willing to do that, then let’s just admit publicly that we are consciously choosing as communities to wave a surrender flag and let wildlife abundance wither away.

Were one to take the present existing grids of private land development, replete with all of the major and minor roads, homes, fences, commercial or industrial enterprises and the intensive accompanying infrastructure of obstacles, then add in thousands upon thousands of lot lines outside towns that have already been subdivided but which now are invisible to us—and then superimpose them on a comprehensive map of wildlife migrations—it would be obvious, scientists tell me, we are in trouble.

Were we also to include all of the front country and backcountry recreation trails on public lands, and show their rising levels of uses and illustrate the displacement happening with wildlife, even conservation organizations still in denial would be forced to admit there is serious impact occurring and it’s only going to increase.

Unless we get undistracted and change the way we’re doing business, any future SOS distress call—“Save Our Serengeti”—is destined to be too little, too late, and too costly to fix.

Good commendable work is being done, especially by land trust-like organizations, but it clearly isn’t happening fast enough; more crucial land is being disturbed than is being protected. We all have a role in its stewardship. Like the sheet music that speaks to Greater Yellowstone’s marvel of remnant biodiversity,

Explore Big Sky citizen voices who identify as wildlife advocates represent the vital chorus.

Yes, let’s have a serious, heartfelt chat among people near and far who love this place and know that we need a plan—a vision—to safeguard the miracle that is Greater Yellowstone.

Here, I want to amicably lean upon a few people, beyond elected and government officials who can and should be making a difference in elevating ecological awareness at a mass scale. Often absent are members of the business community, including locals and people of means. You know the folks I’m referencing—the affluent from Jackson Hole, Bozeman, members of the Yellowstone Club at Big Sky, Cody, Red Lodge, Paradise Valley, Madison Valley, and the Centennial.

They, as with all of us, need to let the wonder of Greater Yellowstone enter into their consciousness, consciences and hearts. This isn’t a Conservative versus Liberal political issue. It’s an issue of the common values we share surrounding the protection of nature—places where elk and grizzlies can still roam; the persistence of wild bison, bighorn sheep, wolves and, yes, even rural ranchers and farmers who preside over crucial habitat and open space.

Second homeowners who try to isolate themselves away need to know that, yes, money can buy more material stuff than one will ever need, but more meaningfully, it can earn satisfaction, admiration in the eyes of family, community and country for stepping forward to help make a plan for saving America’s last best wildlife ecosystem: Greater Yellowstone.

An earlier version of this article appeared in the summer 2021 edition of Mountain Outlaw Magazine and originally appeared in Mountain Journal.

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