ACTIVISTS BALK AT DEQ APPROVAL OF BIG SKY SUBDIVISION
BIG SKY COMMUNITY THEATER PREVIEW
LETTER: SAFETY OF U.S. 191
May 15 - May 28, 2025 Volume 16 // Issue 10
Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana
PUBLISHER
Eric Ladd | eric@theoutlawpartners.com
EDITORIAL
VP MEDIA
Mira Brody | mira@theoutlawpartners.com
SENIOR EDITOR
Jack Reaney | jack@theoutlawpartners.com
STAFF WRITER
Jen Clancey | jen@theoutlawpartners.com
LOCAL JOURNALIST
Leslie Kilgore | leslie@theoutlawpartners.com
DIGITAL MEDIA LEAD
Fischer Genau | fischer@theoutlawpartners.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Carli Johnson | carli@theoutlawpartners.com
CREATIVE
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Griffin House | griffin@theoutlawpartners.com
SALES AND OPERATIONS
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Josh Timon | josh@theoutlawpartners.com
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Megan Paulson | megan@theoutlawpartners.com
VP DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Hiller Higman | hiller@theoutlawpartners.com
DIRECTOR OF RELATIONSHIPS
Ersin Ozer | ersin@theoutlawpartners.com
MARKETING MANAGER
Tucker Harris | tucker@theoutlawpartners.com
CONTENT MARKETING LEAD
Taylor Owens | taylor.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
Jacob W. Frank, Kathleen Glockner, Heather Goodin, Nielsen Grenier, Rachel Hergett, Kris Inman, Hope McWilliams, Colette Pengelley, Allie Epstein Poalino, Benjamin Alva Polley, Tim Radigan, Tracy Stone-Manning CONTRIBUTORS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LETTER: SAFETY OF U.S. 191
In this letter from EBS Publisher Eric Ladd, he expresses concern for the safety of our community and visitors driving along U.S. 191. “You are the first and most important line of defense in making U.S. 191 safer,” he wrote.
MAY ELECTIONS PAVE WAY FOR HOUSING, PARKS
Big Sky voters decided to advance five key initiatives with long-term implications on local infrastructure. Approved projects include the Cold Smoke housing neighborhood and creation of a Firelight Meadows Water and Sewer District. Leaders thanked voters for their participation.
SENATE BILL 260 SIGNED INTO LAW
What began as an ambitious, somewhat unlikely bill, passed and was signed into law by Gov. Gianforte in early May. The bill directly impacts the special districts between Big Sky and Ennis—leaders discussed how unexpected cooperation led to a compromise for both communities.
ACTIVISTS BALK AT DEQ APPROVAL OF BIG SKY SUBDIVISION
The second phase of the Big Sky Quarry development received the green light from the Montana DEQ on April 29, with the final environmental assessment stating the neighborhood’s septic systems will not pose a threat to the Gallatin River.
SEN. DAINES TALKS CONSERVATION IN MONTANA
In a recent interview, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines discussed his personal connection to conservation and the future of Montana’s public lands. He reflected on his upbringing in Gallatin Valley and how Montana’s landscapes have continued to shape his values.
On April 27, local Big Sky photographer Tim Radigan snapped a shot of a fox trotting across dirty spring snow, just a few miles from Yellowstone National Park’s northeast entrance. PHOTO BY TIM RADIGAN / ICEFOX PHOTOGRAPHY
EDITORIAL POLICIES
EDITORIAL POLICY
Outlaw Partners, LLC is the sole owner of Explore Big Sky. EBS reserves the right to edit all submitted material. Printed material reflects the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the opinion of Outlaw Partners or its editors. EBS will not publish anything discriminatory or in bad taste.
EBS welcomes obituaries written by family members or from funeral homes. To place an obituary, please submit 500 words or less to media@theoutlawpartners.com.
BIG SKY COMMUNITY THEATER PREVIEW
For the first time in its 12-year history, Big Sky Community Theater will stage a second show this season, “On the Face of It,” directed by Jeremy Blyth. Premiering Wednesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, this production marks the troupe’s first fully communitycreated performance.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters to the editor allow EBS readers to express views and share how they would like to effect change. These are not Thank You notes. Letters should be 250 words or less, respectful, ethical, accurate, and proofread for grammar and content. We reserve the right to edit letters and will not publish individual grievances about specific businesses or letters that are abusive, malicious or potentially libelous. Include: full name, address, phone number and title. Submit to media@outlaw.partners.
On Thursday, May 8, a collision of spring weather created a double rainbow, photographed in the Gallatin Canyon here but visible across Big Sky just before 8 p.m. For year-round residents who stick around in May, weather is always full of surprises.
PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
NEWS BRIEF BRIEFS
SIX BANDS TO PERFORM FOR MUSIC ON MAIN SUMMER SERIES
EBS STAFF
The Downtown Bozeman Association’s 25th annual Music on Main summer concert series will bring six bands to West Main Street this summer. A May 1 press release from the organization announced the dates of the free Thursday performances, which close down West Main Street to vehicle traffic and welcome food and product vendors as well as lively audiences.
Starting on July 3, a band will perform starting at 7 p.m. each Thursday until the final concert on Aug. 7. Indie rock band Yam Haus will kick off the series, followed by Americana artist Kalyn Beasley on July 10, salsa funk music by John Roberts y Pan Blanco on July 17, rock band The Dead & Down on July 24, ‘90s country-inspired Neon Rainbow on July 31, and lastly, Green Day tribute band NOT.GREENDAY on Aug. 7.
The mixture of local and touring acts will perform 90-minute sets as crowds dance, browse and enjoy food and drinks. An area for kids to play will be set up on South Bozeman Avenue with inflatables and activities, called the Coca Cola “Kids’ Zone.”
The primary event area is West Main Street from Black to Rouse avenues.
MAN GORED BY BISON AT YELLOWSTONE
NATIONAL PARK
EBS STAFF
Yellowstone National Park reported its first incidence of bison goring in 2025, after a man was injured by a bison in the Lake Village area on Sunday, May 4.
The injury happened at about 3:15 p.m. when the 47-year-old man from Cape Coral, Florida approached the bison too closely, according to a May 7 park news release.
“The individual sustained minor injuries and was treated by emergency medical personnel,” the release stated. “The incident is currently under investigation, and no further details are available at this time.”
Yellowstone reminds visitors that wild animals can be aggressive and it is the visitor’s responsibility to stay more than 25 yards from bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes, and at least 100 yards from bears and wolves.
“Bison will defend their space when threatened and have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal,” the release stated. “They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans.”
Visitors should learn about safety tips when visiting the national park.
MADISON RIVER FOUNDATION PREPARES FOR ANNUAL SUMMER FUNDRAISER
EBS STAFF
Lovers of the Madison River can celebrate and support this vital tributary while enjoying an evening beside it at the Madison River Foundation’s annual gala dinner and auction on July 12 at Madison Double R in Ennis.
Individual tickets as well as tables are available for sale online. The night will include food from Madison Double R’s chef Alex Deen, a hosted bar and both silent and live auctions. Auctioneer Missy Cashman will keep the crowd engaged and the auction lively.
“Whether you’re passionate about clean water, wild trout or educating the next generation of river stewards, this event is your chance to make a lasting impact on one of Montana’s most iconic rivers,” said MRF Executive Director, Keith Brauneis in a May 7 press release.
Since its founding in 2002, the Madison River Foundation has been working to protect and preserve the entire Madison River watershed through restoration projects, data monitoring, educational initiatives and scholarships programs. Proceeds from the event go toward supporting all of these core programs.
PUBLIC NOTICE
BUDGET AND RATES HEARING NOTICE
The Board of Directors of Big Sky County Water & Sewer District No. 363 will hold a public hearing at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the District office (561 Little Coyote Road, Big Sky, MT) to receive public comment on proposed rate adjustments for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
The proposed changes apply to both water and sewer user charges. Water base and volumetric rates are proposed to increase by 5%. Sewer volumetric rates are proposed to increase by 3%, and the sewer base rate by 10%.
For a typical residential customer using 12,500 gallons of water per quarter, the estimated quarterly bill would be approximately $125.84 for water and $241.87 for sewer, totaling $367.71 per quarter. On an annual basis, this amounts to an estimated $1,470.84 for combined water and sewer services.
A full breakdown of the proposed rate schedule is available on the District’s website at www.bigskywatersewer.com.
Written comments may be submitted by email to billing@wsd363.com with the subject line “Rate Hearing Comments,” or by mail to PO Box 160670, Big Sky, MT 59716.
For more information, please contact Terry Smith at 406-995-2660.
THANK YOU, BIG SKY
Thanks to everyone who voted in the May 6 election - whether you mailed your ballot in early, dropped it off on the way to work, or found a way to vote while traveling.
You showed up. You made your voice heard.
THRIVING COMMUNITY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC SPACES
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
SAFETY CONCERNS ON U.S. 191
BY JACK REANEY
Dear readers,
For 25 years, I’ve called this region home. I’ve watched Big Sky grow, our community evolve, and our roads fill with more people than ever. But never in those 25 years have I seen U.S. Highway 191 as dangerous as it is today.
The combination of high-speed traffic, oversized trucks, impaired drivers, narrow shoulders, deteriorating pavement, and abundant wildlife has created a deadly formula. Earlier this month, Explore Big Sky published an in-depth story outlining these risks. The response from our readers has been overwhelming and clear: Something must change.
This past year, we have lost too many lives to vehicle crashes in the canyon. The recent accident involving members of our dedicated and hardworking EMS staff is a real wake-up call. When the very people who show up to save lives
become victims themselves, it underscores the severity of what we’re facing.
Let me be frank—there is no overnight solution. While we are actively working with Gallatin County, the state of Montana and Montana Department of Transportation to advocate for critical changes—lowering speed limits, restricting unnecessary semi-truck traffic, increasing law enforcement resources, and exploring wildlife crossing solutions—these measures take time.
But there is one solution that starts today, and it begins with you.
You are the first and most important line of defense in making U.S. 191 safer. That means slowing down. It means driving calmly, resisting the urge to aggressively pass, staying alert, reporting reckless behavior, and keeping your focus on the road. The canyon is not a racetrack—it’s a winding corridor with lives on the line.
Last week, I rode in an ambulance from Big Sky to Bozeman at 11 p.m. During that drive, three vehicles passed us—two of them illegally across double yellow lines. That image—cars overtaking an ambulance en route to a hospital—is as powerful and obscene a metaphor as I can imagine for where we are today.
This has to stop.
As residents and visitors of this extraordinary place, we share a responsibility. Let’s be the kind of community that protects each other. Let’s make U.S. 191 safer, one decision at a time—starting behind the wheel.
Stay safe,
Eric Ladd Publisher, Explore Big Sky
PHOTO
An April 17 collision resulted in a fatality for the pickup truck that crashed into a Big Sky ambulance. OUTLAW PARTNERS PHOTO
OP NEWS
THE BOZEMAN BOOM
GALLATIN VALLEY’S ONGOING GROWTH BRINGS INNOVATION, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS, AND
A THRIVING ECONOMY TO SOUTHWEST MONTANA.
OUTLAW REAL ESTATE PARTNERS
The Gallatin Valley is in the midst of a transformation—a unique one that resists national trends. At the forefront of this evolution is Bozeman’s growth as a hub for tech companies looking for new locations that support a thriving economy, forward-thinking development, strong community values and a resilient real estate market that fuels professionals in relocating where the quality of life parallels a secure job market.
At the forefront of Bozeman’s evolution is Montana State University’s 42-acre Innovation Campus, led by Executive Director Mark Sharpe. Sharpe is a strategic visionary whose leadership over the past five years has helped shape the region’s economic future.
The Innovation Campus is designed to foster collaboration between MSU researchers, entrepreneurs, and companies focused on science, technology and sustainability. Here, respected businesses work directly with MSU faculty and students to apply academic research to real-world applications.
Sharpe’s mission is to continue to grow the campus as a magnet for startups and tech firms looking to base operations in a region equally known for a desired lifestyle and deep talent pool.
“Timing can be everything,” Sharpe said. “We are currently working on some significant things that have been the catalyst to put us on the map around the country. And we can’t put our foot off the gas, so that we can continue to be seen like we have over the past couple of years.”
With a background in fostering and leading projects like the Innovation Campus, Sharpe oversees the ongoing development of the space at MSU, which is designed to bridge academia and industry.
Sharpe mentioned notable projects such as INDUSTRY Bozeman, the 87,000 square-foot facility that offers customizable workspaces and shared amenities for long-term tenants. It attracts startups and established companies to collaborate while establishing jobs within the area such as the self-driving vehicle technology company, Aurora’s 78,000 square foot facility with world-class manufacturing space, research and development laboratories, as well as a recent applied research laboratory for the (U.S.) Department of Defense with national security clearances usually found only on military bases.
“We’re at the tip of a massive iceberg here,” Sharpe said. “We’re gaining more and more respect as a research university that applies to the region and the entire nation.”
Sharpe added that unlike cities such as Austin, Texas and Boulder, Colorado—which are also experiencing rapid growth due to their quality of life, growing academic opportunities and booming economies—Bozeman fosters a community that is more sensitive to sustainable growth, primarily for
the established residents, MSU graduates and new families to the area.
“We want to create more industry and more jobs in the area so that many of our students can settle here after graduation with professional jobs and professional salaries. We hear from students all the time that to stay in the area after graduation would be ideal.”
Sharpe also mentioned that the City of Bozeman, the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce, the Montana Chamber of Commerce and the Montana Department of Commerce are key partners in strategic planning for the growth of the Innovation Campus and finding sustainable approaches to the economic growth in Gallatin Valley.
“I speak to all of these organizations every single day,” Sharpe said.
Brit Fontenat, director of economic development for the City of Bozeman and a member of the Innovation Campus Board, spoke with Explore Big Sky about how MSU and the City of Bozeman continuously work together in strategic planning to attract talent to the area.
“We are a magnet to attract the best students in the state, and on the radar for many companies around the country,” Fontenat said. “From our facilities to our research in areas such as precision agriculture, quantum and photonics, to our quality of life and outdoor opportunities, we have what it takes to support a livable community while providing more economic opportunities.”
This spirit of innovation echoes throughout the Gallatin Valley. At the center of the valley’s real estate success is a city that continues to outperform national housing markets. While many areas across the U.S. are experiencing stagnation or decline, Bozeman remains a growing market, with homes moving briskly and property values holding strong. The secret lies in the area’s consistent migration of professionals, remote workers and families drawn to the outdoor lifestyle, strong schools, vibrant community and expanding amenities.
