Issuu

July 23 - August 5, 2026 Volume 17 // Issue 16 15

BIG SKY PBR AT 15 A FAMILY OF BULLFIGHTERS EPILEPSY AWARENESS AT BIG SKY PBR GALLERY: BIG SKY'S BIGGEST WEEK REVIEWING PBR'S TOP CHEF EATS

SECOND BUILD GRANT DENIED 'A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT' COMES HOME

OPENING SHOT

July 23 - August 5, 2026 Volume 17 // Issue 16 Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana

PUBLISHER Eric Ladd | eric@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL VP MEDIA Mira Brody | mira@theoutlawpartners.com

The 9th Big Sky Soul Shine held its free Big Sky Country Fair Saturday, July 11. The event, celebrating the lives of Mark Robin and Eric Bertelson, raises awareness and funding for people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, and supports families living with the disease of which there is no cure. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY

STAFF WRITER Jen Clancey | jen@theoutlawpartners.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LOCAL JOURNALIST Leslie Kilgore | leslie@theoutlawpartners.com DIGITAL MEDIA LEAD Fischer Genau | fischer@theoutlawpartners.com STAFF WRITER Carli Johnson | carli@theoutlawpartners.com EDITORIAL INTERN Annie O'Neill | annie@theoutlawpartners.com

CREATIVE GRAPHIC DESIGNER Luke Breum | luke@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 DIRECTOR Taylor Owens | taylor.owens@theoutlawpartners.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT Sara Sipe | sara@theoutlawpartners.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD Patrick Mahoney | patrick@theoutlawpartners.com ACCOUNT COORDINATOR Ellie Boeschenstein | ellie@theoutlawpartners.com

CONTRIBUTORS Benjamin Alva Polley, Kaley Burns, Mel Crichton, Kristin Gardner, Jeff Emery and Simon Nathans

4 BRIEFS 12 6 LETTERS 8 BIGGEST WEEK 20 LOCAL 29 REGIONAL 33 ENVIRONMENT 41 A&E 26 42 BUSINESS 49 HEALTH 51 FUN 29 ON THE COVER:

Photographer Taylor Allen snapped this shot of Missouri Thunder bullrider, and Big Sky PBR champion, Kade Madsen hanging on as his bull kicks up dirt in the Big Sky Events Arena. The Big Sky PBR had its 15th year July 16-18, and featured some of PBR’s top athletes, including last year’s winner Brady Fielder. Ultumatley, Madsen was crowned the weekend's champion, the first rider to win in the arena twice. PHOTO BY TAYLOR ALLEN

BIG SKY PBR AT 15 Big Sky PBR marked its 15th anniversary with a milestone weekend, growing from a single night on a bulldozed sagebrush field into a sold-out, three-day tradition that drew nearly 5,000 fans and crowned Kade Madsen, the only rider to win the event twice, as this year's champion. The celebration extended to charitable causes; Purple Night raised more than $119,500 for the Epilepsy Foundation of Montana, part of a weekend that generated over $800,000 for local and national charities, while fifth-generation Whitefish bullfighter Cody Morris closed out an 18-year career alongside his wife and three sons. Relive the highlights in this special Big Sky’s Biggest Week news section. SECOND BUILD GRANT DENIED Big Sky’s push to fix its most congested intersection hit another major setback after the federal government rejected a $25 million request from Montana Department of Transportation and Resort Tax for the U.S. Highway 191/ Montana Highway 64 intersection. In a Big Sky Resort Area District meeting on July 8, board chair Kevin Germain called the rejection “a real gut punch.” It’s the second unsuccessful application in a row to improve the intersection. ‘A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT’ COMES HOME Montana residents can experience a live preview of Opera Montana's adaptation of "A River Runs Through It" at Big Sky’s Riverhouse BBQ & Events at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 26. The event is hosted in collaboration with the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, whose Executive Director John Zirkle had the idea to hold the event at the local restaurant. REVIEWING PBR’S TOP CHEF EATS Explore Big Sky’s food columnist Rachel Hergett is Montana-raised. Feeling right at home in the rodeo atmosphere, she tried food from the Camp Chef VIP experience, and talked to the creators behind the dishes, including Bozeman’s Jarrett Wrisley, and Jamie Lynch—who infuses his food with East Coast influences, like a New England barbecue sauce.

EDITORIAL POLICIES

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EDITORIAL POLICY

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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.

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.

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.

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ADVERTISING DEADLINE For the August 6th issue: July 29th, 2026 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 ©2026 Explore Big Sky unauthorized reproduction prohibited

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Martha Johnson, Founding Broker Aperture Global, Big Sky martha.johnson@apertureglobal.com 406.580.5891

Charlie Johnson, Founding Associate Aperture Global, Big Sky charlie.johnson@apertureglobal.com 406.209.1457

View all of our listings at luxurybigskyhomes.com CURIOUS ABOUT THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IN BIG SKY? CONTACT US FOR A REPORT CUSTOMIZED TO YOU! SELLERS, WANT TO KNOW YOUR PROPERTY’S CURRENT VALUE? GIVE US A CALL!

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Spanish Peaks Mountain Club Ski Tip Glade Lot 16 | Golf Membership 1.18 +/- ACRES | $3,750,000

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

11 Lone Peak Drive, Suite 102, Big Sky, MT, 59716

Explore Big Sky

4 July 23 - August 5, 2026

BRIEFS

NEWS IN BRIEF

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR RAY BENSON TO KICK OFF LIVE FROM REVISES GRIZZLY BEAR MANAGEMENT THE DIVIDE’S NEW STORYTELLER SERIES PROPOSAL, REOPENS PUBLIC COMMENT EBS STAFF EBS STAFF On July 14, the Department of the Interior announced a revised proposal that would increase management flexibility for grizzly bears in areas where the species has met federal recovery benchmarks. According to a Department of the Interior press release, the proposal is intended to ensure the Endangered Species Act is implemented as intended while continuing to support the species’ long-term conservation. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum was joined by Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Fish and Wildlife Director Brian Nesvik for the announcement. According to the press release, the revised proposal reflects decades of conservation progress led by states, tribes, federal agencies, private landowners and local communities. The department stated that providing additional management flexibility in areas where conservation benchmarks and population objectives have been achieved would help wildlife managers address conflicts and public safety concerns while continuing to support the long-term conservation of grizzly bears. “The science is more than clear: grizzly bears have recovered and far exceeded every federal recovery benchmarks. Today, Interior is returning conservation leadership to the Western states instead of Washington bureaucrats,” Burgum stated in the press release. “Under the leadership of President Trump, we’re following the science, upholding the law and ending politics masquerading as conservation.” The press release states that the revised proposal is intended to reduce regulatory complexity, expand state and tribal management authority and support what the department describes as practical, science-based wildlife management. The rule does not change the grizzly bear’s listing status under the Endangered Species Act and does not affect existing experimental population designations.

Ray Benson, longtime frontman of the Grammy-winning band Asleep at the Wheel, will kick off Live From The Divide’s new Storyteller Series on Friday, July 24, at the Empire Twin Theatre in Livingston. The series is “built around the connection between artist and audience,” according to a press release from Live From the Divide, allowing artists to share the stories behind their music in their own words. “If you’re anything like me, you love live music,” said Jason Wickens, founder and executive director of Live From The Divide in the release. “But every once in a while, you crave something deeper than the performance itself. You want to understand where the songs came from. You want to hear about the life that shaped them. The Storyteller Series was created for those moments.” The show starts at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m.; tickets are $100 for premium seating and $80 general admission, available at livefromthedivide. com. Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Suzy Bogguss will continue the series on Aug. 7.

YELLOWSTONE FIRE DANGER RATED ‘HIGH’ EBS STAFF The National Park Service has raised the parkwide fire danger level in Yellowstone National Park to HIGH, meaning wildfires can start easily and spread rapidly, according to a July 14 press release. Park officials say there are currently no fire restrictions in place and no uncontrolled wildland fires burning in the park, though visitors are urged to watch current fire activity through the park’s website.

Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states were listed as threatened in 1975 and since then, conservation efforts by states, tribes, federal agencies, private landowners and local communities have contributed to recovery progress in several geographic areas.

A HIGH danger level means that campfires are permitted only within established fire rings and grates in designated campgrounds, picnic areas and some backcountry sites, and must be fully attended and cold to the touch before being left. “Soak, stir, feel, repeat,” is a good exercise to extinguish a fire, advised the park service in the release.

The department also announced they are reopening a 30-day public comment period on this revision proposal. Supporting documents and instructions on how to participate in the public comment process are available online.

The advisory comes amid elevated fire activity across the broader region this week as departments see an uptick in spot fires, both human- and lightningcaused. Dry conditions and low humidity are expected to keep fire danger high across southern Montana and northern Wyoming in the coming days.

PUBLIC NOTICE Celebration of life for Harry and Pegging Ring Harry and Peggy Ring moved to Big Sky in 1976, fresh out of Montana State, and spent the next five decades helping build the community — Harry running Lone Mountain Sports and Peggy opening Plum Logo, one of the first shops at the resort's base. Known for their adventurous spirit (Harry as a Nordic skier and Alaska fisherman, Peggy leading a beloved horseback riding group called "The Goatheads"), the couple later donated 200 acres of their property to a conservation easement with GVLT, protecting open space and wildlife habitat for future generations. A celebration of life for Peggy and Harry Ring will be held Saturday, Aug. 1 at 4:00 p.m. at The Riverhouse BBQ & Events, 45130 Gallatin Road, Big Sky.

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big sky, montana

July 31-August 1 benefiting wild and scenic spaces • wildlandsmusic.com

Explore Big Sky

6 July 23 - August 5, 2026

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

FIRE RETARDANT CONTAINS TOXIC METALS

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO Summer is here, and wildfires are burning in Montana. Wildland firefighting seems to be replete with ubiquitous images: a hand crew in yellow shirts, packs slung low on their backs; smoke billowing around a hazy mountaintop; a swath of pink mist issuing from a plane. The pink substance is fire retardant, used to slow the spread of fire and reduce its intensity. In a 2024 study by the University of Southern California, the most used retardant, called Phos-Chek, was found to be rich in lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and other metals toxic to life. Some of the elements are present in a high enough concentration that the mixture could “legally be classified as hazardous waste under both federal and CA regulations,” the study states. The Forest Service drops over a million and a half gallons of retardant every year in Montana. BLM and other agencies that fight fire use it as well.

Retardant comes in different forms, but the most common is a sludge containing the fertilizer ammonium polyphosphate, which sticks to vegetation and reacts with cellulose when heated to form a sheath of nonflammable char. The product that the Forest Service drops from planes is PhosChek LC-95A, manufactured by the company Perimeter Solutions. The researchers were only able to test LC-95W, a colorless version approved for ground application; the aerial pink stuff isn’t available for the public to purchase. It contained up to thousands of times the limit for drinking water and several times the limit for hazardous waste of several toxic metals, especially chromium and cadmium. All in all, the researchers estimated that, assuming the pink retardant is composed the same as the colorless version, around 840,000 pounds of hazardous metals were dropped on the U.S. between 2009 and 2021. Perimeter Solutions denies

that the makeups of the two solutions are the same, and asserts that the aerial variety isn’t harmful to the environment. But increased levels of toxic metal have long been noticed in soil after a wildfire. The USC researchers showed that the amount of cadmium recorded in the soil after a particular fire roughly predicted the volume of retardant that was dropped, based on the concentration they measured in the lab. During the 2017 Lolo Peak Fire near Missoula, which burned 54,000 acres, the Forest Service dropped more than 200,000 gallons of retardant. Using the concentration reported in the study, this corresponds to 375 pounds of metal released into the environment. Simon Nathans Bozeman, Montana

STATEMENT ON USC REPORT ON LONG-TERM FIRE RETARDANT Researchers from the University of Southern California released a report on the use of PHOS-CHEK® fire retardant. PHOS-CHEK is an advanced fire safety solution that has been used by the US Forest Service, CAL FIRE, and other fire management organizations for more than 60 years, playing a critical role in protecting property and saving countless lives from the devastation of wildfires. The PHOS-CHEK product that was tested for the USC study, PHOS-CHEK® LC95W, has never been used in aerial applications, and has not been procured by the federal government for a

number of years. All PHOS-CHEK fire retardants used in aerial firefighting must be fully qualified by the USDA Forest Service. All fully qualified fire retardants must pass extensive testing to confirm they meet strict standards for aquatic and mammalian safety. The USDA Forest Service also issued two comprehensive Environmental Impact Statements in 2011 and 2024, both after lengthy comment periods. Each included signed Records of Decision concluding that aerially applied PHOS-CHEK products have been approved as safe for use.

