BOZEMAN — A Montana State University doctoral candidate has received funding from the National Science Foundation Arctic Social Sciences Program to support her dissertation research examining fertility and reproductive health decisions in response to climate change and adaptation policies in Greenland.

Malory Peterson received an NSF Arctic Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant in the Arctic Social Sciences program. The $58,000 award is from the NSF Office of Polar Programs.

“I’m excited because this community-based, engaged research is valuable,” Peterson said.

Peterson is a student in MSU’s individual interdisciplinary doctoral program studying community health and geography. Her research investigates how climate change and climate change adaptation policies affect reproductive decision-making by Kalaallit men and women in Greenland.

Peterson said decisions about reproduction and family size among the Kalaallit are influenced by the availability of social, economic and natural resources, as well as by climate change, which are increasingly affecting Kalaallit ways of life and local economies, including hunting and fishing.

The research is based in ecological systems theory, which suggests that an individual’s development is influenced by interconnected family, institutional and social systems. Her research also makes use of the principles of “community-based participatory research” — that is, research done in partnership with the community. 

As part of her work, Peterson conducted interviews in Greenland with 40 reproductive-aged men and women living in two communities, Paamiut and Nuuk. The interviews explored the participants’ perspectives on climate change and factors that influence their fertility decisions. Peterson also conducted in-depth interviews with 25 key stakeholders and policymakers in the hunting and fishing industries, ecotourism, government and health care to identify how policymakers consider fertility and reproductive health in climate adaptation planning.

Peterson is now analyzing the interviews with input from her Kalaallit community research partner, Augustine Rosing. The two recently presented their initial findings at the Greenland Science Week Conference, and this spring, they will share the project’s results with community members, scientists and policymakers and collect feedback. Peterson expects to have her research completed in the spring.

Peterson said that the research results will have implications for Arctic social science research and policy arenas, including health care, natural resource economics and sustainable development.

“In the broader context of global challenges related to fertility and climate change, this research promotes an equitable approach to solving complex problems of natural resource availability and population health,” she said. She added that the project advances historically underrepresented groups in science by engaging women and Kalaallit knowledge-holders as partners in research.

Peterson, who grew up in Oregon, received a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science from Colorado State University and worked as an AmeriCorps member and a certified sexuality educator with youth in a Denver crisis center. She later worked as an epidemiological investigator for the Hawaii State Department of Health. That experience, especially, led her to believe the work could be done in a more culturally sensitive way.

“I was pretty frustrated by the system,” Peterson said. “I was continually running into cultural mismatch in the type of sexual health communication provided to a patient and the cultural context they’re living in,” she said.

She began looking into academic programs and individuals conducting culturally adapted sexual health research, which is how she found Elizabeth Rink, professor in the Department of Human Development and Community Health in the College of Education, Health and Human Development and Peterson’s primary adviser. 

Peterson enrolled at MSU in 2019 and earned a master’s in community health before pursuing her doctorate. She also previously received an American Scandinavian Foundation Fellowship, which funded her first trip to Greenland in fall 2022. She is set to graduate with her doctorate in May and has accepted a postdoctoral position with an NSF-funded “Navigating the New Arctic” interdisciplinary research project with University of Alaska Fairbanks and Arizona State University.

“When Malory came to MSU, she began working with our Fort Peck tribal partners on our randomized control trial, We Are Here Now, which uses community-based participatory research as the foundation of the trial’s conceptual model,” Rink said. “She learned quite a bit about the importance of equitably engaging tribal partners in research that is culturally centered, contextually relevant and beneficial to them.

“When Malory suggested she stay at MSU for her Ph.D. and that she wanted to do her Ph.D. research in Greenland, I was confident that she had the (community-based participatory research) skills to work independently in Greenland with Kalaallit, moving between different languages, and navigating a completely different culture and new systems from what she was accustomed to here at MSU and with the Fort Peck Tribes.”

Peterson said her work is motivated by a desire to support communities, especially as they experience the effects of climate change.

“I don’t think, as a society, we will be able to tackle climate change challenges if we’re only motivated by fear,” she said. “One of coolest parts of getting to learn from people in Greenland is what does it look like to be motivated by opportunity, to have faith in positive opportunities from change and have faith that your community will be resilient? I’m personally grateful I get to learn.”

