GREAT FALLS – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking input on a proposal to introduce burbot in Martinsdale Reservoir. The goal of the introduction would be to provide future additional angling opportunities at the reservoir.

FWP has stocked the reservoir since 1940, primarily with rainbow trout. It is currently managed as a put-grow-and-take fishery for rainbow trout and brown trout. Burbot have not been stocked historically or documented in Martinsdale Reservoir. The proposal is to move burbot from a nearby source via a wild fish transfer.

The effort would look to move between 100-500 burbot into Martinsdale Reservoir. The transfer effort may begin as soon as 2021 and transfer efforts could reoccur as needed until an adequate number of burbot (100-500) are introduced to allow the opportunity for the species to become established in the reservoir.

To review the draft EA and to comment online, go to FWP’s website, fwp.mt.gov, under “News and Public Notices.” The draft EA will be open for public comment for a period of 30 days from Feb. 17 through March 19.

Comments can be submitted electronically via email to fwpr4publiccom@mt.gov or can be mailed to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks , Martinsdale Burbot Introduction Comments, 4600 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, MT 59405

Culminating years of work, a small satellite designed and built by Montana State University students is set to launch Saturday aboard a cargo resupply rocket bound for the International Space Station.

The bread loaf-sized satellite, called by the acronym IT-SPINS, will dock at the space station until later this spring, then be propelled into orbit and commence a more than six-month mission of measuring the properties of Earth's atmosphere at the edge of outer space.

Since the project kicked off in 2015 with a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation, more than 30 MSU students in MSU's Space Science and Engineering Laboratory have been involved in developing the satellite, according to David Klumpar, SSEL director and research professor in the Department of Physics in MSU's College of Letters and Science. The launch will mark the 12th time a small satellite designed and built by MSU students in SSEL has been sent to outer space.

"We give students the opportunity to take a lot of responsibility in developing the mission, designing and making the hardware, putting it all together and then testing it to make sure it'll survive the launch and work in space," Klumpar said. "It's a really hands-on experience."

Using a specialized sensor created by the nonprofit research institute SRI International, the satellite will measure ultraviolet light emitted by charged particles, or ions, in the upper layers of Earth's atmosphere called the ionosphere and thermosphere. IT-SPINS stands for Ionosphere-Thermosphere Scanning Photometer for Ion-Neutral Studies. The study could lead to improved forecasting of "space weather" in which variations in solar ultraviolet and X-ray radiation cause the number and intensity of ions to increase, sometimes interfering with satellites and orbiting spacecraft.

Besides the sensor, the satellite — including solar panels, batteries, communications hardware and a variety of computerized controls — was almost entirely designed and built by students, mainly engineering and computer science majors, with the help of SSEL staff, Klumpar noted.

Nevin Leh, who earned his bachelor's in computer science from MSU in 2016, worked on the project as a junior and senior. He programmed the software that sends commands to the satellite, tracks it in the sky and downloads the data it collects.

"It was a great experience, working in a small lab with people from all different disciplines," said Leh, who returned to SSEL after graduating from MSU to work as a research engineer. "You really get to see the whole process."

Recent months have been a scramble as Leh, along with other SSEL staff and students, went through the final rounds of testing to ready the satellite for launch. "After you send something to space, you can't just go up there and fix it," Leh said.

Part of the testing involved putting the satellite in a vacuum chamber at MSU and cycling the temperature between minus-20 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, simulating the harsh sun and chilling shade the MSU creation must endure as it orbits the Earth 14 times per day. The MSU team included specialized materials and coatings in the design to help the device retain needed warmth while also radiating excess heat.

SSEL will be involved in monitoring IT-SPINS and downloading data when the satellite passes within line-of-sight of the MSU campus, which will happen a couple times per day, according to Klumpar. MSU researchers will be involved in analyzing the data using a software developed by the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University, a collaborator on the project.

The project has had some hiccups, Klumpar said, including a canceled launch last year because of COVID-19 impacts, so it's bittersweet that many of the students who originally worked on the project have graduated and moved on. Several have gone on to work in aerospace at

Northrop Grumman, Blue Origin and Los Alamos National Laboratory. "These students are really sough after once they graduate," Klumpar said. "They get snapped up."