No heavy metals are intentionally added to PHOS-CHEK fire retardants; any trace amounts of heavy metals present are naturally occurring within the raw materials used to formulate the solution. The active ingredient in all PHOS-CHEK fire retardants is the same material used in agriculture to produce food. The amount used for retardant is less than 0.01% of what’s used in agricultural and other applications. Jeff Emery, President of Fire Safety at Perimeter Solutions St. Louis, Missouri

PUBLIC NOTICE: CALL FOR RESORT TAX FY27 ANNUAL FUNDING APPLICATIONS The Big Sky Resort Area District is accepting applications for the FY27 Annual Grant Program (11/1/26–10/31/27) beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Applications are being accepted for the following: Small-Scale Capital Requests ● For capital projects requesting $25,000 to $1,000,000 ● Eligible applicants include government, nonprofit, and other non-government entities Administration & Programming Requests ● For administration and programming requests of $25,000 or more. ● Eligible applicants include nonprofit and other non-government entities. As required by law, an applicant must be a legal entity formed under the laws of the State of Montana. The applicant must be “an entity” that is capable of both “legally and practically” carrying out the purpose of the allocation and located within the Resort Area District. The applicant must be a government, nonprofit, or non-government entity with the capability of being legally bound by an agreement. Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted through the District's online application portal by Monday, August 17, 2026, to be considered for funding. More information can be found at resorttax.org/funding or by contacting the District Office at 406-995-3234.

PUBLIC NOTICE: CALL FOR RESORT TAX FY27 FUNDING APPLICATIONS FOR LARGE-SCALE CAPITAL REQUESTS The Big Sky Resort Area District is accepting applications from government entities, nonprofit, and other non-government entities for capital requests beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The Large-Scale Application is for capital projects requesting over $1,000,000 in funding. As required by law, an applicant must be a legal entity formed under the laws of the State of Montana. The applicant must be “an entity” that is capable of both “legally and practically” carrying out the purpose of the allocation and located within the Resort Area District. The applicant must be a government, nonprofit, or non-government entity with the capability of being legally bound by an agreement. Applications and supporting documents must be completed using the online portal and must be submitted by Monday, August 17, to be considered for funding. More information can be found at resorttax.org/funding or by contacting the District Office at 406-995-3234.

Explore Big Sky

8 July 23 - August 5, 2026

BIG SKY'S BIGGEST WEEK FIFTEEN YEARS IN, BIG SKY PBR DELIVERS ITS BIGGEST RIDE YET THIS WEEKEND, THE MAGIC OF BIG SKY PROVED THE BULL RIDING EVENT IS JUST GETTING STARTED

Ezekiel Mitchell's last ride of Big Sky PBR. PHOTO BY ANDREW BELLI / BIG SKY RESORT

There are moments in every event's history when you realize it has become something much bigger than the event itself. The 15th annual Big Sky PBR was one of those moments.

of community celebration, competition, music, philanthropy and Western culture. This year featured everything from a community rodeo and trail running races to bingo nights, golf tournaments, mutton bustin' and family events that brought together locals and visitors from across the country.

What began 15 years ago as a single night of world class bull riding has evolved into 10 days

Throughout the week, it seemed as though Montana itself wanted to be part of the

BY ERIC LADD PUBLISHER & EVENT EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

celebration. Afternoon thunderstorms rolled across Lone Mountain almost daily, forcing crews to adjust and adapt. Yet somehow, each evening, the skies opened just enough to remind us why there is no place like Big Sky. Perhaps no moment captured that better than Friday night. As the National Anthem echoed through the arena and thousands of fans stood with their hats over their hearts, a breathtaking double rainbow stretched across the entire arena, framing the mountains. It was one of those magical moments that no production team could script and no amount of planning could create. For everyone fortunate enough to witness it, it felt like Montana tipping its hat to 15 years of memories. But when the dust settled, the greatest accomplishment wasn't measured by attendance, television ratings or championship points. It was measured by generosity. Over the course of ten days, our community raised more than $800,000 for nonprofit organizations serving causes that matter deeply to Montana and beyond.

The Big Sky Events Arena was full at close to 5,000 atendees each night for PBR. PHOTO BY LAURA WELLS

Thursday's inaugural Purple Night brought thousands of fans together in support of the Epilepsy Foundation of Montana, raising awareness and funding for epilepsy research, advocacy and family support. The evening carried special

9 July 23 - August 5, 2026

BIGGEST WEEK

Explore Big Sky

meaning for my family, but what stood out most was watching an entire arena turn purple in support of families they had never met. On Friday, the energy shifted as hundreds of Montana State Bobcats, led by members of the 2025 FCS National Championship football team, joined coaches and student athletes from across the athletic department as they stormed the dirt before a sold out crowd. Their excitement was contagious, energizing the arena before a bull was ever bucked and reminding everyone why Montana State Athletics has captured the imagination of this state. Throughout the week, supporters also rallied behind Big Sky Bravery, serving veterans and first responders, and Warriors and Quiet Waters, helping post-9/11 combat veterans find healing through Montana's outdoors. None of these moments happened just because someone wrote a check. They happened because authentic stories inspired authentic generosity. When people understand the "why," they respond. Time and again, this community proves that Western values are rooted in helping your neighbor. None of the unforgettable moments that followed happened by accident. Credit belongs to Cord and Sarah McCoy, who once again assembled one of the finest pens of bucking bulls anywhere on the PBR schedule. Great bull riding requires two elite athletes, one with two legs and one with four. The McCoys brought together a lineup of powerful, athletic bulls that perfectly matched the extraordinary talent of riders who traveled to Big Sky from across the United States, Brazil, Australia and around the world. Behind the scenes, Andy and Jacey Watson and the entire Freestone Productions team flawlessly orchestrated every detail of the show, creating a world class production from the opening pyrotechnics to the final out. Their professionalism and relentless attention to detail elevated every performance and every fan experience. They were joined by an extraordinary Outlaw Partners team whose work began weeks before opening night. From sunrise until long after dark, they built an arena, produced ten days of events and created experiences that thousands of guests will remember for years to come. Great events are never built in a single night, but built by people willing to do the unseen work long before the lights turned on.

The arena was on their feet most of the weekend to take in the event's energy. PHOTO BY LAURA WELLS When the world's best riders meet the world's best bulls, supported by an elite production team and an army of dedicated people behind the scenes, something special can happen. And on Saturday night, it did. After spending much of the week dodging afternoon thunderstorms, Mother Nature finally delivered a perfect Montana evening. As the sun dipped behind Lone Mountain, more than 5,000 fans stood shoulder to shoulder, singing every word between rides before witnessing one of the greatest championship rounds Big Sky has ever hosted. In professional bull riding, 90 points is the benchmark of greatness. Riders are scored out of 50 points, bulls are scored out of 50, making 100 a perfect ride. Breaking the 90 point barrier means both rider and bull delivered an extraordinary performance. It is rare to see one 90 point ride in a night. To witness four rides over 90 points in the final six outs of the championship round is almost unheard of. Brady Fielder ignited the arena with a breathtaking 94.9 point ride, a score that will likely rank among the finest recorded anywhere on the 2026 PBR schedule. Then, fittingly, everything came down to the final

rider of the night. Kade Madsen climbed aboard a bull named Outlaw. Eight unforgettable seconds later, Madsen posted an 89 point ride to capture the Big Sky championship, ending one of the most electric nights our arena has ever seen. Long after the fans had gone home, the lights had dimmed and the dirt had settled, our team gathered inside the production trailer replaying the night's highlights. It was one of those moments when everyone knew they had witnessed something extraordinary. Then PBR CEO Sean Gleason, a man who has spent twenty seven years building and leading the sport, looked around the room and said something none of us will ever forget. "In my 27 years with PBR, that was a Top 10 event." Coming from someone who has witnessed the greatest riders, bulls and events in the history of professional bull riding, there may not be a greater compliment. Looking back on the week, however, I don't think anyone will remember just one ride, one score or even one champion. They will remember an arena bathed in purple for children living with epilepsy. They will remember the National Champion Bobcats charging onto the dirt to ignite the crowd. They will remember veterans being honored, more than $800,000 raised for remarkable causes, four rides over 90 points in one unforgettable championship round, Brady Fielder's spectacular 94.9, Kade Madsen winning aboard a bull named Outlaw and perhaps most of all, they will remember looking skyward during the National Anthem as a double rainbow stretched across the Big Sky Events Arena. Big Sky PBR has become a place where world class sport fuels community, where generosity becomes contagious, where excellence is expected from everyone involved and where, every once in a while, Montana reminds us that the greatest moments are the ones no one could have planned.

Kade Madsen ultimately left the arena as the weekend's champion. PHOTO BY TAYLOR ALLEN

Fifteen years ago, we set out to build one of the best stops on the PBR tour. Today, I believe we have built something even more meaningful.

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155 AUROR A LIGHTS RD UNIT B-18 2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,092 sqft Now Listed at $700,000 Listed with EJ Daws & Chris Eastlund

BIG SKY COMMERCIAL LISTINGS

4 8 M ARKE T PL AC E Meadow Village Mixed-Use Building 3 Res. Units | 3 Comm. Units | 8,167± sqft Now Listed at $5,100,000 Listed with Michael Pitcairn

5 0 O U S E L FALLS RD Town Center Cornerstone Big Sky Building 3 Units | 9,164± sqft of Commercial Listed at $7,500,000 Listed with Michael Pitcairn

E LKH O RN C RE E K LO D G E S Mountain Village Development Opportunity Developable Land: 3.34± Acres Zoning: RMF-2 | 57.5 SFEs Listed with Eric Ladd

WWW.OUTLAW.REALTY | 406.995.2404 LEGACY, T HROUGH LIFE STY L E A ND CO NNE CTI O N

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91 5 ARN O LD STRE E T 4 Bed | 2 Full Bath | 2 Half Bath | 2,507 sqft Listed at $999,000 Listed with Ashley Keller & Graham Miles

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ALLI S O N N E I G H B O RH O O D 3-4 Bedroom Floor Plans Starting at $799,000 Listed with Ashley Keller & Graham Miles

19 4 0 W D I C KE RS O N # 102 6 Private Offices | 2,959 sqft Listed at $1,195,000 Listed with Graham Miles

476 E NTE RPRI S E B LVD U N IT 117 1 Bed | 1 Bath | 648 sqft Listed at $320,000 Listed with George Vincent & Graham Miles

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BOZEMAN COMMERCIAL LISTINGS

O U T AW L L

T IS

TBD VAQUERO PARKWAY Fully Entitled Development Opportunity 7± Acres | 44 Approved Townhomes Listed at $6,500,000 Listed with Ethan Stokes

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All information given is considered reliable, but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such. These offerings are subject to errors, omissions, and changes including price or withdrawal without notice. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. If you currently have a listing agreement or buyer broker agreement with another agent, this is not a solicitation to change. ©2026 Outlaw Realty www.outlaw.realty

W W W.O U TL AW. R E A LT Y | 4 0 6.9 9 5. 24 0 4

12 July 23 - August 5, 2026

BIGGEST WEEK

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BIG SKY PBR AT 15: FROM HAY BALES TO SOLD-OUT CROWDS

BY CARLI JOHNSON AND FISCHER GENAU Editor’s note: Explore Big Sky is published by Outlaw Partners, the producer of Big Sky PBR. As the third day of the Big Sky PBR drew to a close on the night of Saturday, July 18, the bull riders looked unstoppable. Seven out of 12 made it past eight seconds in the championship round, and the fans grew louder and louder with each successful ride. By the time Ezekiel Mitchell, the 29-year old Texan riding for the Texas Rattlers, straddled his bull in the bucking chute, the crowd had reached a fever pitch. Despite a storm delay that had cleared the bleachers and set the night back an hour, the arena was still packed at 10:30 p.m. Most of the spectators had been on their feet for hours, and as Mitchell’s chute burst open, they watched to see if the hot streak would continue. The bull Tulsa Time leapt into the air before clearing the gate, slamming Mitchell against the metal bars behind him. He managed to hang on, and as the clock ticked towards eight, the crowd began to cheer. Mitchell’s fellow bull riders

amassed on the bucking chutes hooted and hollered, cheering him on from above, and when the buzzer finally sounded, the stadium erupted. Mitchell walked off the dirt grinning from ear to ear as his score was announced over the loudspeaker: 93 points. After the competition was over, Cord McCoy, a rodeo stock contractor, said that it was “probably the best championship round that I’ve ever seen.” While Mitchell had a thrilling last ride, it was Kade Madsen that left Big Sky a champion after dominating the weekend. The 21-year-old from Utah was the only person to ride all four of his bulls, earning himself $35,942 along with a custom Gibson guitar, Montana Silversmith belt buckle and trip to Turks and Caicos provided by Seven Stars Resort & Spa. Madsen won the Big Sky PBR in 2023, and his win this year makes him the only rider to win multiple events in Big Sky. “It was life changing in my career at that point and it’s life changing now,” Madsen said while accepting his check. “I just feel very blessed.”

