Montana State University’s Veteran Services office recently awarded scholarships totaling more than $15,000 to veterans  and their spouses at the annual veteran appreciation dinner, held April 29 in Bozeman.

The students and the awards they received are listed below by scholarship name, scholarship recipient and hometown.

The Veterans Family Freedom Scholarship was established for veterans of the United States Armed Forces and their spouses to show support for their protection of our freedom. The Harold T. Mellang Memorial Scholarship wasestablished by David and Janyce Hoyt in memory of Janyce’s father, Harold, a veteran himself. The Robert M. Hoyt Memorial Scholarship also established by David and Janyce Hoyt in memory of David’s father, Robert, who was also a veteran. The winners received all three scholarships for a combined award of $2,380 to each.

Amanda Spring, a resident of Great Falls, is a nursing student due to graduate in December 2017. She is the spouse of Air National Guardsman Jason Spring.
Joshua Healy, a Marine Corps veteran from Kalispell, is studying sustainable food and bioenergy systems. He is due to graduate in May 2017.
Justin Elias, from Sahuarita, Arizona, is a Marine Corps veteran studying computer engineering. He is due to graduate in May 2019.

The Wade Christiansen Purple Heart Scholarship is given in memory of Army Paratrooper Wade Christiansen, who received a Purple Heart from his service in Afghanistan. Christiansen was an MSU student studying photography when he died in 2013. The scholarship was established to honor his service and sacrifice to the country. The scholarship is a $1,000 award.

Shane Heiser, a retired Air Force Veteran from Ferndale, Washington, is studying agriculture business. He is due to graduate in May 2018.

The Henderson Family Scholarship was established by William and Marilyn Henderson to help make higher education attainable for servicemen and women, as well as their spouses. The scholarship is a $3,500 award.

Jacob Corpron, an Air Force veteran from Kalispell, is studying cell biology and neuroscience. He is due to graduate in May 2017.

The Carol Clarke Smith Scholarship for Veteran’s Spouses. This scholarship was established by Carol Clarke Smith, who believes in broadening access to higher education for those families who sacrifice to support the country. This award is for $4,000.

Hannah Pettis, of Billings, is the wife of Marine Corps veteran Ryan Pettis. She is studying nursing and is due to graduate in May 2018.

For more information on the scholarship program or on Veteran Services, visit http://www.montana.edu/veteran/.

Over 3,000 sign petition demanding corporate sponsors pull future funding to filmmakers

Filmmakers were criminally charged on Tuesday

Montana Mint calls on Bud Light and Red Bull to take action

National Park lovers were upset when video emerged online this week of four men from the Canadian film making  group SundayFundayz leaving the designated area in Yellowstone to “capture the perfect picture.” On Tuesday, criminal charges were filed and federal arrest warrants were issued.

Also on Tuesday, the Montana Mint established a petition on change.org calling on the group’s corporate partners to pull future funding.  As of this afternoon, the petition had collected over 3,000 signatures. The petition can be found here: https://www.change.org/p/bud-light-pull-corporate-sponsorship-for-the-guys-who-left-the-path-at-yellowstone-national-park

In a since deleted webpage, SundayFundayz claimed to have the backing of corporate sponsors Bud Light and Red Bull, among others.  An archived version of the corporate partnership page can be found here.

Social media and Reddit have helped build momentum behind the Montana Mint petition. The Bud Light and Yellowstone National Park Facebook pages are littered with hundreds of comments regarding the petition.  The petition was the top story for a time on both the r/Montana and r/Wyoming Reddit pages.  

On why they started the petition, a representative from the Montana Mint said, “Like all Montanans, we were shocked when we saw the video of these guys running around in the restricted areas of Yellowstone.  It somehow made it worse to find out their trip was funded through corporate sponsors.  Bud Light, Red Bull, and all of their other sponsors need to take action to demonstrate this type of behavior will not be tolerated.”

On the importance of preserving national parks, a representative from the Montana Mint said, “Our national parks are not amusement parks.  Our ability to enjoy these parks comes with a responsibility to protect them.  Purposely entering a restricted area to get a better picture is selfish behavior that risks damaging these special places for future generations.”

Background

The Montana Mint has a simple mission: bring the best of Montana to the internet. The Montana Mint is a creative outlet for Montana-inspired stories, photos, and original content that highlight the unique beauty of the people, businesses, and places that make up the Treasure State.

For all media inquiries and availability, please email: montanamintfb@gmail.com or drop us a message on our Facebook Page.

A Montana State University professor has created a way for people across the state of Montana and beyond to access photos of an often unseen world.

Robert Peterson, professor in MSU’s Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agriculture, has created an online collection of his photos showcasing the insect world of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). Peterson hopes the online photobook – which includes more than 120 images taken over a period of 14 years – will be used and appreciated by the public.

