Gallatin County is now accepting applications from projects seeking funding through the county’s Open Lands Program. 

This year, the voter-approved Open Space levy is estimated to bring in over $3.55 million total. While a majority of that money funds conservation projects, such as conservation easements for private landowners, about $887,000 has been earmarked by the Gallatin County Commission for “other eligible projects.” 

Applicants for projects that fall into the “other eligible projects” category are encouraged to apply for this funding from now through March 18. 

These projects must be related to land acquisition, capital improvements, and maintenance projects that support the purpose of the Gallatin County Open Space levy. Applicants must demonstrate how a proposed project is related to the provision of recreation, protection of water quality of streams and rivers, management of growth, or protection of wildlife areas. Projects must provide a tangible and compelling public benefit or provide public access, preferably both. 

Following the application process, the Open Lands Board will score submitted proposal and recommend projects to the Gallatin County Commission for final funding approval. 

Projects funded last year in this category included money for construction of a trail near West Yellowstone, maintenance of the Headwaters Trail System in Three Forks, a river and pond restoration project in Big Sky, land acquisition for Eagle Mount in Bozeman, Gallatin Valley Land Trust’s East-West connector trail project, and wildlife habitat and water quality improvements at the Gallatin County Regional Park. 

“This is a great way that we can collaborate with our community partners,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Jennifer Boyer. “I’m really excited that we continue to get a lot of interest in this funding opportunity and that it’s supporting projects across our county.” 

Eligibility, application instructions and submittal requirements are available online here.  

The maximum award for a project in this round is $100,000. Applicants are limited to public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and property owners’ associations. 

Applications must be submitted by 5 PM on March 18 to the Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development, 311 W. Main St., room 108, Bozeman MT, 59715. 

For questions or more information, contact Sean O’Callaghan at 406-582-3130 or sean.ocallaghan@gallatin.mt.gov. 

BOZEMAN — Accounting students from Montana State University’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship are offering free help preparing tax returns for MSU students and individuals who made less than $60,000 last year.

The 2024 help sessions will be held on the MSU campus in Jabs Hall, Room 215, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on the following dates: Feb. 21, 26, 28; March 4, 6, 18, 20, 25, 27; April 1.

Interested participants are encouraged to make an appointment to guarantee a spot. There will be a limited number of walk-in spots each day. Visit https://bit.ly/msu-vita-2024 to view and book available appointments. Only one appointment is allowed per individual – people with multiple bookings will be removed from all appointments on the schedule.

At the sessions, upper-division and graduate accounting students will prepare federal and Montana state income tax returns and answer tax questions. Free electronic filing will be available for most 1040 forms.  

“The mutually beneficial nature of this program is what makes it so special,” said Brian Gillespie, dean of MSU’s business college. “Students gain valuable real-world experience while providing an essential service for the local community.”

Individuals who are interested in free tax preparation assistance should bring their 2023 W-2 forms, Form 1099, Forms 1095-A, B or C (Health Insurance Marketplace Statements), any other tax documents, a photo ID, Social Security cards for each person listed on the return and copies of their 2022 tax returns, if available.

The student accounting volunteers are part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program, which was established by the Internal Revenue Service to assist people who may find it difficult to pay for tax preparation services.

Each student accounting volunteer has passed an IRS tax preparation exam, completed at least one comprehensive tax course, received specific training related to common tax issues and has access to a variety of federal and state reference materials. The sessions are sponsored by the MSU Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

For more information, visit https://www.montana.edu/business/accounting/vita/.

This June, voters in Gallatin County will get to decide if they’d like to study changing the form of their county government.  

On Tuesday, Jan. 30, Gallatin County Commissioners voted to put a question on the June 4 ballot asking voters if they’d like to establish and fund a study commission to examine Gallatin County government and make recommendations for changes. 

The Montana Constitution requires that every 10 years, each city and county government in the state ask their voters whether they want to undertake a review of their local government.  

If voters agree to establish and fund a study commission, seven citizens will be elected in a nonpartisan election in November to serve. They will be tasked with studying the existing form, powers and delivery of public services of our county government and compare those with other forms of government available under state law. 

If approved, the cost of the study commission would be capped at one half of one mill, which is equivalent to about $360,000. 

The last time voters opted to study Gallatin County government was in 1994. 

“This opportunity afforded by our state constitution is the only chance we as citizens get to take a hard look at the way our local governments operate,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Scott MacFarlane. “Everyone agrees that Gallatin County has many new and different challenges than we had decades ago, and perhaps the tools we use to address those challenges could use an update.” 