Companies like Outlaw Real Estate Partners are helping meet this demand with a collection of strategic developments. Their residential and commercial projects are thoughtfully designed to blend modern Montana aesthetics with practical functionality, supporting both the housing needs of a growing population and the infrastructure of a thriving business community. From mixed-use spaces to upscale mountain town living, Outlaw’s developments are emblematic of Bozeman’s growth—intentional, innovative and community-centered.
“Our projects, such as Wildlands on North Wallace, and Cloverleaf on East Peach Street, exemplify thoughtful urban planning that balances growth with community needs,” said OREP Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer Mike Magrans.
Another key contributor to Bozeman’s continued expansion and economic boom is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, which has rapidly become Montana’s busiest airport and one of the fastest growing in the nation, further enhancing the region’s accessibility, supporting both tourism and business travel.
“The steady addition of new direct flights, including those to major cities around the country, has dramatically increased accessibility to the region,” Magrans said. “This connectivity fuels not only tourism but also attracts investment and relocation, enabling professionals to maintain business ties while enjoying southwest Montana’s lifestyle. It’s why many of us were able to relocate during COVID and have stayed to raise our families here.”
Magrans added that Big Sky now serves as a major economic engine for Gallatin Valley too. With luxury resorts, year-round recreation and a fastdeveloping infrastructure, Big Sky has amplified interest in Southwest Montana real estate.
“Big Sky’s growth has created ripple effects throughout Gallatin Valley, boosting job creation, service industry demand and high-end real estate interest in nearby towns,” Magrans said.
While many longtime residents of Gallatin Valley continue to voice concerns that Bozeman, like Big Sky and its surrounding towns, is becoming unaffordable to most families, young professionals and working populations, the region’s unique blend of innovation, strategic development and appealing lifestyle continues to position it as a standout in the national landscape.
The collaborative efforts of institutions like Montana State University, proactive developers and supportive infrastructure ensure that the Gallatin Valley continues to thrive, offering a compelling model for sustainable growth.
“Growth is a good thing. We’d rather be a community that is growing than losing population,” Magrans said. “But it’s also our duty as developers to create public space, open space, trail systems and more that contribute to the quality of life in the area too.”
Montana State University in Bozeman. PHOTO COURTESY OF OREP
BIG SKY VOTES ‘YES’ ACROSS THE BALLOT IN MAY 6 ELECTION
LEADERS CELEBRATE VOTER-APPROVED COMMITMENTS TO LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE
BY JEN CLANCEY AND JACK REANEY
BIG SKY—In a highly anticipated May 6 election, Big Sky voters faced decisions regarding workforce and teacher-specific housing, community park infrastructure, the future of Big Sky’s 3% resort tax and one neighborhood’s initiative to rescue its failing septic infrastructure.
After months of education and outreach from organization leaders, all five ballot initiatives received “yes” votes from the majority of Big Sky voters, moving the projects forward. Final unofficial results will be confirmed by the Gallatin County Commission on Monday, May 19. Big Sky Resort Area District Executive Director Daniel Bierschwale applauded the community’s turnout.
“In the May election last year, we had around 940 votes, and that ballooned to over 1,200 votes in this year,” Bierschwale said. “ It was a wild ly successful and participated-in ballot.”
Perhaps the most hotly contested project, the Cold Smoke housing neighborhood received 735 votes in favor and 455 votes against. The majority approval by voters authorizes Resort Tax to take out longterm debt to fund the Cold Smoke neighborhood, led by the Big Sky Community Housing Trust, including $39.75 million for land acquisition and up to $15 million for infrastructure.
The housing trust will move forward with a land purchase, and Executive Director David O’Connor celebrated the decision of Big Sky voters in a written statement to EBS, crediting community members for their decision to invest in the same opportunities that have enabled “remarkable locals” to do “remarkable things” since Big Sky was founded.
“For decades, locals have had no choice but to sit by and watch as more and more of the community’s dwindling land is snapped up for homes that are further and further out of reach,” O’Connor stated. “Cold Smoke will for the first time enable us to stop the clock, and ensure there is always a place in Big Sky for our full-time year-round locals to call home.”
The Cold Smoke Bond was part of the recent Livable Big Sky education campaign, and O’Connor added the vote enables the vision of a livable community for decades to come. “This vote demonstrates how an inquisitive, informed and engaged community can effect real, lasting change. Big Sky has always been willing to step up to the plate to tackle our own challenges, and this vote shows we are more committed than ever to ensuring a Livable Big Sky for all of our residents,” O’Connor stated.
In a separate housing effort, the Big Sky School District was successful in pursuing a general fund levy to support teacher housing by collecting an additional $300,000 per year.
The levy passed 611 to 494, according to final unofficial results, making it the closest of the five key initiatives—one key difference is the levy affects property taxes, unlike the other Livable Big Sky efforts. Taxpayers can expect to see annual property taxes rise by a few dozen dollars, depending on the value of their home. A $500,000 home will see taxes increase by $18.70, a $1 million home will see taxes increase by $37.40, and a $3 million home will pay $112 more.
School district Superintendent Dustin Shipman thanked voters for approving the levy.
“The district is always humbled by the community’s support. This particular levy will go a long way in supporting our staff with the challenges housing presents in our community as well as help us get our second phase of on-campus housing over the finish line in the coming year,” Shipman stated in an email. The school district will use the levy dollars to construct six cabins for teachers, among other housing initiatives including rent assistance, stipends and purchase assistance.
“I can speak for all the school community when I say thank you for your support,” Shipman stated.
The Big Sky Community Organization celebrated a landslide approval of its Community Park Bond, with 851 votes in favor to 335 against. The bond enables Resort Tax to bond up to $6.8 million for Big Sky Community Park renovations.
Plans to renovate the park became less controversial after BSCO announced it would no longer pursue artificial turf. BSCO’s Chief Executive Office Madeleine Feher and Director of Development and Communications Liv Grubaugh celebrated the community’s support of the project.
“We are deeply grateful to every voter, donor, advocate and community member who showed up, spoke up and believed in what Big Sky deserves,” Feher stated in an email. “This outcome reflects our collective commitment to building a stronger, more connected Big Sky and is a true testament to what we can achieve together.”
Grubaugh expressed excitement to get the project going, one that she believes is an investment for the community.
“We have said it throughout this voter education process; this is more than an investment in a park, it is an investment in our community’s future–and the passage of this bond is a powerful affirmation of what our town values and envisions for its future,” Grubaugh stated in an email.
As both Resort Tax bonds moved forward, a key component of the long-term financing equation was confirmed: an extension of Big Sky’s 3% resort tax through 2065. The extension enables the Big Sky Resort Area District to use long-term financing tools such as bonding, issuing debt based on future resort tax collections.
“ I am thrilled that the community saw value in the resort tax, and how that funding tool has been used in Big Sky has really been transformative,” Bierschwale said. “Another 30 years into the future of the resort tax is a bright future for our community, and stability for all of the organizations that are supported through these public tax dollars.”
He celebrated the participation of the Big Sky community in the Livable Big Sky campaign.
“I would just say thank you to the Big Sky community for being such active participants,” Bierschwale said. “We’re going to remain committed into the future to continuing to engage our citizens and voters as much as possible.”
In other Resort Tax news, board member Michelle Kendziorski was confirmed as a member of the board by a wide margin of 902 to 120 votes. She was first appointed in October 2024 to fill the seat originally left by Steve Johnson, who passed away in April 2024.
Finally, the Firelight Meadows community executed their challenging mission to garner enough votes to create a water and sewer district and rectify environmental deficiencies of its septic infrastructure.
Last year, the neighborhood’s unanimous 107 votes in support fell one shy of the minimum voter participation threshold of 40%. This year, the effort earned 147 votes from 207 qualified electors, good for 71% participation and another showing of unanimous support.
Becky Brockie, Firelight resident and community volunteer, provided a written statement to EBS to celebrate the high voter turnout and successful effort.
“The successful formation of the Firelight Meadows Water and Sewer District marks a pivotal milestone for the Firelight community and a critical step toward resolving the deficiencies of our existing septic system,” Brockie stated. “This victory lays the groundwork for our ultimate goal: annexation into the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District. Annexation will vastly improve Firelight’s waste management services and help protect the Gallatin River watershed. This is a win not just for our neighborhood, but for the greater Big Sky community.”
Big Sky School District adds two board members In an uncontested race with two candidates for two positions, Barbara Rowley and Betsy Biggerstaff earned positions on the Big Sky School District board. They earned 720 and 844 votes, respectively.
The school board election results will be finalized separately from the May 19 Gallatin County Commission canvass. New board members must instead be confirmed by the Big Sky School District.
RULE CHANGE FOR MONTANA HOT TUB CARE TO CONSERVE MILLIONS OF GALLONS ANNUALLY
FOLLOWING A RECENT INITIATIVE BY BIG SKY BASED ORGANIZATIONS, NEW STATE REGULATIONS PROMISE SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS
BY CARLI JOHNSON
In a move expected to conserve millions of gallons of water annually, Big Sky Resort, Big Sky Sustainability Network Organization (SNO), and the Gallatin River Task Force have successfully spearheaded a change in Montana law regarding hot tub maintenance at short-term rentals.
Previously, hot tubs at short-term rental properties had to be drained after each guest's departure to avoid being classified as public spas. Under Montana law, public spas must adhere to stringent regulations, including maintaining on-site certified pool operators and strict chemical standards.
In an interview with EBS, Big Sky SNO Sustainability Coordinator Milosz Shipman said the change officially went into effect midJanuary, with public announcements and broader implementation beginning in late March.
Shipman explained how short-term rentals fell into a gray area. "Draining the hot tubs every time allowed operators to avoid the stricter regulations, but it wasted a significant amount of water,” he said.
The rule ambiguity had been a longstanding issue in the Big Sky community. However, efforts by Big Sky Resort, Big Sky SNO and the Gallatin River
Shipman highlighted that the new clarity not only is projected to save between seven and eight million gallons of water per year in the Big Sky community but also offers substantial economic and environmental benefits.
"It's a big time saver," Shipman said, noting reduced labor and energy costs associated with frequently reheating large volumes of water. "All that drained water goes somewhere, and typically, it's full of chemicals harmful to local waterways and wildlife."
Task Force to address the matter began gaining traction last October.
Big Sky Resort took the initial steps to move along in this process by contacting the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and proposing the idea, speaking with other lodging associations, and providing the legal effort necessary to make this happen—the effort resulted in the DPHHS amending the administrative rules affecting swimming pools, spas and other water features.
Shipman noted that this initiative reflects the community’s mindfulness to environmental concerns and expressed pride that a Big Sky-led effort now gets to be reflected across the state.
“It was a great community collaboration between Big Sky Resort, the Gallatin River Task Force, and Big Sky SNO, to really make this work,” said Lizzie Peyton, director of community sustainability for Big Sky SNO in an interview with EBS.
Peyton noted that all three organizations regularly collaborate to meet their organization's individual sustainability goals. “It really helps us to be efficient with budgeting when we know either Big Sky Resort or the Gallatin River Task Force is working on something we can piggyback onto.”
A recent initiative by Big Sky organizations has changed state regulations regarding hot tub drainage and is set to conserve millions of gallons of water. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO
Visit Big Sky Marketing & Tourism Luncheon
May 29th | 1:00 - 6:00pm | Montage Big Sky’s Beartooth Pub
Get a sneak peek at the summer tourism season with updates from Yellowstone National Park, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, and Visit Big Sky. Learn about the latest travel trends and data to help you prepare, connect, and thrive in the busy months ahead.
Purchase tickets here!
1:00PMWelcoming Words | Brad Niva
1:05PMYellowstone National Park Update | Cam Sholly
1:50PM Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport Update | Brian Sprenger
2:35PMNetworking & Snack Break
2:50PMVisit Big Sky Update | Brad Niva & Liz McFadden
3:20PMData Presentation | Steve Halasz
3:50PMBig Sky Resort Area District | Danny Bierschwale
4:00PMClosing Words | Brad Niva
4:056:00PM Pizza & Beer Served | Bowling Alley Open
UPCOMING PROSPERA EVENTS
Free Business Coaching | May 22nd
Attend in-person office hours in Big Sky for personalized support tailored to your business needs.
Lunch & Learn: Cash Flow & Seasonality of Sales | May 22nd
Join us for a collaborative conversation on managing cash flow and seasonal challenges in Big Sky. Learn practical strategies and insights from tax and cash flow expert Maddie Miller of FNCH Consulting to help your business stay financially stable year-round.
Free Business Coaching | June 9th
Attend in-person office hours in Big Sky for personalized support tailored to your business needs.
Register for all Prospera events here!
SENATE BILL 260 PASSES; BIG SKY LEADERS RELISH ‘REALLY DIFFICULT’ SUCCESS
BILL SIGNED INTO LAW MAY 12
BY JACK REANEY
HELENA—A new law will reshape funding for Big Sky’s health and wellness care and improve the elected representation for Big Sky’s schools. In addition, leaders believe that Senate Bill 260’s negotiated amendments created a fair compromise that may deescalate tensions between the neighboring communities of Big Sky and Ennis.
In the two years since the Big Sky Roadmap first outlined local plans to restructure special districts that currently overlap from Ennis into Big Sky, the two communities—close-yet-strangely-distant by way of indirect public roads—have been at odds. Petitions to withdraw from the Madison Valley Hospital District, rallying cries through social media, and countering lawsuits brought the issue to a boiling point until a proposed bill sought to eradicate the stalemate by changing the laws that dictate how communities withdraw from special districts.
“[Senate Bill] 260 really went a long ways toward addressing some needs in our community that have existed forever and have been getting more exacerbated the last decade or so,” said Kevin Germain, board chair of the Big Sky Resort Area District which helped lead Big Sky’s efforts, in an interview with Explore Big Sky.
In the bill’s initial committee hearing on Feb. 12, Madison Valley leaders and residents strongly opposed SB 260, bringing a school bus full of opponents to testify in Helena. Allen Rohrback, CEO of Madison Valley Medical Center—the hospital funded in part by the tax dollars in question—responded to the bill by sharing plans to expand medical services in Big Sky to serve its hospital district taxpayers, including the possibility of a physical clinic in Big Sky to address complaints regarding lack of access to the Ennis-based hospital.
The bill changed shape as it moved through the Montana Senate. Amendments created gradual funding transitions as willing Montana communities—currently Big Sky—potentially withdraw from special districts. One key amendment outlined a gradual three-year funding transition of special district tax dollars, helping to get senators on board as it passed on April 5, by a narrow 25-23 margin, and advanced to the house.
