Taylor Allen, Kaley Burns, Mel Crichton, Matt Dodd, Kristin Gardner, Rachel Hergett, Jack Hudspeth, Kris Inman, Dave Pecunies, Benjamin Alva Polley, Michael Richter, Michael Ruebusch, Finley Timon
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BIG SKY PBR WINS 11X EVENT OF THE YEAR
Big Sky PBR has been named Event of the Year for the 11th year in a row by Professional Bull Riders. The honor recognizes the event’s continued excellence in fan experience, production and community impact.
MDT ADDRESSES ‘DISREPAIR’ OF U.S. 191
At a recent joint county meeting in Big Sky, the Montana Department of Transportation shared updates on safety improvements for U.S. Highway 191, including the Lava Lake renovation and a proposed roundabout at the Highway 64 intersection, pending funding approval. Additional plans include new passing lanes and improved signage.
BIG HORNS GRADUATE; JEREMY HARDER RETIRES
On Sunday, May 25, 28 Lone Peak High School seniors accepted their diploma and tossed their caps in the LPHS gymnasium. Several passionate speeches included Jeremy Harder, who gave the faculty address as he prepares to retire after 25 years spent teaching in Big Sky.
FIVE SENIORS GRADUATE FROM DISCOVERY
Five Big Sky Discovery Academy seniors graduated on Saturday, May 17. Mentors shared reflections on each student's character and successes in speeches at the school's sixth graduation ceremony.
COMMUNITY THEATER PERFORMS FIRST ORIGINAL PLAY
The Big Sky Community Theater performed their first-ever original play, “On The Face Of It,” written by local playwrights and performed by a cast of 13. Photographer Matt Dodd shared images from the sold-out performance at WMPAC.
EDITORIAL POLICIES
EDITORIAL POLICY
Outlaw Partners, LLC is the sole owner of Explore Big Sky. EBS reserves the right to edit all submitted material. Printed material reflects the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the opinion of Outlaw Partners or its editors. EBS will not publish anything discriminatory or in bad taste.
EBS welcomes obituaries written by family members or from funeral homes. To place an obituary, please submit 500 words or less to media@theoutlawpartners.com.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters to the editor allow EBS readers to express views and share how they would like to effect change. These are not Thank You notes. Letters should be 250 words or less, respectful, ethical, accurate, and proofread for grammar and content. We reserve the right to edit letters and will not publish individual grievances about specific businesses or letters that are abusive, malicious or potentially libelous. Include: full name, address, phone number and title. Submit to media@outlaw.partners.
ADVERTISING DEADLINE
For the June 12th issue: June 6th, 2025
CORRECTIONS Please report errors to media@outlaw.partners.
On Thursday afternoon, May 15, Lone Peak High School girls soccer players assisted the American Legion Post #99 with the annual flag raising duties at Soldiers Chapel in Big Sky. PHOTO BY JACK HUDSPETH
NEWS IN BRIEF BRIEFS
TENNIS TEAM ENDS 2025 SEASON
EBS STAFF
On May 22, the Lone Peak High School tennis team competed in the Class B-C state tournament in Missoula. Two Big Horn doubles teams and one singles player served and volleyed against schools from across the state and worked their way through two matches before being eliminated by strong teams.
Sophomore Catherine Coltea was knocked out of the singles tournament by senior Kaylee Zietke of Simms High School, who later won the tournament in the finals match on May 24. Seniors doubles team Addy Malinowsky and Libby Coltea were eliminated from the tournament in the second round after a loss to a Simms High School pair. Junior Poppy Towle and freshman Rowan Mitchell were knocked out in a second round match against Baker High School.
Big Sky School District Athletic Director John Hannahs commended the tennis squad's work over the course of the season.
"I am really proud of how well represented the Lady Big Horns were in postseason this year," Hannahs stated in an email. "Our upperclassmen have improved a lot and it was great to see them compete so well at the state level."
He applauded head coach Libby Grabow for leading the Big Horns. "Coach Grabow has done a fantastic job of raising the bar for the tennis team and ensuring they improve each year."
COMMUNITY SUPPORT ENABLES HRDC’S BOZEMAN FREE SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM
EBS STAFF
Thanks to community support, the Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation has fully funded the return of the Human Resource Development Council’s free summer lunch program for summer 2025. The program provides free lunches from the Bozeman Public Library during the library’s storytimes, learning activities and summer adventures.
Due to rising property values in the library’s neighborhood, it no longer qualified as a federally reimbursable meal site, meaning the library couldn’t host the service last year, an absence that was “felt deeply,” according to a press release from the City of Bozeman.
With the program’s return, HRDC will manage, prepare and distribute the lunches served at the library, with the Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation reimbursing their costs. Lunches are made possible by donations from individuals and local businesses.
“When families come to the library for lunch, they find more than just a meal,” Friends and Foundation Executive Director Janay Johnson stated in a press release. “They find enriching activities, books to take home, and a safe, welcoming place where their children can thrive.”
GALLATIN COUNTY SEEKING MEMBERS FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
EBS STAFF
The Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue communications team is looking for new members to provide logistical support and communication assistance to on-the-ground teams. In a May 22 Facebook post, the search and rescue team shared that the office is looking for new members to contribute to vital communications, mapping and logistical support to air, ground and water teams throughout Gallatin County and across the state of Montana.
“As a team member, you’ll use public safety radios and software, digital mapping tools like CalTopo, and platforms such as the Google Suite and D4H to help document operations, track personnel and solve real-time challenges to support first responders in their mission to save lives,” the post stated.
Interested tech-savvy community members can reach out to GCSSAR@gallatin.mt.gov to ask for an application.
BLACKLEGGED TICKS IDENTIFIED IN TWO MONTANA COUNTIES
EBS STAFF
The blacklegged tick, otherwise referred to as deer tick, has been identified in Dawson and Sheridan counties in Montana. The species was identified in the state for the first time last year through active surveillance conducted by researchers and public health officials.
According to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, the presence of blacklegged ticks in Montana may increase the risk of exposure to new tickborne illnesses, such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Powassan virus, hard tick relapsing fever and babesiosis. Already very common in other northwestern states, the species has steadily expanded their range in recent years.
“Not all types of ticks carry all tickborne illnesses,” stated Devon Cozart, DPHHS vectorborne disease epidemiologist in a May 21 DPHHS press release. “The presence of this new type of tick in the state could mean that Montanans have an increased risk of exposure to diseases that weren’t previously a threat in Montana.”
DPHHS is requesting the public’s help in tick surveillance, especially in Dawson and Sheridan counties. Anyone who thinks they have found a blacklegged tick can fill out an online form to report their findings, helping to track further spread across the state.
Health and tick prevention tips are available online at the DPHHS website.
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.
OP NEWS
BIG SKY PBR NAMED ‘EVENT OF THE YEAR’ FOR 11TH YEAR STRAIGHT
PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS HONORS EVENT PRODUCERS OUTLAW PARTNERS, FREESTONE PRODUCTIONS AT WORLD FINALS IN FORT WORTH
BY JACK REANEY
Editor’s note: Big Sky PBR is produced by Outlaw Partners, publisher of Explore Big Sky.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS—What began in 2011 as a one-night show with a set of bleachers pulled together in a sagebrush field and local river guides watching from rafts on top of buses, has become arguably the most unique stop on the Professional Bull Riders circuit. The Big Sky PBR is known for a high-quality, small-sellout-crowd experience with attention to detail and emphasis on both philanthropy and treating the visiting cowboys well.
These are some the reasons why Professional Bull Riders—a Colorado-based professional league that fills stadiums as large as the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium and iconic as Madison Square Garden—chooses year-after-year to
recognize the three-day Big Sky PBR, held in a 3,000-seat outdoor arena, with the PBR Event of the Year Award.
On Saturday, May 17, the Big Sky PBR earned the distinction for the 11th consecutive year.
Professional Bull Riders CEO Sean Gleason welcomed Outlaw Partners and Freestone Productions, co-producers of Big Sky PBR, to the PBR World Finals at AT&T Stadium to receive the award ahead of Big Sky’s 14th annual bull riding showcase.
Josh Timon, Outlaw Partners COO, said Outlaw is “incredibly proud” of the 11th award.
“This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Outlaw Partners team, Freestone Productions and the unwavering support of our Big Sky community,” Timon said, adding a
“special thanks” to Lone Mountain Land Company for its partnership and land use agreement for the Big Sky Events Arena.
“Most importantly we need to thank the remarkable athletes, both human and animals, who bring their passion and talent to every performance. The Big Sky PBR is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of spirit, resilience and camaraderie that unites us all,” Timon said.
In July 2024, the Big Sky PBR celebrated its milestone 10th consecutive award with flames depicting “10X” in the arena dirt. On the final night, a 16-year Air Force veteran completed a parachute flyover before local nonprofits Big Sky Bravery and Warriors and Quiet Waters each received checks for $54,375 from the final night’s Calcutta auction. Cowboy Luciano de Castro wrapped the event with a 91-point winning ride and walked out with a big check—in addition, Outlaw held an impromptu paddle raise to collect an additional $100,000 to be divided among riders and production staff.
In 2023, Big Sky’s Biggest Week—a series of events culminating in the PBR rodeo—raised nearly $300,000 for local nonprofits. In 2024, the week raised roughly $405,700, according to an economic impact report prepared by Circle Analytics.
The drama, generosity and economic impact of the Big Sky PBR unfolds every year, making it a favorite stop for cowboys who vote on the award.
PBR bull stock contractor Cord McCoy was still riding when the Big Sky PBR debuted in 2011. He remembers being around to help hatch the idea, but had doubts about a PBR stop in Big Sky.
