Explore Big Sky - May 30 to June 12, 2024

May 30 - June 12, 2024

Volume 15, Issue No. 11

Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana

PUBLISHER

Eric Ladd | eric@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL

VP MEDIA

Mira Brody | mira@theoutlawpartners.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Jack Reaney | jack@theoutlawpartners.com

DIGITAL PRODUCER

Jen Clancey | jen@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

Leslie Kilgore | leslie@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL INTERN

Fischer Genau | frgenau@gmail.com

CREATIVE

LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER

ME BROWN | maryelizabeth@theoutlawpartners.com

SALES AND OPERATIONS

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Josh Timon | josh@theoutlawpartners.com

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Megan Paulson | megan@theoutlawpartners.com

VP DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Hiller Higman | hiller@theoutlawpartners.com

DIRECTOR OF RELATIONSHIPS

Ersin Ozer | ersin@theoutlawpartners.com

MARKETING MANAGER

Tucker Harris | tucker@theoutlawpartners.com

CONTENT MARKETING LEAD

Taylor Owens | taylor@theoutlawpartners.com

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Sara Sipe | sara@theoutlawpartners.com

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD

Patrick Mahoney | patrick@theoutlawpartners.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Zach Brown, Justin Franz, Rachel Hergett, Rita McGaughty, Brian Napier, Benjamin Alva Polley, Michael Ruebusch

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Something special happened on May 23: Big Sky’s snowpack reached the May 23 seasonal average, meaning the snowpack became typical for the first time since October. After a winter that set a 33-year record for lack of snow between Dec. 22 and March 4, finally catching up to the median is a testament to this cool, wet spring—shown by the steady climb of the black line representing 2024. COURTESY OF NRCS / USDA (annotated by Jack Reaney)

LONE PEAK GRADUATES LARGEST-EVER CLASS

On Saturday, May 25 of Memorial Day weekend, families, friends and classmates gathered in the Lone Peak High School gymnasium to celebrate 32 graduating seniors. It was the Big Horns’ largest-ever graduating class, beating last year’s record of 28 seniors. Students and teachers gave speeches, and the Class of 2024 reflected on their past and future.

14 14 15 19 32 21

ON THE COVER:

On Saturday, May 25, Lone Peak High School held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2024, Lone Peak’s largest-ever class with 32 seniors. Pictured here, salutatorian Logan Barker gave her speech to classmates and families. Barker will attend the University of Vermont.

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.

LOCAL ELECTIONS, FIRELIGHT WATER & SEWER FAILS BY ONE VOTE

With final results confirmed May 20, the creation of a Firelight Meadows water and sewer district failed by one vote in the May 7 election. Big Sky School District voters approved a general fund levy for teacher salaries and benefits, and results for individual special purpose district boards were also finalized.

CAMP BIG SKY PREPARES FOR 20TH SUMMER

From June 10 to Aug. 23 this summer, parents can sign their children up for Camp Big Sky’s 20th year of programming. The camp’s beginning in 2004 served not only as an affordable option for enriching kids’ summer activities, but also has fulfilled another need Big Sky has long struggled with: child care.

Q&A WITH CORA NEUMANN

After years working and engaging with rural health care, Cora Neumann (D) decided that it was time to bring her expertise into Montana policies. Neumann will run against Tyler Rogers (R) in the race for Montana State Senator in the 30th district, which encompasses Big Sky. Ahead of the June 4 primary election, Explore Big Sky spoke with the Bozeman-raised candidate.

BIG HORN GOLF WINS STATE

On May 15, Lone Peak High School’s girls golf squad won the state title for the second time in nine years. As Lone Peak golf’s first year in Class B against tougher competition at bigger schools, golf coach Jenny Wilcynski said this win feels a little sweeter. Cate Leydig and Olivia Kamieniarz landed in top 10 spots for the state.

PLUS:

BIG SKY PBR EARNS 10x EVENT OF THE YEAR

Big Sky’s Pro Bull Riding event was voted Event of the Year for the 10th year in a row at the PBR World Finals in Arlington, Texas. Event co-producer Outlaw Partners is preparing for Big Sky’s Biggest Week again this summer, including the Big Sky Community Rodeo, Community Day, the Dick Allgood Community BINGO night, a Community Street Dance and of course, three nights of incredible pro bull riding.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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

ADVERTISING DEADLINE For the June 13th issue May 5th, 2024

CORRECTIONS

Please report errors to media@outlaw.partners.

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

© 2024 Explore Big Sky unauthorized reproduction prohibited

NEWS IN BRIEF BRIEFS

FIRST HEADWATERS LAGER FESTIVAL TO ROCK, AND RIDE, THREE FORKS

EBS STAFF

The Headwaters Lager Festival at Bridger Brewing’s new Three Forks location and music venue, will feature live music from Roadrunner and Chester Floyd, lagers from over 15 Montana breweries, food, yard games and prizes, a group ride with the Southwest Montana Mountain Biking Association, and demo bikes from Owenhouse.

The Headwaters Lager Festival is called a “a one-of-a-kind celebration” by Bridger Brewing, gathering the community for a good cause with all proceeds going to SWMMBA. Tickets are $25, and free camping, as well as a shuttle service for $20 from Bozeman, are also available.

BOZEMAN PRIDE ANNOUNCES WEEK OF EVENTS ENDING IN PRIDE STROLL

EBS STAFF

Bozeman’s annual celebration of LGBTQ+ pride will feature events for the community, including a Maker’s Market, a block party and a stroll. Bozeman Pride will begin on Monday, May 27 and end on Sunday, June 2, the weekend LGBTQ+ Pride Month starts.

Several businesses are participating in the week’s schedule. Bridger Brewing will host Oh Hi’s Pride Maker’s Market on May 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. Shine Beer Sanctuary will hold a “Queers & Beers” social event with Queer Bozeman from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on May 29, and Blend winery will host a pride swing class on May 30 at 7 p.m. in collaboration with Downbeat Swing and QB.

June 1 will be a jam-packed day beginning with a Bozeman Pride Stroll at 10 a.m. starting at the Bozeman Public Library lawn, followed by block parties on Main Street and Bozeman Avenue at 11 a.m., and Main Street at Tracy Avenue at 2:30 p.m. Learn more about other events on Bozeman Pride’s Instagram page.

GRIZZLY ENCOUNTER REPORTED IN CUSTER GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST

EBS STAFF

A grizzly bear reportedly charged a hiker on the morning of May 23 in the Six Mile area of the Yellowstone Ranger District in Custer Gallatin National Forest. A Facebook post from the national forest shared the news and suggested recreationists take different routes and stay acquainted with bear safety in the outdoors.

Carrying and knowing how to use bear spray, making noise to prevent startling wildlife, storing food securely and traveling in groups is recommended.

JUNE EVENTS COMING TO MISSOURI HEADWATERS STATE PARK

EBS STAFF

A May 17 release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced Missouri Headwaters State Park’s summer speaker series events. The series welcomes historians, musicians and other guests for Montanathemed events to the park, located in Three Forks. Each event will be held at 7 p.m. behind the park office.

On June 8 and 15, musicians Rob Quist and Phillip Page will present their songwriting and music.

On June 22, Mary Jane Bradbury, an historic interpreter and scholar will present Dora DuFran’s artwork and storytelling of the iconic frontierswoman, Calamity Jane.

June 29 will bring a Bozeman resident and ranger naturalist, Greg Smith, to present on the cultural, philosophical and biological context of grizzlies, and their status in Montana today.

HAVING OUR OWN BACKS

Dear Reader,

An article from Harper’s Magazine about Big Sky has generated discussion in recent weeks. From its headline on down, it’s clear the article is not a celebration of this place.

As your source for local news, we are not writing to agree with or confirm, nor refute or criticize the central argument of that story, or the quality of reporting from their magazine staff. Readers can decide independently whether or not they find truth, power or inspiration in that story.

We do want to stand behind one message. The Big Sky community is not without our challenges, but like any community, those challenges do not define us.

We are growing rapidly, and not without the growing pains. We are, in many ways, a travel destination with luxury amenities and high-priced assets. Inequality and inequity are inevitable. Any full- or part-time resident would agree that Big Sky faces wide-ranging obstacles, from affordable housing and economic disparity to vehicle traffic and mental health. And yet, virtually all communities face challenges and shortcomings.

Still, Big Sky is home to a wide spectrum of full-time residents—some working class, some who are more fortunate—who choose to continue living here.

We have nearly 500 children who are privileged to grow up in a beautiful place with access to a strong public school system. Just last summer, Lone Peak High School opened a state-of-the-art technology education facility and ranked atop the state in two categories. Youth and high school sports unify teams and show the value of hard work. Theater productions are casted with unusually high participation across all age levels. There is a true sense of Big Horn pride.

Big Sky’s economic foundation is profitable tourism. And our largest attraction, Big Sky Resort, hosts community-building events every year, from regional Special Olympics to one of the nation’s most challenging trail running events. Locals attend with pride and joy.

We are lucky to have down-to-earth and unique neighbors. Some have spent decades sharing their warm smiles around town or volunteering their precious time in ways that a wide audience of national readers would not be led to assume.

Our own small community newspaper, and our local publisher, Outlaw Partners, are not perfect. The editorial team at EBS takes pride in doing our best to tell stories that enlighten and represent our readers, and attached to our own human imperfection is our humble attitude and driving passion to do better tomorrow, for our readers.

That’s what keeps us in Big Sky, and we aren’t alone; in our reporting, we are lucky to learn from so many community leaders acting in the same way.

You, our readers, are free to interpret outside narratives about Big Sky using your own critical eye.

We will remind you, however, that we write our stories close to home, focused on the people and projects and teams and events that keep Big Sky moving forward in the right direction.

There are challenges here. There always have been. Today’s concerns will soon be replaced with new ones.

But upholding our mission, EBS will remain dedicated to shedding light on solutions; celebrating Big Horn wins or lessons learned otherwise; reporting snowstorms with eagerness but without proper license; and grabbing notes and quotes on everything else that makes us—the people who stay here despite our blemishes—proud of the Big Sky community.

So, when you finish digesting any national headline, we hope you’ll grab a copy of EBS and regain balance with a local scoop that will not overlook the forces that keep us around, in spite of everything troublesome.

Thank you for doing so, The Editors

OBITUARY

OBITUARY: FRANK SALGADO QUIJADA

AUG. 15, 1943 — MAY 11, 2024

Frank Salgado Quijada passed away peacefully on May 11, 2024 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Born Aug. 15, 1943 in Tiger, Arizona. He attended the University of Arizona and was a member of the Air Force ROTC program. Upon graduation in 1965 he began his lifelong career of service and devotion to his country, entering as a First Lieutenant in the Air Force. It was while serving in the Air Force he met two of his dearest

friends, Lt. Colonel Jim Cullison (Cully), USAF (Ret) and Lt. Colonel Rich Case, USAF (Ret). He first met Jim while stationed in Sioux City, Iowa and then met Rich while serving in the Vietnam War. Frank distinguished himself by meritorious service as a Weapons Controller, Det 1, 620th Tactical Control Squadron that earned him the Bronze Star June 1967 through April 1968. During the war he was faced with many trying and demanding situations and he kept a calm professional poise. He was commended for his confidence which comes when one has a thorough and complete knowledge of one’s duties. During his Vietnam service on Monkey Mountain, Frank was exposed to Agent Orange that resulted in him developing Parkinson’s Disease. Frank fought the disease for the last 15 years of his life.

Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1975 as a Captain, Frank began his second career as a Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent. As he said, “He retired from the Air Force on a Friday and headed to Quantico on a Monday to begin his training as an FBI Agent.”

Working for the FBI was one of Frank’s greatest joys. His meticulous attention to details, exemplary leadership, personal endeavor and devotion to duty earned him the 1995 U.S Department of Justice recipient of the Presidential Rank Award for Senior Executive Service. Frank’s final assignment with the FBI was the legal attaché at the American Embassy in Mexico City. Frank retired in 1998 after 23 years of service. Upon this retirement he started a third career, he began working for Deloitte helping them set up their Latin American operations. It gave him an opportunity to explore Argentina, a country he grew to deeply enjoy and admire.

Despite his accomplishments Frank was a very humble man. He was a great conversationalist and storyteller. He loved his family. He is survived by and will always live in the memories of his wife Barbara who he was married to for 52 years, who was by his side when he passed. His son Timothy J. Quijada (Kathleen) their two dogs Shiloh and Kona. His daughter, Kimberly M. Dickerson (Logan Dickerson) and his

two grandchildren Avery and Mason. He came from a large family and had a close relationship with his younger brother Rocky (Roberta) and their two children Yvette and Rocky, Jr.

Starting in 2013 Frank enjoyed spending on and off time in Big Sky watching his grandchildren grow up in this amazing environment. He especially loved being part of the local Legion Chapter. He has fond memories of meeting the Legion members, listening on Thursdays to Music in the Mountains from his townhouse in Town Center or grabbing a cold beer at Beehive Basin Brewery. Hanging out with his grandchildren at the community park or watching their school events and athletics brought him much joy.

A private service will be held in the fall at Silver Lake Cemetery in Massachusetts and the family plans to submit an application for the In Memory Honor Roll for inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

Please vote “yes” on the Gallatin County’s local government study commission question!

