Public meetings set to inform voters about UTD effort

HRDC is pleased to announce the Associated Students of Montana State University (ASMSU) recently adopted a proclamation in support of the current petition drive to form an Urban Transportation District (UTD) in Gallatin County.

As stated in ASMSU’s September 2022 proclamation:

Resolved, ASMSU will make a public statement of support for the UTD, lend the logo for marketing purposes, advocate for petition gathering, and partner with the HRDC’s efforts to promote the inclusion of the UTD on May 2023’s special election ballot for the benefit of transportation planning to meet community growth

Resolved, ASMSU recognizes the importance of forming a UTD as a mechanism of continuing the current Streamline Bus Services for MSU Staff, Students, and Faculty, van services for seniors and people with disabilities, transportation planning for anticipated community growth, and the importance of public transportation access to general population.

Additionally, in an ongoing effort to inform residents about the petition drive to vote on the formation of an Urban Transportation District on the Special District elections in May 2023, as well as the benefits to the community in doing so, HRDC is hosting two public meetings during the first week of October. HRDC and community public transportation advocates will present information and host Q&A sessions on Tuesday, October 4th from 10:30 – 11:30 am in the Bozeman Senior Center Community Room, Friday, October 7th from 1:00 – 2:00 pm at the Belgrade Senior Center, and on Wednesday, October 12th from 11:30 – 1:00 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn (prior registration required through Bozeman Chamber of Commerce. Lastly, a virtual public meeting will be held on Thursday, October 13th at 12:00 p.m. on Zoom. The meeting can be accessed at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87800378855.

Creating a UTD will ensure that our community will continue to receive federal transportation funding and will sustain the vital service HRDC’s Streamline provides to Gallatin Valley residents and visitors. Forming a UTD requires collecting the signatures of 20% of registered voters living within the proposed district which equates to around 13,000 signatures. If sufficient signatures are collected and verified, the Gallatin County Commission will hold a public hearing and place the UTD on the May 2023 Special District election ballot for voter approval as required by law.

The proposed UTD includes Bozeman, Belgrade, and Four Corners and is based on Streamline’s current and projected future service areas. Other regions identified in Gallatin County’s Transportation Development Plan as “future need areas” also are included in the boundaries.

A steering committee of community public transportation stakeholders and advocates is working with HRDC on the petition drive.

HRDC is a private, not-for-profit Community Action Agency focused on building a better community through nearly 50 different initiatives aimed at combating poverty in southwestern Montana. Streamline is a program of HRDC with a proven track record of benefiting all area residents through the provision of public transit. Streamline promotes equity, fosters economic development, and advances sustainability goals.

More information about the petition drive can be found at HRDC’s Streamline can be found at https://streamlinebus.com/utd/
Donors, volunteers, and community members can learn more about HRDC at https://thehrdc.org/

BOZEMAN — A program at Montana State University that researches and develops foundation seed varieties for the state’s agricultural producers has a new name.

An extension of the crop breeding programs in the Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, the Montana Foundation Seed Program’s name is now officially the Montana State University Foundation Seed Program. The name change was approved unanimously at MSU’s September University Council meeting.

Sreekala Bajwa, vice president of agriculture and dean of the College of Agriculture, said the name change accurately reflects the high-quality research conducted by Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, or MAES, plant breeding programs to create new crop varieties.

“This new name gives Montana State University better recognition and ownership of the research we conduct and the public varieties we produce for crop producers across the state,” Bajwa said. “Our new crop varieties are the result of scientific research conducted by MAES scientists and tested across the state to ensure they are best suited to address production challenges in Montana, from pests to drought and more.”

Foundation seed, also known as basic seed, is the direct descendent of breeder seed and is produced under conditions that ensure its genetic purity and identity. The MSU Foundation Seed Program provides foundation seed to statewide producer partners, primarily winter and spring wheat, barley, durum, peas, lentils and chickpeas, with contributions also in safflower, alfalfa, sainfoin, triticale and oats. 