Still, the bill represented a “financial cliff” for the hospital, whose leaders continued to oppose it until parties settled on further amendments. Finally, an agreement included a slower, eightyear reconciliation period for hospital districts, motivating legislators to advance the bill to the governor’s desk by the end of April.
Gov. Gianforte signed the bill on May 12. Now, Big Sky and Ennis will have a legal path to settling district boundaries without requiring approval from the Madison County Commission, an outcome that materialized faster than expected for the bill’s proponents.
Unexpected cooperation
Rohrback told EBS that both sides were likely surprised they reached a fair compromise. Until parties sat down to negotiate during one mid-April weekend, Rohrback did not feel like a win-win
PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
situation was possible or likely. Existing statute did not allow creative cooperation—withdrawal meant immediate and complete withdrawal—and neither did the senate-approved version of SB 260, which transitioned tax dollars over a relatively short period of three years.
The prolonged conflict, legislation and litigation was beginning to feel distracting for the hospital, Rohrback said, and he suspected it was for the Resort Tax board as well. Germain, of Resort Tax, said the compromise brought both satisfaction for Big Sky, and relief for those engaged in the monthslong battle.
Legislators praised both parties for settling the dispute on a local level. After hearing joint support for the newly amended bill in an April 15 hearing in the House Local Government Committee, Rep. Peter Strand (D-Bozeman) said, “What is the magic here... because we need to replicate this.”
Rohrback is confident the eight-year reconciliation period will allow the hospital to build long-term plans and ensure continued health care services.
“We were fortunate that the legislators, the lobbyists, and then the Resort Tax board and the hospital district were ready to really get serious about a compromise,” Rohrback told EBS. “... The amendment, I think, is a good one. I think both sides were ready to do it. It does give us some good long-term planning ability. We do not anticipate any reduction in services now. In fact, we’re going to continue to plan and grow, and expand with the community. So we felt really good about the amendment.”
Heather Morris was one of many Big Sky citizens who volunteered their time to support recent efforts including SB 260.
Morris knew it would be a contentious affair to disrupt the longstanding ties between Big Sky taxpayers and Madison Valley special districts. Even still, she underestimated the passion that both
communities would show in the process of reaching an agreement.
“Having had discussions around this topic for over a decade, I am in a little bit of a state of disbelief that we are here, but I am also super grateful to so many people,” Morris said, highlighting various leaders in Big Sky, and the Ennis School District for understanding the needs of its families who send their kids to Big Sky schools.
While she saw near-immediate cooperation between school districts, Morris said it was the Madison Valley Hospital District’s eventual willingness to negotiate—after months of outright opposition—that brightened the dim light at the end of the tunnel.
More than 120 Big Sky community members offered written support of SB 260, and roughly two dozen offered to testify in person and drove to Helena, according to Jackie Haines, BSRAD director of economic and strategic development. Haines believes those efforts showed state legislators how meaningful this issue was for Big Sky.
“I really feel that that was the thing that made the difference,” she said. She also gave credit to legislators including Sen. Cora Neumann (D-Bozeman), Sen. Tony Tezak (R-Ennis), Rep. Alanah Griffith (D-Big Sky), Rep. Ken Walsh (R-Twin Bridges) and Sen. Pat Flowers (D-Belgrade).
“All of those local representatives worked really hard on this bill,” Haines said. “And I think it’s such a great example of how much of a collaboration this took to get it to the point of mutual agreement.”
On at least two occasions, Madison Valley community members loaded up the Ennis Mustangs school bus and drove to Helena to testify against the bill. Germain said it was “awesome” and “awe inspiring” to see groups of motivated citizens show up to represent their communities.
Kevin Germain, board chair of the Big Sky Resort Area District, sits between Gallatin County Commissioner Scott MacFarlane and Madison County Commissioner Duke Gilman in a May 14 joint county commission meeting.
“Hats off to the Madison Valley,” he said. “They’re passionate about their schools, they’re passionate about their hospital—I guess to sum it all up, they’re passionate about their community... So, you have two proud communities that first were at conflict on a topic, and then came together on it.”
Germain and his wife lived in Ennis for 10 years, raising children before moving to Big Sky for the past 13 years. He reflected on his “dear friends” and “tremendous” respect and love for the Madison Valley. He believes he brought a unique perspective to the negotiating table, with a “win-win” solution in mind.
At Big Sky cocktail parties and over coffee chats over the years, Germain said he’s heard the same complaints regarding taxation and representation.
“Well, talk is cheap. Talk means nothing,” he said. “And so, what I saw over the last year and a half here in Big Sky, is a group of citizens get together and say, ‘let’s do something about this.’”
Germain noted that “conflict takes courage” and citizens like Heather Morris not only committed their time, but they weren’t afraid to put their names on a serious topic—a refreshing change of pace from anonymous negativity often seen on social media.
“That is not action, and that’s just being a negative community member,” Morris said.
On the contrary, Morris and Germain each noted the pertinence of one famous Margaret Mead quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Burying the hatchet
With two years of growing dissonance between Big Sky and Ennis—word-of-mouth narratives warned of the rich getting richer, tax dollars being stolen, and the power of large hospitals and intimidating lawyers—leaders on both sides are hopeful their communities will recognize a fair compromise.
From Rohrback’s perspective with the Madison Valley Medical Center—the “very small, critical access… independent, community-owned” hospital that faced massive funding shortfalls under existing withdrawal laws—the community now seems to have a mixed sentiment.
Some are glad the fight is over, and others still believe that Big Sky belongs in the Madison Valley Hospital District.
Germain empathizes with the anger of Madison Valley community members whose taxes are expected to eventually rise as Big Sky taxpayers no longer contribute to certain special districts.
“This became, unfortunately, very contentious... understandably contentious,” Germain said. However, he believes the result was “a really good compromise,” and is hopeful that the details of the agreement will become widely known across both communities.
Rohrback said the hospital is fortunate to have very strong and loyal supporters in the Madison Valley community, who showed up in droves to prevent Big Sky taxpayers from leaving the hospital district. For those supporters, he thinks it might take some time for their sentiment to simmer down.
“This [agreement] was an opportunity to ensure that there was no risk to critical services in the remaining part of our district,” Rohrback said. “It was really becoming really distracting for the
hospital, and our community. So this really was a good compromise, a good resolution to this problem.”
While the hospital district will lose its Big Sky taxpayer revenue gradually over eight years, Rohrback added that the district’s taxes will not automatically rise, nor does he anticipate any additional property tax mills in the near future. If that changes, local voters would have the final say.
Both Rohrback and Germain expect to see similar friction in the future, but they believe the outcome of SB 260 may offer a framework of collaboration.
“The communities need each other,” Rohrback said. “So hopefully, this is actually the start of something that says, when there’s a conflict, there really is a way to solve it—really working together.”
Big Sky providers look forward to expanding resources
With the legislative work complete, Big Sky providers can now plan on improving services, from Wellness in Action and the Bozeman Health Big Sky Regional Medical Center, to the Big Sky School District.
Katie Grice, board treasurer for WIA, was deeply involved as an advocate for SB 260. She wrote to EBS that the new funding source—a potential Big Sky wellness district—will “no doubt” allow WIA to expand its services like affordable counseling programming, community health worker support and youth scholarships.
“For 20 years, WIA has served as the community leader in behavioral health initiatives and the general wellbeing of Big Sky residents,” Grice stated in the email. “Much of this work is accomplished by identifying and bridging the gap in barriers to accessing services, such as provider availability and cost. The district’s ability to provide stable funding with local control and accountability will benefit WIA and Big Sky greatly.”
Bozeman Health and the Big Sky Medical Center abstained from becoming involved with Big Sky’s Wellness Coalition that led the hospital district withdrawal efforts, but a Bozeman Health spokesperson wrote to EBS that if new funds become available to support health services in the region, the provider “looks forward to continuing to partner with the community to sustain and expand services for southern Gallatin County.”
On the school side, Jackie Haines noted the Montana School Boards Association played a key role in helping the school districts reach an agreement.
BSSD Superintendent Dr. Dustin Shipman wrote to EBS that SB 260 opens avenues for the school district to better serve its taxpayers and its students who cannot access their school of residence, referring to families living in the Ennis School District on the Madison County side of Big Sky.
“Many people worked on this bill, and we are pleased with the outcome as BSSD will have the ability to request dollars for isolated pupils and ultimately have a clearer process to petition for a boundary adjustment to reflect the service area,” Shipman stated in the email.
The Ennis School District did not respond to emails requesting comment.
Shipman added that numerous other bills that passed this legislative session will benefit public schools, with SB 260 and House Bill 864 impacting Big Sky, too.
Big Sky School District voters also passed a general fund levy for teacher housing in the May 6 election, just one of a handful of other voter-approved efforts impacting Big Sky’s future. With SB 260 being signed into law, May 2025 will be remembered as a pivotal moment in Big Sky.
“I’m really proud of how this community has rallied and come together on these really important topics,” Germain said. “I hope this is wind in our sails for other big issues that we should be working on together... That I know we can tackle.”
The Madison Valley, home to rural communities like Ennis, lies due west of Big Sky, downslope from Madison Range peaks including Lone Mountain and Fan Mountain, pictured here. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY
Wellness In Action is a Big Sky nonprofit that stands to benefit from the creation of a new hospital or “wellness” district in Big Sky. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
DEQ REVIEW AFFIRMS SECOND PHASE OF BIG SKY QUARRY; CONSERVATION GROUPS STILL
SKEPTICAL
QUARRY SUBDIVISION INCLUDES CONTROVERSIAL SEPTIC INFRASTRUCTURE NEAR IMPAIRED RIVER
BY JACK REANEY
BIG SKY—The second phase of the Quarry subdivision in Big Sky received the green light from Montana Department of Environmental Quality on April 29, with the release of DEQ’s final environmental assessment after more than a year of review since being approved by Gallatin County in April 2024.
The second phase of the Quarry includes the remaining residential lots—45 additional singlefamily homes as part of the 135-home, 130-apartment subdivision. Activists have long voiced concerns regarding the Quarry’s proposed septic infrastructure due to its proximity to the Gallatin River, an impaired waterway already facing detrimental nutrient loads believed to be related to human infrastructure, especially the septic systems scattered across Big Sky’s canyon area development.
“DEQ appreciates the time and consideration that went into the comments provided on the draft EA,” an April 29 DEQ press release stated. “DEQ prepared the EA in compliance with the Montana Environmental Policy Act and found there are no anticipated significant impacts to the surrounding environment from the proposed drinking water and wastewater facilities.”
The release noted that the four proposed lots would have level-two wastewater treatment, which “can significantly reduce the nitrogen from wastewater prior to treatment by the soils.” As planned, developers will install SepticNET systems, which they argue go “above and beyond” environmental requirements.
The plan is to eventually transition to a central sewer and remove the septic systems.
Conservation group Upper Missouri Waterkeeper previously sued the DEQ for its approval of the Quarry’s first phase. Executive Director Guy Alsentzer reinforced the organization’s views in a recent news release—one week before the EA was released—declaring that the impaired river “no doubt” needs more protection in light of a new study by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology.
“The data is clear—septic systems are inappropriate for new development and will worsen the pollution problems impairing the river,” Alsentzer stated. “DEQ and Gallatin County need to recognize the best available science in their respective decisionmaking processes and require new development to utilize proven, high-quality wastewater treatment options.”
After the EA was released, the Waterkeeper provided a statement via email to Explore Big Sky, noting that the organization is carefully reviewing the EA to ensure its legality and adequacy in preventing pollution and protecting water quality.
The statement noted that the November 2024 draft EA contained legal and scientific deficiencies, many of which are still the subject of the Waterkeeper’s previous lawsuit against the Quarry’s first phase.
“Given the findings of the recent Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology groundwater study confirming the hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water in the Canyon, the use of septic systems is wholly inappropriate and will exacerbate the nutrient pollution problems that have led to the Gallatin’s impairment,” the Waterkeeper stated.
Local nonprofit Gallatin River Task Force has echoed the Waterkeeper’s argument. In the April 22 news release, GRTF Chief Executive and Science Officer Kristin Gardner discussed an alternative to septic treatment.
“This study reinforces the urgent need for centralized wastewater treatment infrastructure in Gallatin Canyon—a community-driven initiative nearly two decades in the making that has gained meaningful momentum in recent years,” Gardner stated in the release. “Despite the clear benefits to both the Gallatin River and the local drinking water supply, the project continues to face significant challenges. Without it, threats to public health and the environment will only intensify.”
After the EA’s release, Gardner reinforced GRTF’s opposition of any additional septic systems in the canyon.
“[We] would have liked to have seen this project delayed until a centralized wastewater system is in place,” Gardner wrote in a May 1 email to EBS. “We do appreciate the developer going above and beyond the regulations in regard to using the best available septic systems, however, with recurrent algae blooms threatening river and fisheries health, the risk to the river outweighs the need for additional housing.”
Questions surround canyon sewer project
The second phase of the Quarry is now approved for construction. Developer Scott Altman of Big Sky Rock, LLC told EBS that phase one infrastructure is being installed, with plans to begin
moving dirt by the end of May. He noted that Big Sky Rock is excited to bring housing to market, and said the Big Sky Community Housing Trust will be a partner in delivering 24 deed-restricted workforce homes.
“Presales of homes will begin this summer, with initial deliveries expected by next spring,” Altman wrote in an email, adding that phase two construction will follow.
Rising costs and engineering snags of building a Gallatin Canyon sewer have posed problems as the Quarry development advances. Engineers with the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District—the local partner that will eventually accept and treat Gallatin Canyon wastewater—and the Gallatin Canyon County Water and Sewer District are facing expensive hurdles in the design process.
Navigating the intersection of U.S. Highway 191 and Montana Highway 64, as well as the narrow Highway 64 corridor, are challenges causing the projected costs of construction to balloon.
The Big Sky Resort Area District will explore public funding mechanisms in the coming year to support the expensive project. If successful, the sewer will diminish long-run environmental concerns of the Quarry project. If costs—and perhaps community voters—prohibit the completion of sewer infrastructure, the Gallatin River may face years of nutrient loading from additional septic systems in a sensitive area of Big Sky.
“While construction costs continue to rise, we remain confident in the long-term value of transitioning to sewer,” wrote Altman, who also serves as board president for the canyon sewer district. “We’ve committed to connect to the canyon sewer system as soon as it becomes operational.”