In 2024 and 2025, Madsen took a break from bull riding to serve a mission in Tennessee. He rejoined the PBR circuit in December of 2025, and his win in Big Sky cements an impressive return to the sport. “I was really looking forward to coming back here,” Madsen said. “The two years leading up to this, I’ve just been dreaming about the crowd back in 2023, and it didn’t disappoint.” This year, Big Sky PBR raised over $800,000 for charities, including Big Sky Search and Rescue, the Taco Dowler Youth Foundation, the Epilepsy Foundation of Montana, Montana State Athletics, Warriors and Quiet Waters, Big Sky Bravery and Western Sports Foundation. In addition to bull riding, the event also featured two bullfighters each night, an addition for 2026. During the championship round, Bryce Burr and Clay Moore took to the dirt to face off with a bull, sprinting and leaping around the arena and staying just out of reach of the bull’s horns and pounding hooves. “It feels like I’m living a dream you guys,” Eric Ladd, founder and CEO of Outlaw Partners, producer of the event, told Saturday’s crowd. “I’m so grateful for everybody out there. You witnessed history, you helped create it.” This past weekend will be recorded as a memorable chapter in the Big Sky PBR’s now 15-year-long story. Fifteen years in the making As the last bull left the arena on Saturday night, and crews began dismantling the bull pens, as a crowd of nearly 5,000 filtered out of the stands abuzz with the energy of that championship round, the weekend appeared as another successful chapter in what has become one of Big Sky's signature summer traditions. But 15 years ago, it looked a little different. Before the sold-out crowds, national sponsors and internationally recognized riders, there was a bulldozed sagebrush field in Big Sky Town Center.

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There were flatbed trucks hauling temporary bleachers and hay bales filling in the gaps, and local whitewater outfitters parking buses around the arena so spectators could climb on top for a better view. Organizers walked the town handing out free tickets, hoping enough people would show up. "We knew once people saw it, they would love it," Megan Paulson, co-founder and CMO and cofounder of Outlaw Partners, said. What started as a single night of professional bull riding has steadily transformed into a three-day event that draws visitors from across the country while becoming one of the Professional Bull Riders circuit's premier summer stops, voted PBR’s Event of the Year for 12 years in a row.

2011

"It's really created a signature summer event that has anchored Big Sky," Paulson said. "That's really why we first started this, to find something that encouraged people to stop in Big Sky in the summer." Today, about 70% of attendees travel from outside Montana, according to Paulson. Nearly all of the event's sponsors return each year, with a 95% retention rate and many partnerships span a decade. The inaugural event featured only 11 sponsors and one night of competition. When organizers expanded to a second night, then eventually a third, there was uncertainty whether demand would keep pace. "When we made the transition to three nights and it still sold out really quickly, that's when we realized the demand was there," Paulson said. "When we took the risk to add another day and we saw it pay off, that gave us the momentum to turn it into what it is today." Since then, the event has continued evolving. Larger bleachers replaced temporary seating, afterparty concerts became part of the experience, VIP hospitality expanded, and a weeks’ worth of events now lead up to the event itself.

2026 Yet for many of the people who have been around since the beginning, the memories that stand out most aren't necessarily the biggest moments, but the unexpected ones. For longtime auctioneer Pat Busby, one of those came several years ago when heavy rain interrupted Calcutta. At the time, the auction was still held beneath the VIP tent. "I told Andy, 'Put me in the middle of the arena and I'll turn this place upside down,'" Busby recalled with a laugh. “Afterwards, he said, ‘Get ready, you’ll be doing this in the arena from here on out.’”

Rasmussen retired from full-time rodeo entertainment in 2023, shifting into broadcasting after decades as one of the sport's most recognizable entertainers. But Big Sky continues to draw him back. "In 2023, I thought this would be the last place I ever performed in an arena," he said ahead of the third night of this year’s PBR. "My mind, body and heart were tired. Here I am, three years later... and I'm going to be on the dirt again tonight.” As Big Sky has changed, he believes the audience has changed with it.

Busby’s words proved true–once an opening act, the Calcutta became part of the arena show itself, adding another layer of entertainment before the night's competition.

"The shift really happened when I could see Big Sky growing as a summer destination," he said. It’s also turned many attendees into “true fans” of the sport, he said.

Another unforgettable moment came in 2022, when one bull famously escaped arena fencing before being recovered–by cowboys, of course–near the Big Sky Fire Department.

Scissorbills Saloon owner Michelle Clark-Conley has watched the event from its earliest days. She worked as a raft guide with Geyser Whitewater Expeditions—the same outfitter that parked buses beside the arena to create extra seating during those first few years.

Rodeo entertainer Flint Rasmussen has watched the transformation from the arena’s dirt, remembering when Big Sky PBR was only a singlenight stop. Several years ago, he recalls spectators watching from the roofs of nearby condominiums overlooking the arena. "I started making fun of them for not buying a ticket," Rasmussen recalled. "I ran over there and a woman gestured me inside. I ended up on the roof with those people and my microphone. It really exemplified how I love to bring people into the show, even if they're on the roof."

"It was a much smaller rodeo then, but everything in Big Sky was smaller then," she said. "I feel like PBR has grown with the town." For 15 summers, crews have transformed an empty field into the event of the summer, welcoming thousands of fans for three days, eager to watch that one unforgettable eight second ride that often remains in memory for a lifetime. Photos by Laura Wells, Fischer Genau, Taylor Allen, and Michael Ruebusch

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EPILEPSY AWARENESS TAKES CENTER STAGE AT BIG SKY PBR’S FIRST NIGHT

THE ORGANIZATION RAISING AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR EPILEPSY CARE AND RESEARCH IN MONTANA RECEIVED OVER $119,500 IN DONATIONS JULY 16 BY JEN CLANCEY Editor’s note: Explore Big Sky is published by Outlaw Partners, the producer of Big Sky PBR. Fans wore violet shirts, bandanas and pins for Purple Night, the first night of Big Sky PBR where, by sunset, attendees had raised over $119,500 for the Epilepsy Foundation of Montana. Eric Ladd, Explore Big Sky’s publisher and founder of Outlaw Partners, was compelled to highlight the foundation in the weekend’s programming after his son had his first seizure in 2025. “We all got a journey, we all got a story, and ours began about a year-and-a-half ago when my little man over here, who’s growing up now, he got real sick, and had a really bad seizure, and these people standing to my right saved his life,” Ladd said, gesturing to Gallatin County Sheriff and Big Sky Fire Department first responders. Epilepsy Foundation members, also wearing purple, the color of the disease’s awareness campaign, listened from a platform above the bulls. Ladd said the support of the foundation has helped his son and his family over the past year. Purple Night was a rally to support the organization and raise awareness for the neurological disease, of which 3.4 million Americans suffer from, according to the foundation. In an interview with EBS, Sarah Klein, Epilepsy Foundation’s national chief engagement officer, noted that one in 26 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy. “It’s incredibly common,” Klein said. “So many people have epilepsy and don’t talk about it, don’t tell their friends or tell their neighbors that they live with epilepsy or their kid lives with epilepsy … if you have epilepsy, you’re not alone.” Jessica Veach, regional executive director of the foundation in Montana, Nevada and Utah, explained her perspective as someone living with epilepsy. She highlighted that there’s a stigma around the condition. “People don’t talk about it as much as they do any other condition,” Veach said. “So just to have it here in the spotlight, have people saying, ‘Purple, why are you wearing purple?’—This is such a huge, huge moment for us to stop the stigma and get people to understand.”

The Epilepsy Foundation Montana and the Williams Plumbing and Heating team held the U.S. flag for the national anthem on July 16 at Big Sky PBR. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY In Montana, the foundation hopes to make schools safer for people and students who suffer from seizures by requiring seizure first aid training. Twenty-six states in the U.S. adopted legislation that the foundation calls Seizure Safe Schools, requiring teachers and staff be trained in seizure first-aid. State Sen. Cora Neumman is working with the foundation to present the bill in the upcoming legislative session. “ We want every kid who goes to school in this state to know … that if they had a seizure in the classroom, there would be somebody who understands what’s happening and is ready to take action,” Veach said. Vanessa Ferguson, a Billings resident and foundation board member emphasized the importance of legislation that supports people with seizures. “I think it’s really important that the Seizure Safe Schools initiative gets passed … because there’s

The Epilepsy Foundation cheers on bullriders at the Big Sky PBR. PHOTO BY FISCHER GENAU

so many parents that have pulled their kids out of school because they don’t feel safe having them there,” Ferguson said. Living with the condition herself, she helps organize events in Billings to raise awareness and money for the foundation. She also advocates for legislation in Washington D.C. that would support people with epilepsy, but benefit every person with a disability. Epilepsy Foundation events’ benefits are two fold: they support the organization’s initiative and bring together people with epilepsy and their families and caregivers. “You’ve got this network of people who can support you and walk that journey with you,” Klein said. Veach pointed out all the programs people can find on the foundation’s website. Toolkits online allow anyone to learn how to identify and respond to seizures, educating the broader community about how to look out for signs of the condition in their day-to-day lives. Before the first of three nights of bull riding commenced at the Big Sky Events Arena, Ladd noted the importance of first responders’ work in supporting his family and the community, as well as the Big Sky Medical Center. At the Dick Allgood Bingo Night, $25,000 was raised for Gallatin County Search and Rescue. After awarding checks to the SAR and then to the Epilepsy Foundation, Ladd thanked the audience and community for their support on Purple Night. “ I look out and I see so many of you in purple and purple ribbons and purple bandanas, and all these riders wearing purple,” Ladd said. “And it just touches my heart beyond belief that all the sadness that we’ve had and all the people that we’ve met with this horrible, horrible disease—it can give them a little hope.”

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ONE LAST FIGHT: CODY MORRIS WRAPS AN 18-YEAR BULLFIGHTING CAREER AT BIG SKY PBR

A FIFTH-GENERATION WHITEFISH NATIVE, MORRIS IS CLOSING OUT HIS CAREER ALONGSIDE HIS WIFE AND THREE SONS "Rodeo kind of had a bad rap that it wasn't family friendly," Elizabeth said. "We've just been very intentional that this is going to be a family thing. And we've had so many people jump on board with that ... it just gets to be, basically, a summer full of family reunions."

BY ANNIE O'NEILL Behind the chutes at Big Sky PBR, three young boys scanned the arena for their dad, eyes bright beneath cowboy hats. Stetson, 12, Payton, 9, and Teddy, 8, stood waiting, all three there to support their father, bullfighter Cody Morris. Their mother, Elizabeth Morris, stood nearby.

For the Morris boys, that community shows up in specific names. Asked if he had a favorite rider or cowboy besides his dad, Stetson, 12, didn't hesitate.

Cody and his wife Elizabeth are both fifthgeneration Whitefish natives, raised in the same corner of Northwest Montana that now watches them raise three boys of their own.

"Kaleb or Toby," Stetson said. "The ultimate teammates." Kaleb, he added, has three boys of his own, boys Stetson considers "like brothers."