BOZEMAN – Registration is open for spring semester programs offered by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Montana State University. Programming includes courses, lectures, workshops, field trips, special events and book discussions for the intellectually curious age 50 and older.

OLLI is offering nine noncredit enrichment courses for the spring 2024 semester. The titles include:

• The Perplexing Law of Privacy in the United States.
• Reframing Rural: Rural Representations in the Media and Rural Issues in the West.
• Weighing the Scales of Freedom: Communities in Conflict.
• The Prophetic Passion of Leonard Cohen.
• Experiencing Russia Through Film.
• Our Constitutions, Federal and State, Plus a Few Others to Boot.
• Gardening Under the Big Sky.
• Modern Art.
• Microbes in Sickness and in Health.

OLLI courses are typically offered once a week during a four to six week period. Course costs range from $40 to $75 with an OLLI membership.

This spring, 10 Speakers Series lectures will occur from 3 to 5 p.m. on Mondays. Topics covered include the history of the ski industry, citizen science, Greco-Egyptian goddesses and Montana entrepreneur Nelson Story. Special interest groups, travel programs, “How It’s Made” tours, behind-the-scenes previews of art performances and a series of category-defying events and programs called OLLI Extras are available for members.

Members can participate in online programs offered through the Osher National Resource Center for the spring semester. Topics covered include the history of public libraries in the U.S., Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Nero Wolfe and misinformation.

OLLI offers free community programs, including the monthly “Friday Forum” and evening lectures in partnership with the Belgrade Community Library. A semester reception is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 9 at the Pilgrim Congregational UCC in Bozeman from 4 to 6 p.m.

Spring programming will include in-person and online options. Recordings of several programs will be available to members. For more details about spring programs, visit montana.edu/olli/offerings.

An OLLI at MSU membership is $45 annually. To join or register for courses or programs, visit montana.edu/olli/register. Sign up for OLLI’s free weekly e-newsletter at montana.edu/olli/newsletter to receive program updates and announcements.

BOZEMAN – Montana State University assistant professor Eric Sproles, an expert on snow and water science, told a national audience Tuesday that this year’s warm, dry weather in the western United States is exactly what scientists would expect to see given current conditions in the Pacific Ocean.

Sproles, in a live interview with CBS anchor Errol Barnett, said the weather is warmer and drier than usual because of the periodic phenomenon known as El Niño, which causes warm waters in the Pacific to push the jet stream south of its usual position. El Niño results in mild winters in the northern U.S. and wetter conditions in the Gulf Coast and southeast regions of the country.

Sproles said during the network’s “Climate Watch” segment that when precipitation does occur in an El Niño year, it’s often in the form of rain rather than snow, resulting in below average snowpacks.

In the western U.S., Sproles said, “snow is our savings account” that slowly recharges groundwater and streams as it melts in the warmer months. A dry winter may impact agriculture and hydropower generation later in the year, he said.

Asked whether the West should brace for a difficult wildfire season ahead, Sproles said a lack of snow may enhance fire conditions but that it’s too soon to make fire predictions.

He said recognizing that a drought is occurring can help western communities evaluate whether they will need to “tighten the belt a little bit” in terms of water usage in the months ahead.

Sproles is an assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Earth Sciences in the College of Letters and Scienceand director of the Geospatial Snow, Water and Ice Resources Lab and Geospatial Core Facility.

Picture this: the crisp morning air, the rustle of leaves beneath your boots, and the adrenaline running through your veins as you embark on the ultimate hunting quest. With your level of preparation, you’re expecting a successful day out in the fields, which may turn out not to be the case. Even the most experienced big game hunters sometimes confess to moments of unpreparedness and poor hunting performance. Below we share some of the top tips and tricks that will help you succeed in your big game hunting adventures.

Prepare Your Gear

Whether you’re coming from a long hunting break or are cleaning up for the next successive hunting adventure, your gear needs to be in shape before you set out for a hunt. Big game hunting is especially demanding when it comes to picking your gear. You have to select the right rifle, binoculars, boots, and ammunition for a successful hunt.