Montana’s Constitution gives us this opportunity to “peek under the hood” at our form of government every ten years. The last time Gallatin County did a robust study was in 1994. Our population has more than doubled since then, as have our service needs, community issues, and the complexity of our organization. This isn’t Grandpa’s county anymore, yet we are using the same government model (general powers county government) today as we were 50 years ago.

To be clear, if approved this study commission will be led “by the people, for the people.” Current elected officials, such as myself, will not have a seat on the study commission; rather, voters will

choose citizen taxpayers to serve on this study commission, and these citizens would lead the study and make recommendations to the County and to the voters. If changes to our form of government are ultimately put forward, those changes would be put on the ballot in 2026, and voters would have the ultimate say as to whether or not they want them to be implemented.

If you vote yes, the County Commission will be allowed to fund the study commission (up to a half mill) for one year. For most homeowners, this will amount to a one-time-only increase of $1 or $2 on your tax bill, and the additional tax will go away after the one year.

If you want more information, please visit Gallatin County’s FAQ page on our website: gallatinmt.gov

Also, MSU’s Local Government Center has more detailed information on their website: montana.edu/ extension/localgov/mtvoterreview/

Those of us who live within municipal city limits will have two local government study commission questions on your ballot – one for the city government, and a second for the county. I live in the city of Bozeman, and I will be voting yes on both! I believe we should take this opportunity as a community to look under the hood of our local governments, and make sure that they are working to meet the needs of today, as well as the needs of tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Zach Brown, Gallatin County Commissioner Bozeman, Montana

LOCAL

LARGEST-EVER CLASS GRADUATES FROM LONE PEAK HIGH SCHOOL

BEGINNING HIGH SCHOOL DURING COVID PANDEMIC, CLASS OF 2024 IS ONTO

THEIR NEXT ADVENTURE

BY JEN CLANCEY

On Saturday, May 25 of Memorial Day weekend, families, friends and classmates gathered in the Lone Peak High School gymnasium to celebrate 32 graduating seniors. It was the Big Horns’ largestever graduating class, beating last year’s record of 28 seniors.

Dr. Dustin Shipman, Big Sky School District superintendent and head football coach, began the ceremony with an address that ended on a collective note. Reciting a commitment to excellence and resilience, he opened the floor to the graduating class.

“Remember,” Shipman prompted. “Every day is the first day of the rest of your life, so …”

“Make it your best,” the seniors responded.

Afterward, Ophir School Principal Dr. Marlo Mitchem welcomed two students to the stage for their speeches: Jonah Adams, class valedictorian, and Logan Barker, class salutatorian. In his speech, Adams described how newness can be uncomfortable, but is the way that his class will grow.

Logan Barker then took the stage, remembering how students “never imagined” they would be thrust into a global pandemic in their first year of high school and recalled how the class rose to the challenge.

Next, math teacher Brad Packer addressed his students as the teacher elected to make a speech. “In the 900 school days since I’ve met you, I’ve taught you some math. However, I also hope you remember the life lessons I’ve shared with you. I genuinely feel this school will not be the same without you,” Packer said.

In the final speech ahead of turning tassels, Ato Essandoh, a television actor and climate change activist, explained the importance of the “uncountable moments” seniors have ahead of them.

In a twist, he recounted how one moment created a lifelong friendship between him and a Lone Peak parent.

“Take a moment,” Essandoh said. “Take as many as you possibly can—you can’t ever take too many moments.”

With that, Mitchem welcomed each student onstage to receive their diploma. Faculty and students hugged, posed for pictures and finally got to confirm their graduation from LPHS with a shift of tassel and cap toss.

Students collected their caps and celebrated down the center aisle to Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music” to end the ceremony.

Zia Wier Columbia College

Max Woodger Colorado Mesa University

Jonah Adams Bowdoin College

Samantha Ayres University of Colorado (Colorado Springs)

Logan Barker University of Vermont

Cash Beattie University of Oregon

Mason Dickerson University of Colorado (Boulder)

Charlie Distad Montana State University

Drew DiTullio Sacred Heart University

Charlee Sue Dreisbach Penn State University

Aidan Germain Montana State University

Simon Gough Montana State University

Vera Grabow Montana State University

Keelan Grupe Montana State University

Bryce Houghteling United States Marine Corps

Matthew Jennings Western Washington University

Beckett Johnson United States Military Academy West Point

Dylan Klein Montana State University

Greta McClain Western Washington University

Astrid McGuire Bowdoin College

Abby Meredith Auburn University

Ella Meredith Auburn University

Madeleine Miller Arizona State University

Bianca Nasi Italy

Piper Niva Medical Diagnostic Sonography Program

David Perdue Montana State University

Max Seelye Montana State University

Juliusz Shipman Montana State University

Colter Smit Montana State University

Emerson Tatom Virginia Tech

Chloe Unger Boston College

Joey Walton Gallatin College

GALLATIN COUNTY FINALIZES LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS

FIRELIGHT WATER AND SEWER FAILS BY ONE VOTE, RECOUNT REQUESTED

BY JACK REANEY

BOZEMAN—When an election is decided by a small handful of votes, it crystallizes the importance of every single ballot. Big Sky just experienced a one-vote decision, and pending a recount, it’s looking like a lesson learned the hard way.

In the May 7 mail-only local election, residents of Big Sky’s Firelight Meadows neighborhood saw a special question about the potential creation of a water and sewer district to help improve failing wastewater treatment infrastructure in the 216door subdivision.

Despite the initial interpretation of unofficial results by county officials that suggested the initiative would pass, it ultimately failed by a single vote, according to official results verified Monday by the Gallatin County Board of Canvassers.

Not a single voter disapproved of creating a Firelight water and sewer district. The ballot item received 107 votes in favor, and zero votes against.

However, state law requires at least 40% of qualified voters to vote in favor. With 268 qualified voters from Firelight Meadows, the 107 favorable votes equate to 39.925%—just one favorable vote shy of 40%.

After Election Manager Jasmine Hall announced the initiative had failed, Gallatin County Commissioner Jennifer Boyer asked the key question.

“We don’t round up?”

“There’s no rounding,” said Eric Semerad, Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder and Election Administrator. “This is a threshold that has to be surpassed, and we can’t really deal with fuzzy numbers when we’re creating a district that is going to be able to do bonds and things like that.”

Hall said one additional voter did submit a ballot, but that ballot did not register for or against the initiative. If that 108th ballot included a “Yes” on the Firelight question, the initiative would have passed, Hall and Semerad confirmed.

“Such a great illustration of the power of voting,” Boyer said.

“One vote,” Hall said.

Brown said he’s never seen such a tight race that involved unanimous support from voters. “You almost wish we could just approve it anyway, because we know the will of the community is completely behind this,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown.

Karen Macklin, a Firelight resident leading the effort, gave public comment at Monday’s canvass meeting. She said the Firelight Meadows community will be heartbroken but thanked the commission for their support and feedback.

“What is our next step,” Macklin asked. “Are we still able to ask for a recount to figure out that one undervote?”

Semerad answered yes.

“It’s unusual because you’re not really recounting whether it passed or not, it’s whether everybody voted or not, I guess,” Semerad explained. “We’re just basically looking at that one [108th] ballot to see if there was anything about that ballot that indicated that they voted for the issue and it just didn’t read in the machine.”

Most likely, he added, the Firelight community will need to try again next year. He recalled a very similar situation from two years ago as the community of Logan tried to create water and sewer district.

“Similar situation, but it was not this close two years ago,” Semerad said. It passed in the following election.

Across Gallatin County for all the school and special purpose districts, the overall voter turnout was 28.38%, according to the presentation by Semerad and Hall.

Jennings, McClain win Big Sky School District seats; voters approve levy

The Board of Canvassers confirmed official results from the school and special purpose district elections.

For the Big Sky School District, board member Matt Jennings won reelection with 428 votes.

Danielle McClain will join the school board, after receiving 475 votes.

Maren Dunn and John McGuire did not earn seats. Dunn received 335 votes, and McGuire received 270. Matt Kidd withdrew weeks before the election, but was required to remain on the ballot and received 73 votes.

In a separate ballot item, voters decided on a school district general fund levy.

The levy proposed to increase BSSD’s operational budget by $65,000 to support teacher salary and benefits, adding an annual property tax impact of 82 cents per $100,000 of property value, according to Corky Miller, school district business manager.

The levy passed, earning 546 votes in favor to outweigh 315 votes against.

“We are grateful to the community for supporting our levy in the amount of $65,000,” BSSD Superintendent Dustin Shipman wrote in a statement to EBS. He specified that the levy will be used for operational expenses related to increases in salaries to district teachers. “Without the support of the community in elections such as this, our public school would have difficulties.”

Biggerstaff joins water and sewer district board, Fast and Wilcynski reelected

For the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District, board members Dick Fast and Mike Wilcynski won reelection with 353 and 285 votes, respectively.

Jerad Biggerstaff received 310 votes, and joins the water and sewer district board.

Kent Volosin was not elected, receiving 186 votes.

Germain, Young remain on Resort Tax board; Zirkle elected

For the Big Sky Resort Area District, board members Kevin Germain and Grace Young earned reelection, with 530 and 537 votes, respectively.

John Zirkle received 665 votes, and joins the BSRAD board.

Laura Seyfang and Landon Weight were not elected. Seyfang earned 485 votes, and Weight received 137.

ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

CAMP BIG SKY CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF AFFORDABLE,

ADVENTUROUS

SUMMER PROGRAM

BY JACK REANEY

BIG SKY—Camp Big Sky started small in 2004, operating on a modest, break-even budget with administrative support from the Big Sky Owners Association. It has since evolved and expanded dramatically, and ahead of its 20th year, leaders recognize it’s been much more than a camp.

After a few transitions over the years, Camp Big Sky is now funded and operated by the nonprofit Big Sky Community Organization. From June 10 to Aug. 23 this year, locals and visitors can sign their kids up for the entire summer, selected weeks or even specific days. Programming runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with after-camp coverage until 5:30 for an extra fee.

Madeleine Feher, director of operations for BSCO, explained that there is no other child care option to support working parents in Big Sky for the age group Camp Big Sky primary serves—ages 6 to 13. Ophir Elementary School offers a reading group by invitation, Greater Gallatin United Way has a pre-K camp at the Big Sky School District, Moonlight Basin’s camp is only open to the public for one week, and Morningstar Learning Center enrolls younger children.

“So there’s no other resources,” Feher said. “We’re really proud to provide this service.”

The camp mostly serves working families, “but truly anybody can be a part of Camp Big Sky,” she noted.

Registration will remain open from now until August. Most days do not fill, but if they do, it’s usually the Pioneers group, ages 6 to 9. The Explorers group is open for 10- to 13-year-olds—a wider range this year, as the camp was previously capped at 12-year-olds.

A week of camp costs $200 for Pioneers, and $225 for Explorers. Feher said that’s extremely affordable.

BSCO is offering scholarships this summer to supplement aid provided in recent years by Wellness in Action—WIA is providing fewer scholarships for 2024. Aid is supported by grants from organizations including Spanish Peaks Community Foundation and Moonlight Community Foundation.

Early days

In 2023, Camp Big Sky enrolled 151 total kids across 109 families. It plays a key role in supporting local families and enriching kids’ summers.

In 2004, community member Barbara Rowley saw the need for organized summer programming for school-aged children.

Rowley was confident in her past experience as a counselor and director of a large camp in Colorado, and she knew a local camp could help working parents when school let out for summer. Camp Big Sky is not the only effort Rowley led in Big Sky; she helped establish Lone Peak High School, and still runs Big Sky Broadway which spawned from Camp Big Sky, to name a couple.

“At that point in Big Sky’s history, it was all about things we needed… When we needed anything, we just made it happen,” Rowley told EBS in a phone call.

In 2004, Katie Coleman had been in Big Sky for two or three years and was working on her teaching degree, when Rowley recruited her to serve as camp director.

“She had this enthusiasm and really wanted to do it. She was awesome,” Rowley said.

Coleman spent 11 summers with Camp Big Sky.

“I loved being able to provide support for working families, working parents who really struggled in the summertime working and keeping their children active, involved, safe and engaged,” Coleman said. “… I think I’m most proud

that it’s still running, and running strong with solid community involvement and a focus on children.”

Coleman now works at the new treatment plant for the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District, located beside Big Sky Community Park and the camp facility, and often drives by. She marvels at the yurts and the playground equipment—when Coleman started in 2004, she was essentially operating Camp Big Sky out of her car.

“It’s pretty neat to see how far it’s come, and to think I had a little part in it,” she said.

Coleman, alongside Rowley and Barb Rooney, another generous supporter, pulled the camp together and kept it afloat. Rowley brought programming ideas and design, and Rooney worked behind the scenes to make it possible, pulling strings as a liaison through her role on the Big Sky Owners Association board.

“I would say my role was number one to support that and understand the vision, and bring the other board members along and say, ‘this is a good thing, the community needs it,’” Rooney recalled. “… It was just a big void.”