"We are fifth generation Whitefish, born and raised," Elizabeth said. That Montana lineage runs deep, but the bullfighting line follows its own thread through the family. Cody is a second-generation bullfighter. His father fought bulls before him and taught him the craft. Now, in his final season, Cody is closing out an 18-year career that took him further than he ever expected, alongside wife Elizabeth and their three sons. "This is Cody's last year too, so ... it's bittersweet, but a little bit exciting too," Elizabeth said. The couple, high school sweethearts, have built their family life around the rodeo circuit ever since, a path that never felt like a question. "Oh, I knew we would get married. We started dating when I was 16, and even then I was like, oh yeah," Elizabeth Morris said. "And with that came knowing we would do rodeo, too." The job A bullfighter's role differs from that of a rodeo clown or barrel man. The role of a bullfighter is to protect the riders once they hit the dirt, drawing the bull's attention away and putting himself between the animal and a downed rider. It requires splitsecond timing and, according to those who know Cody best, a level head under pressure. "Don't let Cody's easygoing demeanor fool you. When the chute gate cracks, he's all business," according to the Park County Community Journal. "He's proof that Montana breeds warriors with both brains and brawn." It's a work ethic Elizabeth says isn't unique to her husband. It's regional. "Montana work ethic is just different," she said. Cody has spent 18 years in that role, fighting in both the Northern Rodeo Association and PBR. The toll shows in his medical history: broken ribs, a broken leg, numerous concussions and two back surgeries for damaged discs. His worst injury struck last year at Big Sky, when a bull kicked him in the head. Yet Cody returned again this year. That calm under pressure, Cody said, comes down to a mental toughness the job demands. "To do this, you have to be mentally tough. 'Cause

The Morris family. PHOTO BY ANNIE O'NEILL it's tough, you're gonna get hurt," Cody said. "I see it all the time in young riders. They get run over, whatever hurts, and their shell just gets broken. Either it's broken, they're done, and you go, okay, you tried it, you did your best, it's not for you. And then the ones that got it, they're in there again next week just taking the beating. And that's just how it goes." That toughness doesn't come easier with experience, he said. If anything, it's the opposite. "I noticed later in my career it's getting harder to defeat that mental struggle," Cody said. "Like all these guys, we got stuff to do on the weekends, and I can't do it, because I'm hurtin'. It is harder to defeat that." Whatever the toll, his purpose in the arena hasn't changed. "My job is to protect those guys at whatever cost it is," Cody said. His protection extends beyond the riders to the animals themselves. When asked whether the bulls can sense fear, he didn't hesitate. "Yeah, they can sense if I have a bad day. Then they're gonna have a bad day," Cody said. Life on the road Cody grew up playing football before trading shoulder pads for the arena. His sons, for their part, seem more impressed by the football stat than the bulls. When asked about their dad, the first thing they mentioned was that he used to play football. Cody’s commitment to the sport has carried the family through a full-time life on the rodeo circuit, one deliberately built around family. "It's been the lifestyle that we've got to live with. This has been incredible," Elizabeth said. "The places that we've gone and seen that we wouldn't have otherwise ... but also it's time. The idea of scheduling our own summer, and not having our schedule handed to us, is a little liberating." Bringing families along wasn't always the norm on the circuit, she said, and she credits families like hers with helping shift that.

That kind of bond, Elizabeth said, has grown alongside a broader shift toward bringing families onto the circuit full time. "People are seeing that you really can do this as a family," she said. "When more people jump on board doing it as a family, it builds an even bigger community. It's just been really beautiful to see." Still, Cody said, the choice to keep the family together on the road sets them apart from most; for him, the pull to rodeo life, and to a career built around it, was never really a choice at all. "It is so much in your blood. How could you stay away?" Cody said. Big Sky as the pinnacle For most bullfighters, the career-defining moment is a trip to the National Finals Rodeo. For Cody, born and raised in Montana, that moment was Big Sky PBR. "This event in particular, like a lot of bullfighters, they have a dream of the World Finals, and this is ours," Elizabeth said. "So last year when we got to fight here, like, this is it for Cody. Being born and raised in Montana, when he got to do Big Sky, it was just like, this is it." That moment, she said, changed how the family thought about the rest of Cody's career, and about walking away from it. After years dictated by the circuit calendar, what Cody says he's most looking forward to in retirement isn't rest, exactly. It's the ordinary. "Being home and doing chores in the spring and early summer," Cody said. "And then just camping, sports, fishing, you know." Whitefish raised them both, five generations deep. Bullfighting joined that family history more recently, but when asked if her sons might join in on the trade, Elizabeth didn’t hesitate: “yeah.” For now, Cody isn't looking ahead. He's looking back, at a hometown that raised him, a wife who's been there since he was 16, and a career that carried him further than he ever set out to go. "I am at peace. I am ready," Cody said

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INSIDE LONE MOUNTAIN LAND COMPANY'S WILDLIFE EDUCATION PUSH WILDLIFE PROGRAM SHAPING HOW THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS, WORKERS AND VISITORS THINK ABOUT BEARS, AND THE LANDSCAPE BY ANNIE O’NEILL People visit Montana to experience the "wild west." But what they don't often see is the effort behind keeping the west wild. "People move, people come and visit the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem because it's wild. It's amazing. It's the last great stronghold in the Lower 48’s," said Rich Chandler, VP of environmental operations at Lone Mountain Land Company. Keeping it that way, for both the animals and the growing number of humans living alongside them, drives LMLC's Wild Big Sky program. The program started in December 2021 and has reached roughly 4,000 people annually through a mix of employee training and public outreach during farmers markets, various club programming and hands-on safety demonstrations with local businesses. Montana's wildlife population continues to push into new corners of the Big Sky area. And Chandler says this shift makes education more critical than ever as their populations grow. Why this matters now The program didn't emerge from a single dangerous encounter, Chandler said. It emerged from a place growing quickly on both sides of the human-wildlife equation. "Big Sky is growing," Chandler said, noting that more humans are calling the area home, or at the very least, visiting for short periods or staying longer in the area. “And similarly, wildlife populations are growing in this area." In 2021, LMLC brought together leads from its property owners associations, security teams and operations staff to form the Lone Mountain Land Company Wildlife Working Group. The

Lone Mountain Land Company's wildlife education program helps visitors and residents gain a deeper understanding of wildlife in the Big Sky area. PHOTO COURTESY OF LMLC group aimed to unify scattered messaging into one consistent program, which the company formalized under the name Wild Big Sky in 2022. The company wants every resident, worker and visitor to walk away with a simple message: This is wild country, wildlife is always a possibility, and a handful of habits make a real difference. The program’s three core points LMLC built its messaging around three core points, working alongside Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks: • • •

Travel in groups of two or more. Carry bear spray, and know how to use it. Stay especially alert during dawn and dusk, when wildlife are most active, and avoid those times outdoors if possible.

"Those three points are what FWP really puts an emphasis on," Chandler said. The company also stresses food and trash management, and it reminds people that Montana law prohibits intentionally feeding wildlife. "This isn't just us telling you, this is a state-regulated thing," Chandler said. Wildlife that becomes reliant on human food sources can become a nuisance animal, a designation that can cost the animal its life. The same core habits apply to the full range of wildlife on the landscape, not just bears. "If you're being reasonable and respectful of bears specifically, you'll be very good in terms of respecting all wildlife," Chandler said. Keeping distance, securing food and trash, hiking in groups and making noise on the trail apply broadly. That's why the company keeps its core messaging consistent rather than reacting to individual sightings, even as grizzlies expand into new parts of Big Sky where they haven't historically ranged. "You should at all times expect to encounter wildlife, and you should be prepared for it," Chandler said. "Changing that messaging creates inconsistencies." Working directly with FWP biologists and wardens keeps the message science-based and guards against secondhand stories, he said.

A bear education booth is set up at Big Sky Farmers Market and other local events to reach the public about bear safety information. PHOTO COURTESY OF LMLC

Chandler and Bauer both called the work “intentionally repetitive,” since new residents, staff and visitors keep arriving. "The message really is a rinse and repeat message in a lot of ways," Bauer said. That repetition is paying off, Chandler said: "When you're hitting numbers like 4,000 people within the community, you start seeing actions change, you start seeing behaviors change. You start seeing a cultural shift."

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The trailer as a meeting point

Given Big Sky's mix of full-time and part-time residents, construction workers, hotel guests and outside contractors, Chandler said the company designed its layered approach to reach people wherever they're coming from.

That message travels through Big Sky in physical form. The company's member clubs fund an educational trailer entirely, and it makes regular stops at farmers markets, staff trainings, homeowners association events and community gatherings throughout the summer. It's a familiar sight in Town Center.

Part of a bigger commitment The wildlife program reflects how LMLC wants to see the Big Sky community grow, Chandler said. Environmental stewardship is among the company's core pillars, and the company wants to build a community that respects the landscape it calls home.

Inside, hands-on displays, including a bear hide and a bear spray simulator called "Bear on Tracks," give people a tactile introduction to wildlife safety. "This is what an encounter could look like," said Kramer Bauer, wildlife coordinator at LMLC. "This is the muscle memory of pulling bear spray, being able to deploy it." For many visitors, it's their first exposure to the idea at all. "Even last night, there were folks from Miami," Bauer said. "They never had to deal with this stuff ever before. And I'm like, let's learn how to spray bears." The trailer reached roughly 2,000 people in its first year, 2023, and now reaches nearly twice that number annually, growth Chandler attributes largely to word of mouth as homeowners associations and community groups request it for their own events. Their training program A structured internal program backs up that public-facing outreach. Staff complete a Tier 1 online course covering fundamentals, then move into Tier 2, an in-person session tailored to specific departments or contractor crews. Afterward,

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One training exercise is the roller bear, on which people can practice their bear spray skills. PHOTO COURTESY OF LMLC employees sign a wildlife safety agreement, a program now in its fourth year. The company is rolling out new initiatives for 2026, including updated onboarding training and an expanded version of the Wildlife Safety Agreement program aimed at reaching the general public, not just employees. A parallel train-the-trainer partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, also in its fourth year, keeps internal trainers aligned with the agency's current, science-based information. "We like the idea that everything is science-based with Fish, Wildlife and Parks there," Bauer said, adding that the material stays accurate and current, "not something that can be twisted or emphasized."

"This place is so special to all of us," Chandler said. The company's conservation efforts extend well beyond wildlife education, he said, because the company wants those efforts to carry forward to future generations who will live in Big Sky long after the current team is gone. Chandler said plenty of companies treat environmental compliance as a box to check but that LMLC aims to go further by building out a significant internal environmental protocol, and it recently created Bauer's role as wildlife coordinator as the program expanded, a move that reflects that growing investment. "We don't feel the regulatory standards are enough," Chandler said. "We want to go above and beyond that." That extends to the company's work with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Chandler said. Rather than simply meeting the agency's legal standards, the company wants FWP to have no concerns about how LMLC manages wildlife on its land.