The Quarry subdivision is proposed in Gallatin Canyon, on the west side (pictured left) of U.S. Highway 191 and the Gallatin River. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
IT’S TIME TO PROTECT THE ELK AND DEER HERDS OF GALLATIN GATEWAY AND BIG SKY
3,562
Deer and Elk were killed by vehicles in Gallatin County since 2008.
PRIORITIZE WILDLIFE CROSSING SOLUTIONS. SUPPORT AND DONATE TODAY.
MOONLIGHT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS $465K TO BIG SKY NONPROFITS
EBS STAFF
BIG SKY—Twenty-one nonprofits serving Big Sky received grants from the Moonlight Community Foundation as part of MCF’s annual spring grant cycle, focusing on youth education, conservation, and underserved residents.
The funding totaled $465,000 to support initiatives including youth camps, Gallatin River conservation and outreach efforts, and tuition assistance for local child care services, according to a May 6 MCF press release. The foundation believes all 21 organizations play “an essential role” in providing “vital” resources to address the needs of Big Sky community members, especially youth.
MCF continues to build on recent philanthropy, including $400,000 awarded to 18 nonprofits in spring of 2024, and $369,000 awarded to 20 causes last fall. The foundation’s mission is “bridging the Moonlight community to causes that matter” to foster a sustainable and inclusive community.
This spring, the Big Sky School District Parent Teacher Organization received $113,800 to support cost-of-living allowance for teachers. PTO President Holly Coltea praised MCF for its support.
“Through this process, the Moonlight Community Foundation board became acutely aware of the significant gap between our teachers’ salaries and the cost of living in Big Sky. The support from the Moonlight Community Foundation has been
incredible—a true partnership with our community school,” Coltea stated in the release.
Recipients listed
The following organizations received grants as part of this funding initiative.
The Arts Council of Big Sky earned a grant for its ARTventure youth education program.
Be Well Big Sky earned a grant to support building organizational infrastructure for community health.
The Big Sky Community Housing Trust earned a grant for its Rent Local incentive program.
The Big Sky Community Organization earned a grant to improve capacity of Camp Big Sky.
The Big Sky School District earned a grant for its local foods and sustainability project.
The Big Sky Ski Education Foundation earned a grant for scholarships and team jacket sponsorship.
Big Sky Sustainability Network Organization (SNO) earned a grant to support greener building practices.
Family Promise of Gallatin Valley earned a grant for family homeless prevention and stabilization.
Friends of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks earned a grant for its 2025 Big Sky performance.
Gallatin River Task Force earned a grant for its education and outreach program.
Grow Wild earned a grant for its fire-wise landscaping demonstration project at the Historic Crail Ranch.
HATCH received a grant for its Global Voices in Big Sky program.
The Human Resource Development Council earned a grant to support the Big Sky Community Food Bank with workforce transportation and wellness supports.
The Jack Creek Preserve Foundation earned a grant for youth conservation education
Lone Peak Film Institute earned a grant for The Big Sky Film Festival.
Morningstar Learning Center earned a grant for sustainable child care operations.
Opera Montana earned a grant for Wheels of Harmony.
The Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association’s Big Sky chapter earned a grant for its Mountain to Meadow Green Trail.
Finally, Wellness in Action earned a grant for its affordable counseling program.
SCAN ME!
LOCAL
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: SPRING OFF SEASON
BY SARA SIPE
EBS CONTRIBUTOR
Off-season. The phrase means a lot of different things to a lot of different people in Big Sky. For me, the meaning has evolved and changed just as Big Sky has evolved and changed.
I distinctly remember my first off-season in Big Sky. It was mid to late April 2010. Within two days of Big Sky Resort closing, it was like living in a ghost town. All the seasonal workers departed to chase snow in other countries, heading towards their summer jobs on rivers and lakes, or moving back home. But most of them left, and didn’t come back and if they did, it wasn’t until Thanksgiving when the resort opened again for the winter.
Of course, back then, there were summer businesses and jobs in Big Sky, but nothing like today. Big Sky has grown. We have purposefully (and I believe thoughtfully) expanded services that have successfully appealed to and encouraged growth in summer visitor numbers. That has done a few things. It created a more robust double-seasonal and year-round job market. But what it also did was drastically shorten the off-season. Every year I have been here, the off-season has become shorter and shorter; spring off-season is now only the month of May.
However, the most important thing the shorter off-season has done is to provide us with the opportunity to become closer as a community. The more year-round workers and residents we have, the stronger we become. The more time we spend together and the more familiar we become with our neighbors, the better we become. I think I will take advantage of the off-season by slowing down for a few weeks, supporting local businesses that are open, and meeting up with friends and neighbors it can otherwise be challenging to connect with during the busy winter.
As we pause for a few weeks during the off-season, I will leave you with a reminder of the neighbors we met this winter during the Community Spotlight series, and the work they are doing for Big Sky:
Forty-plus-year resident and Big Sky’s best caretaker Mary Goodson continues to deliver made-from-scratch treats to friends and neighbors, seasonal workers, first responders and hospital staff.
Liz Peabody found ways to train and participate in ultra marathons while caring for her toddlers, with the support of husband, Andrew and her friends and neighbors.
Big Sky’s songbird Carmen Wooldridge can still be found outside with the grandkids or in church choir on Sundays with her fellow worshipers and neighbors.
Lynda Barker continues to grow her business, Tumbleweed Delivery, moving packages and mail around Big Sky neighborhoods and helping parttime neighbors with forwarding services.
The lifties at the Lone Moose chairlift at Big Sky Resort ended their season strong with great attitudes and full bellies thanks to their neighbors in Lone Moose Meadows.
Our neighbors at Wellness In Action continue celebrating 20 years of serving the community, as they gear up for their summer campaign to end the stigma around discussing mental health and wellness.
Big Sky couple Conner "Coco" Clemens and Austin Larsen continue to be grateful for their friends and neighbors that made their recent engagement atop the Lone Peak Tram such an unforgettable experience.
And last—but certainly not least—I have an update on my favorite neighbor, Ophir School 6th grader
Sedona Kilgore-Karp, featured earlier this year in “Community Spotlight: Spring into 4-H.”
Ms. Kilgore-Karp recently participated in her first animal showing competition with her rabbits Murray and Albert. This event was in preparation for the annual County Fair 4-H animal competition coming up this summer. I’m pleased to report that Kilgore-Karp brought home the blue ribbon with her rabbit Murray for his tremendous growth.
When asked how she felt about earning first place, Kilgore-Karp responded, “It was so nice to see all of my hard work pay off. And it was hard work. But so fun. My rabbits are awesome brothers.”
Congratulations to Sedona and Murray. Better luck next time, Albert!
I hope you have enjoyed getting to know some of your neighbors through the Community Spotlight column. The feedback has been positive and encouraging. If you have any neighbors or Big Sky businesses that you think I should shine a spotlight on this summer, please reach out to me at sara@theoutlawpatners.com
Sara Sipe has lived in Big Sky since 2009. She is an accountant by trade, but her true passion is being of service to others in Big Sky through charitable work and community building. In her free time, she enjoys live music, creative writing, pottery, and painting.
Big Sky Community Spotlight is a short column that is meant to shine a light on those in Big Sky doing important work. Whether it be a profession, hobby or volunteer work, Big Sky is home to interesting people that do interesting things and as our community grows, it is important to stay connected to our neighbors and local businesses. This is more easily done if we know more about one another. We hope you enjoy getting to know your neighbors!
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO
BIG SKY’S WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT PLANS FIVE-YEAR RATE INCREASE
RATE HIKES AIM TO COVER COSTS; PUBLIC RATE HEARING SCHEDULED MAY 20
BY JACK REANEY
BIG SKY—Things aren’t getting any cheaper for the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District, and the district is preparing to pass more of its operating costs onto ratepayers gradually over the next five years.
Acting on recommendations in its capital improvement plan, the district expects to raise water rates by 5% for both base rate and volume, and sewer services by 10% on base rates and 3% on volume rates. A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 20 at 8 a.m. at the BSCWSD office, and the district will make a final decision in June before rate changes go into effect July 1.
Finance Officer Terry Smith said the hearing will provide an opportunity for the public to see the district’s budget and understand the reason for rate increases.
“The district is trying to perform at a professional level and provide the community the water and sewer system that they’re paying for,” Smith told EBS. Smith and District Clerk Amy Sands explained that Big Sky’s new Water Resource Recovery Facility costs more than the previous facility by a wider-than-expected margin due to rising construction and labor costs—the district has staffed up from nine to 15 in the past year to be more professional and proactive.
“We know that our current rate level is insufficient to cover our costs. As a result, we’re going to attempt to meet our costs over a long period of time rather than try to meet it immediately,” Smith said. He explained that if the district tried to match rates to costs in one single rate increase, it would be too drastic for the user base. “Construction costs have just gone through the roof. We anticipated spending approximately $40 million or so, which is two-thirds of what we ultimately ended up spending.”
Sands added, “We’re open to hearing from the community. We’re working for them, so we are
doing the best we can to keep our costs down. We’re evaluating our costs all the time, but we’re also trying to provide the highest level of service to them. So we want to hear from them, and we want to have a real conversation.”
Sands explained that the new WRRF is producing higher-than-expected quality effluent. She said it was the district’s commitment to the community to produce the highest-level wastewater treatment possible, and now that result means higher rates.
Ratepayers can expect services to increase in cost on July 1 each year for the next two years, before the district reevaluates its five-year plan. Annexations are a variable—uncertainty surrounds potential new customers from the Cold Smoke neighborhood and the Gallatin Canyon sewer project—and leave the district unable to reliably forecast rates far into the future.
Board member Al Malinowski said as the WRRF approaches its treatment capacity, costs will be spread out among a wider base of customers.
“We’re trying to be a little bit more intentional about slowly increasing these rates, so that as we add users, they’re contributing to that cost as well,” Malinowski said during the BSCWSD board meeting on April 15. “...We looked initially at a much larger increase to get us closer to where we need to be, but when we take that in to consideration, it’s hard to put the burden on someone who’s chosen to build earlier, than someone else who’s going to build next year, or in five years.”
Consultant Ryan Graf explained the emphasis on base rate increases for sewer services: Big Sky’s seasonal, rental-oriented population results in more revenue from volume side, which means volatility. The 3% volume rate increase and 10% base rate increase would balance out fees between the categories.
The district’s combined rate increases are expected to bring an 8.75% annual increase—
roughly $422,000 per year—to the district’s operating revenue.
“Whether we’re able to put any money into reserves is a longshot this year,” Smith said during the board meeting. Legal expenses are certainly not helping.
Continued lawsuits cost millions
Malinowski noted that the district has allocated $600,000 this fiscal year alone to legal expenses as the district defends itself against environmental lawsuits, with the total expected to reach $800,000—that would be $600,000 over this year’s legal budget.
Since 2019, the district has spent nearly $3 million on legal fees, despite winning every lawsuit served to the district by Cottonwood Environmental Law Center.
“I think it’s important for the community to know, that a significant amount of money that could be used for other purposes—whether it be replacing assets, or decreasing, even potentially, rate increases—is being expended every year to defend the district against lawsuits,” Malinowski said.
Board chair Brian Wheeler announced April 15 that another suit has recently been filed involving Ron Edwards, former general manager, and the district will most likely be responsible for legal costs.
“This has gone from a small brush fire to a wildfire on these legal fees... It’s really one case after another with the same firm,” Wheeler said, referring to Cottonwood.
“I think the community needs to understand what impact this is having on them as ratepayers... When you start talking three million dollars, I think this is getting out of hand,” Wheeler added.
Malinowski noted that the district has been under budget in other areas, helping to minimize the net impact of legal fees.
PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
SPORTS
EYES ON 2026 AS BIG HORNS WRAP THIRD BASEBALL SEASON
BY JACK REANEY
A complete game pitched by Lone Peak High School junior Brady Johnson wasn’t enough to propel the Big Horns over the Butte Central Catholic Maroons on Friday, May 9, as the Big Horns played their final home game of the season at Medina Field in Belgrade.
Johnson pitched seven complete innings, allowing five hits, three walks and five runs—only one run was earned, as the defense made a handful of costly errors. He struck out seven Maroons.
Head coach Matt Morris said Johnson was great.
“Sometimes he rushes out there. But he picked up our errors, he calmed himself down, and, you know, threw a complete game,” Morris said. “Which, for not pitching a ton this year, is awesome.”
Johnson also walked and scored the Big Horns’ first run in the second inning and later knocked an RBI double to left-center field in the third inning, tying the score at 2-2. He singled in the fifth.
“Big double. Got a hanging breaking ball up and smacked it,” Morris said.
Tied 3-3 in the top half of the fifth inning, the Maroons jumped on a few errors and played small ball to score a pair of runs, taking a 5-3 lead and playing strong enough defense to hold their lead.
The Big Horns lost their slim chance of a state tournament berth as the Maroons celebrated a 5-3 win. With just one make-up game remaining, on the road against a tough Butte High School team, Morris reflected positively on the 2025 season.
He said since the high school program began in 2023, they’ve been building toward 2026—the year when Big Sky’s founding players with the Royals youth program will have grown to maturity, from seven- and eight-year-olds to high school juniors and seniors.
A few of those players are the current team “warriors” and leaders: Johnson, juniors Ebe Grabow and Oliver McGuire, and sophomore Sid Morris; not to mention other developing players like sophomore Calder Dunn, who made “leaps and bounds” this season to become a varsity contributor, and freshman Steen Mitchell, has been putting in the work and “battling every game,” Morris explained.
He said the 2025 team has had “nothing but a blast” and every player deserves recognition for their efforts this season. The program loses six seniors, with only two of them being regular varsity starters.
One of them is Jack Laxson, who has been playing since tee ball. He was emotional after being recognized alongside his parents for his final home baseball game.
“It’s been awesome,” Laxson said. “I’m a little sad it’s over, but it’s been awesome.”
Laxson said the camaraderie of Lone Peak’s developing baseball program will stick in his memory. Another special moment came on April 26, when Eli Gale smacked the team’s first-ever home run for a 5-4, walk-off victory against Park High School. Laxson will certainly remember May 11, 2024, when the Big Horns surprised a tough Hamilton High School team, losing 2-1 in a playoff game but finishing their season on the verge of a monumental upset.
“Just those high emotion moments is what I’ll remember most,” Laxson said. He was proud of his fellow seniors, some of whom picked up baseball in just the past two years.