“Always grateful to my ‘Barbs,’” Coleman said of Rowley and Rooney. “Anything I asked for, they took care of it.” When Camp Big Sky started, the community park was managed by the BSOA. Being a homeowners association, they were generally uninterested in running a summer camp, Rowley recalled, but they saw the benefit to local owners and allowed their insurance to cover the camp.

“The Big Sky Owners Association agreed to do it under the condition that it cost absolutely nothing,” Rowley recalled. Tuition would offset costs: Coleman’s paycheck and program supplies. With encouragement from Rooney, BSOA also helped manage payroll and administrative support.

“BSOA was huge in that regard, to help us operate legitimately and safely,” Coleman said, also giving credit to Big Sky Resort, Lone Mountain Ranch and Jake’s Horses for offering activities.

The camp’s shoestring budget grew slowly over the years, as Camp Big Sky was managed by different and evolving organizations. BSOA created a parks and trails committee, and the camp was included in its jurisdiction; the Big Sky Community Corporation took over in 2010 and would later become the Big Sky Community Organization, which continues to grow and expand its funding for programs like Camp Big Sky.

Through all the changes, affordability remained a centerpiece. Rowley brought ideas and created programs— Big Sky Broadway began as a multi-week camp theme— and Rooney helped secure resources.

One of the biggest battles was finding a home base. The camp needed shelter, and Rowley pushed for a yurt for its indoor-outdoor feel. The yurt concept faced pushback from some folks who didn’t like the look, and as a dependent organization, funding wasn’t easy to come by.

Finally, in 2014, Camp Big Sky secured Resort Tax funding through BSCC for the first yurt.

“That really gave us a presence in the park,” Rowley said. Coleman agreed.

“Getting that first yurt built, so that we actually had a legitimate home base that was ours, was a pretty monumental feat. Because for 10 years, we operated on rainy days wherever we could,” she said.

Even in 2024, space remains a challenge. Feher and Cassie Carlson, BSCO operations and communications manager, explained that Camp Big Sky needs more space for continued growth. BSCO hopes to expand from two yurts to four.

This summer will be the last year that Camp Big Sky operates at its current site. Next year, the camp will move slightly, to a more spacious area within Big Sky Community Park. A new playground, Adventure Park, will be completed in early June in time for this summer, and BSCO expects the new Camp Big Sky site will be built in late summer or early fall after the camp’s 20th summer.

Coleman is impressed to see the growth of Camp Big Sky’s resources and the size of its 10-person staff, some being former campers—Rowley is proud that local high schoolers can develop leadership skills by working as counselors.

Over the years, Camp Big Sky’s summer program has added to its themed weeks, now opening with happy camper days, and including weeks such as magical creatures (bugs), Wild West, nature and superheroes. Carlson said Olympics week is popular, usually around two-thirds through the summer.

“It’s an outdoor camp. So you’re playing in the dirt… We bring in specialty instructors to do martial arts, to teach mountain biking,” Feher said.

Rooney is pleased to see the new energy that BSCO brings to improve the camp every year. Like most organizations in Big Sky, new people cycle in, bringing new ideas, and that tends to support productive evolution.

“The best thing is, it’s in good hands, and it’s got good stewards,” Rooney said. “Obviously it’s a necessary part of our community, or it wouldn’t have lasted 20 years.”

Camp Big Sky runs various programs for kids aged 6 to 13, while supporting working parents in the summer. COURTESY OF BSCO

Katie Coleman during construction of the Camp Big Sky yurt in 2014. COURTESY OF KATIE COLEMAN

Campers in 2014. COURTESY OF KATIE COLEMAN

SHERIFF MAKES ARREST FOR FELONY VANDALISM IN TOWN CENTER

‘TRANSIENT’ BIG SKY LOCAL SHOT NUMEROUS WINDOWS WITH BB GUN CAUSING MORE THAN $1,500 IN DAMAGES

BIG SKY—On Monday, May 20, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office arrested an individual and charged him with felony criminal mischief after causing more than $1,500 in property damage to six windows owned by four different businesses on Lone Peak Drive.

On April 30, the sheriff’s office received a report of a broken window at Big Sky Natural Health, likely broken the previous day. In the subsequent weeks, the sheriff’s office received more reports from nearby businesses on Lone Peak Drive, according to a signed affidavit released by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office after the arrest.

Two windows were broken on the doors of the former Choppers Grub and Pub, one at the Big Sky Resort Store, and two more at the Town Center Skyline Bus Stop.

“The windows on Choppers and Big Sky Resort Store showed the same damage pattern… the windows on the bus stop were gone completely,” the affidavit stated.

Investigating deputies found numerous gold/ copper-colored BB pellets at the Big Sky Resort Store and the bus stop.

The shenanigans continued; on May 9, a witness reported someone shooting a BB gun from the bus stop across Ousel Falls Road into Len Hill Park.

“The witness provided a physical description of the suspect. The physical description matched the

defendant, Shaun Brothers. The witness said the BB gun was a pistol,” the affidavit stated.

On May 20, an Ace Hardware manager called the sheriff’s office “to report a disorderly subject” and responding law enforcement encountered 34-year-old Brothers, who was wearing a backpack and allowed the responding deputy to retrieve a black pistol BB gun from the bag. The gun was loaded with the same gold/coppercolored BBs recovered from the broken windows.

The affidavit shows Brothers’ address listed as “transient” but based in Big Sky.

A sheriff’s deputy interviewed Brothers, who admitted he was shooting the BB gun on May 9 and that he was at the fire pit on April 29, the day before damage was first reported. He denied shooting the windows of the affected businesses but admitted to shooting the BB gun six to eight times and allowing others to shoot “in a safe location toward the ground” under Brothers’ supervision, according to the affidavit.

Brothers was arrested on criminal mischief charges on May 20 and transported to the Gallatin County Detention Center, held without bond.

“Brothers purposely or knowingly damaged the property of others without consent,” the affidavit asserted. He is charged with a felony based on damage value.

Affected businesses are still evaluating the damage, but the cost of replacing windows is expected to greatly exceed $1,500.

Large windows on each side of the Choppers door were destroyed. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

In late April, criminal mischief involving a BB gun damaged four local businesses. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

1.

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

HUNGRY BEARS SEEK FOOD IN BIG SKY’S GARBAGE

BY FISCHER GENAU

Hungry bears emerging from hibernation around Big Sky are finding food in a lessthan-ideal place: people’s trash. Despite a citywide mandate for bear-resistant trash cans, heightened bear activity this spring after a light winter has many citizens encountering bears in their neighborhoods and rooting around in their garbage.

“There’s been a larger uptick this year for sure,” said Sam Luedtke, the Big Sky Owners Association compliance officer. “A lot more disturbed garbage cans and such.”

The BSOA receives news of bear sightings and bears getting into trash cans, and Luedtke himself had a bear wander into his garage and had to chase it off with an airhorn. Recently bears have scattered food scraps from restaurants behind the Westfork Meadows shopping area, and Luedtke said grizzlies, rather than black bears which are the usual culprits, have been spotted raiding trash cans near the Beaver Creek drainage and knocking over cans at the Exxon gas station off of U.S. Highway 191.

In 2014, the BSOA mandated the use of bearresistant trash cans, and a decade later almost all of the homes within their jurisdiction use these specially designed containers to deter bears from seeking food in urban areas.

“When we have enough [bear-resistant cans] out on the landscape, they really are a big help with reducing conflicts and improving safety for residents, as well as fostering healthy behavior for the bears themselves,” said Morgan Jacobsen, information and education manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

But if these trash cans are used improperly, or if other attractants are left out in the open, bears will still come to urban areas in search of food. Bird feeders that aren’t 10 feet off the ground and four feet away from adjacent structures are highly desirable food sources, and if trash cans are left out overnight, or are overflowing so they can’t close properly, bears can use their keen sense of smell to sniff out vulnerable eatables.

“Bears up here definitely know what day trash day is,” said Emma Lawler, the BSOA’s programs and project manager.

Sometimes even a properly secured container is no match for a hungry black bear. Lawler got a call from a citizen who had a bear drag their bear-resistant trash can into the woods and jump on it until it broke through to its contents.

FWP’s Jacobsen says that the cans are bearresistant, not bear-proof, and that citizens can and should take other precautions to prevent

late night garbage raids. FWP asks that people ensure their cans remain closed, secured and kept in a protected location, preferably in a building or garage. FWP also recommends Big Sky residents set out their cans the morning of collection and not the day before, because bears are most active at night, and asks that they put bird feeders away March through December.

“The biggest thing is keeping trash confined until the last second,” Luedtke said. “Putting it out on trash day an hour before your trash guy comes up would be perfect.”

As Big Sky continues to grow, bears and humans are inevitably coming into closer contact with one another. Big Sky’s population increased by over 50% between 2010 and 2020, according to US Census reports, and Montana’s bear population has grown as well.

“It’s getting worse and worse because we have more and more people coming here that just don’t understand the issue,” Luedtke said.

The BSOA encourages anyone who sees a nonbear-resistant trash can to report it to them. Republic Services, one of Big Sky’s main trash collectors, provides Kodiak bear-resistant trash cans upon request from customers, and L&L Site Services, another trash collector in the area, exclusively supplies bear-resistant cans.

For their part, FWP requests that anyone who sees bears looking for food in residential areas report it to them immediately.

“If we can catch it early enough and relocate the bear before they become food conditioned and habituated, oftentimes that can be enough to correct the problem,” Jacobsen said. “It’s when people don’t report those issues, and then the bear continues to seek and to find food, when the bear becomes habituated, we’re not able to correct the problem, and the bear has to be euthanized.”

Each year, FWP has to relocate or euthanize several bears in Big Sky, like the female grizzly who was euthanized last August after being conditioned to seek unnatural food sources.

“If you call into the officials, it can prevent someone from getting hurt, and may save the bear’s life too,” Luedtke said.

FWP provides complete Bear Aware guidelines on their website for how to foster healthy relations with our wild, furry neighbors.

“Montana is bear country,” Jacobsen said. “Part of living in bear country comes with a measure of responsibility on our part to reduce conflicts, to foster healthy behavior for the bears, and that in turn helps keep things safer where we live. It’s on all of us to do that.”

Securing attractants is key to keeping bears away from residences. PHOTO BY RITA MCGAUGHY

A pile of food scraps sat for multiple days near the Westfork Meadows restaurants. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

REGIONAL

CORA NEUMANN ON MONTANA STATE LEGISLATURE, GALLATIN COUNTY GROWTH AND

BY JEN CLANCEY

BIG SKY

Every two years, 25 of the 50 Montana State Senate seats open for elections. This year on the ballot is the seat for Montana State Senate district 30, which envelopes a portion of Four Corners and covers Gallatin Gateway to West Yellowstone. Voters in the district will see Cora Neumann (D) and Tyler Rogers (R) on their ballots in the upcoming primary election, and ahead of June 4, Explore Big Sky had the opportunity to speak with Neumann about her public service.

Neumann grew up in Bozeman, obtained a master’s degree in public health at Columbia University and completed her PhD at the University of Oxford. She returned to Bozeman in 2019 and has since devoted her time to rural health solutions, starting a nonprofit in 2020 called We are Montana to support local health care leaders. She currently works for the Native American Development Corporation as chief health officer.

Neumann launched a campaign for a Senate seat in 2019 but dropped out when former Gov. Steve Bullock entered the race, and lost the Democratic primary for U.S. House District 1 in June 2022.

Neumann recalls a time when Bozeman had more of a small town feel, and spoke at length about the area’s growth, challenges in the Montana State Legislature and her campaign for state senate with EBS.

Explore Big Sky: Cora, thanks for taking the time to talk with EBS today. You’ve been in politics for a few years now, tell us what brought you to run for the state senate in the 30th district?

Cora Neumann: I grew up in Bozeman. My mom came here when I was an infant … She moved here to Bozeman as a young widow because it was such a wonderful small town, a really great place to raise a young family and have a strong community.

The work that I do is rural health, I work with rural and tribal communities. I was motivated to do that work … because we lost my dad in a lumber mill accident—he was a logger. And if we had been closer to good rural health care, he might have survived. That’s really what motivated me to go into working in public health and rural health. And so I have been nationally, internationally, across the West, in the Rockies, working with tribes and rural communities.

The things that you come up against over and over again when you’re trying to help and support rural communities is that there are policies the government does have a say in—making sure that our roads are good, our schools are funded and that health care is accessible. Over time [I] realized that there was a place where we needed more people who really understood the challenges faced by rural communities, especially related to health care. That’s what ended up motivating me to run—knowing that we need people who are willing to step up and fight for our communities, especially when we’re going through the rapid change that we’re going through right now.

EBS: Maybe you can speak a little bit to that rapid change. What issues have you seen become more prominent for Montanans in the area?

CN: It doesn’t matter where you go around Montana, even in some of the tiniest towns … we’re seeing a really huge spike in housing prices, and Bozeman is one of the areas that has had the fastest growing increase in median house price in the country. Growing up here, I always thought … someday people are going to discover this place, you know, it’s just paradise … My uncle used to be the mayor of Bozeman and my sister works with farmers and ranchers and we’re kind of really integrated in the

community here. [Five to 10 years ago] you couldn’t walk down Main Street without seeing multiple people you knew every single block. And now [Bozeman] just doesn’t have a small town feel as much anymore. At the same time, I do think we have to embrace growth.

