WHITEHALL – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park are seeking volunteers to help with a post-season cleaning of the caverns.  
Volunteers in this event will get the chance to see the caverns up close as they work to reduce some of the impacts of visitors’ presence in the cave.  

The project will be Saturday, Oct. 2, and will begin with an orientation at 9 a.m. at the main (lower) visitor center. Staff and volunteers will then continue to the cave, toothbrushes in hand.  

During the season, algae, lint and dust have built up from thousands of visitors who have come to experience the cave, so it’s important to periodically clean the formations so they can continue to grow and change. Participants will help restore parts of the cave that have the most human impact. This follows other events happening nationwide as part of National Public Lands Day.  

Volunteers are asked to bring a mask, clean gloves (these can be gardening gloves), a water bottle, a headlamp, and clothing that have never been worn in another cave or mine. This is a precautionary measure to reduce the spread of white-nose syndrome in bats. Volunteers with helmets or kneepads are encouraged to bring them as well. All cleaning supplies will be provided by park staff.  

Those who would like to participate are asked to contact Zack Story as soon as possible. Please send an email to zack.story@mt.gov before Sept. 25 with your name, the number of people you would like to bring, any food requirements you may have, and the equipment you will be bringing or may need.  

Bozeman, MT— The City of Bozeman starts its vaccine incentive program for Bozeman residents this Wednesday, September 15, 2021. The program, which is funded using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, intends to positively reward those who get vaccinated in the community.
 
The COVID-19 vaccine is available across the city and is a key tool in keeping our community safe from the impacts of the virus. The vaccine incentive program’s first priority is to encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated, while also recognizing that there are many in the community who have already received the vaccine.

 
Program details:
• Any Bozeman resident who proves residency in the city of Bozeman and vaccination status who was vaccinated prior to September 15 may enter a raffle to win a 1,000 dollar visa gift card
• Any Bozeman resident who proves residency in the city of Bozeman and vaccination status who is vaccinated between September 15 and November 15 may submit to automatically receive a $25 dollar visa gift card and be entered into a raffle to win a 1,000 dollar visa gift card
• The program starts on September 15 and ends on November 15
• Residents must bring proof of residency in the form of any piece of mail and proof of COVID-19 vaccination to Bozeman City Hall Finance Department (121 N Rouse Ave) from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. to participate in the program
 
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available across Gallatin County at many locations including local pharmacies and your primary care physician. To find out more about dates, times, and locations visit, healthygallatin.org/covid-19-vaccines/
 

Most cannabis growers already know that light is needed to help their plants produce marijuana. What they might not know is how important choosing the right grow lights can be for their plants. A variety of options are available today, and finding the right ones to use today can make a huge difference in how the plants grow and how much they produce. Read below to learn more about why learning about grow lights is important and the benefits of choosing the right ones to use for cannabis plants. 

Provide the Right Spectrum of Light
Different lights produce a different spectrum of light. This is easy to see in the difference between warm or cool light bulbs used throughout the house, and many people will have their preference. When it comes to cannabis plants, the right grow lights contain the full spectrum of light, allowing them to get what they need from the lights to truly thrive. Light bulbs that are not full-spectrum are not going to produce as good of results as ones that are, so choosing full-spectrum lights can lead to better yields. 

Provide Heat to Help With Climate Control
Plants need to be kept at the right temperature to grow, and cannabis is no different. Temperature can have an impact on plants, and it can impact whether the plant grows at all, how quickly it grows, and how big it grows. Cannabis can grow in a variety of temperatures but prefers warmer temperatures. Light bulbs can emit heat, so they can help make sure the cannabis plants are warm enough. It is important to be careful, however, as it's not a good idea to let the plants get too hot. 

Longer Time Before Replacement
Eventually, all light bulbs are going to go out. Depending on the amount used, it can be expensive to replace the bulbs regularly. Some light bulbs will burn out faster than others, so it's a good idea to opt for light bulbs that last longer. Depending on the price, this can help cut down on the maintenance expenses for growing cannabis, allowing for more funds to go to seeds and other supplies. 

Save on Energy Costs
The cost to operate a grow room, though it depends on the number of plants, can be expensive. For this reason, it's a good idea to opt for light bulbs that are more energy efficient. Some light bulbs require a lot more energy to operate, while others have minimal energy use. The lower the energy use is, the less the grower has to pay for the lights to help the plants grow properly and gain a higher yield. The right lights minimize the energy costs, while still providing the benefits of light to the cannabis plants.  

Today, growers have a number of options to choose from when they need lights for a grow room. A variety of light bulbs will have pros and cons, which can make finding the right bulbs a little more difficult. However, the right bulbs will include all of the benefits listed here, and more, so the grower can get a higher yield from their plants without spending a lot more money. Take a look at the different types of bulbs available today to see which ones will work great for your setup. 