Since the local government review election is for cities and counties, voters who live within city/town limits of Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks and West Yellowstone will be presented with the question of whether to hold a local government review election twice (once for the county of residence and once for the city/town of residence.) 

For more information on this process, please see the Montana State University Local Government Center’s website. 

In a response to an uptick in street sign thefts throughout the area, Gallatin County officials are encouraging the public to report information related to these crimes. 

Last weekend, 49 street signs were stolen across Gallatin County. Simple signs cost $200 in time and materials apiece to replace. More complex signs can cost up to $3,000 if they are stolen or destroyed. 

The implications of these thefts extend beyond mere financial burdens. The absence of vital street signs poses a serious safety risk for drivers navigating our community. Moreover, the depletion of resources required for sign replacement diverts Gallatin County Road Department staff from essential projects, hampering the efficiency of vital public services. 

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to promptly report any instances of street sign theft. Additionally, citizens are urged to notify authorities if they observe county street signs in dorms, apartments, residences, garages, or other structures.

To report incidents or provide information, please contact the sheriff’s office non-emergency line at 406-582-2100. 

“These thefts not only burden our hardworking taxpayers but also pose unnecessary risks to our community,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer. “We sincerely appreciate the public’s collaboration in reporting this criminal activity.”

While homeowners can convert their backyards into beautiful gardens, renting an apartment comes with a different playbook. For the latter, having a garden may seem out of the equation.

Not anymore!

Are you familiar with the term “portable gardens”?

A portable garden is a container of plants, perfect for those with restricted growing space. It's easy to relocate, transition, and manage on the go. It’s ideal for growing edible crops and ornamental plants. These gardens help you get creative as restricted growing space shouldn’t limit what you can grow.

Creating a Portable Garden
While creating your garden on the go, first consider the limited space you have and how compact your plants of choice are. Do a bit of research to ensure that the plants will thrive under portable conditions.

When creating a portable garden, follow these steps:

1. Select Your Plants and Planter
This is the first step in any gardening venture. You should know what you’re planting and where you’ll be planting it. You don’t have any restrictions here; your garden on the go can lay on anything; a wheelbarrow or trolley, you name it!

2. Assemble Your Garden Bed
Form your garden frame and screw together anything that needs screwing. Line up your plants accordingly and ensure you leave some gaps so the soil drains well. If you’re buying a garden that’s already assembled, skip this step.

3. Do the Planting
Prepare your garden bed by filling it with good-quality soil. Spread it out evenly and add your plants gently. Remember, they’ll only grow well when they are planted the right way and are firmly rooted in the soil. If they feel stuck, gently tease the roots.

4. Get Moving
Once you have your plants in order, get moving! Wheel or carry your garden to the ideal spot, preferably, where there’s sufficient light.

Types of Portable Gardens
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to portable gardens. All you need is your creative thinking cap, a soil container, and your favorite plants. You could decide to go for ornamental plants, those that thrive in clay soil, or even make a herb garden, you choose!

Here are some different types of portable gardens to consider:

• Clay Pots
Albeit common, clay is an attractive and inexpensive option. As the pots are porous, they allow water and moisture to get to your plants easily. These pots are especially ideal for drought-resistant plants.

• Glazed Ceramic Pots
Ceramic pots are as beautiful as their clay counterparts. They are especially good for houseplants. While they hold moisture well, they are fragile and could crack in extreme temperatures.

• Hypertufa
This molded material is similar to rock concrete but it’s light in nature, fun to put together, and porous. It’s best for plants that require a lot of moisture.

• Plastic or Resin
Your plastic garden will be lightweight, weather-resistant- resistant and beautiful. While the garden will retain water well, place it firmly as it could tip over in windy conditions.

• Lined-Hanging Baskets
These containers are attractive and decorative. Line them with replaceable plastic so your soil is not drying out.

• Metal
Metal containers are lightweight, portable, and like plastic, won’t break down with temperature changes. But be careful, metal heats up quickly during summer and will cause the soil to dry out thus needing a lot of moisture.

• Wood
Wood is attractive, and temperature-resistant. As it rots over time, prepare to change the containers as needed.

Tips For Gardens on the Go
Growing a portable is a bit different from gardening on the ground up. As a container has limited soil and root space, it can become either waterlogged or too dry. To ensure your soil is in good condition, use a moisture meter. Compost and vermiculite will help with both drainage and water retention.