Montanans make this place special and welcoming … I think that growth is good, I just think that we need to make sure that working families can afford to stay here. The people who make Montana so wonderful are getting priced out. And I think that we’ll lose that feeling of community if we don’t invest really intentionally in affordable housing.

And property taxes are a big deal for homeowners … people are having to forego medicine and some of their essential needs, because all of a sudden, their property taxes have gone through the roof. Then of course, Medicaid and rural health care. So housing affordability and health care and then … public lands. Keeping public lands accessible. Those are the three things I see and hear and have unique expertise in, especially with health care.

EBS: So you came to visit Big Sky for the joint county commission meeting (May 8, 2024). How was that visit? CN: I have always been really curious about Big Sky and how it continues to have such a great tight-knit, well-serviced community without being incorporated … I’ve also seen Big Sky grow and change, and heard that it does a really great job managing … institutions to take care of the community … I [was] very impressed with how Big Sky finds a way to make sure that its community needs are met. It’s not easy—I know that there’s also incredible growth.

The other thing I know Big Sky suffers from … is this assumption that Big Sky just has a bunch of money, so they don’t need any help. When the truth is, Big Sky is an economic engine for the entire state. And when the people who live and work in Big Sky have a need, it should not be disregarded … We still have working families and community leaders in Big Sky the way we do in any other town across Montana. I hope to bring more Big Sky residents and community leaders to Helena and have them share their stories … It’s a small town … in that they need to be supported and engaged just like any other town.

EBS: Let’s talk more about the challenges that Montana is facing, because we’ve described Big Sky and Bozeman and I’m sure that the challenges in those communities are quite similar. What would you say are some of the major challenges that Montana as a whole is facing today beyond housing and health care?

CN: Keeping public land public. There is definitely a major move to privatize our public lands. And growing up here—my stepdad was a union carpenter, my mom was a homemaker and caterer—we relied on hunting and fishing to help sustain our family. I think that’s part of why people are drawn to Montana and find it so special is because of the way that we take care of our land and water and resources together, and have historically been really great neighbors—letting people onto our land and

even if it is private making sure that any Montanan can access it. I think that’s why it’s important to welcome and engage with newcomers and … help them feel like they’re part of the solution.

The other thing I would say is freedom, in terms of bodily freedom. The right to make decisions for your own body and your own life. Montana is really kind of a libertarian state at its core, we like our freedom, we like our privacy … And if people pay attention [to] the slippery slope—we make access to abortion illegal or extremely prohibitive, then what’s next? I think that’s part of the Montana way of life that we have to really work hard to protect.

EBS: What do you think have been some of the recent successes that have happened in the Montana State Legislature?

CN: I was raised in a union household. I worked as a union laborer to pay for college. So I am extremely proud of [Montana] being the only state in the region that has beat back right-to-work (House Bill 448) and protected unions. That was a huge concerted effort that we all supported across the state. I think that was a key win last session.

Overall, we have a lot of challenges. What happened with property tax is affecting people in a really serious and significant way, and really hurting working families and people who are living on fixed incomes … I’m excited about the potential that we won’t have a supermajority in the next session. We’ll be able to have more balanced conversations and move away from these really, really polarized debates.

[In] the 2025 session, we’re going to be considering the reauthorization of Medicaid expansion. So 132,000 people have already lost their coverage due to Medicaid unwinding … close to 70% are working. They need this benefit to be able to afford to live in Montana and afford to get the care that they need … the truth is, it’s mostly working Montanans … if we don’t renew it, another 100,000 people could lose it. People are foregoing medicine and getting really sick because they don’t have health coverage, or they go to the emergency room, which costs the state and … our communities a lot of money. That’s probably one of the top three priorities of many legislators going into the 2025 session.

EBS: My final question would be, what would it mean to you to be elected for this state senate seat?

CN: I love my hometown so much, including this whole county. I love talking to people and collaborating with people. I think that one of my major strengths is that I really could put politics aside and just listen to people because I’ve worked with so many populations all over the world, just being able to sit down with people from every background and listen and find solutions.

I really enjoy finding solutions and solving problems. The way that I work is by supporting local leaders and bringing local voices and people to the table. I’m very clear that the best solutions come from the communities themselves, and the individuals themselves … I’ve learned over 25 years of working with rural and native communities that if you want something to be successful, and to stick, you have people on the ground sharing with you what works and what doesn’t.

I’m really excited about helping my hometown, my home county, get through these really difficult, rapid transitions … It’s a challenge that I’m excited to rise to. I am not afraid of hard work.

EBS: Do you have anything else you would like to add?

CN: I’m motivated by being a mom and wanting to make sure that our kids and everyone’s kids, all Montana kids, have a future that they can believe in, that they can thrive in.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CORA NEUMANN

LISTED

OP NEWS

BIG SKY PBR EARNS 10X EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD

BIG SKY’S PRO BULL RIDING EVENT VOTED EVENT OF THE YEAR FOR THE TENTH

YEAR IN A ROW, AWARDED TO OUTLAW PARTNERS AT PBR WORLD FINALS IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS

OUTLAW PARTNERS

As Outlaw Partners plans for its 13th summer producing the Big Sky PBR, Big Sky’s Biggest Week will be bigger than ever to celebrate their 10th time Event of the Year win. Event producers Outlaw Partners and Freestone Productions received the award at the PBR World Finals at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on May 18.

Big Sky PBR takes place July 18-20 preceded by Big Sky’s Biggest Week with another exciting lineup of professional bull riding, the Big Sky Community Rodeo, Community Day, the Dick Allgood BINGO night, a 10x Community Street Dance celebration and more.

“We are going to make this the year to remember,” said Josh Timon, chief operating officer at Outlaw Partners. “It’s an honor for us to receive this award for the tenth year in a row. This is no small feat and we want to celebrate this incredible accomplishment with even more exciting offerings for the fans, riders and the Big Sky community.”

Less than 100 tickets and a few hospitality suites remain for Thursday and Friday night’s bull riding event, followed by the Music in the Mountains concert in Len Hill Park, featuring The Wood Brothers and opening band, Buffalo Burrows.

“We’re proud to have supported the PBR since its inception in Big Sky,” said Sam Byrne, Managing Partner at CrossHarbor Capital Partners and Lone Mountain Land Company. “Over the years, we have witnessed its growth and transformation, as it continues to be a keystone summer event in our community.”

On May 18, at the PBR World Finals in Arlington, Texas, Outlaw Partners was recognized by PBR CEO, Sean Gleason, and presented the 10x award, joined by longtime PBR entertainer Flint Rasmussen and stock contractor Cord McCoy,  putting Big Sky on the map once again amongst die-hard fans of professional bull riding and world-class western sports.

“Big Sky PBR is my favorite event,” said PBR stock contractor and former “Amazing Race” contestant, Cord McCoy. “I have been around the globe three times on the

Amazing Race, rode bulls in five different countries, and Big Sky PBR is the best of both worlds.”

“The consistent recognition of Big Sky as the top PBR event for a decade speaks volumes about the community’s ability to host remarkable world-class events, all while preserving our small-town charm and highlighting the area’s natural beauty,” Byrne said.

The Big Sky PBR event was voted the Event of the Year by PBR bull riders for nine consecutive years from 2013 to 2021.

PBR CEO and Commissioner Sean Gleason presented the event team with their tenth award in closing out the 2024 PBR World Finals on May 18.

“Drawing tens of thousands of attendees and creating significant economic impact to southwest Montana, Big Sky PBR is one of our hallmark events each season,” Gleason said. “Our hard-working team and the world’s best bull riders, who love competing in Big Sky each year, put on a great show filled with top-tier action in a breathtaking setting.”

While fans and riders are what make PBR one of the most exciting sporting events to experience, the incredible setting, intimacy of the arena, and superiority of the bulls that compete in Big Sky are what has made the event the best in the world for ten years in a row.

Jacey and Andy Watson, who own Freestone Productions, a bull riding production company that has worked with Outlaw on Big Sky’s PBR since its inception, said winning the 10x Event of the Year is a testament to the unparalleled passion and dedication of the Big Sky community and fans.

“Outshining hundreds of events nationwide, this accolade highlights the unique spirit and unwavering support that makes Big Sky such an extraordinary destination for the top PBR bull riders in the world. The bulls and the riders are what make PBR what it is, and they are ones tasked with voting for PBR’s Event of the Year,” Jacey said.

Along with receiving the 10x award, Big Sky PBR also raises funds annually for many local and national non-profits during several events throughout Big Sky’s Biggest Week. As the event has grown over the past 13 years, so have the funds raised for many organizations making a difference in Montana and beyond. This year, the organizations being supported include the Big Sky Community Organization, Montana State University Athletics and Rodeo team, Warriors and Quiet Waters, Big Sky Bravery and Western Sports Foundation amongst others.

“In the beginning of Big Sky’s PBR, we started out with a dirt patch, panels, bucking chutes and a few small bleachers that filled up with a pretty rowdy crowd. After that first year, we knew we had something special. To see how it has grown today into a week-long celebration is so fun to be a part of,” Jacey continued. “This victory is not just an honor but a reflection of the collective effort and love that brings this event to life each year.”

On July 12, the Big Sky Community Rodeo presented by Yellowstone Club will feature Montana State University rodeo athletes at the Big Sky Events Arena. Afterwards, Outlaw Partners and Lone Mountain Land Company are bringing back the Community Street Dance to Big Sky Town Center, with country/rock group, The Tony Marques Band. Tickets for the Community Rodeo go on sale June 4.

For more information on Big Sky’s Biggest week, sponsorships and to purchase tickets or hospitality suites, visit bigskypbr.com

The PBR World finals took place May 18 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. OUTLAW PARTNERS PHOTO

Outlaw Partners and Freestone Productions won Event of the Year for the 10th time. OUTLAW PARTNERS PHOTO

Outlaw Realty is a boutique brokerage with offices in Bozeman and Big Sky. With over 25 years of experience and sales that exceed $2.5 billion, we have proven to be market experts in the SouthwestMontana region. As you pursue the purchase or sale of a property, you can expect professionalism, dedication, and a trusted partner, offering you the expert representation you need.

A&E

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ECHO ARTS MOVES TO WILDLANDS COMMERCIAL SPACES

BY TAYLOR OWENS

Sahra Beaupré and Greta Hagg began Bozemanbased Echo Arts in 2018 by setting up contemporary art pop-ups in the Bozeman area, then transitioning to a brick-and-mortar exhibition space in the town’s Northeast Neighborhood in 2020. Today, Echo Arts has taken up residence in the new Wildlands commercial spaces abutting Wild Crumb Bakery, Treeline Coffee Roasters, Biome Slowcraft, and others.

“When we envisioned doing something together like this, we really wanted to put Montana contemporary art at the forefront of our programming,” Beaupré said.

“We have this brick-and-mortar exhibition space here at the Wildlands,” Hagg said. “We also have an art advisory side of our business as well.”

The inside of Echo Arts features a traditional gallery space that is open to the public to peruse, and experience exhibits that will continuously change throughout the seasons.

“Sahra and I, we really enjoyed doing our pop-ups together,” Hagg said. “We really wanted to bolster and create a larger contemporary art scene here in Bozeman and Montana and regionally. We have a passion for amplifying artists and creating community engagement.”

“When you come to a city, you want to feel the soul of the city,” Beaupré said. “A lot of that happens via art and in many different formats. Art can run the gamut from public art installations to just the person who’s making moccasins and this very, like, unique storefront capability. It’s kind of harnessing all of that in. We wanted our exhibition space to be a place where people could experience that.”

The passion behind Echo Arts began through Hagg and Beaupre’s experiences as former artists and the inspiration they gained just by being around other artists and curating shows.

“We were coming at it with a background already and then found we were very like-minded in the way we work together and our visions,” Hagg said.

When you walk through the doors of Echo Arts’ new location, you can expect to find a welcoming, comfortable space to enjoy the art displayed, as well as interactive and relaxed elements like a ping pong table.

“Greta and I both mutually wanted an exhibition space to feel accessible and welcoming,” Beaupré said. “We wanted it to be a place where people felt at home and could just stop by.”

Showcasing artists from Montana is an important focus at Echo Arts and continues to be a cornerstone for what the exhibition space is utilized for.

“I’d say about 80% of our programming is hyperlocal and regional,” Beaupré said. “So that means they are given priority in our exhibition space with two-month shows. We’re very hopeful that what we’re doing for Montana artists is giving them a level of exposure that’s necessary in order to grow a career in Montana and just prioritizing them as the ethos of our business.”

With a perfect spot in the heart of the busiest block of the Northeast Neighborhood, Echo Arts is positioned to provide a unique experience for all who wander through the arts district this summer.

“The foot traffic is really wonderful around here and being in proximity of all the wonderful businesses in this corridor of Peach [Street] and Wallace [Avenue], we really love that,” Hagg said.

“Wildlands afforded us the opportunity to build out, which is pretty rare, from scratch,” Beaupré said. “We partnered with Open Studio Collective, which is an architect firm to help us do that and collaborate on a space.”