“There’s an entire, hidden world beneath our feet that’s not well understood or appreciated,” Peterson said. “Insects are the most abundant and diverse multicellular organisms in the GYE, and they play a vital role in how ecosystems function, but because they are small and people rarely see them close up, they’re overlooked in regard to their importance. This project is an effort to hopefully enhance public appreciation of, and education about, the incredible diversity and beauty of insects in the GYE.”

The website, Insects of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, currently features close-up images showcasing the bright colors, delicate features and habitats of regional butterflies and moths, beetles, flies, bees, wasps, ants, sawflies, grasshoppers and other types of insects. Scientific names of the insects are listed, as is brief information about the insects’ anatomy, behavior and habitat.

The GYE includes Yellowstone National Park, comprises 34,375 square miles, and is one of the largest nearly intact temperate-zone ecosystems on Earth, according to the U.S. National Park Service. Peterson said at least two out of every three species in an insect within this ecosystem.

“Their diversity and abundance is staggering,” he said. “Insects aren’t viewed as charismatic as some of the large mammals in the region, but they are critical to any healthy ecosystem because they serve as pollinators that stimulate plant diversity, they’re an important food source for other organisms, they recycle nutrients, and are an crucial foundation for watershed health.”

The project includes a Facebook and Twitter page as well, where Peterson posts pictures and descriptions of insects. Photographs of insects can be added indefinitely because there are thousands of species in the GYE, giving scientists plenty of insects to photograph, according to Peterson. Eventually, he hopes to incorporate images from other photographers and encourage novice entomologists to explore, identify and share findings.

“The ultimate goal is to develop an appreciation, support education and spur an awareness of this hidden world,” he said. “You don’t have to go to far-flung places to study insects; there’s a jungle right outside your backdoor. I want people to explore and – if they’re inclined – to contribute to the science of discovery.”

The Gallatin Valley Land Trust has worked hard over the last 26 years to build an extensive 80 mile trail system that connects Main Street Bozeman to the Mountains that surround us. The Main Street to the Mountains trail system has trails for all abilities and they are accessible from neighborhoods all over town. Yet the trail system can be daunting and confusing to the newcomer or novice user. And even the experienced trail users in Bozeman are probably unaware of all the trails right there in our backyard.

In order to help people explore the great community trail system, GVLT hosting the second season of Discovery Walks: Trail Exploration Series. Join GVLT volunteers to walk, talk, and explore on the trails while meeting new people and learning something new along the way. These one-hour, guided, educational walks are totally free and open to the public. Volunteers and local experts will be hosting short talks and activities during the walks about topics such as yoga, bird identification, wildflower identification, bouldering, art, and more! Many of the walks are geared toward families and kids such as the kid’s nature walks with the Montana Outdoor Science School. All participants will get a free trail map at the end of the walk so they can find other trails to explore on their own.

Trail walks do not require an RSVP. Dogs are not allowed on walks. The full schedule for May, June, and July is located online at www.gvlt.org/events/discovery-walks. Meeting locations for walks and Google maps are also located on the website.  For more information or to volunteer, email EJ Porth, ej@gvlt.org or call 406-587-8404 ext. 8.

Gallatin Valley Land Trust builds, maintains, and enhances trails on the Main Street to the Mountains trail system in Bozeman, MT.  The Main Street to the Mountains trail network boasts over 70 miles of trails that connect throughout town. For more information or to find out how to purchase a trail map, visit www.gvlt.org.

A local tradition! The Bozeman Kiwanis Club will provide 100 children’s sandboxes built by Club members, to given to families free of charge, sand included! The sandboxes will be distributed at the Dinosaur Park off Davis Road in Bozeman, on two Saturdays in June the 4th and 11th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Thursday, June 9 from 6-8 p.m. They are available on a first come, first served basis, until all are distributed. Be sure and bring a vehicle that can accommodate the 5” by 5” boxes and over 1,000 pounds of sand, and a plastic liner.  A drop cloth in your vehicle is recommended for transporting.  Sandboxes encourage our children to be outside, socializing, and developing creative and constructive skill sets.

The Sandbox Project is one of many the Bozeman Kiwanis Club provides to give back to the community through various outreach programs.  The sandboxes are made possible by the club with support from community donations to purchase materials. Other projects include: Eliminate, through Kiwanis International has made great strides to eliminate maternal neonatal tetanus.  Local Club support is also provided for Eagle Mount Camp Braveheart, Big Sky Cancer Kids Spaghetti Feed, Hope for the Holidays, Kids in Crisis Backpacks, Fix-Up Festival, playground equipment, park pavilions, and others.  For more information about the Bozeman Kiwanis Club please go to www.kiwanisbozeman.org or “Bozeman Kiwanis” on Facebook.

This year, Reach Inc. is hosting their 9th annual Reach Inc. Race for Independence on Sunday, July 4th, starting at 8:00AM.  As in past years, this race features a 1K, 5K, and 10K.  The fun begins and ends at the Reach Inc. Work Center at 322 Gallatin Park Drive, follows a gorgeous course mostly on trails, and raises funds to help adults with developmental disabilities in our community to live as independently as possible.