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SEWER DISTRICTS PARTNER TO DEMONSTRATE PROJECT COSTS IN BIG SKY OVER $80 MILLION WILL BE NEEDED FOR MAJOR PROJECTS, PLUS MILLIONS IN UPGRADES BY JEN CLANCEY Three sewer districts in Big Sky outlined collective needs totaling over $80 million at a Big Sky Resort Area District meeting July 8. Johnny O’Connor, executive director of the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District, explained that each project is connected. “These are not separate infrastructure projects,” O’Connor said. “They are one connected system protecting drinking water, ground water, the Gallatin River, public health, affordable housing and Big Sky’s future.” Residents may recognize the major projects that address Gallatin Canyon sewer needs, Firelight Meadows’ failing septic systems and BSCWSD’s Water Resource Recovery Facility capacity. The report identified the funding needed to meet water and sewer demand in Big Sky, and marked BSCWSD’s involvement in bringing all the pieces of the water puzzle together. The report shared engineering estimates that put the canyon sewer project at $51 million, the Firelight Meadows’ connection to a central sewer line at $3.5 million or more, and Big Sky’s second phase of its water facility at $26 million. Other improvements down the line include upgrades to well capacity and Sweetgrass Hill tanks. Pumping—the ability to move water to meet demand—is expected to reach its capacity in Meadow Village by 2029, and in Mountain Village by 2029, O’Connor explained. “So that means upgrades need to happen,” O’Connor said. Mace Mangold, VP of infrastructure at the WGM Group, spoke on behalf of the canyon sewer team about a memorandum of understanding between the districts. “Ultimately we do have a joint MOU circulating with this vision commitment to one connected system … and the board is fully on board from a canyon district standpoint,” Mangold said. He

The Gallatin River running parallel to U.S. Highway 191. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY expressed hope that projects are tackled with the understanding that each improvement impacts the other. “That’s the final attack—is to tackle this as one big project essentially,” Mangold said. Finding funding sources is also putting pressure on project deadlines. BSRAD executive director Daniel Bierschwale thanked the districts for its communication, and explained that other funds like a targeted economic development district and tax increment financing should be explored. “Its going to require more additional funding mechanisms that we haven’t been able to utilize to date, TEDD/TIF being one of those,” Bierschwale said. “And I would expect that the board would be seeing an application jointly from all three parties in this upcoming grant cycle for moving this project forward.” The canyon sewer project needs to have a solid finance plan before July 2027 for it to move forward, and the county did not approve a TEDD/ TIF option in October 2025. “This is our final push and we’re going to need a tsunami of support from this community to actually make this thing happen,” Bierschwale said.

One of the projects, the Gallatin Canyon sewer would retire septic systems to connect to a centralized system. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY

In the discussion, BSRAD Board Chair Kevin Germain reminded the board and the districts to continue factoring in housing SFEs, the units set aside for homeowners, as the water and sewer district projects expand, to which Big Sky Community Housing Trust Executive Director David O’Connor agreed. O’Connor described the preserving of water for residents as “a way to slow things down and carve out a spot for the people that make Big Sky operate.”

A $600,000 sum will help estimate costs, coordinate with entities Despite daunting price tags and planning ahead, there is a bright side for canyon sewer: BSRAD approved the district’s $600,000 draw from a $12 million fund to better understand costs. The $12 million is made up of 1% resort tax collections that voters approved for canyon sewer use in 2020. The draw, representing 5% of the pool’s total, will help the district understand costs when, if funding is successful, the project starts in 2028, BSCWSD Board Member Al Malinowski said. “The $12 million cost that was voted on in 2020 has gone up since then,” Malinowski said. “What we want to do is identify what the number is in 2028.” He said cost estimator services, permitting and pre-construction will focus on Montana Highway 64 and what work the district needs to do with Montana Department of Transportation and other government entities like U.S. Forest Service. Malinowski noted that the sewer project will keep natural resources clean and healthy, and pointed toward the success of the first phase of the Big Sky’s sewer facility. “It’s almost unbelievable the treatment level we’re accomplishing right now, and that’s something we should be proud of,” Malinowski said. “But … it doesn’t come without cost, and that cost at times is very expensive.” In two months on September 14, the BSCWSD will hold a “state of the district” meeting to educate the public about projects, finances and address any questions.

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PRICE REDUCED 2555 LITTLE COYOTE RD - MEADOW VILL AGE, BIG SKY - 2,866+/- sf furnished Nantucket-style home on 2 lots - 4 bedrooms, 4 baths including a private guest suite - Across from the golf course & sold with 2 golf carts $1,800,000 | MLS 406096

TBD FIRST LEFT DRIVE - MID MOUNTAIN, BIG SKY - Stunning 11.29+/- acres, just minutes from the base of the resort - Secluded acreage with a creek and Lone Mountain views - Sale includes full architectural plans for an impressive mountain modern home $2,499,000 | MLS 403144

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26 July 23 - August 5, 2026

Explore Big Sky

BIG SKY'S BID FOR FEDERAL INTERSECTION FUNDING FALLS SHORT, AGAIN SECOND BUILD GRANT REJECTION LEAVES BIG SKY'S MOST CONGESTED INTERSECTION WITHOUT FEDERAL FUNDS FOR REDESIGN BY ANNE O'NEILL Big Sky's push to fix its most congested intersection hit another major setback this week. The federal government rejected a $25 million request from Montana Department of Transportation and Resort Tax for the U.S. Highway 191/Montana Highway 64 intersection project on July 7, marking the second straight year it has denied the request. Each year, the U.S. Department of Transportation awards BUILD–Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development–grants to projects across the country. In a Big Sky Resort Area District meeting on July 8, board chair Kevin Germain called the rejection "a real gut punch." "It just puts a much finer point on the effort," Germain said. "The resources we have to solve our own infrastructure needs are fairly limited." In other words, Big Sky's rapid growth is outpacing

its infrastructure funding. Without federal help, the district must rely on resort tax revenue and other limited local sources to tackle the problem while they wait for the next grant application cycle. Montana 64's status as an "auxiliary route" bars the project from most state dollars, but its intersection with U.S. 191 qualifies it for federal funding, which is why BSRAD and the Montana Department of Transportation have now pursued the $25 million BUILD grant two years in a row. MDT submitted this year's application on Feb. 24. Board director John Zirkle pointed to how much work has gone into the effort, and said the district is now looking at other funding sources. "That BUILD grant—that's a $25 million federal grant—has been years and years of coordinated effort from BSRAD and MDT," Zirkle said. "The timing of the rejection of the BUILD grant is a big deal and it's motivating me and I think it’s motivating our committee further to make sure

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things don't keep getting kicked down the road for Big Sky." Despite the setback, the project isn't at a standstill. MDT has set aside money for the design phase, and engineering firm HDR will keep moving the project toward a final design. A 2026 intersection control evaluation has already recommended a multilane roundabout as the preferred option. The district's financial stake in the site is also secure. BSRAD closed on the 4.5-acre parcel the redesign requires back in 2024 for $10.45 million. MT 64 construction update MDT's Gallatin Canyon Pavement Preservation and Safety Improvements project remains active near Gallatin Gateway and between Storm Castle Road and the Lava Lake trailhead through this summer. Construction on MT 64 has been postponed until Monday, July 23. Current conditions: 511mt.net.

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29 July 23 - August 5, 2026

REGIONAL

AHEAD OF WORLD PREMIERE, ‘A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT’ OPERA COMES TO BIG SKY STAGE

OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES OF OPERA MONTANA’S ADAPTATION OF MACLEAN’S 1976 NOVEL OFFER LOCALS UNIQUE PREVIEWS BY JEN CLANCEY Anglers may know how it feels for the world to fall away as the river runs past their shins. Opera Montana’s “A River Runs Through It,” adapting Norman Maclean’s 50-year-old novel about family, love and fly fishing on Montana’s Blackfoot River, aims to catch that feeling, and more, in music. Montana residents can experience a live preview of the opera. A five-person shadow cast of talented Montana singers, who are understudies for the world premiere in Bozeman in September, will perform parts of the opera at local sites. One such preview is at Big Sky’s Riverhouse BBQ & Events at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 26. The event is hosted in collaboration with the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, whose Executive Director John Zirkle had the idea to hold the event at the local restaurant. Michael Sakir, Opera Montana’s artistic director, explained why Big Sky’s event is unique. “Of all of the events that we have this summer, this is the only one that’s going to literally be on a river,” Sakir said. The performances are called Page to Stage events, wherein a performer reads excerpts from Maclean’s novel, followed by the shadow cast performing a correlating scene and song. Other Page to Stage events will be held at Pine Creek Lodge July 14, the Red Ants Pants Festival in White Sulphur Springs on July 22, and Bozeman’s Sweet Pea Festival Aug. 4—all of which lead up to the opera’s world premiere at the Ellen Theatre in Bozeman in September.

Michael Kuhn (Paul) and Schyler Vargas (Norman) on the Yellowstone River. PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE MAE ALLISON PHOTO COURTESY OF OPERA MONTANA Bozeman singer, actor, dancer and vocal teacher Annabella Joy will perform as Heidi at preview events. Joy described the opportunity as “moving.” “So many Montanans have a personal connection to this story, whether through the novel or the film, so it’s an honor to introduce audiences to this new operatic telling,” Joy said. “I feel a very strong connection to the community performing this work. ‘A River Runs Through It’ is a Montana story and it’s also a very human one.” Sakir raised a similar sentiment about the relatability of the story. The semi-autobiographical novel was published in 1976 as Maclean’s debut, and tells the story of his relationship with his brother who struggles with addiction, and the role fly fishing on the Big Blackfoot River plays in their relationship. For Sakir, it’s a family story about connection and trying to help those we don’t know how to help. “I mean, that is a message and a story that I think resonates with all of us today,” Sakir said. Maclean’s son John Maclean, contributed his insights to the script of “A River Runs Through It,” and the musical adaptation was created by Composer Zach Redler and Co-Librettists Kelly Rourke and Matt Foss. Joy said the music reflects the Montana landscape itself.

Annabella Joy plays Heidi in Montana previews. PHOTO COURTESY OF OPERA MONTANA

“It moves through these lush, sweeping, romantic moments to grounded, familiar sounds like the

country song I get to sing called ‘Too Much,’’’Joy said. The preview in Big Sky will be outdoors, which Joy noted comes with unique challenges that require the cast to be “flexible and present,” including ambient noise and wind. “But there’s also something really special about performing this music surrounded by the landscape that inspired it. For this preview tour that scenery becomes part of the performance, which I think creates a unique experience for these particular audiences,” Joy said. Many may know the novel from its 1992 movie adaptation that was partially filmed along the Gallatin River, which will flow right beside the Big Sky performance. Squinting from under their early 19th century caps, Brad Pitt’s Paul and Craig Sheffer’s Norman, face the push and pull of their brotherhood and their lines in the river. Scenes from the movie resemble how the Gallatin looks on a warm summer day even today, albeit with updated fashions. What fly fishing and river waters mean to people seems timeless, as readers continue to relate to Maclean’s original novel beginning with a nowfamous line, “In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing.” Sakir trusts audiences will understand that meaning in the Opera Montana’s take: “ I think what folks hear in the opera is something that is just as poetic and heartfelt and romantic as Norman Maclean’s original novel.”

30 July 23 - August 5, 2026

R E GI O NA L

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BEYOND THE GAME

MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BOBCAT TACO DOWLER LAUNCHES YOUTH FOUNDATION

Taco and wife Caylee at this summer’s Big Sky PBR. PHOTO COURTESY OF TACO DOWLER

BY LESLIE KILGORE After helping lead Montana State University to a national championship, Bobcat football player Taco Dowler is working to build a different kind of legacy, one that reaches far beyond the football field.

overcome barriers that prevent them from succeeding in the classroom and on the playing field by providing essential school supplies, athletic equipment and other resources that build confidence and opportunity.

During a date following the championship season earlier this year, Dowler and his wife Caylee found themselves reflecting on the whirlwind year and the opportunities they had growing up. They talked about always having what they needed for school, being able to play sports, and realized not every child has those same opportunities.

The foundation’s first initiative, Backpack to Belong, is reaching students across Montana by partnering with school principals, counselors and administrators who already know which of their students need additional support. It provides backpacks filled with school supplies, hygiene products and a handwritten note from Dowler himself reminding each student that they belong.

That conversation became the beginning of the Taco Dowler Youth Foundation.

“We want kids to show up to school with a sense of belonging and confidence,” he said.

“I was telling her a little bit about my childhood, and how fortunate I was to go to school with everything I needed, and play all the sports that I ever wanted to play,” Dowler said. “We started thinking about how lucky we were to grow up the way we did and how a lot of kids don’t get the same opportunities that we got.”

For Dowler, the handwritten note is the most meaningful item inside every backpack.