According to Doug Holen, MSU Foundation Seed Program manager, each new variety produces between 600 to 1,200 bushels of foundation seed to start and then is sold to seed producers to sell to Montana producers. The more popular MSU wheat varieties, such as Yellowstone, Warhorse and Vida, produce millions of dollars in revenue via increased yield for the Montana agricultural economy.

Seed varieties are developed based on the needs of Montana growers facing climate, pest and soil challenges in the diverse agroecosystems of the state. The plant breeding programs are supported by MAES and by grower organizations such as the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee. The university responds with varieties specifically bred and adapted to meet these challenges, initially released as MAES varieties in the foundation stage of production. The MSU Foundation Seed Program has been in existence helping producers for nine decades and has had six program managers in that span of time. Holen has been with the program since 2016.

“This program is only as good as our breeders, and MSU has had incredible ones over the years,” Holen said. He added that the name change is long overdue and gives credit back to the breeders and the research they create at MSU. “This seed goes across Montana and is sold in other states. So, when it shows up at a producer’s doorstep and says MSU Foundation Seed Program, they will know it is quality seed from our institution.”

For more information visit plantsciences.montana.edu/foundationseed/.

BOZEMAN, Montana – Living in Bozeman means sharing a landscape with remarkable wildlife, such as bears. To help prevent conflicts and ensure these animals remain wild, the City of Bozeman’s Solid Waste division has started a pilot program, offering a limited number of bear-resistant trash bins to neighborhoods within city limits that bears frequent the most.

 
“Garbage is the number one attractant for bears so securing your garbage is the best way to protect yourself and bears,” Takami Clark, Communications & Engagement Manager for the City of Bozeman explained. “Doing this will help bears live longer in their natural habitats.”
 
The bear resistant trash bins are special bins that are compatible with city trucks and provide secure storage of garbage as they are difficult for bears to open. Due to the higher cost of buying and maintaining the bins, the city has a limited number available and has prioritized neighborhoods that experience the most bear conflicts. Bins cost $5 per month in addition to the current tote charge.

 
Having a bear-resistant trash bin is one of the best ways to mitigate conflict and keep bears wild. However, those who do not have access to a bear-resistant trash bin can also help to prevent conflict by keeping garbage totes indoors until the morning of pick-up.
 
“The city will continue to watch this program closely as time goes on,” Clark said. “If successful, we hope to get funding for further bear bins and to implement this in more neighborhoods around the city.”
 
More information on bear-resistant trash bins can be found online at https://bit.ly/bozemanbears.

Over a dozen emergency response agencies from across Gallatin County are taking part in a training exercise to better prepare our area first responders for an active killer situation.

The exercise will be on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Sacajawea Middle School in Bozeman. It will run from 4 to 10 PM.

School parents and neighbors can expect to see lots of emergency vehicles in the area during the training.

This exercise aims to train law enforcement and several fire departments to work as cohesive teams when entering scenes where there is still potential threat. The exercise will hit on topics such as victim retrieval, transport, treatment, and transfer.

Our agencies have a strong history of working and training together. This exercise will build upon these solid relationships to help our community be better prepared for some of the worst-case scenarios.

The training is made possible by a grant secured by Gallatin County Emergency Management.

Emergency response agencies participating include:

• Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office
• Gallatin County Emergency Management
• Gallatin County 911
• Bozeman Police Department
• Belgrade Police Department
• Montana State University Police Department
• Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
• Montana Highway Patrol
• Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport Authority Police
• Bozeman Fire Department
• Central Valley Fire Department
• Hyalite Fire Department
• Big Sky Fire Department
• Amsterdam Rural Fire District
• Hebgen Basin Fire Department
• Gallatin Gateway Rural Fire District
• Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center

Many thanks to Bozeman School District for the use of their facility, and to American Medical Response, Manhattan Rural Fire District, Fort Ellis Fire Department, and Bridger Canyon Fire Department for supporting the training.

BOZEMAN – Recognizing that differences in language and tradition can prevent separate cultures from uniting toward a common goal, the Montana Pollution Prevention Program at Montana State University is working to incorporate traditional ecological practices of Indigenous peoples into pollution prevention programs for tribal communities.