Looking ahead, Laxson said the talent is promising: he highlighted Steen Mitchell as fundamentally sound and hardworking player whose ability will improve as he gains strength; he noted Sid Morris has matured a lot with two seasons left; and applauded Ebe Grabow for his improvement and ability to play positions all around the diamond.
As youth baseball continues to bring more young talent into the high school ranks, coach Morris is full of optimism and gratitude to the school and participating families for supporting the program.
With next year’s continued growth, and the possibility of the Montana High School Association splitting teams into divisions based on school size, Morris is confident that the 2026y season will end with a return to playoff baseball.
“We’d give it a real fair chance, and give it a run next year,” Morris said.
Senior Jack Laxson and his parents, Michelle and Matt Kendziorski. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
Junior Brady Johnson hurled a complete game in the Big Horns' final home game. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
SPORTS
BIG SKY FUTBOL CLUB KICKS INTO HIGH GEAR FOR SPRING SEASON
BY LESLIE KILGORE
BIG SKY—The Big Sky Futbol Club’s travel teams recently returned from a highly competitive regional tournament in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with three teams making it through to the finals and the U14 girls taking home a gold medal for the win. The Bill Eisenwinter HOTSHOT Tournament hosted over 200 teams May 12-14, giving BSFC another opportunity to test their skills on the pitch.
BSFC has quietly become a force in Montana youth soccer, developing players who can stand toe-to-toe with teams from cities like Bozeman, Missoula, Great Falls and Billings.
“Over the past few years, the quality of soccer and level of play in our club has steadily improved,” Club Director Doug Hare said. “Even though we’re a smaller club, our teams are able to compete and win against clubs from larger population centers.”
Founded in 2018 to serve youth ages 4 to 19, BSFC has become a vital part of the Big Sky community, helping athletes improve their technical skills while fostering life lessons in teamwork, accountability and resilience. Hare believes the future of the club is bright.
“Given the talent pool that’s emerged in Big Sky since 2018, I think that both of our high school teams will be competing for the Class A state championship very soon,” Hare said. “I’m confident that we have a few of our players in our club tracking to play at the collegiate level, if they want to.”
The club’s growing success is made possible by generous support from parents and local sponsors. Fundraisers like the recent Ski Duck Derby, pickleball tournaments and the Big Sky Oktoberfest have made it possible to offer financial aid for players, cover tournament costs, and invest in top-tier coaching and equipment.
“Big Sky Oktoberfest has been essential in helping make our club better,” Hare said. “Larry and Dana Wikan’s hard work on this event and the money raised the last two years is why we are able to provide financial assistance to any player who needs it.”
With the season running through mid-June, the club is preparing for two more regional tournaments and six additional Montana Youth Soccer Association league games.
The summer lineup includes two soccer camps in Big Sky. The Nike Soccer Camp will be coming to town for the first time July 21-24, and the popular One.Soccer Camp returns July 28-Aug, 1.
BSFC will also offer informal pickup games for various ages at Big Sky Community Park throughout the summer before their fall season kicks off in mid-August.
Hare said that as Big Sky continues to grow, the club expects to surpass 160 players in the next few seasons. He added that the impact of the program is deeply personal and rewarding for the families involved.
“The players who come through our program are building lasting friendships, getting a lot of strenuous exercise while hopefully falling in love with the beautiful game. They develop physically and gain mental fortitude while learning personal responsibility and how to cooperate with their teammates and compete against their opponents,” Hare said.
“So, at least from my vantage point, the benefits of playing competitive sports are tangible, real and transferable to life off the pitch.”
The U14 girls team celebrates their win in Coeur d’Alene in early May. PHOTO COURTESY OF BIG SKY FUTBOL CLUB
LONE PEAK GIRLS GOLF WINS DIVISIONAL TOURNAMENT SECOND YEAR IN A ROW
BY JEN CLANCEY
BILLINGS—The Lone Peak High School Big Horns persevered through wind, low temperatures and nonstop rain at the Class B southern divisional tournament in Billings on Monday, May 5. By the end of the regional tournament, the Big Horn girls golf team secured the top spot for the second year in a row, and the boys golf team closed out with two state qualifiers.
Junior Dylan Manka led the girls with an individual score of 86 and a first place win. Two fellow players finished in the top 10—junior Olivia Kamieniarz finished fifth with a score of 93, and junior Maddie Wilcynski finished sixth with a score of 97. Sophomores Sabine Hurlbut and Penelope Brooke also assisted their team to the tournament win throughout the tournament.
Head coach Jenny Wilcynski was proud of her team’s composure under the chilly conditions and credited the “outdoorsiness” of Big Sky athletes with the ability to withstand an all-day tournament with gusts blowing rain as they hit.
“When they had a bad hole, they bounced back and with a par, which is huge,” Wilcynski said. She was excited to see the strong performances from Manka and Kamieniarz and noted that each player contributed to the win. “Penelope and Sabine … they finished and in great standing, not too far off from what they’ve been shooting all year.”
With the overall win, the Big Horn girls will play in the state tournament in mid-May, looking to defend their 2024 Class B title.
On the boys side, impressive contributions from sophomore Mac Bertelson, who finished at seventh shooting 88, and senior Isaac Bedway, who finished in a tie at 10th place shooting 90, earned them both a spot in the state tournament.
“Mac—he just was very steady. And Isaac, he also just stayed steady and got himself in a position to finish in the top 15,” Wilcynski said.
On Monday, May 12, the Big Horns will play their practice rounds at Marias Valley Golf and Country Club in Shelby, a course that Wilcynski said requires strategy and overall course management.
“We look forward to state and however we can put it together, we know that there’s gonna be a little bit of competition for our top players, for the individual run,” Wilcynski said.
For the girls, she said that Florence-Carlton High School’s strong team will challenge the Big Horn girls. “[It] should be a fun state tournament to clue in on.”
The state tournament runs Tuesday, May 13 through Wednesday, May 14.
The Lone Peak girls golf team holds first place award in team photo. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN HANNAHS
REGIONAL
LEGACY IN THE LAND SEN. STEVE DAINES ON CONSERVATION, NATIONAL PARKS, AND MONTANA’S FUTURE
BY ERIC LADD
In a recent sit-down at the Armory Hotel in Bozeman, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines was asked about his personal history with conservation, his outlook on the future of public lands and his advice to the groups working to protect Montana’s natural heritage. What followed was a candid and wideranging conversation about growing up in the Gallatin Valley, navigating bipartisan policy in Washington D.C., and how Montana’s landscapes continue to shape his values.
Here is some of that conversation.
For Daines, conservation isn’t just a policy stance—it’s personal. Raised in Bozeman, he traces his passion for public lands and environmental stewardship back to a childhood spent fishing with his grandfather, hiking the Gallatin Range, and sleeping in the back of a pickup truck en route to Cooke City.
“We weren’t labeled [conservationists] back then,” Daines said. “You were just a Montanan enjoying the outdoors.”
That deep-rooted connection to place has shaped both his identity and his approach to public service.
Among his most celebrated legislative achievements is co-sponsoring the Great American Outdoors Act, a sweeping bipartisan bill signed into law in 2020 that secured permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and addressed billions in deferred maintenance needs in national parks. Sen. Daines called it the “greatest conservation win in 50 years”—a rare moment of unity in Washington.
“It was bipartisan… we got it signed by President Trump,” he said. “Cam Sholly, the superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, will tell you—it’s one of the best investments we’ve made.”
Daines is now supporting the America the Beautiful Act, which would build on that success by continuing to invest in national park infrastructure—bridges, trails, wastewater systems, employee housing and more—that have long been overlooked.
“Our national parks are crumbling because we’ve not maintained them,” he said. “It’s not just the bridges—it’s basic systems and housing for the people who make these places run.”
Daines has voiced strong support for North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as the new Secretary of the Interior, believing Burgum brings the right balance of executive experience, Western sensibility and conservation-minded leadership.
“Doug’s a wonderful pick for Interior… exactly the kind of guy we need in public service,” Daines said. “He understands the West and what it takes to manage public lands the right way.”
While proud of his legislative work, Daines emphasized that true conservation progress requires pragmatism and partnership—not political posturing. When asked what advice he would offer to conservation organizations trying to be effective in today’s political climate—especially those navigating divided government and limited media attention—he was direct in his response.
“There are two types of leaders: those who want to make a point, and those who want to make a difference,” Daines said. “If your primary objective is to make the news or generate donor anger, you’re probably not going to get real results. Politics is about addition, not subtraction—it’s about getting more people on board.”
He added that the most effective organizations are those that avoid extremes and focus on common ground.
“The groups that tend to play within the 40yard lines—those are the ones who get work and outcomes actually done,” Daines said.
That pragmatism is being tested at the national level, where the current administration’s directives around energy production and permitting have created a complex landscape for public lands. As federal agencies move quickly to advance domestic energy priorities, questions are rising about where conservation fits into the policy agenda. The tension between development and protection is particularly pronounced in states like Montana, where vast natural resources, outdoor recreation economies, and ecological value overlap.
With a shift in administration, conservation groups have expressed apprehension under a Republican-led policy environment, uncertain about how priorities might shift. But this moment, Daines believes, presents an opportunity—not only to reaffirm bipartisan support for public lands but also to build new partnerships that transcend political lines.
In this evolving landscape, Daines and Montana’s congressional delegation have made their stance
clear; Rep. Ryan Zinke has spoken out against the sale or disposal of public lands, and has met with regional conservation organizations to advance ideas—and hopefully legislation—that protect Montana’s land, water and air for future generations. These conversations, Daines says, are essential to ensuring conservation stays at the table during debates on energy, infrastructure and federal land use.
Sen. Daines also spoke candidly about his own experiences on public lands and the moments that have left a lasting imprint. One of his most personal stories took place at 10,000 feet on the summit of Hyalite Peak—just south of Bozeman—where he proposed to his wife, Cindy.
“I told her we were going on a hike with some buddies, and I had them all cancel the night before. It ended up just being the two of us,” he recalled. “I put a diamond ring in the bottom of my old Clutterworks pack, and we got to the top of Hyalite—just the two of us. Back then, the parking lot was virtually empty. That trailhead was quiet. It wasn’t a traveled spot like it is today.”
That memory, and others like it, continue to guide his conservation ethic and his desire to ensure that future generations can experience the same Montana he did.
As he reflects on decades of public service, a lifetime in Montana’s backcountry and personal roots in the Gallatin Valley, Sen. Daines believes he stands in a pivotal position and says he hopes to become a national voice on conservation, and a clear, consistent commitment to public lands.
“You only get to grow up once,” Sen Daines said. “And what a privilege it is here in Montana.”
This interview is part of a larger story that will be featured in the summer 2025 issue of Mountain Outlaw magazine, in which Montana’s congressional delegation and leading conservation groups share their perspectives on the future of environmental stewardship across the American West.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SEN. DAINES
THRIVING LANDSCAPES: PREPARE FOR WILDFIRE SEASON THROUGH MANAGEMENT AND DEFENSIBLE SPACE ENVIRONMENT
BY KATHLEEN GLOCKNER EBS COLUMNIST
As temperatures climb—briefly interrupted by the occasional May snow—Big Sky’s lush spring landscape begins to dry, signaling the return of wildfire season. For homeowners and property managers in fire-prone regions like ours, the greatest risk often lies just outside the front door. Properties surrounded by unmanaged vegetation, dry debris, and flammable materials are significantly more vulnerable to fast-moving flames and drifting embers. But with the right preparation, the risk can be dramatically reduced. That preparation starts with defensible space, an intentionally cleared buffer between structures and the surrounding vegetation that slows the spread of fire and gives firefighters critical room to work.
Defensible space isn’t just a landscaping technique—it’s one of the most effective ways to protect your home from wildfire. It helps reduce the intensity of a fire, minimizes the chances of ignition, and provides a safe zone where firefighters can defend your property.
The concept is simple: keep the area closest to the home free of flammable materials, then gradually decrease vegetation density as you move outward. According to recommendations from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and local fire officials, defensible space should be divided into three zones.
Zone 1: 0-5 feet from structures
This is the most critical area. It should be kept clean and free of anything combustible. Remove dead plants, dry leaves, pine needles, and firewood stacks. Avoid flammable mulches like bark and instead use gravel, pavers, or moisture-rich native
groundcovers. Gutters and rooftops should be cleared regularly.
Zone 2: 5-30 feet
Trim tree branches so they are at least six to eight feet off the ground, and eliminate “ladder fuels,” tall grasses or shrubs that can carry fire from the ground into the tree canopy. Break up vegetation with hardscaping features and use well-spaced, low-growing plants.
Zone 3: 30-100+ feet
The outermost zone works to reduce a fire’s intensity before it reaches your home. It’s important to create breaks in the canopy, especially conifers. Thin out trees and brush, especially any dead or overcrowded growth. Maintain open spacing between plants and trees, and create open paths to improve access for emergency crews.
Fire-resistant ≠ bare dirt
There’s a common myth that alpine-appropriate landscapes have to be sparse, rocky, or unattractive to be effective. In reality, fire-resilient landscaping can be both protective and visually appealing. Big Sky’s native plants offer both form and function when thoughtfully selected and placed. Choosing the right vegetation is key. Opt for low-resin, high-moisture species that are less likely to ignite under dry conditions. Use perennial groundcovers in place of traditional turf to reduce water use and maintenance. And where possible, favor deciduous trees and shrubs over flammable conifers near structures. Some of our favorites include Fleabane (Erigeron hybrids), Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata), Cutleaf Daisy (Erigeron compositus glabratus), Stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium), Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense), Canadian Violet (Viola canadensis), Red
fescue (Festuca rubra), Bearberry, Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum), and Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana).
Moisture, in all its forms, is your ally. Healthy, hydrated plants are significantly more fire-resistant. Tools like drip irrigation systems and rain sensors can help conserve water while ensuring your landscape remains resilient during the hottest parts of the season.
Maintenance is key
But even the best-designed fire-smart landscape won’t stay that way without consistent upkeep. Defensible space is not a one-and-done project—it requires regular maintenance to stay effective year after year. Make it a habit each season to prune trees and remove dead limbs, clear rooflines and gutters, refresh mulch with non-combustible options like pea gravel, and stay on top of weeding and plant health checks. Small actions, repeated regularly, can go a long way in keeping your property protected.
Not sure where to start? Take a walk through Crail Gardens or the Moose Pair Pollinator Garden to see fire-smart design in practice. These community demonstration sites show how native plants, smart spacing, and low-maintenance landscaping can work together to create a beautiful, resilient yard. For more resources, plant lists, and planning tips, visit alpenscapes.org
Kathleen Glockner was born in Chicago but has always had a passion for the mountains. After relocating to Bozeman to attend Montana State University, she fell in love with the area and chose to stay. She now works with brands to elevate their marketing and content strategies.