The couple decided they wanted to do something tangible to help children in Montana facing financial hardships. The nonprofit is dedicated to helping children

“My favorite thing that we’re putting in the backpacks is a note from the foundation, from me, with a simple little note saying, ‘you belong,’ and ‘keep working,’” he said. “Just so a kid can see that I’m thinking of them and I’m with them.” Each backpack currently includes notebooks, pencils, paper, folders, scissors, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes. As the program grows, Dowler hopes to personalize backpacks

based on each child’s interests and eventually include sports equipment such as football cleats and other gear. The foundation is beginning its work in Montana, partnering with schools in the Gallatin Valley, Billings School District 2 and Kalispell. Schools apply directly through the foundation’s website, where administrators submit requests based on student needs. “We just told five schools that they’re going to get 20 backpacks for the start of school,” Dowler said. “That’s our first little wave, 100 backpacks.” Demand has already surpassed those first backpacks. “We’ve already got more than 500 more asked for throughout this school year, and we’re raising money to try and get as much of that done.” If fundraising continues to grow, Dowler hopes to expand the foundation throughout the region before eventually serving children across the country. Community support has exceeded his expectations. In just over a month, the foundation has raised approximately $35,000 through online donations, business partnerships and online contributions. “We’ve really only been accepting donations for about a month,” Dowler said. “It’s amazing, and

31 July 23 - August 5, 2026 we’re already making a difference.” Several Montana businesses have stepped in to help. The foundation was the beneficiary of Outlaw Partners’ 50-50 raffle during the Big Sky PBR, Vera Bradley donated 100 backpacks from its Disney collection, and Staples launched school supply drives at all seven Montana locations. “We’ve got backpacks fully stocked with school supplies just because of the fundraising in the first few weeks,” Dowler said. Shoppers can purchase school supplies and place them in Taco Dowler Youth Foundation collection bins at participating Staples stores throughout Montana, and make donations on the organization’s website. Dowler also hopes to host community backpackpacking events where volunteers can help assemble backpacks and write encouraging notes to students.

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That sense of belonging remains the driving force behind the foundation.

in the community who is trying to do good for the community.”

“I hope that a lot of kids can smile, and not walk into school feeling like they’re already five steps behind, Dowler said. “It’s not their fault that a family has a hardship financially, and I want to break those barriers and hopefully change some kids’ lives.”

Dowler said he believes that beyond hard work, most everyone who experiences success is because of their community and their family.

Although Dowler serves as the public face of the organization, he said the foundation would not exist without his wife. “She’s really the brains behind the whole thing, and I’m just the face right now,” he said. “She’s incredible. Everything that I’m doing, she’s doing as well. Whenever I say ‘I,’ it’s really ‘we.’”

“I think volunteers always help,” he said. “There’s a lot of planning and behind-the-scenes work that goes into all of this.”

The foundation is guided by a five-member board that brings together expertise in law, finance, education and community leadership. Dowler also credits Montana State for giving him the platform to make a difference, while noting that NCAA and NIL regulations keep the university separate from the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts.

Rather than personally delivering backpacks, the foundation ships them directly to schools, where principals and counselors discreetly distribute them to students, an effort to protect students’ dignity.

“I wouldn’t be who I am without Montana State,” he said. “Everyone wants to help because of how great the Bobcats are, what we did last year, and the community that supports the team so loyally.”

“The principals and teachers will give out the backpacks to kids who are in need, and hopefully the kids in each school won’t necessarily know who receives them,” Dowler said. “The whole point of everything we are doing is so that all kids can have a sense of belonging at their schools.”

Still, Dowler hopes his greatest legacy won’t be measured in wins or championships. “I really want my legacy to be more than football,” he said. “I want people to hear the name Taco Dowler and not necessarily think football first. I want them to think about someone

“All the support throughout my community has been so amazing to me. I feel like I’d be stupid not to give back to the community that’s given me so much,” Dowler said. That community is one of the reasons he returned to Montana State for another season. “I just love Montana,” he said. “That’s why I stayed to play football here for another year. I’m addicted to the culture that Montana has, and the grit and the competitiveness.” Looking ahead, he has no plans to stop once his football career ends. “I don’t see this foundation ending or stopping or even plateauing in the next couple years,” Dowler said. “I want to continue to grow it every year. Failure is just not an option for me, in anything I do.” For those interested in supporting the foundation, Dowler says every contribution matters. “Any financial contribution, even if it’s five dollars, goes a long way,” he said. “But also, the most important thing is just sharing the story, sharing why it’s important, sharing how people can help. If it resonates with one person, it can resonate with thousands.”

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33 July 23 - August 5, 2026

ENVIRONMENT

DISPATCHES FROM THE WILD: TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD BY BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY EBS COLUMNIST

The questions that matter most do not stop at party lines. They do not bend to the easy grammar of red and blue, rural and urban, conservative and progressive. The land, the water, the air and the wildlife we depend on are not partisan property. They are shared inheritance. And the duty to protect them is shared as well. That duty is not ceremonial. It is not a talking point, and it is not a luxury. It is practical, immediate and overdue. Defending public lands, confronting invasive species, protecting wildlife and conserving the living foundations of our world is not a slogan. It is to accept responsibility. And responsibility, if it is to mean anything at all, must be answered with cooperation. Public lands remain among the nation’s greatest treasures not only because they are beautiful, but because they are useful in the deepest sense. They sustain local economies, invite recreation, support mental health, preserve habitat and keep us tethered to the story of this country. In “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” Mark Twain wrote: “My kind of loyalty was loyalty to one’s country, not to its institutions or its officeholders. The country is the real thing, the substantial thing, the eternal thing…” That distinction still matters. Our first loyalty should be to the country itself: to the land, the water, the wildlife and the common spaces that belong to no faction and to every generation. Left unguarded, such places are not merely neglected; they are diminished, fragmented, privatized in spirit if not in deed, and too often lost by degrees. To preserve them requires more than sentiment. It requires stewardship, restraint and the courage to work across lines of disagreement. The same is true of our rivers, forests, grasslands and open spaces. These are not commodities to be consumed and forgotten. They are inheritances— fragile, finite and entrusted to us only for a time.

PHOTO BY BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY

Invasive species make the case for cooperation impossible to ignore. They cross every boundary without permission, threatening native plants, wildlife, agriculture and entire ecosystems. No single party, agency or interest group can solve that problem alone. It takes local communities, scientists, land managers, farmers, hunters, conservationists, outdoor recreationists and elected officials moving in the same direction. Facts must lead. Shared stakes must guide us. Only then can durable progress take root.

Refuse to surrender the future to the present.

Wildlife conservation follows the same moral law. Wildlife belongs to no faction and no region. It belongs to the common life of the nation. Whether the aim is to protect pollinators, restore habitat or ensure that future generations can still encounter the natural world in all its abundance and complexity, the challenge is the same: think beyond the immediate. Resist the tyranny of the short term.

If we are serious about conserving land, water and air, we must be serious about cooperation. We must seek common ground where it exists and create it where it does not. We must resist the paralysis of permanent conflict. When we protect the commons, we are not taking sides. We are taking responsibility.

Too often, public debate reduces grave questions to slogans. But conservation is not a slogan. It is labor. It is patience. It is restraint. It is listening. It is compromise. It is the patient, often invisible, who works to build something that can endure in a culture addicted to profit, noise, outrage and speed. That work may not win the day’s headlines, but it leaves something better than headlines. It leaves a legacy.

The road ahead will not be easy. It will demand trust, discipline and humility. It will demand the

recognition that no one has a monopoly on wisdom and no one can solve these problems alone. But it can be done—if we have the courage and the discipline to do it together. In the end, the question is not whether we can afford to work together. It is a question of whether we can afford not to. If we fail, the cost will be measured not in speeches or slogans, but in diminished landscapes, vanished species and a poorer future for the country we leave behind. If we succeed, we will leave behind something better than division: a common good worth defending. Benjamin Alva Polley is a place-based storyteller. His words have been published in Rolling Stone, Esquire, Field & Stream, The Guardian, Men’s Journal, Outside, Popular Science, Sierra, and WWF, among other notable outlets, and are available on his website.

34 July 23 - August 5, 2026

ENVIRONMENT

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EVERY DROP COUNTS: FACING A LOWWATER YEAR ON THE GALLATIN

IT’S OUR RIVER, OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REDUCE PRESSURE ON STRAINED WATER SYSTEMS BY KRISTIN GARDNER EBS COLUMNIST

For those of us living in headwaters communities like Big Sky, water isn't just something that comes out of the tap—it is the lifeblood of our economy, our recreation and our environment. Our livelihoods depend directly on the delicate interplay of winter snowpack, spring weather and seasonal river flows that sustain healthy habitats year-round. It is a simple, logical reality of life in the mountains: the snow that blankets our peaks in the winter and the timing of its melt dictates the health of our drinking water aquifers and the strength of our river currents for the rest of the year. But this year, the numbers are sending us a clear, urgent warning. A shallow winter snowpack and an alarmingly fast melt through spring and early summer are directly impacting the Gallatin, and our community water supply. This isn't just an abstract environmental concern; it impacts everything from local water management and aquatic ecosystem protection to flood predictability, water quality and wildfire preparedness. To understand how snowpack affects our water systems, it’s important to know about Snow Water Equivalent. SWE is the depth of liquid water theoretically contained within the snowpack if it were to melt instantaneously. Monitored at automated SNOTEL (Snow Telemetry) stations across the West, SWE serves as our crystal ball, forecasting how much water will make it into our aquifers, creeks and rivers during the spring runoff. This year, the forecast is unfortunately painting a grim picture. On June 1, the Lone Mountain SNOTEL station—which has tracked data since October 1988—measured zero snowpack, indicating a premature melt that is roughly two weeks earlier than the historic June 12 average. To put that in perspective, zero snowpack has been recorded on or before June 1 in just five other years

The Gallatin River flows along U.S. Highway 191 near Big Sky. PHOTO BY LEO CORRALES since 1992, with the most recent comparable early melt occurring in 2015. When this season's snowpack finally reached its peak on April 30, it maxed out at just 16.7 inches of SWE, a 26.4% below the historical average of 21.8 inches. Shallow snowpacks simply mean less water is stored up in the mountains to be released gradually over the summer,, the consequences of which we are already seeing downstream on the Gallatin River. This year's data recorded at the U.S. Geological Survey Gallatin Gateway gauge measured a low peak flow of 3010 cfs on May 31, qualifying 2026 as the sixth-lowest in recorded peak flow history at this gauge, which began recording data in 1890. This low peak underscores a troubling trajectory. Our mid-mountain snow was gone weeks ahead of schedule this year, causing the Gallatin's peak flow to measure at just 3,000 cfs, the lowest peak flow in recent memory. What gives cause for increased concern isn't just the low peak flow itself, but how rapidly Montana’s rivers are draining after that peak runoff, that could leave little water left for the late summer months. While the Gallatin is measuring at 75% of median flow right now, early indicators suggest that the Gallatin River could see below-normal flows later

this summer, as the shallow snowpack melts. And while long-term records show that low-flow years are not unusual, recent seasons show Montana rivers draining quickly after peak runoff, leaving significantly less water available later in the summer. While drought is a natural climate progression that humans have adapted to for millennia, our changing climate has ushered in longer, more severe and relentless dry spells. For example, Big Sky has not had one droughtless day in 2026, and this prolonged condition cascades into a series of interconnected crises, including wildfire risk, ecological strain, economic concerns, water scarcity and water quality issues. Drought makes fire especially dangerous. It creates inhospitable temperatures for fish who thrive in cold, swift-moving waters, it promotes algae blooms, it depletes our community aquifers that supply drinking water, limits water that supplies irrigation for agricultural land and impacts the quality and length of the working season for outfitters and guides. And as we have seen in recent years, it increases the likelihood of algal blooms along the river and throughout its tributaries. We cannot force more snow to fall on Lone Mountain, nor can we pause the summer sun. Even with the summer’s rains that would indicate a relief, Big Sky remains in drought status. The one element we can control is how we prepare and how we respond. In low-water years like this one, community awareness is our strongest tool. Protecting the future of the Gallatin River requires a collective shift in how we view and use our shared water resources. By aggressively reducing the pressure on our community water systems—clamping down on non-essential irrigation, practicing strict conservation and respecting the limits of our aquifer—we can mitigate the worst impacts of this drought. The Gallatin defines our way of life. It’s up to us to protect it. Want to learn more about how you can help conserve water in your own home or business? Head to the Gallatin River Task Force website to find all the tips.

Gallatin River Task Force hosts a real time drought tracker on their website, which provides a way to look at different variables that influence drought conditions for the Gallatin River and surrounding area. IMAGE COURTESY OF GRTF

Kristin Gardner is the Chief Executive and Science Officer of the Gallatin River Task Force.