The project will be funded by a $350,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant, which was presented at MSU on Monday by Jennie Romer, EPA’s deputy assistant administrator for pollution prevention. Romer said that of all the pollution prevention, or P2, grants awarded nationwide, MSU’s “is one I wanted to be able to highlight” personally.

In presenting the award, Romer was joined by several Region 8 EPA officials at MSU’s American Indian Hall, a symbolic venue not just because the grant will benefit tribal communities but also because AIH is the first building in Montana to achieve the highest ranking in United States Green Building Council’s sustainability rating system, LEED Platinum 4.1.

“The building makes a statement – it’s a part of the environment, not apart from it,” said Walter Fleming, head of MSU’s Department of Native American Studies, as he showed off the building and grounds to the visitors. It was the first of many tours the EPA officials had in Bozeman as they took a firsthand look at the P2 work being done in the community under the auspices of the Montana Pollution Prevention Program, also known as MTP2.

While the grant will pay for the focus work in tribal communities, it also will fund two new components of MTP2’s EcoStar award program, through which area businesses are assisted with implementing pollution prevention measures to reduce solid and hazardous waste, maximize efficiencies, conserve energy and water, improve air quality and create more sustainable business models, said Jenny Grossenbacher, MTP2 director.

She explained that businesses in Montana’s Indigenous communities have been slower to embrace such practices, in large part due to cultural and language barriers.
“We realized we weren’t reaching as far as we hoped,” Grossenbacher said.
The grant work will be conducted by Lisa Lone Fight, an MSU alumna, current doctoral student and the senior science adviser of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara, or MHA Nation, of North Dakota. Lone Fight, a member of the nation, said she was “raised in the context of biological science” by her scientist father while being gently schooled in traditional ecological knowledge by her grandmother.

Lone Fight’s work will be conducted in partnership with Salish Kootenai College in northwest Montana, and Grossenbacher said MTP2 also is interested in partnering with other Montana tribal colleges that express interest in the project.
The MSU grant is one of 39 awarded to recipients across the country that will receive nearly $12 million in pollution prevention grants funded by the $550 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which became law in November 2021.
For more information, contact Jenny Grossenbacher at jenniferg@montana.edu or 406-994-4292.

BOZEMAN, MT  — Downtown Bozeman will turn PNK for the entire month of October with pink banners lining Main Street and window decorations at many of downtown’s retailers and restaurants. Community resources and program information is located at PinkBozeman.com, hosted by PNKBZN community partners, with inclusions from other community partners.

 
PNKBZN, a community-wide awareness campaign for the month of October, is the result of collaboration and ideas from local Bozeman organizations: Advanced Medical Imaging, Bozeman Health, Cancer Support Community, Downtown Bozeman Partnership, Montana State University, and Montana State University Athletics, with graphic design support from PRIME Incorporated. PNKBZN seeks to:

 
• Enhance local mindfulness and adherence of following screening guidelines for breast care
• Spread awareness on how to access screenings and diagnostic screenings and other resources
• Increase the community conversation around cancer awareness
• Provide inspirational stories of people in our community who are living with breast cancer
 
“The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 950 women in the state of Montana will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. As of 2018 in the greater Gallatin Valley, approximately one fourth of breast cancers were diagnosed in women under the age of 50. And, while not as common, approximately 2,650 men a year throughout the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer. October was designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1985 to raise awareness and gain funding for research for a cure, while elevating education around the importance of annual/early screening.

HELENA – Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus was detected in wild birds and domestic poultry in Montana earlier this year. While HPAI cases in wild birds did appear to decline over the summer, there are detections of new cases in parts of the U.S., including Montana this fall. HPAI viruses are extremely infectious and fatal to poultry and some species of wild birds.

Some scientists have been concerned that the U.S. would see a resurgence of the virus during the fall migration.  Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is monitoring the situation by testing wild birds that display symptoms consistent with HPAI infection. While HPAI is considered a potentially zoonotic disease, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to consider the risk to people from wild birds to be low.