Ensuring your plants get enough light is also an important part of the equation. At least 6 hours of sunlight per day is essential but if you don’t have that much sun, it’s best to go for plants that thrive in shady conditions.

Also, plants should fit your container perfectly. If they are too large, they won’t grow properly and will overwhelm the other plants in your container. The good news is that container options are endless. Determine the plants you’ll be growing then research on the best container(s) to purchase. You can also reuse old items found in your home like baskets and upcycled wooden crates to grow your plants. This adds character and charm.

Finally, add wheels and cages to make the most of your portable garden. They will add dimension to an otherwise limited space. A garden that's a little raised will also give your plants better exposure to light and make watering the plants a tad much easier.

On January 26, 2024, at 9:37am, West Yellowstone Police Department Dispatch received a 911 call from a snowmobiler who was recreating with family members when one of the snowmobilers sustained injuries as a result of a snowmobile accident. The caller indicated that one of the snowmobilers in the party was in need of immediate medical treatment near Cream Creek, 5 miles west of West Yellowstone, Montana.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the West Yellowstone detachment, US Forest Service Law Enforcement, West Yellowstone Police Department, Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District (HBFD), Yellowstone National Park Law Enforcement, and Gallatin County Sheriff’ Deputies responded to the request for aid. Upon arrival at the scene, responders provided first aid and transported the injured person by a specialized snowmobile towed ambulance to a waiting HBFD ambulance for further evaluation. The injured snowmobiler was then transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for higher level care.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind winter recreationalists that having a plan for contingencies, knowing the location you are recreating, and being able to call for aid in remote areas is crucial when recreating in Montana’s great outdoors.

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) of its intent to pursue legal action over the recent listing of wolverines as a threatened species.

“In Montana, wolverines continue to do well and inhabit much, if not all, of their available habitat,” said Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Chief of Conservation Policy Quentin Kujala. “We work closely with our neighboring states to ensure the continued conservation of these iconic species. Federal protections in this case will only get in the way of good conservation work.”

In its listing notice, the FWS switched course by identifying the lower 48 states as a distinct population segment. This finding comes after the FWS previously found the population of wolverines in the lower 48 was connected to those in Canada. The finding came despite protections in Canada and states like Montana to ensure wolverine conservation.

In its listing, the FWS also used climate models from the year 2100 to point to a projected decrease in snowpack to justify its move. This rationale was used despite recent science that shows wolverines are adaptable and able to den and reproduce without snow.  

“In the Northern Rockies, wolverines are doing well and states are working closely on monitoring and conservation efforts. This listing is not only unnecessary, it fails to recognize current science,” said FWP Director Dustin Temple.  

Wolverines were listed as a threatened species by the FWS in November. The first step in challenging this listing is filing a Notice of Intent to Sue with the FWS. Following this action, the state will file a lawsuit in federal district court.

• Notice of Intent (PDF)

The Bozeman Symphony’s Board of Directors pledged an additional matching gift of $43,000 for its Ode to Joy annual giving campaign to encourage others’ support. For every dollar donated, Board members will match what the organization raises to $43,000 through January 31. Another $75,000 is needed to meet the campaign’s goal of $300,000. The Ode to Joy campaign supports the Bozeman Symphony’s activities on stage at the concert hall and with various community activities and educational concerts throughout the region.

This past season, the Symphony had 1,131 loyal subscribers, issued 16,994 tickets to patrons from 63 Montana communities, entertained audiences in seven sold-out performances, and presented free concerts to more than 3,000 students and families. Ticket sales represent only 37 percent of the Symphony’s annual budget. Donations are necessary to continue programming, recruit musicians and guest artists, and support community programming.

The Symphony is aiming to expand its educational footprint by engaging younger audiences and creating opportunities for community members to benefit from music education and engagement efforts. Increasing access, impact, and musical offerings for the community is a strategic priority. Donations to Ode to Joy will support Symphony Storytimes, Kinderkonzerts, and help expand Far Afield, a program providing symphonic music in rural Montana. Support will also help launch a new Joy program in partnership with Bozeman Health to lift the spirit of patients and serve those who cannot attend concerts in person.

Help the Symphony carry out its mission to engage, unite, and uplift the community by supporting the Ode to Joy campaign. Donate through January 31 at bozemansymphony.org/donate or send a check to Bozeman Symphony, 402 East Main Street, Suite 202, Bozeman, MT  59715. For more information, call (406) 585-9774.