Outlaw Partners representatives received the award at AT&T Stadium in Texas. PHOTO BY MICHAEL RUEBUSCH
“And here we are fourteen years later,” McCoy told EBS in a phone call. “… Still, every year, Big Sky is that event that my family comes to, and we celebrate, and we spend the week with our Big Sky family, in a sense. We look forward to it all year long.”
McCoy was touched by last year’s retirement ceremony for Viper, a bucking bull that was celebrated with a standing ovation. He called it a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” and an example of how Freestone and Outlaw continue to raise the bar every year.
While none of the original 45 cowboys who showed up for the first year are still riding 14 years later, McCoy is proud to see the Big Sky PBR become a generational event with fresh talent experiencing Big Sky for the first time every July.
“It’s all new guys, and it’s still the best in the world,” McCoy said.
Ennion Williams, VP of events for Outlaw Partners, said the event producers challenge themselves to improve the experience every year, “and this year will be no different.”
The 2025 event will welcome 12 former contestants from the 14th season of TV series Top Chef to enhance the Golden Buckle VIP dining experience, and Williams said the music lineup is “amazing” with Stephen Wilson Jr. and Chancey Williams scheduled to perform.
“The cowboys always bring their best and we cannot wait to host them again,” Williams said. “… You will not want to miss this year’s event.”
Jacey Watson, partner and owner of Freestone Productions, reflected on the humble beginnings in 2011. “Certainly, the site—and what the event has become—has changed tremendously since the beginning,” Watson told EBS in an email. “When my husband Andy and I first stood on that bare piece of land, riddled with rocks and sagebrush, we looked at each other and said, ‘I guess we’re going to build a bull riding arena here.’”
She recalled moving dirt to create the “quaint” arena and adding a few more bleachers on flatbed trailers after strong ticket sales—the transformation of the arena has been “undeniable” in the 14 years since.
“But what hasn’t changed is the energy,” Watson stated. “There’s a mystical kind of magic that snow-globes around this place when fans, cowboys, and bulls come together. Over the years, we’ve made countless memories, and they just keep coming. That energy—it still tingles in your bones. And when you’re here, you know you’re part of something truly special.”
Part of the magic has been famed rodeo entertainer, Flint Rasmussen, who always enjoys jesting the Big Sky crowd in his home state of Montana.
“In addition to the most beautiful views in the world, the people are a mix of rural Montana, Hollywood, Broadway, hippies, and cowboys,” Rasmussen stated in an email to EBS. “There is never a question how great the crowd will be—it just always is.”
He was there for the one-night show in 2011 and remembers seeing fans on rafts atop buses, and is proud to see the Big Sky PBR grow to “three days of high-paying bull riding in the most picturesque little stadium we ever see.”
The rousing voice of announcer Matt West is unmistakable in PBR events like Big Sky’s. He said the people of Big Sky make the event worthy of 11 straight Event of the Year awards.
“An event is only as good as the people behind the scenes and those that show up to enjoy it,” West stated in an email to EBS. “It’s obvious the hard work that goes into a 11-time Event of the Year— add that to the most beautiful setting a bull riding has ever been held, and it guarantees something uniquely special.”
Bucking bull Viper retired last year, and strutted around the arena with a rose necklace in a unique ceremony. PHOTO BY TAYLOR ALLEN / OUTLAW PARTNERS
LOCAL
MDT ADDRESSES ‘DISREPAIR’ AND ‘PAVEMENT DISTRESS,’ PLANS FOR PASSING LANES ON U.S. 191
PRESENTATION TO JOINT COUNTY COMMISSION INCLUDES SAFETY PROJECTS, TRAFFIC FLOW IMPROVEMENTS SLATED FOR SUMMER 2026
BY JACK REANEY
BIG SKY—The Montana Department of Transportation continues to demonstrate greater attention to U.S. Highway 191, the heavily driven and dangerous two-lane highway connecting Big Sky and Bozeman.
At the Madison-Gallatin Joint County Commission meeting held in Big Sky on Wednesday, May 14, MDT Butte District Preconstruction Engineer Brandon Jones discussed plans for the highway, including the Lava Lake renovation first presented in October 2024, as well as the potential roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 191 and Montana Highway 64 in Big Sky— currently awaiting the outcome of a federal grant application—and other proposed improvements including passing lanes and turnout signage.
Jones said MDT has been frequently scoping out damaged areas along U.S. 191 this spring.
“Obviously, as you’re driving up and down from Bozeman to Big Sky, you’re seeing some pretty significant pavement distress, and some sub-grade distress, so we’re looking to remedy that as much as we can,” Jones said in his introduction of MDT’s “Big Sky North” project to make improvements to U.S. 191 during the 2026 construction season.
When MDT conducted a preliminary field review in August 2024, the road was in “pretty decent shape… but obviously that’s changed throughout the winter,” Jones said.
He added that although MDT did not anticipate significant repairs until recently, MDT added the Big Sky North project into its fiscal year 2026 tentative construction plan. TCPs outline fiveyear priorities to maximize budget efficiency, and Jones said the Big Sky North project is slated for construction in 2026.
“It’s not a secret, I’m sure that you guys are well aware that 191 has fallen into disrepair, especially following this last winter cycle,” Jones said.
He listed problems including erosion between guardrails and the Gallatin River and snowmelt saturation beneath the pavement. “Through freezethaw, and the increased traffic loads that you guys are seeing down there, you know, we obviously saw that roadway blow apart pretty significantly over the winter season.”
MDT will evaluate opportunities to improve drainage and replace sections of worn pavement and damaged guardrail as part of its upcoming project.
Plans include passing lanes, turnout messaging, Spanish Creek bridge
Larger scale upgrades are in the works, too, including passing lanes to allow faster traffic to move past slower vehicles.
MDT nominated four areas for passing lane construction: a northbound lane just north of the 191/64 intersection; a southbound lane at Portal Creek; a northbound lane in the Hellroaring and Storm Castle area; and a southbound lane near Spanish Creek.
Jones said MDT will include several safety features to mitigate the hazards created by passing lanes where the additional passing lane merges back into one lane of traffic.
Currently, the only passing lane between Big Sky and Four Corners is the northbound lane at the mouth of the Gallatin Canyon, where drivers often attempt to pass multiple vehicles at a high speed before lanes merge, all in the face of oncoming vehicles heading south.
MDT has been playing catch-up this spring with crews working to patch up potholes along a dangerous, narrow highway. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
One safety feature is the center-line rumble strip, Jones said, which mitigates head-on collisions by roughly 90%, according to Federal Highway Administration studies.
Another design consideration is ensuring a proper length of “transition taper” to allow a smooth merge back to one-lane traffic.
Another potential improvement to traffic flow, MDT is working to improve the turnouts along the narrow Gallatin Canyon route.
“We’re looking kind of outside the box of what MDT has usually done when installing these turnouts, to make it very obvious that these are not recreational turnouts… but a location that’s used for the slower traffic to get off of the roadway and allow faster traffic to pass them,” Jones said.
In Big Sky, MDT is evaluating designs to improve the 191/64 intersection—since MDT announced the project in January 2024, every iteration of preliminary design has shown some form of a roundabout.
Jones noted that if MDT moves forward with the roundabout design, it would be designed to accommodate large trucks and trailers.
“In this conceptual layout, this is a roundabout. We’re still working through some of the layout… just a little brief glimpse of the conceptual layout that we’re currently considering,” Jones said.
The project’s construction timeline will depend on whether MDT receives a federal BUILD Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, with a decision anticipated by the end of June.
Another upcoming project is the Spanish Creek bridge replacement. Since October 2024, MDT has been designing a replacement to ensure the new bridge design accommodates wildlife movement while avoiding cultural site impacts, according to a March press release from MDT.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2029, and funding for design and construction has already been allocated for the Spanish Creek bridge project.
Timeline uncertain for Lava Lake project
Jones showed three renderings that expanded on early designs shown at the most recent joint county commission meeting in October 2024.
Primarily intended to replace an aging, curved bridge, the project also aims to flatten the road curves and improve pedestrian access to the Lava Lake trailhead—plans now show a pedestrian access bridge over the Gallatin River between the primary parking lot and the popular trailhead.
The three design options include varying degrees of rock cut required and bridge construction work. Jones indicated the third option “optimizes the geometry” to limit bridge construction and rock excavation required.
Jones said the third option also most closely resembles the current layout, and “there’s probably a little bit of wisdom” to maintaining the curvature which necessitates a slower driving speed around a “pretty treacherous” curve.
MDT still has not included Lava Lake improvements in a tentative construction plan, and a construction timeline remains uncertain.
“That one’s going to be the most difficult one to fund, quite frankly,” Jones said, adding it will likely cost between $70 and $80 million, and MDT is
currently going all-in on the 191/64 intersection in terms of federal grant requests.
Community feedback
During public comment, community member Tallie Lancey noted the helpfulness of the webcam at mile marker 55 (Karst) to inform travelers about traffic volume in the Gallatin Canyon, and asked if it would be possible to add one at the 191/64 junction—Jones said MDT would take the request into consideration.
Jones later added it would be “a good return on investment” to create a live-updating website to communicate expected travel times, potential
accident information, and other notices regarding U.S. 191—currently, the best resource for immediate updates is an informal crowd-sourced Facebook page.
Big Sky Resort Area District board chair Kevin Germain said Big Sky’s biggest challenge has been workforce housing, an area that recently took “a quantum leap forward” with the passage of the Cold Smoke Bond.
“I would say our number two community issue is 191 and 64, and this is something that we really are leaning into… This is where we need your help the most right now,” said Germain, addressing the commissioners from both counties.