The launch on Saturday, Feb. 20, is set for 10:36 a.m. Mountain Time and will be available for public viewing online at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nasas-northrop-grumman-15th-commercial-resupply-services-mission-launch-registration-136289113407.

The new license year opens March 1, which means that is the day you can buy your 2021 hunting and fishing licenses and begin applying for permits and special licenses. The deadline to apply for deer and elk permits is April 1.

Applications for most species – deer, elk, antelope, deer B, elk B, antelope B, moose, sheep, goat, bison, bear, turkey – can be made beginning March 1.

Hunters and anglers can buy licenses and apply for permits on the FWP website beginning at 5 a.m.; click on “Buy and Apply.” Most FWP offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The licensing call center will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from March 1 through April 1; after April 1, the hours will return to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call center can be reached at 406-444-2950.

Remember, if you’re applying for a special license or permit, you will need to have a valid email address.

The Ennis, Valley Garden and York’s Islands fishing access sites have been closed temporarily due to flooding.

Ice jams have caused water, ice and debris to flow into the sites, creating dangerous conditions, including the possibility for trees to fall. These sites have been closed until flooding conditions subside and FWP staff are able to make the necessary repairs to roads and other infrastructure.

The Ennis Fishing Access Site is a half mile southeast of Ennis, and the Valley Garden Fishing Access Site is about two miles northeast of Ennis — both are on the upper Madison River. The York’s Islands Fishing Access Site is about four miles north of Townsend on the Missouri River.

The Bozeman Symphony makes its much-anticipated return to the Willson Auditorium for a free livestream concert, “Dvořák, Saint-Georges, and Verdi,” featuring the immensely talented violinist William Hagen playing Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ Concerto for Violin in A Major. The performance opens with Antonin Dvořák’s painstakingly beautiful Lento from String Quartet No. 12 “American,” and the Symphony concludes with Giuseppe Verdi’s only surviving chamber music work in his catalogue: String Quartet in E minor, arranged for full orchestra.  

 
The Bozeman Symphony is delighted to showcase William Hagen for the second time after his debut at the Symphony’s Ranch Around concert series presented in September 2020. Along with Hagen, the string section of the orchestra will be featured during this diverse performance reimagined from the previously scheduled program announced in the 2020 – 2021 season brochure.  

 
Hagen will dazzle the audience with first known classical composer of African ancestry Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ charmingly upbeat Concerto for Violin in A Major. Saint-Georges, born in 1745, had many masteries beyond composing, as a virtuoso violinist, renowned champion fencer, and leading military man in the French Revolution. Also highlighted in this performance is well-known composer Antonin Dvořák and extremely popular opera composer Giuseppe Verdi, who will bookend the program for a wonderful evening of music from the classical and romantic canon.   

 
The “Dvořák, Saint-Georges, and Verdi,” concert will livestream to the Bozeman Symphony’s website, YouTube and Facebook pages on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at 7:30 PM. The Symphony wishes to thank David Ross and Risi for their season sponsorship along with Drs. Anne and Dennis Wentz for sponsoring this performance. For more information about the free livestream concert, please contact the Bozeman Symphony at (406) 585-9774 or info@bozemansymphony.org. 

 
William Hagen, violin - The riveting 27-year-old American violinist William Hagen was the third-prize winner of the 2015 Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition, one of the highest-ranking Americans ever in the prestigious competition. Already a seasoned international performer who has won friends around the world, William has been hailed as a “brilliant virtuoso…a standout” (The Dallas Morning News) with “an intellectual command of line and score, and just the right amount of power” (violinist.com). William performs on the 1732 ‘Arkwright Lady Rebecca Sylvan’ Stradivarius, on generous loan from the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation.  

Find out more: https://mkiartists.com/artists/william-hagen 

A detective from the Montana State University Police Department recently received an award recognizing her services to the university and Gallatin County communities.

Detective Amy Ross received the Officer of the Year award from the Montana Association of Chiefs of Police on Feb. 10. She is the first member of UPD to receive the award. Ross is a member of the local Special Victims Unit — a six-member team consisting of officers from UPD, the Bozeman Police Department and other Gallatin County agencies — which investigates felony sex and other violent crimes.