The terrain, hunting ground and the weather are key factors to consider when choosing your hunting gear. You may have to bring your tent in case it rains or decoys and overalls for wading into a pond. A night prior to your hunting day, ensure your magazines are unloaded of all ammunition and cleaned. You can hang them safely on a wall mounted magazine holder for easy access when you need them.

Scout and Stalk Your Hunting Spots

Scouting and stalking actually happen before and during the hunting sessions. If you’re doing this before your hunt, you’d want to find out about the hunting territories and borderlines, so you know where to set up your tents and what to hunt. You’ll also be learning about hunting factors like wind direction and camouflage so you know how to position yourself during the hunt.

During the hunt, you can scout your target game to learn their behavior, footprints, and scent so you can follow and attack without blowing your cover. Good scouting and stalking skills will ultimately bring in the admired success. However, you’ll need time and consistency before you can master the skills.

Perfect Your Aim

Successful hunting is all about hitting the target. One of the areas you should invest most of your training time is in shooting and target practice. Shooting practices not only get you the skills to aim perfectly but also help you build a bond with your weapon.

You will know how to react when your weapon jams and how to adjust your shooting positions accordingly to find the right angle. All in all, you’ll equally master the patience of tracking your target and the stability of taking an accurate shot.

Check Your Hunting License

A lack of a hunting license would jeopardize your return to hunting on opening day. If yours is expired, ensure you renew it on time or register for a new one if you’re going into new hunting grounds.

The best way to secure your hunting rights is to apply for a lifetime license that accords your lifetime hunting rights on a specific spot every year for the rest of your life. You could also include an ‘additional privilege package’ that allows you to access the stated privileges for the rest of your life.

Your hunting success is as good as your preparation and your agility during the hunt. Getting the best results starts by learning your weak areas and working towards improving them. Remember always to exercise care and caution even after you’ve trained exhaustively.

HELENA – Groups or individuals interested in constructing or improving a community fishing pond have until Feb. 1 to apply for a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Community Pond Program grant. The objective of the Community Pond Program is to enhance public fishing opportunities in or near Montana communities by providing funding that may be used to construct or improve a public fishing pond.

A total of $200,000 in grant funds is available for projects on ponds that offer public fishing opportunities. Past projects include building habitat structures, dock installations, pond dredging, ADA-accessible angling amenities and the purchase of aerators.

Applicants must provide at least 30 percent of the total project cost, which can include contributions such as heavy equipment time, construction materials, labor, engineering services and more. Anyone wishing to sponsor a project may apply.

Since 2003, the Community Pond Program has funded projects that benefit young anglers and their families by providing locations where individuals of all ages can learn angling skills. Additional information on the Community Pond Program, including a grant application form, click here.

Applications, which are accepted each year, must be received on or before Feb. 1. Applicants are required to contact their local FWP fisheries biologist to obtain project support. For more information, contact Michelle McGree, FWP Program Officer, at 406-444-2432 or mmcgree@mt.gov.

BOZEMAN — The City of Bozeman won eight grants in 2023 totaling over $28 million in support of efforts across multiple divisions. The list of grants includes:

• $24 million – Kagy Blvd Reconstruction
• $1.6 million – Creation of Year-round Composting Program
• $900,000 – Adult Drug Court
• $750,000 – Transportation Alternatives Capital
• $265,000 – Transportation Alternatives Preservation
• $250,000 – Safe Streets for All Study
• $20,000 – Historic Preservation
• $19,770 – Child Exploitation/Human Trafficking Investigations

“We’re thrilled to see these grants come through to expand our services. Funding is so often a barrier. Having outside funding come through allows staff to better serve residents without relying solely on local dollars,” explained City Manager Jeff Mihelich.

The grants span the Transportation & Engineering, Municipal Court, Community Development and Police departments.

The Transportation & Engineering department won the bulk of the grants with the $24 million grant secured to reconstruct Kagy Blvd. They also won a grant to expand the composting program to include year-round food waste; a grant to fill in three sections of shared-use paths along Flanders Mill, E Valley Center, and N 19^th Avenue; a grant to extend the life of shared-use paths throughout the city through pavement preservation; and a grant to expand the Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE) Plan.