HELENA – Montana's young hunters will have the state’s waterfowl and pheasants pretty much to themselves Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25-26.

Licensed hunters ages 15 and under may hunt ducks, geese, coots, mergansers and ring-necked pheasants statewide on these two special days set aside for youngsters, but they must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult.

While the accompanying adult may not shoot, he or she can assist with setting decoys, calling and retrieving.

Prior to the youth hunt opener, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will release 2,700 pheasants on seven wildlife management areas. The WMAs that will receive pheasants include Canyon Ferry and Lake Helena in Region 3, Freezout and Beckman in Region 4, Grant Marsh and Yellowstone in Region 5, and Isaac Homestead in Region 7.

“We’re excited to give our youth hunters this new opportunity for success,” said FWP director Hank Worsech. “As we expand this program in the coming years, it will encourage hunter participation and recruitment across the state.”

The pheasants for the release were purchased with money that is set aside for pheasant stocking through the upland gamebird program.

This program will expand as FWP works with the Montana Department of Corrections to establish a gamebird-raising facility at the Montana State Prison. Birds raised at the prison will be used to stock appropriate state land in future years.

The statewide, two-day youth waterfowl and pheasant hunt is open to:

• legally licensed 12-15-year-olds who have completed hunter education and who are accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age,
• properly certified and legally licensed apprentice hunters 10-15 years of age who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult "mentor" at least 21 years of age.

For more information on youth hunting opportunities, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/youth.

The Bozeman MADE fair is fast approaching, and we are excited to connect artists with the Gallatin Valley community once again. Shop and discover a curated collection of over 170 local and regional artists. You can expect to see everything from affordable, functional works of art to fine heirloom pieces at the show.

Those interested in a head start on their shopping can purchase a New VIP Pass valid for an hour before the show opens to the public. Beat the crowds and purchase VIP passes for $10 for 10 am-11 am, and it will get you a solid head start before everyone else. Every year we pick a non-profit to work with to help further their mission. All of the proceeds from the ticket sales will go to a local Gallatin County Non-Profit.

Last year we (handMADE Montana- presenters of the MADE fairs) made the difficult and responsible decision to cancel all of our four in-person events. We put energy and time into promoting our artists digitally via the website and social media.  With the recent success of the Missoula Summer MADE fair, we cautiously approach the upcoming fall and holiday events. Masks are encouraged when social distancing is not an option, and the layout at the upcoming Bozeman MADE fair will have additional room to roam.

 The one-day event will once again feature indoor Trick-or-Treating and an all-ages Costume Contest at 1 pm. New moms can enjoy some quiet feeding time for the littles at the Family Care Area provided by the Gallatin Breastfeeding Coalition. Make a day of it with your friends and enjoy strolling the aisles and supporting your local artists. Visit our website for additional details and pre-shop all of the participating artists.

The MADE fair is a modern art & handcrafted market featuring local & regional artists and makers. Our events are a curated collection of skilled artisans as well as a handful of non-profits. The MADE fair’s mission is to increase awareness of handmade goods as an alternative to mass-produced items and support local and regional small craft businesses by providing a place to sell their goods. We provide opportunities to artists of all levels—from the hobbyist to the seasoned professional. The MADE fairs are presented by handMADE Montana—the recently named Retailer of the Year Award by the Made in Montana program.


Event Details
Date:  October 31, 2021
Time:  11am-5pm, VIP pass 10am-11am  
Location: Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, Bozeman, Montana 
Cost: Free Entry/Parking*

Please bring a bring a non-perishable food item to help support the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.

Applications are now being accepted for an online degree program offered by Montana State University that leads students to a master’s degree in teaching. A corresponding program offers participants a stipend and mentorship in exchange for a teaching commitment in an eligible school.

MSU’s Master of Arts in teaching program offers applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree a pathway to complete a preparation program and become a licensed Montana teacher in as little as one year. 

Those admitted to the Master of Arts in teaching degree program can apply for the Montana Rural Teacher Project, or MRTP. Participants in the MRTP receive a living wage stipend while they complete the 12- to 16-month master’s program. They also receive two years of mentorship from established teachers. Students in the program must commit to teach in an eligible Montana school for three years. 

While the Master of Arts in teaching degree program will continue into the future, MSU is currently recruiting applicants for the final group of participants for the grant-funded Montana Rural Teacher Project. The elementary track starts in January 2022. The preferred application deadline is Oct. 1, and the extended application deadline is Nov. 10.