The next exhibition at Echo Arts will be by artist Sandra Dal Poggetto, a Helena-based artist, with an opening date of July 12. Poggetto’s exhibition will coincide with the summer exhibition at Tinworks Art.

“There’s definitely a simpatico narrative that’s happening between what they [Tinworks] decided they were going to be doing and the dialogue in Sandra’s work,” Beaupré said. “We’re really excited about that fusion.”

Check out Echo Arts this season in the Wildlands commercial spaces and immerse yourself in a variety of captivating art exhibitions. Find out more about what is on display at echoarts.net

Wildlands is located in Bozeman's historic and ecclectic Northeast Neighborhood. PHOTO BY MICHAEL RUEBUSCH

Greta Hagg (left) and Sahra Beaupre (right). PHOTO COURTESY OF ECHO ARTS

Echo Arts’ storefront in Wildlands. PHOTO COURTESY OF ECHO ARTS

SONGS FROM THE SKY

A SONGWRITER’S WORKSHOP BRINGS THE SOUL OF COUNTRY MUSIC TO THE BIG SKY COMMUNITY FOR A FOUR-DAY EVENT IN ITS INAUGURAL YEAR

BY LESLIE KILGORE EBS CONTRIBUTOR

Big Sky has always been a music town, just talk to any local who has lived here in the last 30 years and they can tell you stories about nights seeing some of the top musicians in the world on a smaller stage, at an intimate venue, or with an unforgettable crowd and setting.

As Big Sky continues to grow, so does the music scene. Most recently, the latest event to put Big Sky on the map is Songs from the Sky, which took place May 22-25 at Lone Mountain Ranch and various venues in Town Center.

Songs from the Sky was an idea that Lone Mountain Land Company’s Music and Entertainment Manager, Thad Beaty, came up with based on his 25 years of living and playing music with his wife in Nashville, Tennessee.

“I’ve been fortunate to travel the globe to play music,” Beaty said. “When we moved to Big Sky, I was blown away by the community’s passion for it. Unlike other places I have been, music is a part of the soul of Big Sky. My wife and I feel so inspired and creative here. We knew this would be a great place for songwriters to visit for creative retreats.”

Thad said, his inspiration for planning the event comes from what he calls the “Bluebird style of sound rounds.”

Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe is an intimate and iconic listening room where many world-renowned songwriters and artists build their careers. Over

the past 40 years, the room has developed into one of the most significant music venues in the world. Artists such as Foo Fighters, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill and Taylor Swift have had career moments in the room along with hit songwriters whose music is represented on a wide range of charts. Over 80,000 people visit the venue annually to see this unique format of music and songwriting, and to experience the music culture that the Bluebird is known for.

“We knew the community would love the Bluebird style of songwriter rounds. The synergy between our location and the writers makes this a special spot to celebrate original music,” Beaty said. “When asked how you came up with a song idea, it’s common to hear someone say, ‘they pulled it out of thin air,’ so it’s only fitting we call our event Songs from the Sky.”

Beaty gathered an impressive group of songwriters and musicians who have country songs at the top of the charts and won awards for their work. The four-day event kicked off at Lone Mountain Ranch where the songwriters performed for an intimate crowd. The audience was given a special surprise when renowned musician and songwriter, Jordan Davis performed with the group at the end of the night.

“Miranda McDonald, the VP of MCA Records Nashville, is a dear friend who has been working with us to get Jordan Davis out to write for his new record, Beaty said. “He was a surprise to folks attending the show, but their trip was focused on spending a few days in a stunningly inspiring spot to write his next big hit. He’s a two-time consecutive Song of the Year winner. The only other person with that honor is Lori Mckenna. We had a unique opportunity to hear them both on the same night.”

Beaty said the artists loved writing and performing at Lone Mountain Ranch and are ready to come back again. He hopes to continue and grow this event each year with numerous writing rounds at venues around Big Sky that attract songwriters and musicians from around the globe. Another goal of Beaty’s is to celebrate more of Big Sky’s local artists during this event and provide them the support they need as they grow and create great art.

“Our local artists are our foundation. They are the ones providing the soundtrack of Big Sky daily,” Beaty said. “Partnerships too. We can do so much in this community by simply using the currency as our location. I’m fired up to find creative ways for us all to connect the dots and bring more events to Big Sky.”

Beaty added that what stuck out for him most at Songs from the Sky was the number of people who thanked him for putting the event on and making it happen with Lone Mountain Ranch and Lone Mountain Land Company.

“I was humbled to participate and am excited about what is next. It’s clear there is an appetite from locals and visitors for us to host more world-class music events,” Beaty said. “Historically, we have put so much effort into summer and winter in Big Sky, but spring and fall are wonderful times here too, especially for creatives.”

Beaty is already planning for next year’s event and hopes Songs from the Sky will not only grow each year but will also inspire more world-class music experiences to be a part of Big Sky’s history.

“This place is magical. We are so grateful to wake up here every day and want to share this magical spot with all the artists who are either passing through on tour or making a dedicated trip to perform or create. It will only elevate the experience for us as locals and for our visitors.”

Songs from the Sky took place May 22 - 25 at Lone Mountain Ranch and surprised attendees with the guest appearance of Jordan Davis. PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE

BIG SKY EVENTS CALENDAR

Thursday, May 30 - Wednesday, June 12

If your next event falls between June 13 - June 26, please submit it to media@theoutlawpartners.com by June 5.

THURSDAY, MAY 30

Throwback Movies

The Waypoint, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Bozeman Youth Empowerment Spring Runoff Gala

SUB Ballroom, Montana State University (Bozeman), 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Yoga on the Lawn Montage Big Sky, 7 a.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

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

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

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

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Sound Bath with Lily Santosha Wellness Center, 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 4

Resort Tax allocations (all-day work session)

The Wilson Hotel, 9 a.m.

American Legion BINGO Night Riverhouse BBQ & Events, 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

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

Trivia

The Waypoint, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 6

Resort Tax allocations (final award decisions)

The Wilson Hotel, 4 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 7

Paint Under the Big Sky: Plein Air, three-day beginners’ workshop (age 16+, registration required)

Big Sky Artists’ Studio, 4 p.m.

At the Movies: the Music of John Williams Willson Auditorium (Bozeman), 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

Big Sky Resort summer opening

Big Sky Resort, all day

Grow Wild: Annual Gallatin River Weed Pull Moose Creek Flat Campground (Gallatin Canyon), 9 a.m.

Paint Under the Big Sky: Plein Air, three-day beginners’ workshop

Big Sky Artists’ Studio, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

At the Movies: the Music of John Williams Willson Auditorium (Bozeman), 2:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 9

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

All Saints in Big Sky Service

Big Sky Chapel, 10 a.m.

Paint Under the Big Sky: Plein Air, three-day beginners workshop

Big Sky Artists’ Studio, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

At the Movies: the Music of John Williams Willson Auditorium (Bozeman), 2:30 p.m.

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

MONDAY, JUNE 10

Action Throwback Movie: The Matrix The Waypoint, 7 p.m.

Grow Wild: Native Plant Sale fundraiser Crail Gardens, 3 p.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11

American Legion Bingo Riverhouse BBQ & Events, 5:30 p.m.

2024 Paddling Film Festival

The Waypoint, 6 p.m.

Explore MOR: Birds and Brews MAP Brewery (Bozeman), 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12

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

Trivia The Waypoint, 7 p.m.

FEATURED EVENT: Big Sky Farmers Market, opening day Town Center, 5 p.m.

The Big Sky Farmers Market returns June 5, bringing dozens of local and regional—even some nationwide—vendors to Big Sky Town Center. The market stretches from Town Center Plaza, along Town Center Avenue and over to Fire Pit Park, and will continue every Wednesday at 5 p.m. until Sept. 25.

big sky, Montana

DINING

A LA CARTE: GOOD SPIRITS AT GUTE LAUNE

BY RACHEL HERGETT EBS COLUMNIST

Though I had made a date with a fabulous artist friend, Tori, for the evening, I was still trepidatious about dining at gute Laune, stylized with a lower case “g” that makes the editor in me cringe and the spell check go off. Truth is, I have a hard time getting excited about a restaurant that is inspired by German beer halls and serves Montana bratwursts and European beers. While there are exceptions—usually based around ballgames and/or booze—sausage and beer just ain’t my thing. Still, I’m willing to give it a try.

Gute Laune, German for “good spirits” or “good mood,” opened last month in the space above the Rialto Theater on Bozeman’s Main Street.

I’m happy to see Nest Partners, the team behind the Rialto and the LARK, make use of the space, which has mainly been used for events since the theater’s remodel. And the bar, with its windows overlooking the street and the glow of the neon sign shining in, has an inherent atmosphere.

At gute Laune, it’s still pretty wide open, with a series of high tables to one side and booths on the other framing two giant community tables with benches. I’m a sucker for a big community table. It’s the visual representation of one of my favorite sayings, “if you have more than you need, build a bigger table not a higher fence.” It invites gathering and conversation— good spirit, perhaps.

Tori was waiting for me when I arrived, and chose a booth in the corner. We chatted and discussed the menu before going to the counter to order. For the sake of variety, we chose the grill plate, which comes with the choice of three “wursts” with potato salad and roasted carrots. The bison bratwurst from Daniel’s Gourmet Meats was recommended, so we started there, then added the double smoked and cured garlic bratwurst and the kielbasa with allspice and white pepper from Meats of Montana. Plus, we had to try the fries and house-made beer cheese. And the desserts. While “good beer” is advertised and the menu has a nice selection of beers, cocktails and mocktails, I was feeling the “Classic Aperol Spritz.” It was as advertised, no frills, just clean and classic. And only nine bucks, which is a steal in Bozeman these days.

The food came fast, on solid-feeling metal cafeteria trays with paper linings and cardboard boats for the sides. The sausages were grilled and sliced on a diagonal. As far as sausages go, these are really damn good ones. I thought I loved the bison brat, until I tried the other two, both of which had solid in-your-face spice (not heat). I can’t pick the winner, and I think I may have confused them on the plate anyway.

I’d like to see more sauces. Ketchup and mustard bottles held solid basics, but I feel the quality of the sausage itself begs for better. There’s a picnic plate on the menu, offering “house-made mustards, preserves, pickles,” and more, and I wonder if more of those accouterments would have really made the grill plate sing. Give me the mustard, baby!

Now to the sides, and I really have something to write home about. If I was wary about a meal of sausages, I am assured by the variety and quality of the side dishes. The potato salad probably has other ingredients, but the stars are the creamy red potatoes from Bausch Farm and the bite of the grain mustard. The white carrots were coated in toasted hazelnuts and grated gruyere cheese, which may have made them feel heavy—my largest worry about this dinner—if not for the hint of lemon cutting through. Even the beer cheese, using a brew from Bayern in Missoula, and hand-cut fries exceeded expectations. The no-longer unsung hero of the plate, however, was the pickled cauliflower. It was the perfect balance of sweet, spicy and sour and retained a nice crunch.

I’m impressed. While there is still some growing and refining to do, the trajectory is one I appreciate. There are local ingredients here and choices both in reverence of and aside from sausage. There are gluten-free options, vegan sides, and a kids menu in the works. And the kitchen is open until midnight.

Manager Kevin Erb tells me they’re “easing into it slowly.” The menu is changing and experiments are happening. There was talk of a gluten-free schnitzel, of more mustards and sauerkraut. And, instead of a kitchen manager, all of it is overseen by chef Stefan Schleigh.

As I sit back, full and decidedly happy with the meal, someone says the space is normally brighter, and I realize that some of the overhead lights are out. I like the dark and moody evening vibe, and the light from a cool retro lamp on the table illuminating one of the variety of Bauhaus posters that grace the walls—as in Bauhaus the English rock band.

Somehow it all seems to work. Like Bauhaus the rock band had reverence for Bauhaus the German art movement, gute Laune is able to share a love for German culture and cuisine and still make it something all its own.

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

PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT

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SPORTS

GOLF: LONE PEAK WINS CLASS B STATE TITLE

BY JACK REANEY

SHELBY—It’s not the first state championship for golf coach Jenny Wilcynski, after the Lone Peak High School girls won Class C in 2016. But this one, she says, is a little sweeter.

The Big Horns moved into Class B this year, facing tougher competition from larger schools across most sports. The girls varsity golf team didn’t shy away from the challenge—the squad of four sophomores completed an undefeated season with a commanding triumph at the Class B state tournament on May 14 and 15 at Marias Valley Golf and Country Club in Shelby.

“It’s a bit surreal,” coach Wilcynski said. She spoke with EBS on the phone the next morning, still tired from returning late to Big Sky after winning Lone Peak’s first Class B state championship in any sport.

“The team dynamics were just awesome. Everybody was so supportive of each other and their teammates… They were able to cherish that win,” Wilcynski said.

As the newcomer to Montana Class B this season, her team didn’t know what to expect from the competition.

“And they didn’t know what to expect from us,” she said.

Lone Peak won the state tournament by 27 strokes over two 18-hole rounds. The week before, they won their southeast division by 42 strokes, in just one 18-hole round.

John Hannahs, Lone Peak athletic director and assistant golf coach, knew the state tournament would include a lot of other competitive teams that they hadn’t yet seen.