In Community Development, the City was awarded a grant from the Foundation for Montana History to conduct a National Register Multiple Property Documentation for buildings that were designed by Fred Willson, a prominent architect from 1909-1954 who designed over a hundred buildings around town.

Municipal Court won a $900,000 Department of Justice grant to start a misdemeanor DUI treatment court to serve DUI offenders. The Bozeman Police Department’s grant helps fund equipment, technologies and training related to investigations into human trafficking and child exploitation to ensure the safety of children in the Bozeman area and learn more about how large a problem human trafficking is in the region.

Those interested in learning more about the grants can reach out to the City Manager’s office at 406-582-2306.

On December 30^th 2023, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call for two injured snowmobilers on Buck Ridge.  Both patients were involved in a snowmobile crash and sustained injuries.  Canyon Adventures snowmobile guides were in the area and responded to assist the injured riders.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Big Sky Section responded to Buck Ridge and deployed a snowmobile rescue team immediately up the trail.

With the help of Canyon Adventures, both snowmobilers were transported to a waiting Big Sky Fire Ambulance.  Care of both patients was transferred to Big Sky Fire Department personnel.

Sherriff Dan Springer would like to thank all of the individuals who assisted the injured riders, especially the Canyon Adventures guides, whose quick action was vital in guaranteeing the most positive outcome possible.

On 12/29/23 at 3:25 PM Gallatin County 911 received a call from the partner of an injured skier.  The pair was ski touring in Beehive Basin and one of them had hit a rock and injured her ankle.  Despite the ankle being too painful to bear weight, the pair slowly made their way down to the trail as Gallatin County Search & Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers deployed to assist.

GCSSAR rescuers met the pair on the trail, provided first aid, and packaged the patient for safe transport to the trailhead. At the trailhead, the patient refused ambulance transport as they were able to take their own vehicle to seek follow-on medical care.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the patient and her partner for having a solid emergency communications plan and being well-equipped to handle an extended stay in the backcountry if circumstances required it.

Changes coming for the 2024 season

HELENA – Floaters hoping for a Smith River permit can apply Jan. 2 through Feb. 14. However, a few changes are coming this year that applicants should be aware of.

Celebrated for its spectacular scenery, remote location and excellent trout fishing, the Smith River is one of Montana’s most sought-after outdoor recreation experiences. Permits are required to float the 59-mile section of river between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge and are issued each year through a lottery. Parties of up to 15 people can float with one permit. A person applying for a Smith River permit must be a minimum of 12 years of age at the time they submit their permit application.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff will remove pit toilets at the float-in campsites along the Smith River during the spring of 2024. All float parties, private and commercial, will be required to pack out their human waste from the Smith River corridor. This requirement is similar to many other river systems in the West and necessary to keep the corridor pristine for visitors now and for decades to come. The rules implementing this pack-out system were passed by the Montana Parks Board in late 2023.

Floaters will need to pack portable toilet systems. To see a list of FWP-approved, portable, hard-sided toilets that will be allowed, click here. Alternative waste disposal systems, including bag systems, such as Clean Waste and RESTOP2, will not be allowed. 

Floaters can clean and sanitize their portable toilet system with a SCAT (Sanitizing Containers with Alternative Technology) machine, which has been installed at the Eden Bridge take-out.

“Removal of the pit toilets will not only help reduce impacts to natural and cultural resources, but also allow more time for the river rangers to focus on other duties, such as public safety and recreation ecology projects like noxious weed control and stabilizing erosion at boat camp landings,” said Colin Maas, FWP Recreation Manager for the Smith River.     

2024 is the first year applicants can buy a bonus point for the Smith River Permit. A bonus point is essentially an extra chance you can purchase for the permit drawing. These points accumulate year after year if you are unsuccessful in the drawing. Residents can purchase a bonus point for $5; nonresidents can purchase a bonus point for $50. The bonus point is applied to your application the year it is purchased. You can apply for a permit through FWP’s online licensing system. For more information on bonus points, click here.

Finally, starting in 2024, the number of permits available for nonresidents may not exceed 10 percent of the available permits. This new law was passed as part of House Bill 846 in the 2023 Legislative Session.