Creeping phlox. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO
ENVIRONMENT
DISPATCHES FROM THE WILD: AN ODE TO SCIENCE SOME ARE WILLING
TO MUZZLE SCIENCE TO SEEK PROFIT
BY BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY EBS COLUMNIST
The current administration is attacking institutions of knowledge, such as Harvard, and making significant changes to federal agencies like the Bureau of Land Management, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is dismissing experienced biologists, firing longtime public stewards, ignoring scientific findings, canceling funding for research on conditions like children’s cancer and black lung disease affecting miners, and altering the Endangered Species Act to the point where protecting habitats for endangered species is no longer a priority. Additionally, the administration is removing facts about climate change from federal websites.
These actions create barriers to scientific progress. As a result, many Americans may find it increasingly difficult to understand and engage with the complexities of the world around them.
What are those in power trying to hide?
Science serves the public and benefits the world. Comprehending the universe is an ongoing odyssey, ultimately seeking to unravel life’s mysteries. The pursuit of science encompasses a wide range of phenomena, from subatomic particles to distant galaxies. This field provides a comprehensive framework for organizing knowledge and explaining the intricate processes and relationships that govern the universe. This structured approach fosters a deeper appreciation and understanding of both life and our surroundings. A world without science, characterized by certainty and fixed beliefs like dogmas, stifles growth and change, ultimately stripping life of its meaning.
The scientific method is a scrupulous discipline dedicated to understanding human and nonhuman
environments through observation, experimentation and the formulation of testable hypotheses and theories. Its value lies in generating knowledge, addressing real-world challenges, enhancing living conditions, and informing decision-making across various sectors, including health care, environmental policy and technology.
Scientific inquiry is often motivated by solving critical human and environmental issues. Whether it’s discovering effective treatments for diseases like AIDS or cancer, developing innovative technologies to improve our daily lives, or tackling ecological challenges such as climate change and pollution, scientific research plays a pivotal role in finding viable solutions.
Advancements from dedicated scientific research have significantly improved many aspects of daily life. These improvements include better health care, which has led to longer life expectancies and enhanced quality of care; innovations in agriculture that bolster food security; and breakthroughs in communication and transportation that have transformed how we connect with one another. These advancements also contributed to establishing the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Together, these enhancements lead to a higher quality of life and greater societal wellbeing, demonstrating the profound impact of science on our everyday experiences.
Moreover, science is not just essential; it empowers informed decisions across numerous fields, including public policy, environmental resource management, and individual lifestyle choices. It helps individuals become more mindful of their material consumption and waste, promoting ethical living in harmony with other planetary life forms. Individuals and policymakers can craft more effective strategies that serve the public good and enhance community resilience by engaging with credible scientific evidence.
However, when governments impose restrictions on scientific discourse, they may inadvertently aim to shape public perception or overlook critical facts essential for the health of society, the planet
and wildlife. This pattern is often observed in authoritarian regimes prioritizing corporate interests over public welfare, frequently striving to minimize or eliminate regulations hindering industry profitability and responsibility. Such a situation underscores the critical importance of prioritizing the health and safety of citizens, which is a fundamental responsibility of any government. The potential consequences of anti-science policies, such as environmental degradation and public health crises, should be a cause for concern and a call to action.
Hiding facts and knowledge that benefit the citizenry is not only criminal; it is morally reprehensible. When this occurs, those in power attempt to deceive the public and take advantage of the situation without regard for the consequences. They seek to control knowledge of what is factual, even if they lack the qualifications to do so. They often do not want to be held accountable when they harm our air, habitat, water, or wildlife; therefore, they suppress scientific inquiry and eliminate guardrails that may keep them in check. Science is crucial for holding them accountable by bringing truth to power.
Science frequently engages in constructive dialogue with established dogmas that promote an overly simplistic sense of certainty. While scientific inquiry embraces the unknown and evolves through continuous learning, discovery, and adaptation, certain institutions may seek to control thought by cutting the connection between wonder and reality. It is crucial to foster an environment where curiosity and exploration are encouraged and celebrated, reminding us that there is still much to uncover and marvel at in our ever-evolving world. The world is full of magic and mystery that should be celebrated, not dulled.
Benjamin Alva Polley is a place-based storyteller. His words have been published in Audubon, Esquire, Field & Stream, The Guardian, Men’s Journal, Outside, Popular Science, Rolling Stone (soon), Sierra, and other publications, and they are on his website.
Yellowstone National Park researchers band a Wilson’s warbler for study. PHOTO BY JACOB W. FRANK / NPS
PUBLIC LANDS ARE A NATIONAL TREASURE AND MUST NOT BE SOLD ENVIRONMENT
BY TRACY STONE-MANNING WRITERS ON THE RANGE
Public lands are one of our country’s great equalizers. It doesn’t matter how much money you have—a billionaire and a bus driver both get the same access to our parks, deserts, rivers and forests. Each one of us owns these lands together. They are literally America’s common ground.
Like so many Americans, I’ve built a life around public lands—exploring them, defending them and working to ensure they remain open to all. From my early days in Montana to leading the Bureau of Land Management and now as president of The Wilderness Society, I’ve seen what these places mean to people. And I’ve never seen a threat to them as serious and shocking as the one we face right now.
For weeks, there have been indications that the Republican-controlled Congress was going to sell off chunks of this priceless shared heritage to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. Not too long ago, that would have been an unthinkable idea. Surely, Congress or the administration wouldn’t sacrifice prime wildlife habitat, access to favorite places, lands along a quiet stream or a wildlife refuge, right? Surely, they wouldn’t auction this extraordinary legacy of clean air, clean water and open spaces as a one-time favor to donors and corporations?
But earlier this month, the Senate proved just how serious they were about it. Democrats offered an amendment that would block selling off our public lands in the budget bill. The vote failed along party lines, with just two Republicans voting to oppose a sell-off. Those two Montana senators who supported the amendment completely understood how their constituents feel about public lands.
But it’s not only Montanans who care. Public lands are figurative common ground, uniting people across the country. Poll after poll shows that people of all stripes support public lands and want them conserved to protect wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation areas for future generations.
While it is a nice proof-point to have, we don’t need polling data to tell us what people’s photo libraries, social media feeds, old family albums and bucket lists show us. Americans care deeply about public lands, intuitively understanding they are a national treasure.
These lands hold the long arc of the story of humankind, etched in petroglyphs on desert walls and handed down in the creation stories of Indigenous peoples that have stewarded them since time immemorial. Public lands are our shorthand for freedom and exhilaration. In car ads, they promise an escape from the ordinary. In books about finding ourselves, they are a proving ground for the soul. In our anthems, they bind us as one nation: “This land is your land; this land is my land.”
My nephew caught his first trout on a fly rod while standing on public land along a clear, cold mountain stream. Over 25 years later, he still remembers everything about that moment. I expect
he’ll bring his kids there one day. His is a common story.
Last summer, I happened upon a young couple on a large rock outcrop overlooking a wilderness in Oregon. They had driven all the way from the Midwest to take in the view. I offered to snap a photo for them and then found myself documenting a remarkable moment as he dropped to one knee, pulled out a ring, and wove the magnificent scenery into the intimacy of his proposal. People make lifetime memories on our public lands.
From that rim on Steens Mountain to that bank along Rock Creek, to Yellowstone and Yosemite, to the desert Southwest and the wilds of Alaska, to national forests in every state—these lands are our heritage, our common ground, and a key part of our American identity and story.
Public lands must never be for sale—at any price.
It’s not too late. Congress still has mountains of details to sort through to finalize the president’s budget and tax cut agenda. It’s up to them to stop the selloff of our national heritage, and it’s up to all of us to remind them that they must.
When public lands are sold off for profit, we lose the places that define our country and unite us as Americans.
Tracy Stone-Manning is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. She is president of The Wilderness Society and a former director of the BLM. She lives in Montana and Washington, D.C.
Buck Lake, Frank Church River of no Return Wilderness; Challis Idaho. PHOTO COURTESY OF USFS
BEAR NECESSITIES: THE CONFLICTS HAVE CHANGED, BUT BEARS CAN COEXIST HERE ENVIRONMENT
BY KRIS INMAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
Looking back at holiday seasons past, my Christmas list often included wool pants to keep me warm and dry as I ventured into the woods to fulfill my job as a wildlife biologist. Deerskin gloves rounded off my list and they would help me to hold onto the scruff of the neck of black bear cubs who were snug in their mother’s den; the quiet signal of the radio-telemetry collar fitted around her neck guided us to their winter home. By climbing into the dens, and fitting them with new radio collars, we were able to learn if the cubs of the previous year survived to be yearlings.
This information helped us to track the population health, understand threats, and guide decisions to safeguard bear populations. At that time, the most significant cause of mortality we were concerned about was sustainable hunting. Two decades later, at this past holiday season, I found myself looking at
new water bottles, to keep me hydrated as I work at a desk to bring science to on-the-ground-action.
The water bottle will be sporting a Bernadette Bear sticker—the newest member of the Bear Smart Big Sky team is meant to raise the profile of one of the leading threats to bears today: conflicts with people. There is a relatively easy way to reduce these conflicts: using bear-resistant trash cans. As I think to Christmas of the future, I envision a Big Sky community that is engaged in bear smart actions, like using bear-resistant trashcans community wide, so that bears are living in harmony alongside us.
As a community that thrives in being outside, it’s not hard to believe we can be inspired to change our behaviors and protect our wild neighbors.
Don’t forget to post photos of bear sightings and check in with Bernadette Bear on Instagram @bearsmartbigsky and #bernadettebear. Help support Bernadette in her campaign to create a more bear-safe and bear-aware community in Big Sky.
MONTANA STATE RESEARCH LOOKS AT FUNGI THAT COULD HELP CREATE BUILDING MATERIALS
BY CHELSEA HEVERAN
BOZEMAN — A researcher at Montana State University says the underground root system for fungi could play a role in the design of more environmentally friendly building and infrastructure materials.
That root system is composed of a substance called fungal mycelium, and, according to researcher Chelsea Heveran, it could provide a “scaffold” for microorganisms to adhere to and harden through a process called calcification. In some instances, the mycelium scaffold itself can calcify without adding microbes.
Heveran, an assistant professor of mechanical and industrial engineering in MSU’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering, is the senior author of a study of mycelium’s material properties published last month in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science. MSU doctoral student Ethan Viles is the publication’s first author.
“Ethan did a tremendous job with this study,” Heveran said. “This work benefitted from his enthusiasm for engineered living materials and his skill in working at the intersection of engineering, materials science and biology.”
Currently, most engineered living materials, or ELMs, are soft, she said. There is an emerging effort, including by MSU researchers, to design load-bearing materials that are also alive. However, keeping biomineralized ELMs alive for more than a few days or weeks has been challenging. In this work, MSU researchers demonstrated that the mycelium scaffold could enable the ELMs to stay alive for at least a month.
“We saw that both the mycelium, or bacteria living on the mycelium scaffold, were abundantly viable a month into investigation, even when we kept it in very hot and dry conditions,” she said. “That is a challenge for microorganisms in these kinds of materials.”
While the initial biomineralization is conducted over the first few days to a week when creating the ELM, it would be advantageous in some settings for the ELM to live longer. This greater viability could open the door to “dynamic features of life,” such as self-healing or regeneration. These features were not reported in the current investigation but are an area of active interest in Heveran’s lab.
“Because [mycelium-based ELMs] stay alive for a longer period of time, maybe they could help heal the material and seal a crack,” she said. “We might also be able to use the living microbes as a sensor in a way that they tell you something about the environment. Basically, once they start staying alive, you might be able to get creative and access a number of things that you would like cells to do.”
Another feature of the mycelium scaffolding allowed the researchers to shape the mycelium in ways that mimicked the internal structure of bone. This is advantageous for engineering structures, Heveran said, because bones are lightweight, yet are strong and tough.
ELMs could also offer environmental benefits compared to concrete, since the production of cement, the binding material in concrete, accounts for as much as 8% of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, according to a 2023 peer-reviewed article that appeared Nature Communications.
“We have a very, very large need for more building and infrastructure materials,” said Heveran, who is affiliated with MSU's Center for Biofilm Engineering. “And given that concrete specifically has such a large carbon footprint, it is important to generate more sustainable strategies for producing these materials.”
ELMs could offer other advantages as building and infrastructure materials. For example, ELMs have the potential to be made onsite with materials that are, for the most part, locally available.
“Imagine for a moment that we have some kind of disaster in a remote, hard-to-reach area,” Heveran said. “Maybe it’s an earthquake and you need some critical infrastructure like a new road so you can meet the needs of the people there. If we want to make it out of concrete, we need to get the cement there and potentially the aggregate, we need to mix it and pour it, and after that it might takes weeks to even a month before you can use it at full strength.”
In addition to Heveran and Viles, MSU coauthors of the paper include faculty members Robin Gerlach, professor of chemical and biological engineering, and Adrienne Phillips, associate professor of civil engineering. Another MSU doctoral student, one master’s student and two undergraduate students are co-authors of the publication.
Chelsea Heveran, assistant professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, 406-994-2010 or chelsea. heveran@montana.edu
Kris Inman holds two bear cubs during her early days as a wildlife biologist. PHOTO COURTESY OF KRIS INMAN
A&E
BIG SKY COMMUNITY THEATER BRINGS FIRST-EVER ORIGINAL PRODUCTION TO THE STAGE
BY ASHLEY DODD AND STEPHANIE KISSELL GUEST COLUMNISTS
For the first time in its 12-year history, Big Sky Community Theater is preparing to mount its second show of the season. “On the Face of It,” directed by Jeremy Blyth, will premiere Wednesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center. This will be the first time that the local community theater troupe has produced something entirely conceptualized, created, produced and performed by the Big Sky community.
The production’s original inception stemmed from a conversation between Blyth and Jonathan Gans regarding BSCT’s desire to produce a spring show of one-acts. After sharing their own stories of life in the mountains, Blyth knew they were on to something.
“That discussion was one of the moments in collective theater work that I treasure,” Blyth said. “It was simply very clear that a spark had started and we could make it a flame if we fanned it. So we started writing stories about life in the mountains of Big Sky, and we asked other people to write
scripts, and after a while we had too many and had to start making decisions about what ones to cut.”
The main theme of the production is risks and rewards; navigating living in mountain towns and relationships with the outdoors, tourists and cost of living.