PROPOSED ALTERNATIVES COURTESY OF MDT
PROPOSED ALTERNATIVES COURTESY OF MDT
PROPOSED ALTERNATIVES COURTESY OF MDT
GRTF LEADS PROJECT TO HONOR STEVE JOHNSON WITH RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL
BSCO, BSRAD, LOCAL WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTS CONTRIBUTE TO PROJECT
BY JACK REANEY
BIG SKY—The Gallatin River Task Force is leading a project to honor Steve Johnson, who passed away in June 2024 and made his mark as an advocate for Big Sky’s watershed health and waterrelated infrastructure.
The exact site has yet to be determined, but it will be located on Big Sky Resort Area District land near the intersection of U.S. Highway 191 and Montana Highway 64—also the confluence of the West Fork of the Gallatin River and the mainstem Gallatin. The project will include a bench donated by the Big Sky Community Organization, and signage to describe Johnson’s legacy and educate visitors on river conservation.
“Essentially we just want to recognize his tremendous efforts toward water in our community,” Kristin Gardner, GRTF chief executive and science officer, told EBS in a phone call. She noted Johnson’s volunteer involvement in countless committees and boards, and his influence on some of Big Sky’s significant water projects like the wastewater treatment plant that opened in 2024 and the Gallatin Canyon sewer district that, if implemented, will reduce the strain of human development on the Gallatin River.
His influence was “very beneficial” for the river, Gardner said, adding that it was “a no-brainer” for GRTF to take on this project.
More fundraising will be needed to reach the goal of $20,000, and the task force hopes to begin installation by early fall. GRTF is contributing $2,500, the Big Sky Resort Area District will pitch in $6,500—Johnson served on the Resort Tax board until his passing—and both local water and sewer districts will contribute $2,500 each.
“To us, this was a no-brainer,” said Johnny O’Connor, Big Sky County Water and Sewer District GM during the district’s May 20 board meeting.
Board chair Brian Wheeler added that Johnson was “a hammer” who played a key role in executing the interlocal agreement between Resort Tax and BSCWSD to fund the new Water Resource Recovery Facility. “He was the ninth board member,” Wheeler said, a reference to Johnson’s frequent public participation in BSCWSD meetings.
BSRAD Executive Director Daniel Bierschwale said the $6,500 contribution was made in memory of a dear friend whose passionate voice shaped the community, and whose love for the Gallatin River and fly tying inspired Big Sky.
“We are honored to contribute to this memorial and look forward to hosting it on our property as a lasting tribute to his impact on BSRAD and the greater community,” Bierschwale stated in an email.
Madeleine Feher, CEO of BSCO, added that Johnson raised the bar for everyone through his service to many local organizations, including BSRAD and the Big Sky Trails, Recreation and Parks District.
“I am grateful to take part in honoring Steve’s many contributions, and in celebrating his enduring support for our parks, trails, and open spaces,” Feher stated in an email. “[Johnson] was a steadfast advocate and engaged leader in this community— his vision, passion, and commitment to preserving and enhancing our outdoor spaces helped shape the heart of our organization and the future of our community.”
The task force is also communicating with some of the conservation groups that Johnson was involved with.
Gardner said community members can reach out to GRTF if they would like to contribute any amount to the project.
A public ribbon cutting will be held upon completion.
LMLC TO PRESENT UPDATES ON TOWN CENTER, OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN JUNE OPEN HOUSE
EBS STAFF
BIG SKY—On Tuesday, June 3, Lone Mountain Land Company will host its second annual community open house, following up on a similar open house event in April 2024 when the developer unveiled plans for Town Center.
The event is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. in the ballroom of The Wilson Hotel. Child care will be provided free of charge for potty-trained kids from 4 to 7 p.m. at BASE, and refreshments and appetizers will be served after the presentation.
“We are energized by our community and have been hard at work planning the next phase of Town Center and beyond,” Matt Kidd, LMLC
president, stated in a press release. “Our goal is to create a year-round, thriving community for all residents, while also nurturing it as a top-notch resort destination. This meeting is a chance for us to deliver an update on our progress, have an open conversation and answer any questions.”
The meeting will also be live streamed online, and recorded, with virtual details to be released as the event approaches. Attendees are asked to submit questions in advance by emailing info@lonemountainland.com
The Big Sky Farmers Market will begin the following day, June 4, during which LMLC will host a family-friendly community celebration in the Town Center Plaza from 5 to 8 p.m. “to recognize
the accomplishments achieved this spring with the legislative session and the May election results,” the release stated.
This legislative session, law changes directly impacting Big Sky include the recent passage of Senate Bill 260, which will impact Big Sky’s ability to withdraw from Ennis-based school and hospital districts, and Senate Bill 172, which allows resort tax communities to fund workforce housing using collections from the “1% for infrastructure” resort tax.
The release encourages community members to reach out by email for more information regarding upcoming events or LMLC happenings.
LMLC will also host a community celebration during the first Big Sky Farmers Market on June 4. COURTESY OF LMLC
CONSTRUCTION AT GALLATIN FOOTHILLS
Nestled in the heart of Big Sky, Montana, Gallatin Foothills Phase 2 offers a rare opportunity to own a homesite that combines natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and convenient access to local amenities. With spacious lots ranging from 1 to ± 2 acres and over ± 75 acres of open space, this neighborhood is designed to provide privacy, stunning mountain views, and a connection to the outdoors.
Residents will enjoy a professionally built trail system by Terraflow, sledding hills, open space for XC skiing, and access to public lands for activities like snowmobiling, ATV riding, and hiking. The Gallatin River is just 5 minutes away, while Big Sky Town Center and Big Sky Resort are a 10 and 15-minute drive, respectively, creating the ultimate home base for your year-round recreation.
BIG SKY—On Sunday, May 25, Lone Peak High School’s 2025 graduating class donned Big Horn blue for the final time as students. The group is tied for second-largest in school history with 2023.
Dr. Dustin Shipman, Big Sky School District superintendent, began the 2025 Lone Peak Commencement Ceremony by expressing pride in each student’s accomplishments.
“As soon-to-be alumni from Lone Peak High School, I encourage you to seek out challenges that will push you beyond your comfort zones, take you to places you never thought possible, and allow you to live life on your own terms,” Shipman said.
In the opening speech, class president Madelyn Browne highlighted each classmate’s individual contribution.
For classmate Alex Redmon, Browne celebrated his “unapologetic and authentic” resistance to conformity. For Shea Reynolds, she said, “you’ve been fixing the same car for months—but you haven’t given up. You’re committed to improving. You’re persistent and patient.”
In all, she reflected on “28 lessons from 28 incredible people,” underscoring the closeness of the graduating class.
“In a bigger school, I couldn’t have had the time and the place to tell you about my classmates and
who they are today—even worse, I may not have even known many of them,” Browne said. “The size of our school teaches tolerance, tolerance teaches us acceptance and ultimately, all kinds of other lessons that we may not have learned otherwise... Congratulations to the Class of 2025, I will never stop noticing all of you.”
Principal Dr. Marlo Mitchem commented that it was “an inclusive and thoughtful speech” from an “inclusive and thoughtful” student in Browne.
Valedictorian Anna Masonic reflected on her sophomore year arrival to Big Sky, and how the immersive multi-day expedition trip previewed the unique learning experience. She added a few
classmate shoutouts of her own, envisioning some of their hopeful futures.
Masonic also thanked Principal Mitchem, “for the love, care and devotion you bring to our school as you guide us toward success.”
The school welcomed keynote speaker Yarrow Kraner, founder and CEO of HATCH and cofounder of the Montana Festival with an impactful background in public speaking, community network building and consulting.
Kraner said he was honored to give the keynote address because he loves the Big Sky community. “Over the last 20 years or so, I’ve
School district board chair Matt Jennings congratulates Lone Peak graduate Joe Gale. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
had the opportunity to see so many young, amazing human beings from Big Sky blossom and grow into creators and catalysts for good in the world,” he said.
He recalled his own high school graduation in Helena, when he felt the urge to “get out of Montana” and see what’s on the other side of the horizon. He noted that students may need to leave Montana, however, to realize how “amazing” it is.
He urged students to “say ‘thank you’ often” and use gratitude as a superpower, and gave a suggestion as seek guidance to navigate adult life.
“Ask the universe,” Kraner said. “Seriously, put the big questions out there, and then listen. The universe will give you feedback—it might not always be what you want to hear.”
Students pick Jeremy Harder for farewell address
For the final speech, retiring teacher Jeremy Harder offered words written from the heart in the same way he taught Big Sky students for 25 years.
“He will retire, sadly, this June. Sadly for me, and all of us here,” Mitchem said while introducing the final speaker, selected by graduates to give the faculty address. “What an incredible resource, inspiration and person he has been for our community.”
Browne also included a shoutout to Harder in her class president speech.
“From Mr. Harder, our honorary senior, I learned what care looks like. Not just polite kindness, but deep, intentional, life-changing care that stems from being a good listener. This is the kind of care I hope to mirror in my future as a teacher and an overall human,” Browne said.
Harder began his speech casually. “Everyone said what I was gonna say, so, I think we’re good.”
Hearing laughter, he continued, diving into a thoroughly prepared speech with poetic rhythm and timing.
“Twenty-five years of chalk dust and whiteboard markers—lunch count done, attendance taken, late night gradin’ papers, early mornings, lesson plans— and here we sit together with caps and tassels gleamin’, tears wellin’, and pride pourin’ through this building,” Harder began.
He insisted he’s no wiser—only older—and he reached this point by being wrong and learning constantly.
“I didn’t earn my wisdom. I labored for it. I fell into it. I shoveled out of it. I tripped over it. And I crawled out from the depths of depression to fetch it. And that’s OK... Never stop learning, the second
you think you know everything is the moment you start forgetting who you are.”