The secondary track, which prepares educators to teach high school English, mathematics, general science broadfield and social studies broadfield, starts in May 2022. The preferred application deadline is Jan. 1, 2022, and the extended application deadline is Feb. 15, 2022.

More information about the Master of Arts in teaching degree program is available at montana.edu/education/grad/mat/. To learn more about the Montana Rural Teacher Project, visit montana.edu/education/grad/mat/tqp.html. Questions may be directed to Jamie O’Callaghan at jamie.ocallaghan@montana.edu.

Although it is extracted from the same Cannabis Sativa, CBD hemp flower does not possess any notable intoxicating or psychoactive properties like marijuana. So, while it may look, feel, and smell similar to other THC-rich cannabis variants, it is among the most efficient and safest ways to intake cannabinoids.

There are a variety of CBD flower products sold by licensed vendors online, and you can choose any of them, depending on your needs. Here’s some helpful information about CBD hemp flowers that can help you buy the correct products.

CBD hemp flower terms to be familiar with

When you browse for these products, you will encounter certain words that may seem alien to you. Here’s what you should know about them, so they do not confuse you.

Prerolls - Informally referred to as joints, are dried, powdered hemp flowers that come wrapped in rolling paper.

Flavonoids - These have powerful antioxidant properties and are used mainly for medicinal purposes rather than recreational ones.

Non-intoxicating - It simply means that the product does not contain any intoxicating substances.

Manicured - When you come across a product described as “manicured,” it means they are hand-trimmed hemp buds of high quality.

Terpenes - These are plant oils packed with flavor that are natural to cannabis.
Sativa-dominant - These hemp flower products provide an uplifting effect on users.
Indica-dominant - These contain terpenes that have a calming effect.

Flavors and aromas

There is an incredible range of CBD flower flavors to choose from. Popular ones include the earthy-tasting Humulene, spicy Caryophyllene, minty Pinene, and crispy, light Linalool. You can also check out the dank and mango-like Myrcene and the very floral Terpinolene, among other flavors.

All these flavors have distinct aromas, too, each giving off a remarkably unique odor. Caryophyllene is best if you are looking for a woody, clove-like smell. On the other hand, Terpinolene is more suitable for an all-around experience as it smells of many different flavors. Linalool has a vivid lavender-floral smell that many users love.

What is it used for?

While most people use CBD products for recreational purposes, many of them are now investing in these products for their purported medicinal properties as well.

For instance, a study found that about 62% of the respondents used CBD for treating a medical condition, with the top ones being anxiety, pain, and depression. About 36% of the total respondents claimed CBD effectively helped them deal with these severe health issues.

So, while research is still ongoing to understand how CBD can help people deal with the conditions mentioned above and several others, the results from this study are quite promising. Researchers are now checking how CBD can help people manage sleep disorders and other medical conditions.

CBD hemp flower with and without THC

With THC - THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the compound in cannabis that has psychoactive properties. Typically, CBD must contain less than 0.3% of THC by law. Products that exceed this amount of CBD are classified as marijuana. They are mostly preferred as a recreational activity and rarely used for medicinal purposes.

Without THC - CBD flower products with low amounts of THC reportedly have health benefits. They are non-intoxicating and offer all the benefits of a THC-rich hemp product, minus the unpleasant side effects.

Full-spectrum CBD hemp flower

Some CBD products such as broad-spectrum and isolate are processed and, as a result, have their natural plant extracts removed. However, full-spectrum CBD is rich in all the essential natural oils from the Cannabis Sativa flowering buds.

CBD flower is full-spectrum, comprising flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids found in cannabis.

Buying from the right seller

While there are innumerable places to buy CBD products, it is vital not to buy them from just about anyone. It is advisable to especially avoid dispensaries that do not possess the essential licenses to sell hemp products. Also, you must carefully check the product and ingredients before purchasing. If you unwittingly buy a CBD hemp flower product with a high amount of THC, it could cause trouble as this quantity is not legally permitted.

So, buying from a reputable, knowledgeable source is crucial. Check the seller's license, reviews, and other details before purchasing the product.

Conclusion

CBD hemp flower products are gaining popularity as one of the best ways to enjoy the benefits of cannabinoids. Nevertheless, note that this is relatively new to the medical field. And while initial research reports are considerably favorable, it is still wise to exercise caution.

So, it is best to ask your medical practitioner for advice on which CBD products to use, the dosage, frequency, etc. They can monitor your progress, check if you have any side effects from the CBD use, and change dosage likewise.-

Committee Application deadline is Oct. 3 

BOZEMAN – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff in southwest Montana are seeking applicants to the region’s Citizens Advisory Committee.  

The committee meets several times per year and operates in an advisory capacity to help FWP be responsive and effective resource managers within the constraints of the law. Citizen advisors help identify emerging trends and resolve conflicts, and they act as FWP ambassadors to various interest groups and geographic communities. 