Since it was first detected in the eastern United States in January 2022, it has spread to all four bird migration flyways, including the Central and Pacific flyways which include parts of Montana.

Human infections with bird flu viruses are rare but can occur, usually after close contact with infected birds. The current risk to the general public from bird flu viruses is low; however, it is important to remember that risk depends on exposure, and people with more exposure might have a greater risk of infection. Although the CDC considers risk of HPAI spread to humans to be very low, Montanans should take precautions when handling game birds or any sick or dead bird they find. Whenever possible, avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife. Even if a bird is not suspected to have died from a contagious disease, gloves should always be worn if a dead animal must be handled for disposal.

Raptors are susceptible to HPAI and are typically exposed via eating infected birds. The general recommendation for falconers is to avoid hunting and/or feeding wild birds, particularly waterfowl, during the outbreak. Enhanced biosecurity practices with enhanced cleaning and limiting contact with wild birds or birds from other facilities is also warranted. Sick falcons should be promptly reported to a veterinarian and be quarantined from other birds in the facility.

Bird hunters should follow these simple precautions when processing or handling wild game:

• Do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.
• Wear disposable latex or rubber gloves while cleaning game or cleaning bird feeders.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game.
• People and equipment that have been in contact with wild game birds should avoid contact with back yard poultry flocks.
• Wash hands with soap and water or alcohol wipes immediately after handling game or cleaning bird feeders.
• Wash tools and work surfaces used to clean game birds with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10 percent solution of chlorine bleach—one part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water.
• Separate raw meat, and anything it touches, from cooked or ready-to-eat foods to avoid contamination.
• Cook game meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
• Do not keep bird feeders near domestic poultry.

For more information on AI in wild birds, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/diseases/avian-influenza, or visit the USGS website at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/avian-influenza-surveillance.

HELENA – Hunting for ducks, coots and geese opens Saturday, Oct. 1.

Here are a few reminders:

• The aggregate daily bag for dark geese in the Pacific Flyway has increased from four to five. Dark geese include Canada geese, cackling geese and white-fronted geese (any geese other than snow, blue and Ross’s geese).
• The Central Flyway is divided into two “zones” in order to increase opportunity. The two zones have different season dates. Zone 2, includes Big Horn, Carbon, Custer, Prairie, Rosebud, Treasure and Yellowstone counties and has a split season. To view the season dates, go to https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/migratory-bird or review the migratory bird regulations. Zone 1 includes all other counties in the Central Flyway portion of Montana.

Pheasant season opens Oct. 8. Hunting seasons for fall turkey, mountain grouse, sharp-tailed grouse and partridge are already open. For more information, go to https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/upland-game-bird or review the upland game bird regulations, which include regulations for turkey.

The general season for antelope opens Oct. 8. General seasons for deer and elk open Oct. 22; the two-day youth deer hunt is Oct. 20 and 21.

For more information, visit FWP's website at fwp.mt.gov/hunt/by-species.

The City of Bozeman, Gender Equality Montana and the Downtown Bozeman Partnership are pleased to announce the completion of a public art installation created by local artists designed to provide a space for celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in Downtown Bozeman.
 
Intersection(al) Art features a splash of color around pedestrian crossings located at the curb bulb-outs at the intersection of Black and Babcock Avenues. The purpose of the project is to symbolize the communities’ continued commitment to inclusivity, provide a platform for queer artists to showcase their work, and improve the visibility and safety of pedestrians crossing a high traffic area.

 
Local artists and members of the LGBTQ+ community responded to a call to art and submitted design concepts, artists statements and an implementation plan for review by the City of Bozeman, Gender Equality Montana and the Downtown Bozeman Partnership. The designs were narrowed down to four and nearly 400 community members then voted on their favorite design through the City’s Engage Bozeman platform.

 
The project was made possible by the City of Bozeman, Gender Equality Montana, and the Downtown Bozeman Partnership.
 
For more information regarding the Intersection(al) Art Project, please visit: https://engage.bozeman.net/intersectional-art-project.