Harder cautioned students to stay away from harmful things like substances, sugar and “sugarcoated people,” and especially screens as he emphasized the importance of looking at sunlight before screen light every morning.
“Put your phone down. Seriously. Put it down,” Harder said.
He urged the graduates to practice constant, everyday kindness. “Nobody’s above you, and certainly, nobody’s beneath you.”
Harder plans to return to school and complete an addiction counseling program at Montana State University. He told EBS that he’s “really allowing curiosity to lead right now” and “open to a world of possibilities,” a sentiment echoed in his speech.
“I love you, and I love you, and I love you, and all of you. May you be healthy, may you be happy, may you be safe, and may you be at peace,” Harder concluded.
Once the hundreds of attendees finished their standing ovation, Mitchem said, “Well, I’m glad you’re our final speaker,” after Harder’s soulful parting words left students and families wiping tears from their eyes before receiving their diplomas and tossing their caps.
Graduate Claire Hoadley poses with Superintendent Dustin Shipman while Principal Marlo Mitchem reads notes about her time at LPHS. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
Jeremy Harder taught for 25 years and will retire in June. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
Graduate Grady Towle dons his cowboy hat after the ceremony. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
Hazel Buotte Oregon State University
Aubrey Farr Baylor University
Jillian Blakeley Montana State University
Grady Towle Montana Tech.
Jose Chairez Montana State University
Isaac Bedway DePauw University
Alex Redmon Mixologist
Arlo Hurlbut Montana State University
Addy Malinowski University of Montana
Jack Laxson Montana State UniversityNorthern
Maguire Brooke Savannah College of Art and Design
Emanuel Leanos Montana State University
Eva Mitchell University of British Columbia
Garin Staudt Montana State University
Cyrus Coleman University of Montana
Finn McRae Colorado College
Kael Gilbert Bentley University
Libby Coltea Washington University
Frieda Fabozzi University of Puget Sound
Joe Gale Montana State University
Anna Masonic Baylor University
Tanner Slieff Indiana University
Shea Reynolds Michigan Tech.
Madelyn Browne Texas Christian University
Walker Bagby Montana State University
Jack Sheehan Indiana University
Haley Hodge University of Montana Western
Claire Hoadley Rocky Mountain College
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DISCOVERY ACADEMY GRADUATES FIVE SENIORS IN SIXTH SENIOR CLASS
BY JACK REANEY
BIG SKY—On Saturday, May 17, Big Sky Discovery Academy celebrated five graduating seniors in a ceremony that included speeches by each student’s chosen mentor.
The five students represent the sixth graduating class of the 11-year-old school, which continues to grow and evolve its programming to meet the needs of its families. The class of 2025 is tied with 2021 for the school’s largest-ever class.
“Having five graduates is an exciting moment for Discovery,” Assistant Head of School Beth Marlington told EBS in a phone call. “We’re filled with gratitude and excitement for the graduates and their families.”
Marlington described the group as “incredible adults who have persevered through diverse challenges… grounded, respectful, thoughtful and open” in her commencement speech.
She commended them for their academic achievements and their fulfillment of the school’s mission to discover their potential. “Making plans for what will fulfill them going forward, and that makes me very proud of them.”
The “tight knit” class of students have shown dedication to their work, their friends and their community, and pursued their interests through extracurricular activities in the community and programs offered by Lone Peak High School, such as sports and theater productions, Marlington explained.
Head of Schools Scott Poloff told EBS that Discovery’s flexible schedule teaches high school students to manage their time and balance responsibilities and independence. He’s proud that the graduates spent their time working part-time, volunteering, and diving into their passions while succeeding academically.
“They’re just very good active members within the community,” Poloff said.
His message to graduates is to reflect on the time they put into their academics with Discovery, and to remember that many of the lessons they learned in high school will allow them to continue to be successful in life.
He added that each of the graduates is unique, and their graduation ceremony reflected their individualism as a group—they quickly chose pink caps and gowns, in contrast to last year’s senior class, a group of three headed to trade school who wore black and planned a “completely different” ceremony, he said.
Poloff thanked the Big Sky community and Discovery families for their support, and noted that the graduating seniors are strong representatives of the academy.
Before graduation, Marlington asked the seniors to think of an adult in their life who has been a mentor and helped them on their journey to adulthood. Those mentors spoke on their student’s behalf at graduation, and Marlington shared summaries of each speech.
Henry Flach
Pete Costain spoke on behalf of Henry Flach, noting Flach’s hard work on the Terraflow Trail Systems crew—the trail construction company owned by Costain—and Flach’s willingness to solve unique problems during construction, his dependability at the job, and his exceptional talent on skis.
Flach plans to continue working and taking time to explore after graduating.
Jayden Jacobson
Jackie Robin spoke on behalf of Jayden Jacobson, reflecting on their relationship since the day
Jacobson was born. Robin highlighted Jacobson’s empathetic personality and strong perseverance through challenges.
Jacobson plans to take a gap year and will join Discovery’s staff to support its early childhood program.
Brandt Maybee
Social studies teacher Molly DeMarco spoke on behalf of Brandt Maybee. DeMarco listed courses in which she taught Maybee, and the lessons in resilience, respect and honesty that Brandt taught her as an engaged student.
Maybee plans to work and take time to explore after graduating.
Cameron Pecunies
Kamron Hansen spoke on behalf of Cameron Pecunies, whom Hansen tutored. Hansen highlighted Pecunies’ thoughtful approach to life and his motivated, intelligent qualities that enabled him to succeed in difficult courses like physics.
Pecunies will attend the University of Oregon.
Marley Schack
Morgan Comey spoke on behalf of Marley Schack. Comey was Schack’s teacher during her study abroad experience in southern Africa with the Traveling School, and emphasized Schack’s adventurous spirit, friendly leadership, and willingness to think critically.
Marlington added Schack did “an amazing job” after being chosen by her classmates to give a speech at graduation. Schack described the meaning of growing up in Big Sky.
She plans to attend the University of Colorado Boulder.
PHOTO BY DAVE PECUNIES
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SPORTS
LONE PEAK TRACK FINISHES SEASON STRONG
BY FISCHER GENAU
MISSOULA—Four girls from Lone Peak High School’s track team advanced to state competition to close out the year after a strong showing at their divisional meet on Thursday, May 15. Haley Hodge, Lola and Harper Morris, and Ursula Blyth competed at states on May 23 and 24 in Missoula, with several running personal-best races.
“We had an awesome few days,” head coach Christine Toy told EBS in an email.
Junior Harper Morris competed in three solo events—the 300-meter hurdles, 400-meter dash, and the long jump—and she ran a personal-best one minute, three seconds in the 400-meter dash to place sixteenth. Her freshman sister Lola competed in the 800-meter dash and also scored a personal record, running two minutes, 28 seconds to place tenth. Haley Hodge, a senior, ran the 100-meter hurdles to finish her high school track career. Next year, Hodge will compete on University of Montana Western’s track team in Dillon.
The LPHS girls also ran the four-by-100-meter relay, and the team of Hodge, Harper and Lola Morris, and Blyth broke their own school record by completing the race in four minutes, 24 seconds at the state meet. They had set the previous record of four minutes, 26 seconds the week prior at their divisional meet.
The divisional meet marked the end of the season for the LPHS boys, who narrowly missed qualifying for state competition. Junior Anshu Ramesh ran the 110-meter hurdles in a strong headwind and missed qualifying by less than a second, while sophomore Boone Jorgenson, senior Grady Towle, sophomore Liam Barker, and Ramesh ran their season-best time in the four-by-100-meter relay, but ultimately came up short.
The divisional was Towle’s last track meet before he graduated, while the other boys will have the chance to return next year.
“It’s exciting to send some girls to states and watch the boys finish out their season,” Toy said.
Half of the LPHS track team. PHOTO BY FISCHER GENAU
Lone Peak track athletes qualified for the state meet. COURTESY OF CHRISTINE TOY
LONE PEAK GIRLS GOLF EARNS THIRD PLACE AT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
WHOLE TEAM PROVIDES STRONG INDIVIDUAL SHOWINGS DESPITE WEATHER DELAYS
BY CARLI JOHNSON
SHELBY—The Lone Peak High School golf team wrapped up a successful state tournament with impressive individual play by both the girls and boys teams, including the girls’ third place overall finish. The state tournament was held May 13 and 14 at the Marias Valley Golf Course in Shelby.
The girls team placed just two strokes behind second-place Shelby High School, with FlorenceCarlton High School taking the state title. Lone Peak’s returning state champions Dylan Manka, Olivia Kamieniarz and Maddie Wilcynski finished among the top 15 in the individual standings.
Manka, a junior, led the way for Lone Peak, finishing in fourth place after a consistent two-day showing. Tied for second after day one, Manka maintained her composure through weather delays and shifting conditions.
“Dylan doesn’t let anything rattle her. She stayed in her game and played beautifully,” head coach Jenny Wilcynski told EBS.
Kamieniarz, also a junior, was in third place after day one and ended the tournament tied for ninth.
A fellow junior, Wilcynski tied for 12th place overall. Already a long tournament for many players, a challenging weather delay on day two proved difficult conditions to keep up with the previous day’s scores.
“Sometimes the golf course just wins,” coach Wilcynski said of the hail and lightning delay that slowed momentum and challenged players.
Sophomores Penelope Brooke and Sabine Hurlbut rounded out the score for the Big Horns. Brooke, who began playing golf just last year, improved by six strokes between rounds, scoring a 123 on day two. Hurlbut shaved 10 strokes off her day one score, finishing with a 129.