“I think we came in as somewhat of an unknown for some of the other teams,” he said. Entering state came with “unspoken pressure,” but the girls seemed to have no trouble playing their game and treating it like any other tournament. He believed the girls had the tools to win.

“To prove it on a class B level is just a really special feeling,” Hannahs said.

Leydig finishes second, Kamieniarz enjoys breakout round with top-10 finish

After the first of two 18-role rounds, the Big Horns held a 16-stroke lead over Florence-Carlton High School and a 24-stroke lead over third-place Shepherd High School.

“So, we felt like that’s a pretty good cushion. Nobody had a lights-out day. Everybody had certain holes that were great,” Wilcynski said.

After day one, sophomore Cate Leydig was one shot out of the individual lead. She shot an 82, one stroke behind Three Forks High School senior Ari Judd.

Hannahs (left) and coach Wilcynski (right) celebrate with the team. PHOTO BY BRIAR NAPIER / 406 MT SPORTS

Olivia Kamieniarz sets up on the fairway. COURTESY OF JENNY WILCYNSKI

Wilcynski said sophomores Dylan Manka, Olivia Kamieniarz and Maddy Wilcynski all played to their typical strength on the first day.

“Sixteen shots is a lot for teams to have to make up, but anything is possible,” coach Wilcynski said. “We basically told the girls… if everybody plays how they did on day one, we’ll be successful.”

On the second day, Maddy Wilcynski shot a 106, four strokes better. She improved on the back nine for both rounds, shooting 61 and 49 on the first day, and then 61 and 45 on the second. The 45-stroke round was her lowest nine-hole score of the season.

Manka was steady on the first day, shooting 97, and had some trouble in the second round, shooting 103. Still, Manka finished 20th overall.

After a 102-stroke opening round, Kamieniarz broke out on the second day, shooting 39 on the front nine, a personal best, and 46 on the back.

“Olivia was kind of the one we have been waiting for,” Wilcynski said. “Her swing looks amazing… That’s 17 shots better than day one, which is absolutely cool. We were so excited for her.”

Kamieniarz finished 10th overall in the state, bolstered by her second round, shooting 85.

Leydig played in the foursome of front runners. Entering the second round one stroke behind Judd, Wilcynski said Leydig stayed steady. She turned in an 82 on day one, and an 83 on day two.

Leydig was solid, but Judd couldn’t be beat. Wilcynski said the Three Forks senior was fun to watch. Judd finished with a 78 and won the Class B individual title by a 6-stroke margin. Leydig finished second overall, her second straight season on the state podium.

“[Judd] was throwing some great darts, shots right at the pin,” Wilcynski said. “That’s hard to compete with… when somebody is on fire like that.”

Three Forks surged from fifth into third place, but nobody could catch Lone Peak’s four.

“These girls are four sophomores. They’re friends, they’re competitors. I’m so proud of them all,” Wilcynski said. “It’s awesome. To be state champs, I want them to be so proud of that. They earned it.”

Because Class B teams can bring five golfers and use the four best scores, and Lone Peak rosters only four varsity golfers, they all needed to perform. One individual blow-up could cost the team. But they all stepped up.

Hannahs said it’s an amazing feeling for Lone Peak to win a Class B state title.

“I am so proud and happy for the kids,” Hannahs said. “They’ve put in the work, they’ve worked so hard.”

Hannahs commended Wilcynski, who has coached for nine years, bringing experience as a PGA professional and working to secure equipment and

training resources—Hannahs thanked Moonlight Basin and the Big Sky Golf Course.

“She’s just always there, and her consistency I think has been really helpful,” Hannahs said of Wilcynski.

He’s most proud to see success for a group of hardworking kids who love to golf and have fun even when they’re not at their best.

“I loved watching them go out and compete with a smile on their face and just have fun out there. And regardless of the finish, they were doing something that they enjoyed,” Hannahs said.

“It was so much fun,” he added. “It hasn’t really sunk in yet.”

The young team will look to repeat next season. Wilcynski said it’s fun to think about the future, especially now that the Big Horns have two years of state tournament experience.

“We look forward to more success,” Wilcynski said. “But enjoying it now, because this is a big deal.”

Cate Leydig drives in her second round of state tournament play. PHOTO BY BRIAR NAPIER / 406 MT SPORTS

Class B State Champions, left to right: Maddie Wilcynski, Cate Leydig, Olivia Kamieniarz and Dylan Manka. COURTESY OF JENNY WILCYNSKI

BASEBALL: BIG HORNS FALL IN DRAMATIC PLAYOFF DUEL WITH HAMILTON

BY JACK REANEY

HAMILTON—On Saturday, May 11, the Lone Peak High School baseball team played their first-ever playoff game. They visited the Bitterroot Valley to face the Hamilton High School Broncs.

The Broncs, ranked No. 2 in their southwest division, had a strong record including wins against the Belgrade High School Panthers, ranked atop Lone Peak’s division, and the Polson High School Pirates, defending state champions.

Even against a strong opponent, the Big Horns held their own, falling 2-1 in a playoff showdown. Tied in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Broncs sealed the victory on a walk-off single by Hamilton’s Toby DeMoss.

Coaches John McGuire and Matt Morris wrote statements to EBS recapping the playoff loss and the successful 2024 season.

“It was a big step in our baseball journey that ended in heartbreak,” coach Morris wrote. “I know we will be stronger because of the experience. Mostly we realized we can play with any team in the state as long as we play the brand of baseball we are capable of.”

Sophomore Ebe Grabow “pitched an incredible game, holding down a very strong Hamilton team and giving us a chance for the upset,” McGuire wrote. He pitched all seven innings, allowing three hits and zero earned runs. He struck out four and walked four.

Grabow, sophomore Eli Gale and freshman Sid Morris each had hits in the loss.

McGuire wrote that the coaches are incredibly proud of the team’s performance in their firstever playoff appearance, and they look forward to continued growth and success.

On May 18, Hamilton would go on to lose, 4-2, in the Montana State Championship.

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Lone Peak’s Ebe Grabow delivers a pitch during a one-run playoff showdown in Hamilton. COURTESY OF JOHN MCGUIRE

EBS STAFF

Revitalized Restoration are Big Sky’s property damage mitigation and restoration experts, specializing in personal property recovery, contents cleaning, trauma and crime scene cleanup. For this Making it in Big Sky, Explore Big Sky sat down with President and Founder Amber Smith who arrived here with her husband Rob when they were dropping their daughter off at Montana State University. After their first sunrise in Montana, they were in love.

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: Let’s start with you—how long have you been in the area and what brought you here:

Amber Smith: It's been almost a decade ago since my husband, Rob, and I dropped our daughter Maddison off at Montana State University. We had driven the last portion of our drive from West Yellowstone to Bozeman in the dark. The next morning was our first Montana sunrise. It was a smoky August, making the colors amazingly vibrant. This was our welcome to the area.

We headed home a few hours later. Driving through the canyon was beautiful. Waiting for the light to change at U.S. Highway 191 and Lone Mountain Trail, Rob noticed the sign for Soldiers Chapel. Driving up that driveway flanked by American flags, we were both awe struck by that dramatic view of chapel against the backdrop of Lone Mountain Peak. Taking it all in, I decided I wasn't ready to go home. I Googled breweries near me. Lone Mountain Brewery was the closest. During our lunch the bartender suggested we check out the resort. Rob reserved a room at the Summit. When we checked into the hotel, it happened to be the last couple of hours of Vine and Dine. We were fortunate enough to enjoy some wine tasting and music. For the next couple of days we enjoy the Summit's huge hot tub and the fabulous view up the mountain.

During the next couple of years, I visited Maddison. My visits became more and more frequent until I was splitting my time between Bozeman and home. After returning from one of my trips I told Rob, "We are moving to Montana.” His response was, "They have real winter there.” I didn't care. I was in love and Rob's an avid outdoorsman. I knew this was the perfect place for us. I put the offer on our house in 2018, waited with great anticipation for it to be completed. It was blizzarding the day we moved in, the best welcome ever.

EBS: How did Revitalized Restoration get started—was there a need you saw in the community?

AS: While attending college, Maddison worked part-time for a local restoration company. Her life plan changed when she decided to become a mom and adopt her daughter who was 10. Maddison had become a full-time employee and excelled in the industry becoming a superintendent of content and mitigation. She is a people person, enjoyed growing her team and serving clients. During her employment, a common theme throughout local restoration companies became apparent, a disconnection between management and employees creating unnecessary challenges. This stifled innovation and career growth. In some instances it negatively impacted the job and depersonalized the whole process.

At the end of last year Maddison and I were both at a place in our lives where we wanted to go into business together. After a ton of planning and research we founded Revitalized Restoration. We knew we could bring fresh perspectives and fill in the gaps that exist in the local restoration industry. As far as we know we are the only 100% woman owned restoration company in Montana. We are also general contractors.We understand the necessity of personal development and growing our employees’ careers. We also love serving our clients and our community. These are the core values Revitalized Restoration is built on.

Every employee has the opportunity to take certification classes. The company encourages expanding knowledge and experience. In support we pay the fees for our team’s certifications, testing, and continuing education credits to keep their certificates valid. Since founding Revitalized in January, our team members have taken nine IICRC certification classes, in addition to certifications they already held. The IICRC is a governing body for the mitigation and restoration industry.

We provide a personalized client experience. Each project plan is individualized for a seamless restoration journey from inception to completion. Every job is unique. We assign a Client Services Specialist to each client. The CSS effectively coordinates directly with the insurance adjuster to promptly address any concerns, attends to client and project priorities, and delivers consistent results. The end goal is to minimize the Client’s stress during a stressful time.

EBS: What services do you offer the area and what sets you apart from other restoration businesses?

AS: We offer post loss recovery and management for any type of loss for your home, business, and personal property. That includes fire or smoke damage. All types of Water losses which includes sewage damage. Microbial (mold) damage and rodent damage. We also offer services for crime scene and trauma cleans as well. We are available 24/7 to assist in any emergency loss at any time day or night.

We have the ability to restore most personal property on site with our mobile content cleaning unit. This allows our customers to see the full process of restoration right outside their door steps. When you think of having the unfortunate

event of a disaster in your home, typically you’re more concerned about your pictures and family heirlooms than your walls or flooring. With us having the ability to restore them onsite we alleviate the additional stress of watching your most valuable possessions leave your home and not know step by step what is happening with them. We are currently the only restoration company in Montana to offer this specific service.

Revitalized Restoration is a concierge for the whole restoration process. We walk right beside you throughout the entire restoration process. From the moment we are notified of your loss to the moment you get to walk into your restored home, we are there. We help guide you through the insurance claim process, we explain the deconstruction and drying process so you fully know and understand why we do what we do, we help guide you in making the best decisions on building materials, etc. We do everything we can to ensure you don’t have any surprises along the way. When working with Revitalized, you can feel calm, confident, and secure knowing exactly what’s happening with your home, personal property, and the process along the way.

EBS: What is the most frequent call you get from customers?

AS: We definitely get a variety of calls but, for the most part, they all have one thing in common. Stressed homeowners or property owners, who are faced with a disaster in their safe space looking for someone to hear them, understand their specific needs, and someone to lean in and let them know “we’ve got you” and really mean it.

Statistically homeowners will experience one major loss in their lives. So we encounter a lot of stressed and panicked people who just don’t know what to do or what to expect. But with us, we believe in empowering every homeowner or property owner to understand and feel confident in their restoration journey.

EBS: Tell me about your "revitalizing our community" program: AS: We believe in giving back. This program allows us to give back to each beautiful community we serve; quarterly. We pick each project carefully with the direction of the community to help us make the biggest impact possible for that specific area and time of year. Needs are constantly evolving so we listen to those in the community to select the most beneficial way to give back.

In the past we have done projects such as collecting winter gear to hand out to those in need, sock and shoe drives, cleaning up homeless camps in parks to eliminate human waste, trash, and drug paraphernalia; allowing people to live in their camps safely.

Giving back to the communities we serve means the world to us.

EBS: Anything else you’d like the Big Sky community to know? AS: We are here to serve in your time of need and are just a phone call away.

EBS: What is the best business advice you’ve ever received: AS: Hire smartly. Your team is one of your most valuable assets. Hire people who are skilled, motivated, and share your vision for the business and success.

ENVIRONMENT

DISPATCHES

FROM THE WILD: MANAGING INVASIVE PLANTS

NOXIOUS WEEDS ARE TURNING PRIME HABITAT INTO A WASTELAND

BY BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY EBS COLUMNIST

Far deadlier in the long run than predators, wildfire and maybe even suburban sprawl, noxious weeds are set to turn a staggering three million acres into a wasteland this year, destroying habitat for elk and other wildlife. The alarming scale of this problem demands immediate attention and action.

Tom Henderson, the former owner of Bitterroot Outfitters, who leads hunting journeys into the SelwayBitterroot Wilderness and the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, embarked on his weed-spraying foray in the backcountry 31 years ago. His involvement was sparked when habitat managers reached out, knowing that his mules could carry herbicide and cover more ground than backpack sprayers. Henderson’s initial battle against toxic plants revealed the stark reality: the very places that had nurtured his dreams of hunting and adventure and sustained his livelihood for decades were under siege.