“Any event, any time outdoors when it’s you with the elements, can thrust you into situations that are not what they might seem,” Gans elaborated.
This is how the show’s title, “On the Face of It,” originated.
Steven Chernausek and Laura Seyfang joined Blyth and Gans, forming a team to write, collect and edit vignette submissions. While having extensive experience writing scientific articles, this was Chernausek’s first foray into script writing. Undaunted by the different writing style, Chernausek dove right in and found it to be a meaningful and worthwhile endeavor, becoming most excited about the process of the unfolding relationship between the script, the actor and the director.
“It has been exceptionally rewarding to see how the director and actors take the words put down on paper and bring them to life in a way you didn’t expect,” Chernausek said.
While the production is a series of short fictional scenes, each one is based on the imagined, or in some cases very real experiences that many in Big Sky have had. Some are humorous, some serious, some are relatable to many, and others may touch on a facet of mountain life that could be new or less explored.
However, all of the scenes reach out with heart, calling to mind the numerous reasons Big Sky is home to many. Despite growing pains, inevitable risks, and even the logistical difficulties of navigating a small town existence in a sparsely populated and often harsh environment, all can find common ground. There are reasons many came here, and there are reasons many stay.
“On the Face of It” will have its audience laughing, nodding, and remembering why they have fierce loyalty to this beautiful place, even as the snow falls in May.
Big Sky Community Theatre during “On The Face of It” rehearsal. PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHLEY DODD
THE DEADLY DAISIES CROWNED 2025 BEAST OF BOZEMAN
LOCAL DANCE TROUPE TAKES TOP PRIZE AND SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON THEIR
STUDIO, DANCIN’ DAISY
BY TAYLOR OWENS
Bozeman’s most beloved talent showcase lit up the stage at the Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture once again this year, drawing a packed house and an impressive lineup of performers to the annual Beast of Bozeman talent competition. After a night of exciting talent and audience cheers, the 2025 crown went to powerhouse dance group The Deadly Daisies.
The Deadly Daisies took first place with a high-energy performance that left the crowd roaring. Their choreography was both athletic and expressive—a style the group has honed their skills through years of training together at Dancin’ Daisy, the Bozeman-based dance studio they call home.
“Honestly? When that first note hit at dress rehearsal and our energy vibrated through the auditorium, I knew,” Haley Doland, leader of the Deadly Daisies and owner of Dancin’ Daisy, said. “We got this.”
What made The Deadly Daisies’ winning performance stand out was the collaborative spirit behind it—a fusion of vision and style from four different choreographers at Dancin’ Daisy: Haley Doland, Barla Beaudoin, Dezzi Cortez, and Jessica Johnson. Each brought their own unique movement and dance background to the piece, blending styles into a cohesive performance. The choreography was set to a medley of songs with each choreographer taking ownership over distinct sections in the mix.
“Choreographing so much of the dance was a huge personal step for me,” choreographer Barla Beaudoin said. “I’ve choreographed before, but never for such a large group or big event. It always felt too vulnerable to put my art out there in that way. But the Daisies gave me the support and encouragement to go for it. It ended up being such a rewarding experience, both creatively and emotionally.”
The Deadly Daisies are more than just a performance group—they’re a tight-knit ensemble shaped and supported by Doland. The studio is known for its inclusive and empowering approach to movement, welcoming dancers of all levels and backgrounds. Classes are held each week on Wednesdays at Namaha Studios in the Northeast Neighborhood.
“All I could think about was my family in the crowd,” choreographer Dezzi Cortez said. “I knew since they were there, I had to give it my all.”
Coming in second at Beast of Bozeman was Volcanic Ash, a jazz quartet whose musicianship and chemistry on stage earned them top placement. Third place went to vocalist
and actress Maddisen Sheedy, who sang Defying Gravity from the famed Broadway show Wicked.
“It is an amazing feeling,” choreographer Jessica Johnson said. “Still having a hard time believing it but knowing we put in the work and it paid off is the best.”
Beast of Bozeman is a high-energy celebration of local performers of all kinds. Hosted annually at the Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture, the event offers professional lighting, sound, and stage production for every act. From solo singers and comedians to full bands and dance troupes, it’s an open call to Bozeman’s best performers.
Audience votes determine the winners, and with cash prizes and bragging rights on the line, every act brings their best.
“ Winning Beast of Bozeman means so much more to me than just the title,” Beaudoin said. “This win feels like validation—not just of the choreography, but of the growth, connection, and passion we’ve all shared.”
“When preparing for Beast of Bozeman and any performance, we do an exercise picturing our younger selves in the audience watching us dance,” Doland said. “I think I can speak for not only myself but every Daisy when I say winning Beast of Bozeman means so much more than just winning. It’s giving that inner child a win that they may have not experienced.”
This year’s show was a testament to Bozeman’s vibrant creative community—and the Deadly Daisies’ win was a shining example of what can happen when passion, community, and artistry come together. As the curtain closed on another Beast of Bozeman, one thing was clear: the talent in this town is only getting stronger.
The Deadly Daisies won the highly competitive Beast of Bozeman talent competition at the Emerson. PHOTO BY HOPE MCWILLIAMS
The Deadly Daisies has honed their craft through years of training together at Dancin’ Daisy, the Bozeman-based dance studio they call home.
PHOTO BY COLETTE PENGELLEY
COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR
If your next event falls between May 28th - June 11th, please submit it to explorebigsky.com/calendar-event-form by May 23rd.
“ON THE FACE OF IT”
MAY 21, 7 P.M.
WARREN MILLER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
On May 21 at 7 p.m., Big Sky community theater stars will perform “On the Face of It,” a vignette-style show created and designed by Jonathan Gans and Jeremy Blyth. The one-act stories will explore the ups and downs of life at a mountain resort.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. The show will start at 7 p.m. at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center.
Read the full events calendar, or submit your own community event
Do You or Someone You Know Need Help Getting Sober?
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ADOBE STOCK PHOTO
Fly Fishing in Montana can be a rugged, sometimes-tiring adventure—that’s why Madison Double R will be a welcome respite at the end of each day.
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DINING
A LA CARTE: ON COFFEE AND CONCENTRATION
BY RACHEL HERGETT EBS COLUMNIST
Last year, in an effort to improve my coffee game, I spent a solid week researching types of coffee makers and the result improved much more than my morning brew.
My personal preference in this area leans toward European-style coffees. I want that almost syrupy texture created when an exceptional brew manages to integrate the maximum amount of coffee solids and oils. I like my coffee thick.
With this in mind, I considered my options. I really did not want to add another appliance to my already cluttered kitchen, so was mainly focused on pour-over or stovetop methods.
Maybe I needed more coffee, rather than a different brewing style. Should I find a larger French press, going for greater quantity with my familiar system? No, it was more than that. Pour-over methods didn’t quite create the syrup I was after.
People seemed to have a love-hate relationship with percolators, which can be used on a stove and force water up through the center straw where it essentially rains over the coffee grounds using the gravity. The brewed coffee then mixes with the water below and the process repeats until the coffee is the desired strength.
I eventually landed on a moka pot, which promised stovetop ease and syrupy coffee with the added bonus of a classic aesthetic. Designed by Alfonso Bialetti almost 100 years ago, moka pots are slightly different from percolators. They rely on pressure to force water through coffee grounds enclosed in the center of the pot. The brewed coffee is then collected in a separate basin at the top. It’s rich and, yes, quite thick.
I may have also been swayed by the version of Bialetti’s Moka Express that I found in a loud chartreuse—one of my favorite colors. According to an article by Sarah Whitman in the New York Times’ Wirecutter, the angular octagonal design dating to the early 1930s was inspired by art deco architecture and women’s skirts. I recommend her article if you want to know more about the pot and its brewing process. We’re moving on.
Let’s talk about meditation. Now, some of you may already be preparing to tune out. I understand. Many of my university students have the same reaction when the topic arises. Yes, we know the health professionals all say meditation is good for us. Benefits include reduced stress and improved sleep quality, both of which contribute to overall health. “But meditation is hard,” we say. We seem to have an all-or-nothing attitude here, believing that to meditate, we must be seated in a lotus position and be able to clear our minds completely. This is frankly unrealistic.
Meditation, I tell my students, happens anytime we still our minds and focus on that stillness. Many active pursuits naturally create this mindspace. Maybe you find it in the repetitive motions of running or swimming, or maybe you find it on the
mountain. Think about the peace of a gentle wind on your face as you glide down the slopes on a bluebird morning. Lean into that peace, take a deep breath, and tell me it’s not meditation.
For me, this is also where coffee comes in. It sounds counterintuitive to talk about slowing down as I am brewing a morning pick-me-up, but this seems to be the true benefit of my moka pot. My morning coffee has become ritual.
Moka pots are not hard to use. They are quite simple, actually, but they do require one key thing: attention. Once all the water from the lower chamber is forced up through the grounds and fills the well up top, the moka pot makes a quiet gurgling sound that tells you it needs to be taken off the heat or the coffee will become bitter.
My moka pot makes me slow down and listen. The gurgle isn’t loud. I’ll miss it if I’m out of the room or if I’m zoned out scrolling on my phone. I’ll miss it if I turn up the music or am rifling through cupboards.
I have learned to use the time the moka pot gives me, to lean into the stillness. Here is a precious 10-ish minutes in the morning for me to sit and gaze at the mountains out the window, or to slowly and quietly putter around the kitchen. Here is 10 minutes without the noise and distraction. And, really, that is meditation.
Rachel Hergett is a foodie and cook from Montana. She is arts editor emeritus at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and has written for publications such as Food Network Magazine and Montana Quarterly. Rachel is also the host of the Magic Monday Show on KGLT-FM and teaches at Montana State University.
PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT
BUSINESS
ENJOYING THE RIDE: MAY FLOWERS IN FULL BLOOM
CULTIVATING PATIENCE IN LONG-TERM INVESTING
BY HEATHER GOODIN EBS COLUMNIST
Sponsored Article
Today we are going to discuss springtime investing and the importance of patience. In the short term we can deal with occasional rainy days, but patience time after time shows that it will bring us beautiful flowers.
Seeds take time to grow
Just like plants don’t bloom overnight, investments need time to mature and compound. Your initial investment may earn returns, and those returns are typically reinvested to try and generate even more gains. What’s even more important is time in the market. The earlier you start, the more powerful compounding becomes. This compounding can help your money outpace inflation, can help preserve and increase your purchasing power. We have found that even conservative investments when compounded over decades can yield impressive returns without taking excessive risk. So make your money work for you.
Weather the storms
Spring showers may seem rough, but they nourish future growth. Market downturns can create buying opportunities. Think of it as a spring clearance sale, allowing you to buy quality investments at a discount. Many fundamentally strong businesses
see temporary price drops, and buying during that time can present opportunity for long-term investors. Regular investing during downturns can also help lower your average purchase price, which is the power of dollar cost averaging. Market dips may seem like storms, but for patient investors, they plant seeds for future growth.
Strong roots build stability
April marks the start of Q1 earnings reports, which can create some market movements as companies announce their financial performance. The U.S. tax deadline also falls in April, which can result in investors selling assets in order to cover tax bills or even reinvest tax refunds. This can result in short term liquidity shifts in the market. A well-diversified portfolio, like deep roots, helps withstand market fluctuations. We have found that the most important strategy of a portfolio is asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing. By investing in different asset classes, you can help reduce the impact of a single investment that might perform poorly. Typically different sectors and industries don’t move in the same direction at the same time. Being in different sectors and industries can help smooth out returns during market volatility. Diversifying your portfolio will help ensure a consistent return over time.
Prune and replant wisely
Over time, some investments grow faster than others, potentially making your portfolio riskier than intended. Rebalancing restores your original
risk level. Think of it as selling high and buying low. It is simply trimming some of the fat from investments that have done well and investing in investments that have done poorly (that can do well in the future). Adjusting your portfolio helps to ensure you’re not overly exposed to one asset class, helping you weather economic shifts.
This constant rebalancing strategy prevents emotional investing and keeps your portfolio aligned with your financial goals. Just like trimming a garden keeps plants healthy, this strategy can help maintain steady and sustainable growth.
Asset allocation cannot eliminate the risk of fluctuating prices and uncertain returns. Asset allocation and diversification are investment methods used to help manage risk. They do not guarantee investment returns or eliminate risk of loss including in a declining market.
Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network does not provide legal or tax advice.
Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Shore to Summit Wealth Management is a separate entity from WFAFN.
Heather Goodin is a Registered Client Relationship Manager at Shore to Summit Wealth Management. She currently works and lives near the Melbourne, FL office with her husband and daughter.
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BY ELLIE BOESCHENSTEIN
Explore Big Sky got the chance to speak with Conner Clemens, Director of Retail at Outlaw Partners, to learn more about Hey Bear. Hey Bear is a bear safety and awareness brand that delivers apparel consisting of style, comfort and a little bit of fun—always with a nod to the bears who roam the surrounding wilderness in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
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: First off, tell me about yourself. What brought you to Montana?
Conner Clemens: I’m Conner “Coco” Clemens! I grew up in Radnor, Pennsylvania, but always dreamed of heading out west after a lifetime of skiing and craving bigger mountains. After spending two-and-a-half-years in Boston, I got my chance in early 2021 when I accepted a job with Outlaw Partners. I made the move official with a cross-country road trip alongside my parents. I started off living in Bozeman, but in 2024, I finally settled into Big Sky—right where I always hoped to be.
EBS: Can you tell me how Hey Bear got its start and about Hey Bear’s mission?
CC: Hey Bear is an apparel and accessories brand that advocates for safe human and bear coexistence and gives back to wildlife organizations with wildlife safety awareness at their forefront. While on a hike in 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, the founder Eric Ladd was using the phrase, “Hey Bear” to deter wildlife. Ladd believed that the well-known phrase could be used on high quality products to promote better wildlife awareness. Today, Hey Bear does more than just give back, it is building an educational platform to promote the ideas about how we can better coexist with wildlife in our backyard. Bear populations are rapidly decreasing in the lower 48. The role bears play in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is key to the success of a nutrient-rich and biodiverse forest. Anyone who lives among these bruins knows it is a privilege to do so. At Hey Bear, we pride ourselves on selling quality, sustainable outdoor products with reputable partners. We are passionate about promoting symbiotic relationships with the natural world around us.
EBS: What inspired Hey Bear’s name and concept?