“This course isn’t necessarily easy,” coach Wilcynski said. “But I’m just so extremely proud of them for stepping up to the varsity level after one season on JV.”
Boys score as individuals
In order to compete for a state title, a team needs a minimum of four varsity players. Although Lone Peak’s boys team did not have enough players to
compete as a team, they were still represented individually by Mac Bertelson and Isaac Bedway.
Bertelson, a sophomore, tied for 22nd after rounds of 87 and 83. Bedway, a senior, tied for 32nd despite a weather-affected second round.
“They were hoping to crack the top 20, and they weren’t far off,” Wilcynski noted. “A hailstorm and a lightning delay on day two really threw off the rhythm.”
Wilcynski praised the team’s progress and pointed to promising years ahead. With several underclassmen gaining experience, she sees strong potential for future success. “This is a great team, and definitely has some promise for some future all-staters,” she said.
In the offseason, many players will take part in summer golf programs, including the Gallatin Valley junior tour that hosts tournaments weekly.
“I just want to thank Big Sky Resort for allowing us to be on the course before it’s even open,” Wilcynski said. “We wouldn’t be successful without all the community support.” 9-months of
REGIONAL
MONTANA STATE AMERICAN MARKETING ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZED AS TOP COLLEGIATE CHAPTER AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
The student chapter of the American Marketing Association at Montana State University was named the Chapter of the Year at the AMA International Collegiate Conference, which was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, this April.
Founded just nine years ago, the MSU chapter has been named a top-10 chapter in each of the past five years, but this is the first time it earned the top designation out of more than 330 other chapters.
“Being named Chapter of the Year is an incredible honor, and I am humbled to be part of such a dedicated team that has been recognized at an international level,” said Aleisha Dutton, president of the AMA chapter and triple major in marketing, accounting and finance. “This has been a special year – from adding a new networking dinner event, to having the CEO of the AMA as our keynote speaker in our regional conference, to record fundraising that allowed 37 students to attend ICC. I will never forget everyone who had a part in what AMA has accomplished.”
To earn its International Chapter of the Year designation, MSU was evaluated in areas including professional development, social impact, fundraising, membership and communications.
The chapter raised more than $49,000 this academic year, fully funding travel for 22 of the 37 students attending the international conference.
In addition to International Chapter of the Year, the MSU chapter participated in 17 events at the ICC and earned the following awards:
• F irst place, Digital Marketing Competition: Eve Broeker, Jack Hays, Lucas Lehnen, Madelyn Pierson, Hunter Swenson.
• F irst place, Chapter T-shirt design Radley Robertson.
• T hird place, Intercollegiate Case Competition: Jovany Castillo Guillen, Luka Depatsy, Aleisha Dutton, Rebecca Jolley, Amber Kurth, Joseph Krumrey, Monica MacPherson, Emma Powell, Abbie Tietz, Lily Heriza, Melia Swirsky, Maxwell Wolsborn.
• T hird Place, Marketing Strategy Competition: Blair Ringer and Abbie Tietz.
• T hird Place, EBSCO Scholar Award: Jackson Redder.
“I told our students last fall that they were operating at a different level. But I had no idea it would result in being named Chapter of the Year,” said Eric Van Steenburg, associate professor of marketing in the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship and faculty adviser for the AMA chapter. “This would not have been possible without the leadership of Aleisha Dutton, the dedication of the chapter’s executive board, hard work of the organization’s 25 directors, the guidance of the professional advisory board and the tremendous support from the Jabs administration.”
ICC is held every spring and is hosted by the Chicago-based American Marketing Association, a global organization with more than 25,000 members. It is intended for students to grow and network as young marketers, learn valuable skills and connect with professionals. The MSU chapter has captured 65 awards in its nine years of participating.
The AMA student chapter at MSU prepares students for their professional careers through networking, personal growth and communityoriented leadership. Membership in the AMA at MSU is open to students of any major. For more information, visit www.amamontanastate.org.
Contact: Eric Van Steenburg, MSU AMA faculty adviser, eric.vansteenburg@montana.edu
MSU NEWS SERVICE
The student-led American Marketing Association Chapter at MSU was recognized as the top international chapter of the year at a recent conference. MSU NEWS SERVICE
MONTANA MEDIA ACT SIGNED BY GOVERNOR, SUPPORTS MONTANA FILMMAKERS
SENATE BILL
326
PASSED APRIL 29 AFTER DYING NEAR THE END OF A LONG LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND BEING REVIVED BY A RECONSIDERATION VOTE
BY MARIO CARR EBS CONTRIBUTOR
HELENA—The Montana Media Coalition united ahead of this year’s legislative session with hopes of keeping the Montana film industry alive through a tax incentive program for Montana filmmakers. While not all of their goals were accomplished, coalition President Lynn-Wood Fields is hopeful about their wins, mostly the passage of Senate Bill 326.
Fields and other coalition members brought Montana filmmakers to the table so that legislators could meet the Montanans that would be affected by the bill, which sought to expand tax incentives for Montana film projects, and establish sideboards to ensure those incentives directly benefit Montanans themselves.
“It was a heavy lift, and I am beyond proud of the coalition,” Fields told EBS.
The bill was amended as it moved through the legislative process. In the final form of SB 326, the coalition was unable to increase the media tax credit which is currently capped at $12 million per year until 2029—and already accounted for by large productions like “Yellowstone.” However, the bill does prevent the tax credit program from sunsetting, and installs “sideboards” so that any
future money will be mostly reserved for Montana resident-filmmakers.
“We’re not Hollywood. We’re Montana filmmakers that are going to be greatly impacted by the fact that, quite frankly, Hollywood has taken most of the [tax] credit… So I think it’s both a win and a loss, but mostly we feel very proud of ourselves for even coming up with a win,” Fields said.
Fields already has her mind on the next legislative session in 2027, and is thankful for the groundwork that was laid over the past few months. When it became clear to Fields and the coalition that any attempt to increase the tax credit would not pass, they focused on what could be done.
“We just had to say, ‘it is more important for us to have a win, than for us to have a giant loss,” she explained.
The sideboards in the bill will reserve tax credits for future productions’ expenses such as hiring Montanans on set and filming in Montana studios with Montana-based companies, as well as shooting Montana-based documentaries. Until more money is added, however, new Montana productions won’t have access to these incentives. Without these incentives, Fields explained, it is very hard for filmmakers to attract investors, who would rather invest in states where their money is tax deductible.
Fields explained that the 2025 legislative session felt somewhat hostile in regards to the impacts of the film industry in Montana.
Many believe the rise of the popular show “Yellowstone,” alongside the COVID pandemic, contributed to the housing crisis in the state. But the coalition fought hard to get legislators to see beyond the “Goliath” of the film industry that is “Yellowstone,” and focus in on the “David” that is Montana filmmakers, Fields said.
To rally support, 55 members of the coalition showed up in Helena when the bill was set for a reconsideration vote in the Senate, to put a face to the Montana industry that these legislators would be voting on. And while economic reports indicate that these tax credits pay for themselves and in fact generate more taxable value, the coalition decided to focus their messaging on restoring pride in Montana’s filmmakers.
“Some of them really got it, you know, and I am really grateful so many of them showed up, and I’m talking bipartisan, which I thought was cool… We just had so much narrative we had to get across to them about who we were,” Fields said “… In the end I do feel like this is a win, because they really started to understand that we’re Montanans.
Real Montanans
Dozens of Montana Media Coalition members traveled to Helena to support the bill. COURTESY OF LYNN-WOOD FIELDS
‘STRIDENT ADVOCACY’: ZINKE DEFENDS PUBLIC LANDS IN TRUMP TAX CUT BILL
‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’ PASSES HOUSE AFTER PROVISIONS REMOVED TO SELL PUBLIC LANDS; REP. ZINKE CELEBRATES ‘PROTECTING WHAT MATTERS MOST’
EBS STAFF
President Donald Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” to cut taxes on an unprecedented scale included
After public land sale was stripped from the bill, Zinke joined GOP lawmakers in voting to pass the legislation. He celebrated the House-approved bill in a May 22 news release.
“Hunters and anglers stepped into the arena to make their voices heard, and members of Congress listened—thank you,” Pederson stated in the May 21 release from Zinke’s office. “In particular, we thank Congressman Zinke for his strident advocacy
127 E Main Street Bozeman MT
DISPATCHES FROM THE WILD: SOLASTALGIA A FORM OF HOMESICKNESS ENVIRONMENT
BY BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY EBS COLUMNIST
One of the penalties of an ecological education, as the conservationist and author Aldo Leopold wrote, is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. As climate change and other forms of environmental degradation become more evident, experts predict that an increasing number of people will experience emotional and psychological distress as a result. Many individuals are already feeling these effects.
Recently, I have experienced a profound sense of distress and loss due to the environmental changes occurring in a state I hold dear: Montana. The state is undergoing rapid growth, which is negatively impacting prime wildlife habitats. Familiar places are being transformed; forests are being cleared, hillsides flattened, glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, streams are being straightened, concrete and pavement are replacing soil and earth and noxious weeds are displacing native plants. Luxury homes are sprouting, forcing some wildlife species to become refugees in their homeland. Protections for endangered species are being redefined as those in power grapple with their authority and redefine what the term “harm” means concerning species and habitats.
Whether these changes result from the popularity of the TV series “Yellowstone,” COVID migration, or billionaires purchasing vast tracts of land, many locals cite these factors as contributors to the transformation. Some newcomers are drawn to Montana for its public lands, wildlife and natural spaces, yet these very assets are under threat. Others may be attracted by a misguided interpretation of the term “wild,” equating it with lawlessness and the freedom to act without restraint.