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Health care built on trust, experience and community When you live in Montana, health care needs can range from routine checkups to unexpected emergencies. Having a physician you know and trust makes all the diﬀerence.

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Bozeman Health is proud to welcome Stephen Halvorson, MD, to Family Medicine at Big Sky Medical Center. For more than 20 years, Dr. Halvorson has cared for patients across Montana communities through family medicine, emergency medicine and rural health care. His experience allows him to care for patients through every stage of life — helping families stay healthy, manage chronic conditions and navigate diﬃcult medical moments with compassion and clarity. Because great care is about more than treating illness. It’s about building relationships that help people live fully and conﬁdently in the community they call home.

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How Do You Thrive in a Challenging Market? By Investing in Your Marketing Over the past few years, we have invested mightily in our new, state-of-the-art website. We also invested in targeted campaigns for our Big Sky collection. And it has paid off for our homeowners. The result: a 160% Year-over-Year increase in website traffic YoY Occupancy: Up 17.0% YoY Average Daily Rate: Up 2.1% YoY RevPAR: Up 19.4%

Thi s I s H ow You Thr ive. Reach out to Tim Drain to discuss our full suite of rental management services. Looking for a rental revenue projection that’s accurate, honest—and free to you? He can help with that, too.

T.Drain@NaturalRetreats.com | 406-209-2782 | NaturalRetreats.com/BigSkyOwner Local Office: 46651 Gallatin Rd Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730

ENVIRONMENT

39 July 23 - August 5, 2026

Explore Big Sky

WILDFIRE WIRE: ARE WE STILL HOLDING OUR BREATH? In mid-July we held a free showing of “The Lost Bus”, an intense action movie about the Paradise, California fire starring Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrara. It shows much of what can go wrong when a fire hits, and likely scared some folks in the audience. But wildfire doesn’t need to be so scary—once you know how to react to wildfire emergencies, you can turn to action instead of panic.

BY MEL CRICHTON EBS COLUMNIST

Big Sky has been lucky. Although we are well into a hot summer, there have been no wildfires near us. Our current fire risk is MODERATE, so we aren’t totally in the clear, but we can thank Mother Nature for the reprieve. The rains, some of them intense, have kept most of our foliage green and lush, meaning there will be more fuels when it gets dry. And some days have also been hot. The breezes that made the heat bearable also increased our risk of wildfire by drying out potential fuels, creating higher fire risk the longer the heat and winds continue. If you’ve been “tuned in” to our wildfire message, you’ve recently seen Red Flag warnings on your phone. You’ll recall that the National Weather Service issues those warnings when temperatures and winds are high and humidity is low, meaning conditions are right for a wildfire to start. Campers, smokers, off-road motorists and chainsaw users must be extra careful about sparks. A live cigarette tossed out a window can create a disaster. If you didn’t receive an alert, you can sign up for countywide Everbridge alerts on the Fire Adapted Big Sky Wildfire Hub. If you are visiting Big Sky, you can text “Big Sky” to 888777 and be signed up for alerts for the rest of the month. So we’ve had some luck, but for the mountains down in Utah, not so much. Too much of Utah is on fire, and fortunately the prevailing winds have kept that smoke away from us. But weather is fickle,

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO and we are entering the hotter and drier part of the summer. Whether you attribute global warming to humans or not, one thing is true: weather is getting extreme, and rain patterns are changing. August holds a higher probability of wildfire here in southwest Montana, and we need to be prepared. Wildfire ambassadors, like myself, have been working hard to prepare Big Sky for the fire that may come at any time. In June we held our first free Wildfire Film Fest for a sold-out house at The Waypoint. The films all were informative, a few were a bit scary, but most attendees felt better about preparing for that big fire afterward. One film was a crucial tutorial on how to drive to safety in a wildfire situation. The message—head downhill, because fire usually likes to go uphill.

In the past few months we trained 19 of our 30 Neighborhood Wildfire Ambassadors on the basics of wildfires, home protection, smoke safety and evacuation. Your NA can help you to understand and wade through the many aspects of making your homesite safe from wildfire and keeping your family alive. If you don’t know who your neighborhood ambassador is, shoot me an email. One of our ambassadors lives in Meadow View. Dakota Nelson has worked with his HOA and Big Sky Fire Department to arrange an upcoming fire risk mitigation project on the hillside behind the Meadowview complex. Look for a special report in an upcoming issue. If you’d like to know more about our wildfire ambassador program, let me know. If you can help out with the costs, that’s great! The Big Sky Rotary Club helps us by passing along donations for wildfire outreach to our program. To donate, go to bigskyrotary.com and click on “wildfire preparation” in the “donate” section. Mel Crichton acts as neighborhood ambassador coordinator for Fire Adapted Big Sky. He may be reached at kj9c@comcast.net.

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Explore Big Sky

40 July 23 - August 5, 2026

A&E

À LA CARTE: RODEO, BUT MAKE IT FANCY BY RACHEL HERGETT EBS COLUMNIST

I was back at the Big Sky PBR last weekend, and much like last year, I was drawn in by the food in the Camp Chef VIP experience. This time, however, I was determined to try to work less and enjoy more, to enjoy the food and the atmosphere. As a Montana girl, I love to be around horses and cows and rodeo of all sorts. I even brought along a handsome cowboy of a rodeo date. The expected crowd filled the covered portion of the VIP area—a massive white tent next to the arena that housed vendor booths, multiple bars and a row of wooden food stands. This was my destination. Here, organizer Emily Hahn had invited five other noted chefs and tasked them with creating a dish showcasing local ingredients and preparing upward of 1,200 portions for hungry guests. Some leaned into more rustic or simple fare like one might typically find at a rodeo, others into their own culinary style. And then the chefs do it again a second night with a completely different menu. The cowboy queued at a bar while I started down the line of chefs. First up was Jarrett Wrisley, chef and co-owner of Shan in Bozeman, where he leans into the flavors of northern Thailand and southwestern China. His High Country bison and pork belly bowl featured slow-braised bison from North Bridger Bison and pork belly seasoned with soy and warm spices. It is served over steamed jasmine rice and topped with pickled jalapeño, wine-marinated soy beans, herbs and crispy garlic. In my experience eating at Shan, Wrisley is a master of creating depth of flavor in his dishes. His often spicy Asian sauces happily play with local ingredients. Today’s dish is no different. It is a pretty classic Thai recipe, Wrisley tells me—except for the bison. “Top Chef ” alum Jamie Lynch greeted me when I reached the front of the line at his station. After studying the menu board, I had a question: “Is the sauce the same as last year?” Yep. What was then “Chef Jamie’s Awesome Sauce” is now known as “Wicked Awesome Sauce.” The ketchup-based New England style barbecue sauce is basically unchanged from last year’s version, though it takes on new life and additional tangy-ness when not baked atop a meatloaf. Wicked Awesome Sauce is somehow key to a new “concept” Lynch and his wife are hoping to develop by next year: No wonder he wouldn’t give me the recipe. And although I wasn’t mad at the meat loaf, Lynch didn’t believe it was the best showcase for his sauce. “This sandwich is how it’s meant to be eaten,” he said of this year’s dish. The sandwich in question wasn’t entirely pretty. It didn’t have fancy garnishes to “chef it up” like the meatloaf. It was a roast beef sandwich: the most tender, most thinly shaved Wickens Ranch rare roast beef and a slice of white American cheese topped with Wicked Awesome Sauce on a local

Emily Hahn’s bison brat beacons. PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT slider bun smeared with mayo. The handsome cowboy and I each took a bite of the sandwich and looked up at each other in recognition. This sandwich felt familiar. It was elevated Arby’s, with white American cheese standing in for the cheddar cheese sauce. I went back for another and told Lynch that his “Buckin’ Beef ” was everything that Arby’s wished it could be. He seemed to understand it was meant as the highest of compliments. When I look up “palabok”—as in chef Sheldon Simeon’s spot prawn palabok fried rice—I learn that it is a garlic and shrimp gravy over noodles or sometimes rice, then topped with pork and pork rinds. I’ve had Filipino food, mostly made by friend’s aunties for large gatherings like rehearsal dinners and such. It was always a smorgasbord of such variety that I have no idea if this is something I’ve tried before. Simeon is another “Top Chef ” alum, based in Maui, Hawaii. His version of palabok has a spot prawn gravy with prawns from Peeler’s Wild Alaskan Seafood over garlic chili fried rice and topped with guanchale chicharron crumble. The small portion felt rich and luscious with the silky gravy and rice melding into a porridge. Prawn flavor sings, and that depth is certainly what made it the favorite of the handsome cowboy—a man who snacks on tins of anchovies. I couldn't get enough of the bison chorizo made by chef Hahn. I would have gladly eaten the sausage plain, and I almost had to as I spilled half of the toppings down my dress on the first bite (wiped clean by the also gentlemanly cowboy). Hahn’s

house made sausage was served in a crispy baguette from Aurore bakery and layered with creamy burrata and a pistachio and garlic scape salsa verde that provided a nice crunch and pop of acid. Josh Adams of Campione and B-Sides in Livingston highlighted SporeAttic mushrooms in his vegetarian dish, “Mushroom on a Barrel.” There was an acidic brightness to the dressing on the mushrooms that was an appreciated counterpart to the other offerings. And let’s not sleep on Bozeman chef Eduardo Garcia. His dish “High on the Hog,” was a crispy pork carnitas tostada with a lacto-fermented slaw and garlic scape picante sauce. It ate well, but part of me wanted it to be saucier, to have a crema to tone down the crisp and crunch. When I first saw her, Hahn gave me a hug and pointed out a couple of my other chef friends prepping food in the outdoor kitchen just outside the main tent. Service was going well, she said, and she was enjoying the combination of fellow “Top Chef ” contestants alongside lauded local chefs. But part of her brain was already looking to the future. "I don’t know if it’s scary or awesome that we’re already thinking about next year,” Hahn said. I say it’s awesome. 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.

A&E

41 July 23 - August 5, 2026

Explore Big Sky

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR Read the full events calendar, or submit your own community event by scanning the QR code.

ALPENSCAPES GARDEN PARTY MONDAY, AUG. 3 CANYON AREA (LOCATION WITH RSVP), 5:30 P.M. On Monday, Aug. 3 at 5:30 p.m., residents can tour a new build in Big Sky in the canyon area, which has implemented firewise landscaping in its landscape design. As the third and final part of a series educating the community about resilient landscaping, the event offers a private tour of the home, light food and drinks, and advice from local experts. The exact location will be shared upon an RSVP on the Alpenscapes site under the Events tab.

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO

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IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL, CONTACT AA WE CAN HELP!