CC: “Hey Bear” is the phrase people commonly use when recreating in bear country—it’s a simple and memorable way to make noise and alert bears of your presence. The concept behind the name is rooted in safety; most bear encounters happen because a bear is surprised at close range. By announcing yourself with “Hey Bear,” you reduce the chances of a dangerous encounter. It’s a phrase that’s become both functional and iconic in outdoor culture, and it perfectly captures the spirit and
mission behind our brand: promoting awareness, safety and respect for wildlife.
EBS: What are the main products and/or services Hey Bear offers?
CC: At Hey Bear, our mission begins with education and awareness, and ultimately leads to giving back—one of the core pillars of who we are. We proudly partner with Vital Ground, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and connecting critical grizzly bear habitats. Through product sales, we support their important work on the ground, helping expand safe landscapes for wildlife to roam. Our product line combines function, comfort, and purpose. We offer cozy apparel like sweatshirts, crewnecks, and t-shirts, along with our signature corduroy trucker hats that are both playful and stylish. Two of our most meaningful offerings are the Bear Spray Scat Belt—designed to keep your bear spray secure and accessible while on trail— and our children’s book “Hey Bear! Bear Shares Her Big Home.” This beautifully illustrated story follows Hey Bear through the mountains and rivers of Montana, introducing young readers and their families to the importance of coexisting with wildlife.
EBS: What should people know about bear spray and what are some common misconceptions people have about bear spray?
CC: Bear spray is a key tool while in the outdoors of bear country. Always have it on your person, know how to use bear spray and check trailheads for any bear activity. Bear spray is a life saving tool for you and the bear. Hey Bear strongly encourages all individuals that live, work or recreate in bear habitat to carry bear spray in an easily accessible way and to know how to use it. Even when carrying bear spray, still follow proper bear precautions. Bear spray is a very effective deterrent on bears when used properly. Bear spray is only effective when used as an airborne deterrent sprayed as a cloud at an aggressive animal.
Here are some tips on how to use bear spray: 1. DO NOT spray bear spray on any individual, it is not like bug spray. It should be only pointed at a bear and deployed when needed.
2. DO NOT forget your bear spray in bear country. A bear does not care who you are.
3. Learn how to hold the bear spray with two hands. Make sure you are comfortable so that it turns into a reaction.
4. When deploying, hold with two hands and start spraying low in a Z formation and work your way up.
5. When recreating, I always make noise. Talk loud, yell HEY BEAR! and listen to music out loud. The reason bear attacks happen is because you scare the bear since they did not hear you coming.
6. Bear spray is easier to deploy than a gun because if a bear is running at you it would be like a bouncing ball coming at you at full speed. With bear spray it covers a larger area so there is a higher chance of the bear running away.
A common misconception about bear spray is that it should be sprayed directly at a bear’s face from the start—but that’s not the most effective method. Instead, you should aim low and spray in a sweeping “Z” motion while gradually raising the can. This creates a wide cloud of spray that the bear will be covered in, ultimately covering its face and temporarily disabling its sense of smell—its most powerful tool.
EBS: How does Hey Bear give back to the Big Sky Community?
CC: Hey Bear is deeply rooted in the Big Sky community, and giving back is a core part of who we are. We proudly support and collaborate with local organizations like Big Sky Community Organization to strengthen community ties and protect the wild spaces we all love. This summer, we’re excited to bring back our community forums in partnership with Vital Ground, our nonprofit conservation partner, to spark important conversations about wildlife coexistence and safety. Education is another key part of our mission—we regularly visit local schools and youth organizations to teach kids about bear safety, awareness, and how to responsibly live and play in bear country. It’s one of the most meaningful parts of what we do: helping the next generation become stewards of this wild place we call home.
EBS: Are there any local partnerships or collaborations you’re especially proud of?
CC: Absolutely—we’re especially proud of our partnership with our giveback partner, Vital Ground. Their mission aligns perfectly with ours: to protect and restore North America’s grizzly bear populations for future generations by conserving critical habitat and supporting programs that reduce conflicts between bears and humans.
How we give back:
Through the sale of Hey Bear products, we’re able to directly support Vital Ground’s mission and contribute to long-term conservation efforts. This includes helping restore grizzly bear populations, protecting key wildlife corridors, and funding educational outreach about bear safety.
EBS: What do you hope people take away from visiting Hey Bear?
CC: What we hope people take away from visiting Hey Bear is a deeper understanding of how lucky we are to share space with wildlife—and how important it is to protect that wilderness. Our mission is rooted in education and inspiration: Hey Bear is dedicated to raising awareness of bears through educational resources and retail products that inspire stewardship of bears and their habitat. We want people to walk away with more than just a cool shirt—we want them to feel connected to this place and empowered to help protect it. It’s about working together to keep the wild, wild. Montana is a truly special place, and now more than ever, it’s up to all of us to respect it, protect it, and make sure future generations can experience it, too.
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FEATURED RESIDENCE 203 3BED, 2BATH | 2,307 SQFT
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NEW WAY TO OWN AT WILDLANDS
INTRODUCING CO-OWNERSHIP WITH PACASO
We’re excited to partner with Pacaso to bring co-ownership to Residence 203 at Wildlands. This program offers an easy, flexible way to own a luxury second home—without the full-time responsibility.
WHY CO-OWN WITH PACASO?
• Own a share of a fully furnished, high-end retreat
• Professionally managed: maintenance, cleaning, and support included
• Easy, fair scheduling through Pacaso’s booking platform
• Designed for families to enjoy now—not “someday”
If you’re interested in learning more about this incredible co-ownership opportunity reach out to schedule a tour.
HEALTH
LIVE BETTER: YOUR SIX-WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM TO RUN STRONG THIS SUMMER
BY ALLIE EPSTEIN POALINO EBS COLUMNIST
Sponsored Article
As the days grow longer and Montana’s weather warms up, many of us are eager to get outside and soak in all that summer has to offer — especially if you enjoy running. But if you have ever dealt with nagging knee pain, you know how quickly running can go from the best feeling to the most frustrating experience.
As physical therapists, we frequently hear these two questions this time of year:
“What causes knee pain when I run, and how do I stop it?”
“What shoes should I wear if running hurts my knees?”
So, what’s really causing your knee pain?
Chronic knee pain is one of the most common complaints we see in runners, especially during seasonal transitions—like from May to June—when training volume and intensity begins ramping up. Pain under the kneecap when running often comes from a combination of mobility and strength issues throughout the body, not just in the knee itself.
Here are some of the most common culprits we see in the clinic:
Tight hips: If you struggle to stretch your hip flexors, like the psoas, or you find it hard to sit in a 90/90/90 position on both sides, this is your body signaling that your flexibility needs work. A consistent hip mobility routine designed for what your body needs will help correct and reduce compensations that place added stress on your knees.
6-Week Running Plan
Weak glutes or quads: It’s not about general “weakness” here. If one leg is stronger than the other, you may have a side-to-side imbalance that’s shifting extra load over to one knee. Targeted strength exercises will make a big difference. Quick core and endurance check: Can you hold a one-minute plank and carry on a conversation at the same time? If not, improving your core strength and cardio base will support your running technique and reduce adverse stress on your knees.
Stiff ankles: Can your knees move past your toes when you flex your ankle, without your heel lifting off the ground? If your ankle mobility is limited or unequal, it can throw off your stride and add extra force to your knees.
Are your shoes working for you or against you?
Wearing the wrong shoes is one of the most common contributors to knee pain. The right shoe for your foot shape, anatomy and running mechanics can significantly reduce stress on the
Timeline Run/Walk Cross Training Strength Training
Weeks 1 & 2
Foundation & Form
Weeks 3 & 4
Endurance Push
Week 5
Transition to
Running
Week 6
Up & Running!
Interval Run 20–30 min, 3x/week (Run 1 minute : Walk 2 minutes × 4–8 rounds)
Interval Run 30–40 min, 3x/week (2:1 × 8–10 rounds)
Easy continuous run 20–25 min, 2x/week + Interval run 1x/week (3:1 × 6–8 rounds)
Easy continuous run 25–30 min, 2x/week + Interval run for recovery (4:1 × 6–8)
Bike or Elliptical 30 min, 2x/week
Bike or Elliptical 30 min, 2x/week
Bike or Elliptical 30 min, 2x/week
Bike or Elliptical 30 min, 1x/week
Glutes, quads, and core, 2x/week
Add weight or increase reps, 2x/week
Progress weights and range, 2x/week
Full range with weight, 2x/week
knees. Consider these go-to recommendations: the Salomon Speedcross 6 for narrow feet, the Altra Lone Peak 9 for a wide toe box and zero drop, the Hoka Challenger 7 for stiff ankles, and the Cloudultra 2 for lightweight and breathable materials.
Still unsure of which shoe to pick? Give Lone Peak Physical Therapy and Performance a call or shoot us a text. We’ll help match you with the right shoe for your foot type and running goals.
Take a Smarter Approach This Summer with Our 6-Week Training Program
One of our favorite sayings here at the clinic is: “You have to be strong to run—not run to get strong.”
This six-week intensive running training program is designed to do exactly that. By starting and completing this program now, you will ensure that you are beginning your running season stronger than ever, keeping you healthy while reducing your chance of injury this coming summer season.
Don’t let knee pain sideline you this summer. With the proper mix of strength training and mobility work, intentional and safe dosing progression using a focused six-week training block—plus the right footwear—you will be able to run confidently and pain free all summer long.
Looking for a fully customized running specific stretching, strength, and training routine? We are here to help, speak to an expert today at our Big Sky + Performance or Bozeman + Performance locations!
Allie Epstein Poalino is a passionate and dedicated Physical Therapist at Lone Peak PT and has proudly served the Big Sky community for the past decade. With advanced training and high-level expertise in biomechanics, movement analysis, and performance testing, she provides an unparalleled physical therapy and sports rehabilitation experience. Allie is passionate about helping her patients recover faster, empowering them to excel in their rehabilitation journey and confidently return to doing what they love.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LONE PEAK PHYSICAL THERAPY AND PERFORMANCE
HEALTH
LET’S TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH: CREATIVE OUTLETS
BY NIELSEN GREINER GUEST COLUMNIST
Years ago, I worked through “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. One of the primary practices of the book is the morning pages. Right after you wake up every morning you sit down and write three pages by hand. As streamof-consciousness writing, it’s meant to be messy, imperfect, chaotic and whatever you want it to be. It’s a space where whatever’s inside is given the room to come out through pen on paper.
After I finished the book, the habit stuck. Almost every morning, I make a cup of coffee and sit down to write a few pages on a comfy chair in my room. Honestly, most of it is garbage, nonsense and no good at all. But that’s the point. In this practice, there’s no such thing as good or bad, or right or wrong. All that matters is that you show up. I always feel better after I do it, and never feel quite right if I don’t.
A 2023 poll by the American Psychiatric Association reveals a strong correlation between creativity and mental health. “About half (46%) of Americans use creative activities to relieve stress or anxiety… Americans who rate their mental health as very good or excellent tend to engage in creative activities more frequently than those who rate their mental health as fair or poor.”
Creative outlets foster self-expression and selfawareness. For instance, writing is a practice in which I not only express myself but also come to know myself. It’s much the same for all creative acts—music, painting, drawing, sculpting, making pottery, gardening, graphic design, photography
and editing, making a short film on your iPhone, or anything else that draws on creative energy.
Note that in these creative acts, perfectionism is your enemy. Creativity is about the act, not the outcome. If no one else ever reads, sees, hears, or knows of your creative work, it’s still worthwhile simply for your own personal expression and fulfillment.
If you are new to the world of creativity, here are three things to help you get started.
Creativity tips
Make it a habit and create a routine. Basically, force yourself to sit your butt down, like I do with my morning pages. Then, find a time that works for you and put it in your calendar. It might sound silly, but it helps you maintain consistency. Next, share it with someone else. This is the hard part, potentially terrifying, but it counters the fear of failure and rejection.
Creativity requires time and commitment and, above all, love. While this is hopefully true for professionals it is also true for dabblers. The best advice I can give is this: First and foremost, do it for yourself, for its own sake, for the love of it. If you love the creative act you engage with, whether hidden or shared, it is worthwhile for its own sake. It always begins with personal love, and, if shared, is made public from this intimate foundation.
If you give yourself the space for creativity, it is not such a long leap to begin giving it to others. What you do for your own pleasure brings joy to others when you share it. They catch some of the sparks your creation emits. They are transformed by the passion with which you create. It is contagious.
No doubt, you will encounter resistance—as penned by Steven Pressfield in “The War of Art,”
The more you create, the more resistance will try to stop you. How do you beat it? It’s simple. No matter what, you just do the work.
When you sit down and do the work no matter how mundane or tiring it feels, you beat resistance. You come away feeling more whole, free, fulfilled and settled. You’ll be surprised at how quiet the voice of the inner critic becomes.
Shoulder season in a resort town is hard for many of us, with the restlessness of being in between seasons and activities; we may twiddle our thumbs and wonder what to do with ourselves. Whatever it is for you, I encourage you to find and pursue at least one creative outlet this off season. Make it a habit, create a routine, and put it in your calendar, whether it’s once a day or once a week. And, if you dare, share your creation with at least one other person you trust.
If you take me up on the challenge, I bet you’ll be surprised at how much a creative act will settle your mind and be a helpful friend to your mental health. Why not give it a try and find out for yourself?
If you’re looking for a safe space for creative expression in the form of writing, there will be a creative writing group meeting at BASE Community Center on May 19 and June 16 at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. You don’t have to be a writer to join. We’ll write in response to one or two writing prompts, with the opportunity to share what you write, but only if you want. I hope to see you there so we can put creativity into practice.
Nielsen Grenier is part of the Navigator Network of Be Well Big Sky, attending monthly meetings and helping with community events. Aside from getting outside, he currently spends much of his time writing and reading. As he’s currently in between jobs, this summer he’ll take a long road trip through Canada to Alaska.
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TBD TIMBERLOFT DRIVE
Big Sky
40± acre alpine meadow overlooking the Gallatin Canyon, outstanding views of the Spanish Peaks and Lone Mountain. Two adjacent 40± acre properties, designated building sites, end of the road privacy easy all season access. Close to Ophir School and the West Gallatin River.
21 SITTING BULL RD
Big Sky
Complete interior rebuild, unlike any other Hill Condo. Quiet Rock drywall and solid wood doors. Quartz countertops throughout condo. All new Kohler fixtures throughout. Partially furnished with designer window treatments. Views of Spanish Peaks and Lake Levinsky.
$10 from each item purchased goes directly to the Center for Large Landscape Conservation and their Hwy 191 Wildlife Crossings Project.