FWP employees benefit from having a deeper understanding of public priorities and expectations with help from citizen advisors, who can function as a trusted sounding board for ideas and initiatives. People who volunteer in this capacity benefit from understanding FWP programs, priorities, administrative processes and limitations in a broader context.  

FWP is seeking applicants representing a variety of interests from communities across southwest Montana within Region 3. For more information or to apply, call 406-577-7891 or send an email to Morgan.Jacobsen@mt.gov. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3. 

A new four-year, $1.9 million grant will enable a team of collaborators at Montana State University and the University of Montana to continue a program that trains students to better serve individuals with mental health care needs.

The grant, from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, will continue funding the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program. Known as BHWET-West, the program is administered by both MSU and UM and focuses on meeting mental health care needs in western Montana, particularly those of children, adolescents and youth.

“Montana has a significant general need for mental health care, as well as a specific need for mental health care for children, adolescents and young adults,” said Rebecca Pogoda, clinical instructor with the MSU College of Nursing’s Bozeman campus and head of the college’s psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program. “A goal of this program is to provide additional training opportunities for students so that they are well-prepared for this work.”

Over the four years of the grant, the program will fund 72 MSU and UM graduate students to deliver and integrate professional services into existing institutions, agencies and clinics. Most of the funds will go directly to student stipends.

“Although the state has many hard-working, effective mental health professionals working with our youth, there simply are not enough of them,” said Mary-Ann Sontag Bowman, a UM social work associate professor and program director/co-principal investigator for the grant. “This project funds the placement of graduate students in agencies and organizations that serve children, adolescents and transitional-age youth, expanding the capacity of organizations to meet immediate needs and help build the area’s workforce.”

Since students often practice where they are trained, Sontag Bowman added, placement in these agencies and organizations increases the likelihood of these future professionals staying in those communities.

Participating students in BHWET-West are pursuing careers as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, licensed social workers or licensed professional counselors. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner students are enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program in MSU’s College of Nursing, psychology students are enrolled in a doctoral program in psychology at UM, social work students are enrolled in UM’s master’s program in social work, and counseling students are enrolled in UM’s master’s program in clinical mental health counseling.

Pogoda emphasized that students participating in the program receive training specifically geared toward working with young people, both in the form of coursework and monthly interprofessional meetings where related topics are discussed.

“A goal of this program is to provide training and experiences so that students who graduate from these programs will be comfortable working with these populations and, in fact, want to work with these populations,” Pogoda said.

The program also provides rich opportunities for interprofessional education and collaboration, she said.

“Learning about integrated care and interprofessional education is an important part of this grant,” Pogoda said. “It’s designed to give students experiences working with, say, a therapist, a primary care provider, a psychiatrist and a social worker, who often all work together with this population.”

Sarah Shannon, dean of the MSU College of Nursing, said increasing the mental health workforce is a top priority for Montana.

“MSU College of Nursing is proud to continue our partnership with the University of Montana in this pressing area,” Shannon said. “The BHWET-West program has been a national leader in offering students an interprofessional experience in behavioral health in a rural state. We know that Montana consistently ranks among worst states for suicide. We are committed to ensuring that children, teens and adults in Montana have access to help when they need it most.”

Ultimately, the program aims to help meet the mental health care needs of people in western Montana.

“The highlight of this grant is it allows MSU and UM to create a workforce for Montanans,” Pogoda said. “We’re training students to work in Montana, and to work with youth.”

In addition to Pogoda and Sontag Bowman, other project collaborators include co-principal investigators Tracy Hellem, associate professor with the MSU College of Nursing’s Missoula campus; Jayna Mumbauer-Pisano, assistant professor, UM Department of Counseling; and Greg Machek, professor, UM Department of Psychology. Consultants include Bryan Cochran, professor, UM Department of Psychology; and Holly Schleicher, former UM director of integrated behavioral health.

The grant complements a second four-year grant recently awarded to the MSU College of Nursing that aims to help address a shortage of mental health providers in eastern Montana, particularly in areas of low population and high geographic remoteness. That program will provide training opportunities and financial support for students working to become psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, mental health counselors or psychiatrists.

The MSU College of Nursing educates students on its five campuses to be professional nurses capable of working in a variety of settings. It is the largest supplier of Bachelor of Science-prepared nurses in Montana. It is also Montana's only public provider of graduate nursing education and offers a Master of Nursing degree focused on rural clinical nurse leadership and a Doctor of Nursing Practice program that prepares students for certification as family nurse practitioners or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. More information about the MSU College of Nursing is available at montana.edu/nursing/.