This phenomenon—the pain and longing we experience as we witness our surroundings change in ways that render them unrecognizable—is known as “solastalgia.” Coined by Australian philosopher Glenn Albrecht, the term describes "the homesickness we feel while still at home."
Solastalgia is a form of emotional or existential distress triggered by perceived negative
environmental changes, which may arise from climate change, development, natural disasters, or the extraction of resources.
Symptoms of solastalgia can include anger, anxiety, depression, despair, grief and a sense of helplessness or hopelessness. Since 2020, Montana’s population has grown by 4.8%, making it the fourth-fastestgrowing state in the U.S., with nearly 50,000 new residents in that period. Most of this in-migration has occurred in the western part of the state, particularly in cities such as Bozeman, Kalispell and Missoula. However, we are now seeing growth spill over into smaller counties neighboring these major cities. For example, Musselshell County, situated between Helena and Billings, has experienced a 31% growth rate, while Broadwater County, located between Helena and Bozeman, has grown by 14.9%. Notably, three counties north and west of Kalispell have also seen steady growth: Mineral County (up 13.6%), Lincoln County (up 11.5%) and Sanders County (up 10.8%).
Earlier this year, a University of Montana survey revealed that 90% of registered respondents in Montana considered development and sprawl into open lands a significant problem. Gavin Ricklefs, managing director of the Heart of the Rockies Initiative, referenced a recent economic study highlighting the issue: since 1990, more than 1.3 million acres of undeveloped land in Montana, primarily agricultural, have been converted into residential subdivisions. Nearly half of all newly constructed homes have been built on lots averaging 10 acres in size. Since 2000, one-quarter of all homes in Montana have been built. Every month, the state loses approximately 1,500 acres of open land to development, despite Montana's agriculture sector generating $5.5 billion annually and supporting 30,000 jobs across 58 million acres dedicated to food production.
Yes, change is inevitable, and it is the only certainty in our world. While people need homes, the choices we make about how and where to build must be carefully considered, especially before prime wildlife habitat is sacrificed for development. Many of us transplanted to the Treasure State because of the abundance of wildlife and public lands that Montana is blessed with. But these things aren’t a given. People in our state have fought long and hard for these assets.
Recent legislative wins
Fortunately, a few major bills were passed in Montana’s state legislature that can alleviate or postpone the solastalgia I’ve been feeling. These bills passed last week.
Montana's legislature recently passed bills focused on enhancing wildlife habitat and improving public access to lands, including House Bill 932 and Senate Bill 537. HB 932 creates the Habitat Legacy Account to support conservation efforts, restoration, and wildlife crossings, while SB 537 also invests in these areas. Additionally, HB 855 focuses on wildlife crossings, which save the lives of people and wildlife.
HB 932 reallocates marijuana tax revenue to a new account, the "Habitat Legacy Account," which will then fund various conservation initiatives. Specifically, 75% of the funds will go towards Habitat Montana and state water projects, 20% to the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program, and 5% to a new wildlife crossings account. The bill also revises the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Advisory Council and its membership.
SB 537 also appropriates funds for conservation, public access, and wildlife habitat, with a focus on enhancing both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. It establishes a scoring system for project proposals and modifies administrative cost limits.
Solastalgia and nostalgia are both states of homesickness, but they differ in their underlying causes. Nostalgia is a longing for a past time or place, while solastalgia is a distress caused by the current negative state of one’s environment as it changes.
Thankfully, my solastalgia won’t necessarily turn into full-blown nostalgia. We can continue to preserve the Treasure State for generations to come, considering ecosystems and other animals besides ourselves, and realizing we’re not the center of the universe but that we’re all in this together.
Benjamin Alva Polley is a place-based storyteller. His words have been published in Rolling Stone, Esquire, Field & Stream, The Guardian, Men’s Journal, Outside, Popular Science, Sierra, and other publications, and can be seen on his website.
Montana’s population growth has come with rapid development and fast-changing landscapes. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO
EVERY DROP COUNTS: UPPER GALLATIN GROUNDWATER STUDY GIVES INSIGHT INTO CONNECTION BETWEEN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR WATER
BY KRISTIN GARDNER AND MICHAEL RICHTER EBS COLUMNISTS
In Big Sky, water is life. Understanding the movement of water within Big Sky’s aquifers—underground water systems—and how activities on the land impact their water quality is key to ensuring that the Gallatin River, its tributaries, our groundwater, and our drinking water remain healthy for the future.
Recently, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Ground Water Investigation Program released findings from a study that examined groundwater flow dynamics, interactions with the Gallatin River, and the potential for pollution from septic systems to impact the river’s health.
The Gallatin River Task Force recommended the study in 2018 because of concerns that current and future riverside development using septic systems for wastewater treatment could have negative impacts on both the water quality of the Gallatin River and residential drinking water in the area. That, coupled with recurring algae blooms on the river—which resulted in a 2023 Environmental Protection Agency impairment designation on the Gallatin’s middle segment—created a need for understanding how excess nitrates are reaching the river.
The study area covers roughly five square miles south of the intersection of Big Sky at U.S. Highway 191 and Montana Highway 64, and includes a seven-mile section of the Gallatin River, from just north of Big Sky to roughly just south of the Rainbow Ranch. Also included in the study area are seven tributaries: Twin Cabin Creek,
Beaver Creek, Porcupine Creek, Michener Creek, the West Fork of the Gallatin River (referred to as the West Fork), Levinski Creek and Dudley Creek.
The study team collected ground and surface water samples from 2019-2021, producing data that provides critical information about impacts of nearby wastewater systems on the river, the groundwater, and drinking water, from individual and community wastewater disposal systems that serve this area.
The Upper Gallatin River Aquifer in the study area is identified as a shallow aquifer, with the groundwater and the surface water connected and exchanging water, making the UGA vulnerable to contamination from septic systems, and activities on the land surface, like fertilizer, pesticide application, or animal waste on pasture lands. This exchange of water varies depending on location, season, and climatic conditions, which means that in some places and times of year, the Gallatin River feeds the groundwater and in other places and times of year, the groundwater feeds the Gallatin River.
Not surprisingly, the study found that in developed areas west of the Gallatin, river nitrate concentrations were more elevated than those in undeveloped areas east of the river. Concentrations ranged from 1.87mg/L - 5.84 mg/L, at least sixtimes more than the Gallatin’s ecological standard of 0.3 mg/L for total nitrogen. EPA drinking water standards come in at 10 mg/L, as above 10 mg/l can be lethal to infants. The higher than ideal levels at several collection sites throughout the UGA most likely reflects the influence of septic effluent, horse feedlots, or over-applied fertilizers, which all have the ability to infiltrate contaminants into the aquifer.
What does all of this mean for next steps to keep the Gallatin healthy? One indisputable answer is a centralized wastewater system in the canyon, which would improve the health of the river, and protect drinking water in community wells. The study recommendations emphasize the importance of
homeowners regularly testing their drinking water, and continued testing of our groundwater, which is essential in mitigating the changing conditions to the Gallatin.
Long-term monitoring at key locations on the Gallatin River will help identify seasonal and annual patterns of water exchange, which will be instrumental in understanding how groundwater interacts with surface water and where nutrients from wastewater are potentially impacting the river as growth continues.
Education, outreach and awareness is key; the community’s knowledge and role in helping keep our groundwater, drinking water, and the Gallatin healthy cannot be overstated. Homeowners’ understanding of the impacts of fertilizer use, and regular inspections of septic systems will go a long way in monitoring how nutrient loads are impacting the groundwater. Restoration projects that include improved wetlands to slow spring runoff flows will help reduce nitrogen through plant uptake and microbial processing that releases nutrients as gas back into the atmosphere.
These are all examples of critical steps, and they will all take time. But without them, the Gallatin is at risk of long term degradation, a risk that we should not be willing to take.
To learn more, find the report summary here, or join MBMG as they present the plan at the Upper Gallatin Open House scheduled for July 29 from 5-7 p.m. at Lone Peak High School.
Kristin Gardner is the chief executive and science officer of the Gallatin River Task Force, a Big Skybased non-profit with a mission to protect, restore, and inspire stewardship of the Upper Gallatin River and the community water resources it sustains.
Michael Richter is a research specialist at the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, has lived in Big Sky for 30-plus years, and is a former board member of the Gallatin River Task Force.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GALLATIN RIVER TASK FORCE
WILDFIRE WIRE: SAVING YOUR BUTT— RESOURCES TO AVOID PERIL ENVIRONMENT
BY MEL CRICHTON EBS COLUMNIST
It’s said that death is the great equalizer. It doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, live in a big home or in a shack. It’ll get you just the same. Death is not alone in the equal opportunity business— wildfire is just as equitable. And like a tornado that always seems to aim for mobile homes, it hits hardest where people are least prepared. Wildfire and death work together, and nobody wins.
Our town of Big Sky is more likely than 96% of America to experience a wildfire. It’s coming, we just don’t know when. But we can be prepared and maybe rob wildfire of a big win. Part of that preparation we’ve already covered—preparing your home for wildfire—in Fire Adapted Big Sky’s March seminar on YouTube and our first Wildfire Wire column. Now let’s talk about staying alive.
We’ve seen news videos from other communities of long lines of scared residents fleeing wildfire. We’ve heard the statistics about hundreds of homes destroyed, dozens of lives and many more futures lost to fires in communities like Paradise, California in 2018 and Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii in 2023. But preparation for wildfire could have reduced those grim numbers, including homesite mitigation, evacuation readiness and dealing with dangerous smoke levels.
Those survival and resilience topics will be discussed in another free public event hosted by Fire Adapted Big Sky at 6 p.m. on June 23 at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center. Our event will be streamed on our YouTube channel as well. Public servants will speak on preparing for wildfire evacuation and dealing with smoke.