Habitat managers use methods to remove these invasive plants, including spraying chemicals, pulling roots, cutting flowerheads, and bio-control measures like goats, sheep or weevils, highlighting the scale and complexity of the problem.

The fight stretched from just beyond Henderson’s front door in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley up into the national forest and the high-country cathedrals of the SelwayBitterroot and Frank Church-River of No Return wilderness areas. He soon found himself looking for weeds everywhere he went, especially on his trips as a hunting guide. The role of individuals and organizations like Henderson’s Bitterroot Outfitters in this fight is crucial, as they are on the frontlines of the battle against invasive plants.

When he has hunting clients deep in the backcountry, searching for wildlife, some of his other employees take care of things in camp, but sometimes the cook goes out and sprays invasives.

“When my cook is not tending to the biscuits, we are spraying weeds,” Henderson said. “We are always spraying weeds.”

The problem is so pervasive that he rarely needs to look far. Invasive weeds deploy ingenious ways to penetrate the backcountry, causing significant harm to the ecosystem. They latch onto vehicles, clothes, shoelaces, pets and livestock; weasel into hay bales, seeds or feed; drift down rivers and ride the wind. Unfortunately, none of this is unique to the Bitterroot. All across elk country, noxious weeds from foreign lands have impoverished America’s best-remaining wildlife habitat, which should deeply concern us all.

Noxious weeds become monsters, unleashed from the ecosystems where they evolved with predators and competitors that helped hold them in check. They overturn and undermine the rich biodiversity of grasses and forbs that elk, deer and pronghorn depend on, replacing them with veritable junk food often downright poisonous to wildlife and livestock.

The U.S. government recognizes 4,000 “exotic plants,” which cover an estimated 133 million acres, equal to the

size of California and New York combined. Since 2010, they cost the nation more than $26 billion economically and socially.

Dealing with invasive species seems overwhelming. However, there is hope.

One University of Montana study found that after focused weed treatment, native grass production rebounded from 48 pounds per acre to 1,620 pounds.

Invasive weeds now infest one of every five acres of western public lands. They take over another 4,600 acres of our finest public wildlife habitat daily. And in private and state land, they cripple three million acres. That’s like having weeds covering every foot of Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Yet for every defeat, there is a victory in this challenge as private and public land stewards treat hundreds of thousands of acres annually to halt or slow the invasion.

Hal Pearce, weed coordinator for U.S. Forest Service Region 2, oversees Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. He advises people who feel devastated by invasive plants to size up the problem, make a plan and work toward a goal.

“Amazingly, it looks so overwhelming, but suddenly, three to four years later, it is pretty manageable,” Pearce said.

He stresses the value of private landowners joining forces with state and federal land managers to present a united front.

“Partnerships with landowners and nonprofits are so important because if we only fight invasives on federal land, then we have these huge seed banks, and the tide can only be held back for so long,” Pearce said. “We stand to lose a real treasure in our ecosystems if we don’t build relationships.”

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation embraces that view wholeheartedly and has taken a leading role in fighting weeds for the good of elk, deer and other wildlife. From 1989 to 2016, RMEF invested $7.3 million to help fund 765 stewardship projects in 22 states. That leveraged another $28.4 million from agencies and private landowners to treat more than half a million acres of vital elk country.

Tom Toman, former RMEF director of science and planning, said this is money well spent. These exotic invaders often sprout earlier and go to seed before native competitors. Many secrete toxins from their roots or leaves to weaken or kill their native neighbors while leaving their own kind primed to reproduce. Noxious weeds also ramp

up soil erosion, fouling streams critical for spawning trout, salmon and other native fish.

“Weeds are a bigger threat to wildlife habitat than even suburban sprawl,” Pearce said. Toman agrees and is proud that RMEF grants agencies and organizations to fight weeds on public and private lands.

“Many people think there is nothing we can do about it,” Toman said. “This isn’t true. There is hope through collaboration, education, early detection, prevention, biological control methods, burning, chemicals, grazing, hand-pulling, mechanical methods and replanting.”

Once a weed infestation is in full swing, the best defense is a targeted, integrated approach drawn from the full quiver of methods. Yet the most effective method is spotting and attacking new infestations before they get out of control. Hunters and other outdoor recreationists can play a vital role in this, knowing how to identify the non-natives and then quickly reporting them to weed managers. To aid in that effort, here are seven weeds of grave concern to wildlife managers in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Canada thistle, Dalmatian toadflax, houndstongue, leafy spurge, spotted knapweed, cheatgrass and oxeye daisy.

Tom Toman said one of the blessings of weeds is they have inspired scores of collaborative efforts that have brought diverse groups together at the conservation table.

“More people seem conscientious about weeds and out looking for them today. It’s important to stay on top of this and use the latest science—like the new bacterium for cheatgrass. Herbicides are crucial in the fight, but we want to do everything possible to avoid destroying what we’re trying to save. We want to keep the biodiversity,” he said. “When it comes to weeds, everybody wants immediate gratification or a magic bullet. There isn’t one.”

Toman said people often asked him how long this weed war would take to win. His reply was simple.

“Forever. The fight is never over, but that doesn’t make it any less essential.”

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

Montana’s landscape is dotted with musk, Canada and bull thistles. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

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TBD TIMBERLOFT DRIVE

Big Sky

40± acre alpine meadow overlooking the Gallatin Canyon, outstanding views of the Spanish Peaks and Lone Mountain. Two adjacent 40± acre properties, designated building sites, end of the road privacy easy all season access. Close to Ophir School and the West Gallatin River.

TBD SKYWOOD ROAD

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Enjoy privacy and outstanding views of Lone Peak from this beautiful Skywood Preserve property. Rolling forested hills combined with a grassy alpine meadow complete with a small natural pond create a beautiful 21± acre parcel, just minutes from Town Center or Meadow Village.

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Big Sky

Ski accessable w/ biking and hiking access to area trails. Convenient to all the services at Big Sky’s Mountain Village. Great access to the Middle Fork of the Gallatin River by taking an established trail from the building site directly to the stream. Property located on the North side of Low Dog Rd.

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.

accomplishments and 2024 goals moving forward.

SECOND MONTANA SKI RESORT LOOKS TO TURN WASTEWATER INTO POWDER

THE SPANISH PEAKS MOUNTAIN CLUB HAS REQUESTED A PERMIT FROM THE MONTANA DEQ.

BY JUSTIN FRANZ MONTANA FREE PRESS

BIG SKY—The Spanish Peaks Mountain Club in Big Sky has asked for a permit from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to let it turn wastewater into snow for skiing and snowboarding. The private club is the second Montana ski area to try and implement snowmaking technology that proponents say is good for the environment and skiers amid a warming climate.

More than a dozen ski areas in eight states, plus some in Canada, Switzerland and Australia, use wastewater to make powder. This past winter, the Yellowstone Club near Big Sky became the first in Montana to turn what was once sewage into snow. The Spanish Peaks Mountain Club and Yellowstone Club share a common parent company, CrossHarbor Capital Partners, but they operate as separate businesses. The Spanish Peaks terrain is operated by Big Sky Resort and accessible to the public.

If approved, Spanish Peaks Mountain Club would use the treated water to make snow on approximately 44.5 acres of groomed runs on Spirit Mountain and the Spanish Creek base area and about 40.7 acres in the Southern Comfort ski area. The ski area would mostly use the treated snow in November and December to build a base during the early season.

The project would be built out in two phases. During phase one, the ski area would use 23

million gallons of treated water per year to make about 18 to 24 inches of snow. During phase two, that would increase to 44 million gallons of water annually.

DEQ has prepared a draft environmental assessment and is accepting comments on the plan through June 6.

In an emailed statement to Montana Free Press, Spanish Peaks’ Vice President of Environmental Operations Richard Chandler wrote, “We are very excited about this effort and appreciate the Department of Environmental Quality’s careful review. The conservation community in Montana has embraced the concept of turning reclaimed water into base layer snow to reuse our precious resources, recharge the aquifer and extend cold water flow into our rivers in the late summer months. Projects like these will help add resiliency to the Gallatin River, especially during drought years.”

Chandler, who also oversees the Yellowstone Club’s environmental operations, has previously said that turning recycled water into snow is better for the environment than just releasing it into a river, which normally is what happens. By shooting it through the snowmaking equipment (it’s essentially misted onto the slopes as snow) the wastewater is treated again. Then, as it melts in the spring and enters the ground, it’s filtered a third time. Because of that, groups like the Gallatin River Task Force, Trout Unlimited, American Rivers, Greater

Yellowstone Coalition and the Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators all supported the Yellowstone Club project.

The effort to turn wastewater into snow in Big Sky dates back more than a decade.

In 2011, the Gallatin River Task Force, Yellowstone Club and DEQ teamed up to study the concept. The idea was that as climate change made the region’s snowpack more unpredictable, they could serve skiers and the watershed by making snow from treated water that is traditionally just put into rivers and other bodies of water. That winter they successfully turned a half-million gallons of wastewater into two acres of snow about 18 inches deep.

In 2020, the Yellowstone Club applied for a permit from DEQ to expand that pilot program into a permanent snowmaking operation on Eglise Mountain. The following year, the state issued a permit allowing the Yellowstone Club to turn 25 million gallons of wastewater into snow annually. Two years and $12 million later, the new system began making snow last November.

Under the current plan, 80% of the recycled water comes from the Big Sky community, and 20% comes from the Yellowstone Club. For the Spanish Peaks project, all of the water will come from the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District wastewater treatment facility.

The Yellowstone Club near Big Sky began using wastewater to make snow on its slope earlier this winter. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE YELLOWSTONE CLUB

GREATER YELLOWSTONE COALITION: GIVING THE WILDERNESS A VOICE

BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY

EBS CONTRIBUTOR

Editor’s note: In the coming weeks, Explore Big Sky will highlight three local nonprofits devoted to protecting our local lands and waterways who have partnered with our publisher, Outlaw Partners for this summer’s Wildlands Festival. Meet our third in the series, Greater Yellowstone Coalition. The other two nonprofits are Gallatin Valley Land Trust and Wild Montana.

Since 1983, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition has not just championed the cause of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem but also carved out a unique role as its voice. The GYC, in collaboration with people and communities, is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the 22-millionacre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem through water, land and wildlife conservation campaigns and projects.

With headquarters in Bozeman and offices in Idaho, Wyoming and the Wind River Indian Reservation, the company’s team of passionate conservationists, seasoned policy analysts, and esteemed biologists works on issues like grizzly bear and bison management, wildlife highway crossings, climate resilience, protecting public lands, and supporting Indigenous-led conservation priorities.

The history of GYC

Two significant catalysts helping to shape this organization were a grizzly bear population on the brink of extinction and an understanding that if we care about Yellowstone, we must care about what happens beyond its borders. In other words, to protect a park, we must preserve an ecosystem.

In 1975, grizzlies living in the lower 48 states were listed as Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act. Today, thanks to the strategic conservation practices and solid interagency coordination championed by GYC, roughly 1,000 grizzly bears roam Greater Yellowstone. Just 40 years ago, only approximately 130 bears lived in the region. The bruins have expanded their range and have a stable population.

However, challenges remain, with at least 50 to 100 grizzlies dying annually across the Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem and beyond, the vast majority of which are due to conflicts with humans. Despite these challenges, the progress we’ve made is a beacon of hope, showing what can be achieved when we come together for a common cause.

Who’s behind it all

GYC has 35 permanent staff members dispersed across the region into six offices, including Driggs, Idaho, and Cody,Jackson, Lander, and Fort Washakie, Wyoming, on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Their board comprises 17 members from communities in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and beyond. GYC is fortunate to have a national council of 28 individuals across the U.S.

The bedrock of the GYE is its continual investment of more than $5 million annually back into the ecosystem’s communities through various campaigns, partnerships, and conservation projects. Some examples of community-focused projects include placing bear-proof infrastructure in towns and campgrounds, grizzly bear safety and conflict reduction programs, working with states and communities and partnerships with tribes that support their conservation priorities, rights and ways of life.

GYC’s strong partnerships

“Coalition is our name, and the lasting conservation outcomes we have achieved demonstrate the value of working in coalitions and partnerships. Virtually every program or project we invest in occurs along our partners,” said Scott Christensen, executive director of GYC. “The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s 22 million acres are diverse and vast and require partnering with other nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, state, federal and local governments, and the people who live on the landscape.”

Spotlight projects

“Stopping the proposed New World Gold Mine near Cooke City in the mid-1990s helped put GYC on the map and propel the organization

toward many other important conservation wins,” Christensen said. “Some of those include playing a lead role in supporting the reintroduction of gray wolves and the remarkable comeback of grizzlies, opening up habitat for bison west and north of Yellowstone, working with Native American tribes and the park to restore bison to tribal lands across North America, passing bills in congress to protect the Snake River, Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone, and the East Rosebud Creek, and just last year buying out a proposed gold mine that was slated to be developed right on the boundary of Yellowstone near Gardiner.”

Current and continuing threats

The GYE faces myriad threats related to increasing land development and visitation, a changing climate that puts pressure on the habitat for iconic fish and wildlife, and a diverse political climate that makes it harder to accomplish bipartisan conservation solutions.