“I’m a little bit blown away. I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Ross, who has been with UPD since 2006. “I work with an excellent team, which is why I can succeed. We work together well; it’s a unique group of people who work hard, and they deserve this as much as I do. We all take care of people who have been victimized in the community, and this award goes to my team.”  

Ross was nominated by the SVU, with support from UPD, in part, in recognition of the amount of work she has accomplished over the years between the SVU and UPD, as well as her professionalism and compassion. According to her nomination letter, over the last 18 months she has completed 39 forensic interviews at the Gallatin County Child Advocacy Center, been the lead investigator on 58 felony cases — 35 involving juveniles — and has had played a role in the other 190 felony cases the unit has worked. Ross primarily investigates child sex crimes with the SVU.

Ross, along with Bozeman Police Detective Anthony Hutchings, was instrumental in the creation of the SVU. The unit came to be when Ross and other members of Gallatin County law enforcement saw overlap of suspects and crimes. The team of six detectives helps maximize support for victims in the area. Ross said, since the SVU’s inception on May 23, 2018, that conviction rates have increased.

Ross graduated from MSU in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and said she has a passion for her community. She said it has been a terrific experience to go from being a student to serving and protecting campus as law enforcement. Ross added that MSU has been a very supportive environment, thanks in part to President Waded Cruzado’s support of UPD as well as the training and encouragement the department gives its officers.

“These are my people, this is my place, this is my community that I love and care about,” Ross said. “I am so excited to get to help out with keeping my community safe and giving them the best possible investigations and best resources. It’s been a cool experience.”

UPD Chief Kevin Gillilan said Ross is incredibly professional in her work and she is a team player with the rest of the department. He said she is willing to pick up extra tasks, provide guidance to officers and does the same when she works with members of the community. 

“We’re certainly proud of her,” Gillilan said. “I came in (as chief) in late April, and one of the things I found out about Amy fairly quickly is that she is passionate about what she does. She’s the right person in the right job to make a difference.”

                                                                                            Photo by Katie Moum on Unsplash

With pleasant weather not far off, plenty of car owners are planning spring and summer road trips for themselves or their families. This year is already shaping up to be one of the biggest ever for car-cations because of all the pandemic restrictions on air, bus, and train travel. For many vacationers that means loading up the truck, checking tire pressure, and mapping out destinations for warm-weather fun.

Of course, making plans of how to spend free time is part of the excitement. But, don't forget to make sure your vehicle is in top condition before hitting the highway. Fortunately, you can get plenty of help from online blogs and websites that offer how-to guides, discuss all sorts of car-related topics, and even provide resources if you need to buy a new car before your journey. Here are five things to keep in mind before every road trip.

Tire Pressure and Condition
You can get a lot done with one mechanic appointment. Tell them about how many miles you'll be traveling and be sure they check and adjust tire pressure. If any tires show signs of trouble, replace them now. And, don't forget to check the pressure and general condition of the spare, as many people forget this crucial step.

Engine Inspection
For less then $50 in most major cities, you can have a professional mechanic do a complete inspection of your engine, fluid levels, and all electrical systems of the car. If something major shows up, get it repaired or consider using a different vehicle for your trip. Never attempt to travel in an unsafe car. This is an ideal time to have your oil changed if you're close to the due date for service.

Emergency Kits
Have an emergency box of food in the trunk in case you get stranded. Include at least two gallons of drinking water, non-perishable energy bars, and whatever else you prefer. In addition to food, have a working flashlight, extra batteries, all the necessary tire-changing equipment, a blanket, and two road flares. Another must is a basic first-aid kit. You can get stocked, ready-to-use kits at big-box stores or online for less than $30.

Planning for Safety
Don't announce your travel dates or itinerary on social media sites, but be sure that at least one responsible person knows your detailed plans. Arrange for a couple of check-in phone calls at prearranged times so your contact person will know you haven't been in an accident. If you have a trustworthy neighbor or two, have them keep an eye on your house so they can report any suspicious activity to the police.

Locking Up Your House
Whether your living space is large or small, don't forget to run through the standard check-list. That means turning off and unplugging all appliances except the refrigerator, which can be set up a few degrees, closing blinds and window shades, locking all doors and windows, boarding up pet doors, putting AC and heating units to dormant settings, throwing out foods that are apt to spoil, and giving a key to at least one trusted person who can enter if you need them to.