Here’s a preview of the material.
When the U.S. Forest Service’s fire danger arrow— on signs located near Big Sky Resort, and the intersection of U.S. Highway 191 and Montana Highway 64,—points to “HIGH” or beyond, it’s time to get your go-kit ready and keep your cell
phone on in case the county determines that a fire is approaching. Before an evacuation notice is issued, it’s a good time to gas up the car and pack the go-kit, because you may have only 20 minutes to get out of Dodge. By leaving before the fire is on your doorstep, you improve your survival odds.
What’s the best way to receive emergency alert notifications? Sign up for Gallatin County alerts on Everbridge, pack your go-kit, practice evacuations with your family, know how to prepare your home when you leave, know your potential evacuation routes, and know where you can shelter in place. Be sure you identify neighbors who may need help in evacuation and ensure that someone will help them. Much of this info is in the Big Sky Wildfire Action Guide, available on the Big Sky Wildfire Hub and on the Fire Adapted Big Sky Resources Facebook page.
On June 23, we will also discuss the impacts of smoke from far-away fires and how healthcompromised residents can deal with it. Part of the solution is sheltering indoors with an air filtration unit, available either commercially or homemade— we’ll demonstrate how to make your own indoor air filter at the next event. Plus, until June 30,
NorthWestern Energy is offering a $100 rebate on your purchase of a commercial HEPA air purifier unit.
You can ask questions on our Facebook page, but even better, attend in-person to ask the experts. You can also seek out your neighborhood ambassador or “NA”—find the list on the Facebook page.
During June, our NAs will be working with their neighbors on one-day special projects to reduce wildfire risk to homes. And if you want a home to return to in the case of a fire, watch the March presentation and visit our Facebook page for more info. You should be hardening your home as soon as possible. Some work takes a day, some work takes weeks. Request an inspection—there’s a link on the Big Sky Wildfire Hub—and hire a contractor before they are all booked.
We’re all in this together. If we are prepared and willing to help each other, we will all survive a potential catastrophic event.
Mel Crichton acts as neighborhood ambassador coordinator for Fire Adapted Big Sky. He may be reached at kj9c@comcast.net.
Buildings engulfed in flames in the 2021 Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, California. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO Summer 2024 fire danger was “VERY HIGH” for weeks at a time. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
ENVIRONMENT
BEAR NECESSITIES: STAYING IN TUNE WITH SPRING’S GREEN WAVE
BY KRIS INMAN EBS COLUMNIST
In high elevation regions, spring rolls out in what wildlife researchers have coined the “Green Wave.” Bright green shoots and trees bud out at lower elevations and make a slow climb up the mountains. Herbivores like elk, deer and pronghorn follow this green wave, feeding on fresh vegetation after a long winter of living on old, decadent vegetation.
Bears, as omnivores and opportunistic feeders, have been waiting since they emerged from their dens to take advantage of spring’s green up, eating young grasses, cow parsnip and other vegetation as it blossoms and unfurls its leaves.
Not surprisingly, as people often report in Big Sky, bears are seen in the first areas to green up.
As spring progresses and moves into summer, meat becomes an important part of a bear’s diet as elk begin calving and deer have their fawns. Later in the summer, if it is a good year for the fluctuating seed crops of whitebark pine trees, red squirrels will take to their job of clipping the whitebark pine cones and storing them in middens at the base of the trees.
Bears root these pine cones out as a high-protein food source to get them through the upcoming winter. In the meantime, insects and berries will satisfy a bear’s diet.
This is how we would like to see bears behave: following the natural flow of the food nature provides. But, because bears are well-adapted to take advantage of a variety of natural food sources, this same behavior makes it easy for a bear to turn to anthropogenic attractants, like trash, coolers and pet foods, that are also readily available.
At this time of the year, when the green wave makes its way to the golf courses, ski runs, open
spaces and stream beds, bears will be drawn closer to people. As residents and visitors, you can do your part to keep bears and Big Sky wild by storing pet foods inside, burning off your grill for 10 minutes after use, keeping grease in a bear-resistant container, and bringing in the bird feeders until next winter.
When this column was originally written in 2019, Kris Inman was the community partnerships coordinator for the Wildlife Conservation Society and oversaw the Bear Smart Big Sky campaign. Inman is now the manager for strategic partnerships and engagement for the Wildlife Conservation Society.
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO
$10 from each item purchased goes directly to the Center for Large Landscape Conservation and their Hwy 191 Wildlife Crossings Project.
GRIZZLY 399 COLLECTION
Pre-order items only
‘ON THE FACE OF IT’ CAPTURES LOCAL EXPERIENCES, EXEMPLIFIES COMMUNITY THEATER
BY JACK REANEY
BIG SKY—The Big Sky Community Theater performed to a full house May 21 at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, featuring BSCT’s first-ever original play.
“On The Face Of It” compiled a series of vignettes written by nine local playwrights depicting the fun and the challenges of life in a mountain town, particularly Big Sky. The 22 short scenes included chairlift rides, après ski, backcountry
outings, commentary offered from heaven by late community leaders Chet Huntley, Warren Miller and Marty Pavelich, and a Dirtbag royalty cameo among countless references that only Big Sky locals would understand. And understand they did, as the audience reacted with laughter and affirmation of the niche topics and punch lines.
The play was directed by Jeremy Blyth, with a cast of 13 including five first-time BSCT participants.
Producer Ashley Dodd told EBS it was “amazing” to see the idea—first a conversation between Blyth
and co-creator Jonathan Gans—come to life as a show about residents’ lived experiences in Big Sky.
“The show really resonated with a lot of people. We had many audience members approach us after the show and tell us they have lived those experiences or had those conversations,” Dodd told EBS in an email.
She said the concept epitomized the mission of BSCT, to create a collaborative experience shaped by the community.
PHOTOS BY MATT DODD
COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR
Read the full events calendar, or submit your own community event
SUMMER FARMERS MARKET BEGINS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4 | 5 P.M. BIG SKY TOWN CENTER
Every Wednesday from June 4 through Sept. 24, the Big Sky Farmers Market will sell local and regional produce, food and crafts in Big Sky Town Center. The first market will start on June 4 at 5 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.
Crafts include paintings, like this one by Charlotte Quist. Quist is with the Big Sky Artist Collective, painting for the Big Sky Plein Air Event.
Do You or Someone You Know Need Help Getting Sober?
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PHOTO BY FINLEY TIMON
DINING
A LA CARTE: WRAP SHACK BRINGS MEDITATIONS ON CHOICE, DEPENDABILITY, CHUCK NORRIS
BY RACHEL HERGETT EBS COLUMNIST
“We live in an expanding universe,” I read on a printed slip of paper, slightly yellowed by the sun and time, under the clear bar countertop of the Wrap Shack in Big Sky’s Westfork Meadows. “All of it is trying to get away from Chuck Norris.”
I may well have been someone’s eye-roll worthy dad in a past life, because my inner cheeseball loves jokes that make most of my friends groan and send me the facepalm emoji in reply—well, except for my former KGLT radio Magic Monday Show cohost, DJ Missy O’Malley. When it comes to cheesy jokes, we do not diss-a-Brie.
I text Missy later and ask her favorite Chuck Norris joke. The only one that comes to mind continues to assert Chuck Norris’ dominance over all things, to the point that when the man jumps into a pool, she texts, “he doesn’t get wet, the water gets Chuck Norrised.”
Thinking of Missy and the joy she finds sharing her love of snowboarding in these mountains makes me grateful to the small dining area at the front of the Wrap Shack, its nostalgic beach shack vibes uniting surf and mountain culture and, in this moment, Missy and I through our shared dad humor.
Maybe I was feeling sentimental, because when it came time to order I very much stuck to what felt classic. Seems I very much had a Mission-style burrito on the brain and stayed true to the vision. Mission burritos, originating in the San Francisco neighborhood of the same name, are the style that Chipotle founder Steve Ellis brought back home to Colorado and then to the world. They are the giant handheld burritos with rice and beans, and proteins and other ingredients common in Mexican-based cuisine in the United States, all wrapped up snug in massive flour tortillas.
I might have also been led in that direction by the fast casual restaurant itself. As I approached on a Wednesday afternoon in May’s shoulder season, I took note—and a photo—of the front window decal featuring Wrap Shack’s burrito monkey, which states with emphasis that the wraps inside are “Fast, Fresh & FAT: That’s How We Roll,” an idea echoed with the website URL werollemfat.com. The size is very much a part of what makes a Mission burrito a Mission burrito.
So let’s say—with pun fully intended and a groan if you must—that I was on a mission. I ordered a burrito, or a “wrap,” in the self-explanatory “big” size, choosing grilled chicken and steak as double proteins over cilantro lime rice and pinto beans and topping it with a variety of veggies, Shack salsa and Mexi ranch. I’m told the latter is essentially ranch
dressing with taco spices like cumin and peppers as owner Alison Adams expertly guides me through the salsa and sauce options to avoid my weird bell pepper allergy.
“Chuck Norris spices up his steaks with pepper spray,” I read. The Wrap Shack, thankfully, does not.
Of the protein options I sampled on this visit, the grilled steak was the most flavorful and tender, with just enough pepper and smoky char. I also appreciated the mushrooms as a vegetarian option. They added a nice rich flavor and chew to the mix, though they seemed to be baby bellas. Same mushroom species, but the older, larger version we call portobellos could up both the flavor and texture factor.
I ordered the mushrooms in a bowl that was essentially a Mission burrito sans tortilla—only choosing a different style of bean, a hotter salsa and the creamy chipotle sauce.