Projects in progress

This summer, GYC will continue supporting the construction of wildlife crossings throughout Greater Yellowstone to alleviate vehicle-wildlife collisions. Studies show that these crossings reduce vehicle collisions by up to 90% and also help preserve wildlife migrations and movement across the ecosystem.

Colleagues at all six of their offices across the GYE are immersed in projects, from wildlife crossings to fence removal and modification, to help wildlife freely move across the landscape, striving to create safe passages.

They are also helping to alleviate the pressures and challenges of increasing recreational pressures, human development and the human impacts of climate change by revising the Bridger-Teton National Forest Management Plan. This plan examines how the forest will be managed in the foreseeable future. GYC is collaborating with a large coalition of partners to ensure the plan protects wild lands, clean and cold rivers and wildlife habitats for migration corridors while promoting climate resiliency.

GYC is also helping to shape the new Montana gray wolf management plan and paying close attention to whether or not grizzlies will be delisted as an endangered species and Yellowstone’s new Bison Management Plan as the park updates it. GYC is also leading the Water and Buffalo Alliance and working closely with the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative to restore 1,000 bison across 100,000 acres on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Last but not least, they are fighting the Kilgore Gold Exploration Project, 40 miles west of Yellowstone National Park in eastern Idaho.

GYC will have its work cut out in the coming years, developing and implementing realistic solutions that benefit the GYE’s lands, waters, and wildlife and the people who have built their lives here.

Learn more about the Greater Yellowstone Coalition at greateryellowstone.org.

The staff of the GYC is made up of 35 full tie staff across the region. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE COALITION

The Bridger-Teton National Forest is a critical piece of the ecosystem the GYC is working toward protecting. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FOREST SERVICE/BY PATTIZ BROTHER

The GYC’s work on the New World Mine was monumental to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, having the way for their work in the coming years. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE COALITION

“SAV

Ryan Coombs Operations Director

Photo by Whitney Kamman

OBSTACLE COURSE: WHEN A ROAD HINDERS WILDLIFE MOVEMENT

CENTER FOR LARGE LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION

This article is the second in a planned three-part series on wildlife-vehicle conflict.

In the late 1920s, many tourists eager to see the wildlife and geothermal wonders of Yellowstone National Park traveled via the railway known as the “Milwaukee Road.” In Three Forks, Montana, the passengers transferred to electric trains to reach the Gallatin Gateway Inn, where buses awaited them for the final leg of their journey to the park along U.S. Highway 191.

The bison, bears, deer and other native wildlife that moved in and out of the northwest portion of Yellowstone National Park, core habitat within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, likely took little notice of the intermittent passers-by on the stillunpaved highway snaking along the Gallatin River.

Over the past century, the patchwork of public and private lands along the highway has become more human dominated. Today residents, visitors and commuters rely on U.S. 191 for access to jobs, education, medical care and recreation, with the highway also serving as a major trucking route. Now, the same road that is so important for connecting human communities is dividing wildlife habitat.

With its increasing traffic, U.S. 191 cuts right through prime habitat for resident, migrating and wide-ranging animals along the Gallatin River’s riparian corridor and adjacent lands. This has led to more wildlife vehicle collisions, and roadkilled animals of all sizes are a frequent sight for drivers. But a more insidious effect of the road is the physical barrier it can create to the daily and seasonal wildlife movement necessary for survival.

The barrier effect

The “barrier effect” refers to the obstruction that linear infrastructure, like roads or railways, can pose to the movement of animals. Researchers who measure the effect of roads on wildlife movement identify three main levels of traffic.

“At light traffic levels, animals can cross relatively safely and rarely become roadkill. At medium traffic volumes, they try to cross but get hit a lot—but also succeed a lot—or they wouldn’t keep trying,” said Rob Ament, senior conservationist at the Bozeman-based Center for Large Landscape Conservation. “At high traffic volumes, either they can’t get across safely or the noise, fumes, headlights, and other artificial stimuli stop them from even trying. Thus, a road becomes a complete or nearly complete barrier for wildlife movement.”

Many species are sensitive to traffic and lose road crossing opportunities as levels increase. A study of collared grizzly bears along U.S. Highway 2 just south of Glacier National Park showed that when traffic hit 100 vehicles per hour, bears never crossed the highway. The only window of time when traffic was lower, the study found, was from late at night to just before sunrise. This study shows how traffic levels can create a complete (in the daytime) or a partial barrier (at night) for wildlife movement.

In addition to the risk of an individual bear being hit by a vehicle, a busy road may have longerterm ramifications for an entire regional grizzly population. During mating season grizzlies roam vast distances to promote their availability as mates. If journeys are sidetracked by roads or other development, the loss of habitat connectivity can reduce the genetic diversity critical to population health.

Reproduction and gene flow aren’t the only natural processes stymied by road barriers. Each spring, thousands of elk in six to eight herds migrate from lower elevation winter ranges, including in the Custer Gallatin National Forest and surrounding private land, to higher-elevation summer ranges in and around Yellowstone National Park.

“Elk, having no regard for lines on a map, rely not only on protected areas but the areas in between,” Ament said. “We know from elk collar data that these herds use the same migration corridors year after year. We don’t want busy roads or new subdivisions blocking age-old routes.”

Disrupted migration patterns can mean less access to high-quality forage when food supply may be affected by deep snow, drought or fires.

In addition to terrestrial species, roads can even pose a barrier for fish. When a road is built over a river or stream, culverts are placed to allow water to flow underneath. However, not all culverts are adequately sized or positioned for fish passage or for other aquatic and semi-aquatic species, such as frogs and mink. Designing culverts to improve fish passage and upsizing them to protect roads during severe weather events can also benefit wildlife. Weasels, coyotes, bobcats, and other small and medium sized mammals can take advantage of dry areas within large culverts.

Ament says that he and fellow professionals in the field of road ecology urge avoidance of core habitat as a best option, whenever possible. Routing a road so it doesn’t impact the most critical habitat or migration routes is the first step in the “mitigation hierarchy,” the ecologists’ golden rule for addressing impacts of roads on biodiversity.

But there is no going back to the 1920s, when herds of elk and other wildlife shared U.S. 191 with an occasional bus of Yellowstone-bound tourists.

“Once a busy road already exists, the focus can only be on mitigation measures,” said Ament, who co-authored the U.S. 191/MT-64 Wildlife & Transportation Assessment. “The most effective solutions are wildlife overpasses or underpasses, accompanied by fencing, which stitch back together landscapes that have been severed.”

Wildlife crossings are a win-win,” Ament added. “They conserve wildlife habitat, overcome the barrier effect, and make roads safer for all of us.”

Individuals interested in the findings of the US-191/ MT-64 Wildlife & Transportation Assessment and updates on the topic can learn more at largelandscapes. org/191

A grizzly sow leads its cub across the highway near Grand Teton National Park. PHOTO BY NPS/ADAMS

HEALTH

BIG SKY CHAMBER & UNITEDHEALTHCARE TEAM UP TO HELP MONTANA BUSINESSES CONTROL HEALTH CARE COSTS

NEWLY DESIGNED COMMUNITY CHAMBER PROGRAM HEALTH PLAN IS TAILORED TO

SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYERS STATEWIDE

UNITEDHEALTHCARE

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For a small business, offering health insurance can go a long way toward recruiting and retaining quality employees. In fact, 80% of Montana’s workforce between 18 and 64 years old get their insurance through their employer. However, health care costs continue to be a challenge for small businesses. In Montana, a premium for a 40-yearold employee is $449 a month on average, and there continues to be a 16% annual increase year-overyear. It’s clear there needs to be a better option.

Big Sky Chamber of Commerce and UnitedHealthcare are working together to provide a new choice for employee health coverage through the Community Chamber Program. These group health plans give chamber members, not just in Big Sky, but any chamber in the state, more choice and flexibility in choosing a health plan.

“We’re trying to make a difference in a daily business owner’s life, help them with recruitment and retention, and keep their employees healthier,” said Big Sky Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Brad Niva. “That is the only reason we are motivated to bring a plan to Montana that makes a difference—not just for Big Sky, but for the whole state.”

The big picture for Montana small businesses

By banding small employers together as if they were a single large employer group, chamber members gain access to the plans and rates that are typically only available to large employers.

“Everybody’s looking for health benefits,” Niva said. “But when I started looking at Montana’s

landscape, I saw unusually high premiums from the two players in the state. UnitedHealthcare is coming in and offering a better product at a better price. The platform and what they offer is amazing—this is what Montana businesses need.”

These plans are designed to help meet the challenges of rising health care costs with savings, flexibility, and simplicity. The plans are expected to lower employee monthly premiums by as much as 12% compared to existing providers in the state, and the plans are built with benefits and tools to help support a company’s most important asset: its people.

With a variety of deductible and coinsurance plans, chamber members can tailor health plans to the needs of their employees, who can get access to more than 8,000 physicians and health care professionals and 58 hospitals in Montana, in addition to UnitedHealthcare’s more than 1.7 million physicians and 7,100 hospitals nationwide1 The plan also offers members 24/7 Virtual Visits and health and wellness programs, including UHC Rewards, an incentive program where plan participants can earn dollars by completing activities.

“We’re excited to expand our commitment to supporting the health and wellness of more people across Montana through this community chamber offering,” said Gary Daniels, chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare in Montana. “At UnitedHealthcare, we know that a one-size-fitsall approach to health plans for chambers across the state will not work. We’re focused on doing things the right way, which means taking a diligent approach and listening to the specific needs of business communities across the state.”

Doing the right thing for small businesses in Montana

“Even though it has the name Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, these health plans are designed to support the chambers of commerce across the state,” Niva said. “There’s no industry agency in the state that looks out for small business better than your local chamber.”

Big Sky Chamber membership is not required to get a quote on UnitedHealthcare plan coverage. All members of affiliated chambers in Montana are eligible and there is a minimal fee required. To learn more, go to uhc.com/bigskychamber

1 UnitedHealthcare internal analysis, Dec 31, 2023.

24/7 Virtual Visits is a service available with a Designated Virtual Network Provider via video, or audio-only where permitted under state law. Unless otherwise required, benefits are available only when services are delivered through a Designated Virtual Network Provider. 24/7 Virtual Visits are not intended to address emergency or life-threatening medical conditions and should not be used in those circumstances. Services may not be available at all times, or in all locations, or for all members. Check your benefit plan to determine if these services are available.

UnitedHealthcare Rewards is a voluntary program. The information provided under this program is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be nor should be construed as medical advice. You should consult an appropriate health care professional before beginning any exercise program and/or to determine what may be right for you. Receiving an activity tracker, certain credits and/or rewards and/or purchasing an activity tracker with earnings may have tax implications. You should consult with an appropriate tax professional to determine if you have any tax obligations under this program, as applicable. If any fraudulent activity is detected (e.g., misrepresented physical activity), you may be suspended and/or terminated from the program. If you are unable to meet a standard related

to health factor to receive a reward under this program, you might qualify for an opportunity to receive the reward by different means. You may call us toll-free at 1-866-230-2505 or at the number on your health plan ID card, and we will work with you (and, if necessary, your doctor) to find another way for you to earn the same reward. Rewards may be limited due to incentive limits under applicable law. Components subject to change. This program is not available for fully insured members in Hawaii, Vermont and Puerto Rico nor available to level funded members in District of Columbia, Hawaii, Vermont and Puerto Rico.

Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates.

Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates, and UnitedHealthcare Service LLC in NY. Stop-loss insurance is underwritten by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or their affiliates, including UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company in NJ, and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York in NY.

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Beautiful custom architecturally designed home built in 2020 with above garage ADU, near Town Center! Well thought out design, exceptional craftsmanship, spectacular views, and large oversized garage. The ADU provides additional living space, a full kitchen and bath. Serene outdoor spaces, including a private patio with a hot tub and deck. The interior showcases high ceilings and an open-concept layout inviting abundant natural light. Easy access to hiking and Nordic trails. $3,199,000 #385318

MAGGIE BIGGERSTAFF 406-580-6244

Create your own legacy property with this grand home bordering recreational open space. Hop onto the Crail Ranch Trail from your front door where freshly groomed cross country ski trails beckon in Winter and biking and hiking trails await in Summer. The Crail Ranch Trail connects to the Lone Peak Trail via the new pedestrian tunnel providing convenient access to the extensive trail systems and the Town Center. $3,250,000 #384355

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Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

© 2024 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 6543022 04/24 CS 1124370-4396353

PUBLIC NOTICE

AUDIT PUBLICATION STATEMENT

An audit of the affairs of Big Sky Fire Department has been conducted by Rudd & Company, PLLC. The audit covered the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 Section 2-7-521, MCA, requires the publication concerning the audit report include a statement that the audit report is on file in its entirety and open to public inspection. This report is available to the public at 650 Rainbow Trout Run, Big Sky, MT 59716 or at www.bigskyfire.org (Home Page/About Us/ BSFD Master Plan, Annual Reports, and ISO Public Protection Classification/2023 Audited Annual Financial Report). Big Sky Fire Department will send a copy of the audit report to any interested person upon request.

Sincerely, Big Sky Fire Department

BUDGET AND RATES HEARING NOTICE

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

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