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Explore Big Sky

42 July 23 - August 5, 2026

BUSINESS

BUILDING FROM THE GROUND UP WITH WHITEFISH CREDIT UNION

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING LAND AND FINANCING YOUR DREAM HOME BY TAYLOR OWENS Sponsored Article For many people, building a custom home is the ultimate dream. It is the opportunity to create a space that's designed specifically for the way they want to live, but unlike purchasing an existing home, building from the ground up requires careful planning long before construction begins. From choosing the right piece of land to selecting a builder and securing financing, every decision early in the process lays the foundation for a successful project. One of the biggest, and often overlooked, decisions comes before a single blueprint is finalized: choosing the right builder. "The most important thing that you would do is partnering with the right contractor," Leo BonGiovanni, construction loan originator at Whitefish Credit Union, said. "Finding a person who understands the local market, who has a proven track record of building in your local area is the most important thing." The right builder does more than construct a home. An experienced local contractor understands permitting requirements, has established relationships with trusted subcontractors, and knows how to navigate the unique challenges of building in Montana. Just as importantly, they communicate openly throughout the project, helping homeowners understand how design changes may affect both timelines and budgets. Because changing builders midway through construction can be both costly and complicated, taking the time to find the right fit upfront is one of the smartest investments a future homeowner can make. Just as important is resisting the urge to jump straight into designing the home after purchasing land. While it's tempting to begin drawing floor plans right away, spending time on the property first often leads to a better final product. Walking the land at different times of day, considering where natural light enters, taking in the views, and understanding how the home will fit naturally within the landscape all help inform smarter design decisions. "The more time you spend getting to know your land, and really fine-tuning that design, I think the happier the borrower is with their end product," BonGiovanni said. Once a homeowner has selected a builder and developed plans, financing becomes the next major milestone. Unlike a traditional mortgage, which finances a completed home, a construction loan is designed around the entire building process. Borrowers provide building plans, contractor bids, material specifications, and project budgets before construction begins, allowing both the borrower

PHOTO COURTESY OF WHITEFISH CREDIT UNION and lender to understand the complete scope of the project from day one. BonGiovanni describes construction financing as "stress testing your plan out the gate to make sure that you can afford your vision." Construction financing also differs from a traditional mortgage in how funds are distributed. Rather than receiving financing all at once, money is released in stages as the home progresses through key milestones. As the foundation is poured, framing is completed, utilities are installed and the project moves toward its final finishes, the lender works alongside both the borrower and builder to help ensure construction stays on schedule, remains within budget and continues meeting the agreedupon plans. That ongoing collaboration helps keep projects moving from groundbreaking to completion. That planning becomes especially important in Montana, where construction costs can vary significantly depending on location. Building in more remote areas often means transporting materials longer distances, coordinating subcontractors across multiple communities and working around seasonal weather that can affect construction schedules. Even experienced builders must account for logistics that aren't always obvious at the beginning of a project, making realistic budgeting and thoughtful planning essential before construction ever starts. Rather than waiting until every detail is finalized, Whitefish Credit Union encourages prospective homeowners to begin the conversation early. An initial meeting allows borrowers to discuss

their goals, establish realistic budgets, and better understand what to expect before committing to a project. BonGiovanni also encourages homeowners to think beyond the house itself. Before finalizing a design, it's important to understand everything that comes with the property—from homeowners association requirements and permitting considerations to how the home will sit on the land. Addressing those details early can help avoid costly redesigns and make the building process much smoother. "Having that initial contact before the process begins, I really think can help people have sensible benchmarks as they're going through the lengthy process," BonGiovanni said. From purchasing the land to financing construction and ultimately transitioning the completed project into a traditional mortgage, Whitefish Credit Union works alongside borrowers throughout every stage of the journey. The local lending team understands the unique challenges of building throughout Montana and partners with both homeowners and builders to help projects stay on track from the first conversation to move-in day. Building a custom home is one of the biggest investments most people will ever make. With thoughtful planning, the right builder, and a financing partner that understands the construction process from start to finish, homeowners can spend less time worrying about the logistics and more time looking forward to the day they finally walk through the front door of a home built entirely for them.

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45 July 23 - August 5, 2026

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MAKING IT IN BIG SKY: PETER BING FROM BLUE RIBBON BUILDERS BY LESLIE KILGORE For Peter Bing, Big Sky has always been home. Raised in the mountain community, Bing returned after college and a career in finance, development and the outdoor industry to help lead Blue Ribbon Builders, the family-owned construction company founded by his parents more than 50 years ago. Today, Bing serves as principal and vice president of sales and administration alongside his brother, Luke Bing and partner Brandon Wier, continuing a legacy of craftsmanship, innovation and community involvement that has grown alongside Big Sky. 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: Tell us about living and working in Big Sky and how long you’ve been here. Peter Bing: Big Sky has always been home base for me. I was born in Bozeman, but I grew up in Big Sky. But I like to say that you become a Big Sky local when you affect the community in a way that outlasts you. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been here five weeks or five decades. If you contribute to the community in a way that will outlast you, that’s when you can claim to be a local. EBS: What was it like growing up in Big Sky before Lone Peak High School existed? PB: It was a different time. Back then, all of us went to high school in Bozeman, so there was a long commute every day. I wanted to stay in Bozeman as much as I could, so I joined just about every extracurricular activity I could—speech and debate, tennis, wrestling, Business Professionals of America and the marketing club. I stayed with my uncle whenever I had practices or activities after school. Looking back, those experiences helped me build relationships, stay engaged and gave me a chance to be part of both the Bozeman and Big Sky communities.

Luke (left) and Peter (right) Bing of Blue Ribbon Builders. PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER BING beyond completion with our service department. We like to say we’re our clients’ builder for life. EBS: Can you tell us about the team that makes your work possible? PB: Our people are what set us apart. We selfperform all of our carpentry, work with many of the same trade partners we’ve had for decades, and stay personally involved in every project. Our carpenters, field crews and longtime trade partners are the reason we’ve been able to build lasting relationships with clients and deliver consistent quality for generations.

EBS: When did you take over the family business, and what prompted you to come back? PB: I left for Boston College to get some perspective on the world and raced on the ski team there. After college, I worked at Moonlight Basin during its development and later with Simms Fishing Products. Coming back to Blue Ribbon was about continuing the legacy in a meaningful way. It was a chance to give back to the community while building on the quality our company has been known for.

EBS: You mentioned earlier that you’d like to continue your family’s legacy here while also giving back to your community. How does your company and team engage with the local Big Sky community? PB: Big Sky isn’t just where we build, it’s our home. Members of our team participate in Adopta-Highway, support local events, volunteer our time and skills, and look for ways to make a lasting impact through construction projects that benefit the community. We always try to give back not just financially, but by using our expertise as builders.

EBS: Give us a brief overview of the services Blue Ribbon Builders offers. PB: We act as a full lifecycle partner for custom homes, not just the builder. That starts with extensive preconstruction services to help clients navigate the complexity of building in Big Sky, continues through construction, and extends

EBS: Do you see growth for Blue Ribbon Builders in the future? PB: Absolutely, but we’re intentional about it. Growth isn’t about getting bigger—it’s about improving the experience we provide through stronger planning, expanded services and continuing to deliver the quality our clients expect

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while building projects that will last for generations. EBS: What’s the best thing you’ve found about working in the Big Sky community? PB: The relationships. We’ve now built for second generations of families, and we’re working with second generations of many of our trade partners. Those long-term relationships are incredibly rewarding and are just as important as the homes themselves. EBS: What’s some of the best business advice you’ve ever received? PB: Take care of your relationships and your reputation. Quality lasts forever, and so do strong relationships. EBS: What’s your perfect Big Sky day? I’m sure you have many since you’ve lived here for most of your life. PB: Well, that’s funny you mentioned “many”. I like to call it the Montana Trifecta. In the spring, if you can ski in the morning, golf or mountain bike in the afternoon, then finish the day fishing or rafting, that’s about as good as it gets. EBS: What legacy do you hope to leave in Big Sky and with Blue Ribbon Builders? PB: I’d like to continue the family legacy and eventually pass the business to the next generation. The relationships we’ve built—with our employees, our trade partners, our clients and the community— are what matter most. I’d like to see those relationships continue for generations to come.

Interested in learning more about how we can help your business?

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M EAD OW VI LLAG E

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3560 Sprucewood Drive MLS # 410593 | 3 BED + 3 BATH | 3,563 +/- SQ. FT. | $2,697,000

Mia Lennon Broker mia@bigsky.com 406.641.0051

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` S PAN I S H PEAK S M OU NTAI N CLU B 824 Settlement Trail #11-A MLS # 410589 | 3 BED + 3 BATH | 2,068 +/- SQ. FT. | $2,250,000 1/4 SHARE

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43B Highnoon Way MLS # 412176 | 1 BED + 1 BATH | 793 +/- SQ. FT. | $435,000 PENDING

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OR DEPICTED HEREIN. THIS MATERIAL SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL IN ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE PRIOR REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED OR WHERE SUCH AN OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED, AND THIS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION IF YOU ARE WORKING WITH ANOTHER REAL ESTATE AGENT. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL, TAX, ACCOUNTING, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. SPANISH PEAKS MOUNTAIN CLUB

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EP. 544

MSU’s 50th Annual Powwow: A Guide with the American Indian Council

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Explore Big Sky

49 July 23 - August 5, 2026

HEALTH

HEALTH BUZZ: IS IT YOUR HORMONES, OR IS IT THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD? BY KALEY BURNS EBS COLUMNIST

"Maybe it's my hormones." How many women have whispered those words after feeling exhausted, emotional, overwhelmed or unlike themselves? Now consider another question: What if it isn't just your hormones? What if it's also the relentless pressure to be everything, for everyone, all at once? The truth is, women's health exists at the intersection of biology and environment. Hormones absolutely matter, but so do stress, sleep, nutrition, relationships, work demands, social media, perfectionism, financial pressure and the invisible mental load many women carry every single day. The question isn't hormones or society. It's often both. Your hormones are listening Hormones don't exist in isolation. They respond to the world around you. When stress becomes chronic, cortisol remains elevated. Over time, this can influence reproductive hormones, thyroid function, blood sugar regulation, sleep quality, digestion, inflammation and even how resilient your nervous system feels. In other words, your body isn't "overreacting." It's adapting to the signals it receives every day. The invisible weight women carry Modern women are often expected to “do it all,”—they are encouraged to build successful careers while also being partners, parents, friends, homemakers, healthy eaters, consistent exercisers and productive individuals. At the same time, they are expected to maintain youthful appearances, practice self-care, stay positive and handle challenges gracefully. Yet the human body was never designed to operate this way. A nervous system that never gets a chance to recover can affect sleep, energy, mood, digestion, and overall wellbeing, creating a difficult cycle that makes it even harder for people to care for themselves. It also doesn’t help that today’s technology allows for more comparison. Social media didn't create the pressure; it amplified it Comparison has always existed. Now it fits in your pocket. Every day, women are surrounded by images of seemingly perfect homes, relationships, parenting styles, careers, vacations and lifestyles. Most people understand that much of what they see online is curated, yet the ongoing sense of inadequacy can become another source of stress; one that quietly affects confidence, emotional health and the way we experience our bodies. Stress is not only emotional; it is physiological. The body responds to poor sleep, restrictive nutrition,

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO over-exertion, financial uncertainty, loneliness, unresolved trauma, constant notifications and the feeling that there is always more to accomplish. Instead of only asking, "What's wrong with me?", a holistic approach encourages women to ask different questions: What is my body trying to communicate? Am I truly nourished? Am I rested? Do I feel safe and supported? Am I carrying more than is sustainable? Have I confused productivity with worth? These questions can reveal important pieces of the health picture alongside appropriate evaluation and testing. Acupuncture and naturopathic medicine A holistic approach recognizes that health is shaped by many interconnected factors. Alongside conventional medical care, many women choose to incorporate acupuncture and naturopathic medicine as part of their wellness journey. Acupuncture has been effective for a variety of women's health concerns, including pain, stress, headaches, menstrual discomfort and symptoms associated with menopause. Many women find acupuncture helpful for relaxation, nervous system regulation, sleep support and overall feelings of wellbeing. The process itself also creates intentional space for rest and restoration in a culture that often encourages constant activity. Naturopathic medicine focuses on identifying

contributing factors behind symptoms and supporting the body's natural healing processes. A naturopathic doctor may explore areas such as nutrition, digestive health, sleep, stress patterns, movement, environmental factors and lifestyle habits. Care may include personalized nutrition guidance, supplements when appropriate and strategies to support healthier daily rhythms. For women experiencing hormone-related concerns, the goal is not simply to "fix hormones." It is to understand the full picture and create the conditions that support the body's ability to function optimally. The goal isn't perfection, it's sustainability Perhaps women don't need to become better at carrying impossible expectations. Perhaps they need more opportunities to become fully human. Health is not found in perfection. It is found in consistency, compassion, connection and learning to listen to the body instead of constantly overriding it. Dr. Kaley Burns is a licensed Naturopathic Physician providing a wide range of services for her clients, including: Naturopathic Medicine, IV Nutrient Therapy, Regenerative Injections, Rejuvenation Therapies, Vitamin Shots and Nutrition Counseling. She embraces a natural approach to health and aims to similarly inspire and guide others on their health journey.

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51 July 23 - August 5, 2026

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American Bison // Bison bison

DID YOU KNOW?

500 years ago, at least 30 million bison roamed the plains. That number is now less than 30,000. The depletion of free range bison has been attributed to: • Decades of over-exploitation • Decline in genetic diversity • Habitat loss • Human Interaction

Yellowstone National Park boasts the nation's largest free range buffalo herd, but only two others remain - the Henry’s Mountains and Book Cliffs herds, both in southern Utah.

Respect. Protect. Cherish. Paid for by the animals in your backyard.

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