Though maintaining the ingredients for preconceived wrap styles that have made Wrap Shack a Big Sky favorite since 2004, the menu is now entirely a build-your-own model. But is there a secret
handshake that allows access to those old creations? I’m sad to say I don’t remember them.
Like a Chuck Norris joke, a standard Mission burrito now feels dependable. Yes, sometimes that’s exactly what we need and damn if I didn’t wolf that thing down. But it may also be true that I was too set in my ways. My order was what ended up feeling dependable. And Wrap Shack still has a few surprises.
Now, I’m brainstorming possibilities. What could I make with barbecue and hot wing sauce as options? Do salad dressings like Caesar, blue cheese and Italian mix well with the various salsas? Certain ingredients like the guacamole and fajita vegetables do come with an additional charge, and that can add up. But if you stick to the basics, a big wrap or bowl with a drink, chips and a side of salsa or queso lands at $15—or $16 for steak—which seems reasonable these days, especially because I got two meals out of that burrito.
As the summer season approaches, Wrap Shack’s hours are expanding, so you’ll have more time to get your fill of Chuck Norris and stretch your creative wrap-, bowl- and salad-building muscles. Find the latest hours on the website, or follow Wrap Shack on Instagram or Facebook for updates.
To wrap up, I’ll leave you with one more joke that reminds me of a key factor I didn’t otherwise mention: Wrap Shack has frosty drinks! Frozen margaritas and a rotating flavor of slush speak of a sunny beachside, even amid the thaw-freeze cycle of mud season. Just beware of slush-induced brain freeze. You are no Chuck Norris.
“Chuck Norris does not get frostbite. Chuck Norris bites frost.” Groan.
Rachel Hergett is a foodie and cook from Montana. She is arts editor emeritus at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and has written for publications such as Food Network Magazine and Montana Quarterly. Rachel is also the host of the Magic Monday Show on KGLT-FM and teaches at Montana State University.
PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT
PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT
BY ELLIE BOESCHENSTEIN
BUSINESS
Explore Big Sky sat down with Mountain Mule Transportation to learn more about their business and the services they provide the Big Sky community. Whether you’re heading from Big Sky to Bozeman or from West Yellowstone to Ennis, Mountain Mule Transportation has you covered with premier, private chauffeur services–they’re dedicated to getting their customers to their destination safely, timely and comfortably.
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: Can you tell us the story behind Mountain Mule Transportation? How did it all begin?
Tim Baldwin: It all started back in 2020. I kept seeing a consistent need for safe, reliable transportation across Southwest Montana, especially during early mornings, late nights and in bad weather. Rideshare apps weren’t dependable enough, and both locals and visitors needed something they could count on. I started with a four-by-four truck that could handle gear-heavy travelers and rough conditions. It was a natural fit—Montana’s roots are in ranching, farming and the outdoors. That’s why we’re called Mountain Mule. The mule was the original four-by-four in this region, and that spirit still guides everything we do.
EBS: What types of transportation services do you offer, and who are your typical customers?
TB: We provide private, high-end transportation, including airport transfers, wedding and event shuttles, and custom experiences throughout Montana. We serve luxury travelers, families, wedding groups, corporate clients and high-profile guests headed to destinations like Yellowstone Club, Big Sky [Resort], and private ranches. We also work with different hunting and fishing lodges across the region, offering dependable service for outfitters and guests alike. Really, we serve anyone who needs reliable private transportation in Southwest Montana. Our service is built to handle early morning flights, late-night arrivals, and everything in between, so our passengers never have to stress about timing or logistics.
EBS: How do you ensure reliability and safety for your passengers, especially in mountain conditions?
TB: Our fleet of luxury four-by-fours SUVs, vans and our signature truck is equipped for Montana’s toughest roads. All vehicles are maintained inhouse to high standards and our drivers are
trained to handle extreme weather, mountain terrain and long-distance routes. Big Sky is one of the most demanding routes we run—it’s over an hour from the airport, and the canyon drive can be unpredictable, especially in winter. On top of that, we’ve invested in software that simplifies the entire experience. Drivers get real-time flight updates, and passengers receive photos of their driver and vehicle before pickup to make locating them easy. The system also streamlines booking and communication, making the entire process more efficient and less stressful for everyone involved.
EBS: What sets your transportation services apart from others in the area?
TB: Our connection to the community and our dedication to our customers truly set us apart. We’re not just providing a ride. We’re representing Montana. That’s why I started our podcast, Mountain Mule Media. It helps locals and visitors feel more connected to Montana, while also giving local business owners a platform to share what they do and reach the people they’re meant to serve. Whether it’s through a ride or a story, we’re working to build stronger relationships across the region and support the people who make this place special.
EBS: What qualities do you look for in your drivers and team members?
TB: I look for people who truly love Montana and want to help others experience it. Whether we’re serving locals or travelers, I remind the team
that we might be the first impression someone has of the state. We take that seriously. Our drivers are ambassadors, not just chauffeurs. I value professionalism, pride in presentation, adaptability, and a genuine desire to take care of people and that’s consistently reflected in the feedback we get from our clients.
EBS: What are some of the biggest logistical challenges of operating in a mountain region like this?
TB: Weather is always a factor. Snowstorms, icy roads, and sudden closures are part of the job. Rural routes often have limited cell service, and GPS isn’t always reliable. Big Sky presents its own challenges with distance, steep roads, and high demand. We stay ahead by constantly tracking conditions, building extra time into our trips, and preparing our team to adapt quickly. Flexibility, planning, and strong local knowledge make the difference, as well as keeping our clients up to date.
EBS: Is there anything else you would like to share?
TB: Mountain Mule started with one truck and a simple idea. Today we’ve got a full fleet of four-byfours and a growing team, but the mission remains the same. We’re here to take care of people and help them experience Montana in a meaningful way. Whether that’s through dependable transportation, a podcast episode that highlights a great local business, or just a helpful recommendation along the way, we want every interaction to feel personal, thoughtful and true to this place.
Mountain Mule Transportation's Tim Baldwin. PHOTO COURTESY OF TIM BALDWIN
HEALTH
WHY EVERYONE SHOULD LEARN CPR A
HOLISTIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE
BY KALEY BURNS EBS COLUMNIST
In a world increasingly focused on well-being and preventative care, it's easy to overlook a critical skill that could mean the difference between life and death: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.
While nutrition, exercise, and emotional balance are essential pillars of holistic health, so too is the capacity to respond effectively in emergencies. Learning CPR isn’t just a practical skill; it's a way of living a conscious, connected, and compassionate life.
Holistic health emphasizes the interconnectedness of body, mind, spirit and community. In this framework, CPR becomes more than a technique— it becomes an expression of collective care. When someone suffers cardiac arrest, their survival often depends on the immediate actions of bystanders. According to the American Heart Association, prompt CPR can vastly increase a person's chance of survival.
Knowing CPR empowers individuals to be a source of stability and strength in crisis. It turns bystanders into lifesavers. From a holistic view, this not only benefits the individual receiving care but
uplifts the entire community by reinforcing our interdependence and shared responsibility.
Holistic health encourages awareness and presence in every moment. The ability to stay calm, assess a situation, and respond effectively are qualities nurtured in mindfulness practices— and they’re equally essential in administering CPR. By learning CPR, individuals reduce their fear during emergencies.
Instead of panic, there's purpose.
CPR complements a preventative lifestyle
Holistic health promotes prevention as the first line of defense against illness. Yet, no matter how healthy we are, emergencies can still happen. CPR serves as a safety net when prevention fails—a crucial tool that bridges the gap between crisis and recovery.
Furthermore, being CPR-trained reinforces awareness about cardiovascular health. It sparks conversations about the importance of regular exercise, stress management and proper nutrition— all foundational aspects of a holistic lifestyle.
Integrating CPR Into a holistic lifestyle
Holistic health isn’t just about yoga classes or clean eating—it’s about living with intention.
Here's a few ways to integrate CPR into your wellness practice.
First, and most importantly, take a certified CPR class through a reputable organization such as the Red Cross or American Heart Association. Stay informed about current CPR guidelines and refresh your skills annually.
In addition, practice mindfulness to stay calm under pressure—meditation and breathwork help.
Finally, encourage your community—friends, family, co-workers—to get trained too.
Learning CPR is an act of holistic responsibility. It empowers us physically, emotionally and mentally. It's a tool for resilience and a symbol of love in action. Whether you’re a parent, spouse, friend or stranger, knowing CPR is not just recommended— it’s essential.
Let’s not wait for a crisis to remind us of our power to help. Let’s be ready, be aware, and be the heartbeat of healing in our communities.
Dr. Kaley Burns is a licensed Naturopathic Physician providing a wide range of services for her clients, including: Naturopathic Medicine, IV Nutrient Therapy, Regenerative Injections, Rejuvenation Therapies, Vitamin Shots, and Nutrition Counseling. She embraces a natural approach to health and aims to similarly inspire and guide others on their health journey.
Experience: 20 years.
Favorite River: Madison.
Favorite Species: Close tie between Brown Trout and Brooke Trout. I love both because they are aggressive, fight hard, and are gorgeous.
Importance of Clean. Drain. Dry.: Professionals and non-profits work exceedingly hard to maintain the health of every water system in the state of Montana. We can undo all that in one careless instant. By cleaning our boats, waders, boots, and gear, we can prevent the spread of invasive species from one body of water to another. We have to do our part, particularly with so many more people coming to enjoy our rivers. to Protect Our Waters
Largest catch on the Fly: 35 inch Northern Pike on the fly a couple summers ago! Largest trout on the fly was a 25 inch rainbow on a dry fly.
$2,600,000 | #388104
$495,000 | #392462
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.