More than 1,500 donors raised $438,878 for Montana State University programs, causes and groups during MSU Giving Day, a 29-hour online crowd-fundraising event held Feb. 11-12.

MSU Giving Day, which was designed to raise support and awareness in addition to funds, shined a light on nearly 60 projects at MSU. Organizers of the event said they were deeply grateful to the 1,521 donors who participated in the second annual event.

“What a remarkable outpouring of support from so many,” said Chris Murray, president and CEO of the MSU Alumni Foundation and MSU vice president of advancement. “Even during this time of uncertainty and isolation, over 1,500 donors stepped forward to advance MSU. We are humbled and so very grateful!”

Funds raised during this year’s Giving Day surpassed last year’s total amount raised by more than $100,000, according to Nick Lonardo, vice president of the annual fund at the MSU Alumni Foundation.

“Even in the face of the pandemic and all the disruption it has caused, I was pleasantly surprised to see us exceed our fundraising total over last year,” Lonardo said. “This year donors really stepped up to support Montana State. I’m so thankful for all those who gave.”

As part of Giving Day, all MSU alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends were invited to participate by making a gift during the event through the event’s website at givingday.montana.edu. There, donors could view the groups and projects seeking funds and choose a group or groups to receive their gift. The website also provided up-to-the-minute progress, descriptions of all the projects in need of support, social media tracking, acknowledgment of donors and announcements of challenges and gift matches. Special challenges and gift matching opportunities were announced throughout the 29-hour event to allow donors to magnify the impact of their gifts. The minimum gift amount was $10.

“I really have to hand it to all those who provided matching funds and prize money for the challenges,” Lonardo said. “Their support was absolutely critical to the success of the event, and their leadership inspired others to give. I truly can’t thank them enough.”

One group participating in Giving Day, the African Students Association, sought support for an African culture celebration. The annual event showcases different aspects of African cultures, such as dance, music and fashion from different countries on the continent. 

Bukola Saliu, a graduate student in the industrial systems and management engineering program who serves as president of the African Students Association, said the support exhibited through Giving Day was “overwhelmingly surprising.”

“It blew my mind when we checked an hour ago and we had almost $4,000,” Saliu said.

The funds will help the group promote cultural diversity and expand its annual culture celebration to showcase the cultures of various tribes represented by MSU students.

“I am truly humbled by the people's generosity,” Saliu said. “I think that was the surprising thing for me. Especially during this time of global uncertainty, where people are barely scraping by. They are still selfless and kind enough to donate. There is still kindness in this world, and we hope we can bring great joy to all with all the fun events we will be planning thanks to the generous donations.” 

Michelle Flenniken, associate professor in the MSU Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology and co-director of MSU's Pollinator Health Center, led a Giving Day effort to raise funds to support MSU graduate students who research honeybees.

She said that support for graduate student research in honeybee biology surpassed her expectations.

“I was really heartened to get donations from fellow faculty members, friends, family, community members and beekeepers,” Flenniken said. She added that she was most surprised by numerous donations received from people she has never met or likely interacted with.

“Giving Day is an excellent way to highlight MSU's honeybee research efforts and Montana's beekeepers,” Flenniken said.

The MSU Leadership Institute sought funds through Giving Day to bring world-class leaders to speak at MSU and to expand and support innovation in trainings, workshops and other leadership development opportunities.

MSU student Preston Holmgren, a senior and student associate with the Leadership Institute, said Giving Day support exceeded the organization's expectations.

“We had a goal of $20,000 and were blown away around 4 o’clock today when we reached $30,000,” Holmgren said. “We’re all shaking, it’s so incredible. We’re very grateful for it.”

The Leadership Institute also participated in last year’s inaugural Giving Day. Funds raised last year have been used to book the former president of Ireland for a virtual MSU talk in April.

“This year we hope to do something similar but also increase student mentorship projects and do more one on one with students,” Holmgren said.

MSU Leadership Institute Director Carmen McSpadden said the group truly appreciates each person who contributed.

"There was a dance of joy (in our office) for every donor,” McSpadden said. “I hope all of the MSU Giving Day donors understand the impact that their gift has on the students and their projects."

To view full results from MSU Giving Day, visit givingday.montana.edu.