Reach Inc. is a local, private, non-profit that provides care to 116 adults with developmental disabilities.  Their services include vocational, residential, and transportation supports to assist their clients in achieving their individualized goals and aspirations.

The 10K will start at 8:00AM, The 5K will start at 8:15AM, and the 1K will start at 8:30AM.  Sorry, no dogs.  Race directors and volunteers ask that you literally keep one ear open for people who want to pass.  Due to the narrowness on parts of the trail, and the hope of creating greater opportunities for faster folks to pass, “tuning out” your fellow runners by plugging both ears with music is discouraged.

This course is flat and fast.  Registration is $25 per person for the 5K and 10K, and $15 per person for the 1K.  All children who finish the 1K will receive a medal.  Sporty, snazzy, wicking tee-shirts are available for an additional $10 each.  Medals are given out three places deep for each age group and gender.  Register at Reach Inc. 8am to 5pm (322 Gallatin Park Drive) or on-line at www.reachinc.org or https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/Bozeman/ReachIncRaceforIndependence.  For more information, to volunteer, or to help sponsor the event, contact Dee Metrick at dee@reachinc.org or 406-587-1271.

Host families are needed for 22 Japanese youth and two adult chaperones who will be visiting Montana from July 23 through Aug. 18. Families can be located anywhere in the state and should have a child at home who is between the ages of 9 and 16. The visiting youth will know some English but are not fluent. The purpose of the exchange is for both the family and the guest to enjoy cultural immersion while learning from one another.

The application deadline is Wednesday, May 25. To apply, go to http://www.states4hexchange.org/host-families/ or contact Stephanie Davison, program coordinator in the 4-H Center for Youth Development, at (406) 994-3502 or sdavison@montana.edu.

Bridgercare now offers hormone therapy for trans* patients on a sliding fee scale.
57% of transgender and gender diverse patients report being refused health care.

Bridgercare offers LGBTQIA inclusive and competent reproductive healthcare and education and has expanded services for trans* patients to include hormone therapy and support resources.  Bridgercare provides hormone therapy services on a sliding fee scale.

Transgender patients have elevated needs for sliding fee scale services such as Bridgercare’s.
Trans* individuals are unemployed at a rate of 13%, more than twice the national average, due in part to workplace discrimination.  Among employed trans* individuals, over a quarter make less than $20,000 a year.  Ensuring affordable access to healthcare for this extremely vulnerable population is important to Bridgercare.

Fewer trans* individuals are covered by employer insurance than the general population.
Only 40% of transgender employees have insurance in their workplace compared to 62% of the general population. Bridgercare employs five certified application counselors who help individuals enroll in health insurance through the Marketplace and Medicaid for free. Last year, Bridgercare CACs were able to help over 400 patients enroll in health insurance.

About Bridgercare:  
Bridgercare provides excellent, affordable reproductive and sexual healthcare and education in a safe, supportive, empowering atmosphere.  We are an independent, non-profit, family planning clinic that provides services to everyone regardless of income, insurance coverage, sexual orientation and gender. Bridgercare focuses on reducing barriers to healthcare and education access for patients who are especially vulnerable due to their economic circumstances or discrimination. Bridgercare strives to create a healthier, happier community where everyone has access to high quality, compassionate and affordable healthcare.

Please visit www.bridgercare.org to find out more. Bridgercare is a member of Montana Shares and the Montana Nonprofit Association.

Sources for statistics in this press release:
The National Transgender Discrimination Survey (2009) by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center Transgender Equality.
When Health Care Isn’t Caring: Lambda Legal’s Survey of Discrimination Against LGBT People and People with HIV (2010).

The City of Bozeman’s Sustainability, Neighborhoods, and Solid Waste Divisions partnered with the Bozeman Beautification Advisory Board to host the 32nd Annual Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 23. Over 500 police, neighbors, and friends were out in the community collecting trash and recyclables to keep Bozeman as the Most Livable Place.

The event kicked off at the Bozeman Public Library with a Welcome from Deputy Mayor Cyndy Andrus. “Picking up garbage and litter in our community is not something everyone likes to do but it’s something that’s really important” said Andrus.

As a result of the event 114 bags of trash, 27 bags of recyclables, and 30 bags of compost were picked up from streets, alleys, and parks in Bozeman.

Now community members won’t need to wait until the next annual event to cleanup because the City of Bozeman has decided to extend Cleanup Day to everyday. The City of Bozeman Solid Waste Division’s new program, Cleanup Bozeman, offers individuals and groups a chance to cleanup whenever it’s convenient. The Solid Waste Division will provide everything you need to get the job done. To sign‐up call 582‐3236.

For more information and to sign up for the cleanup, please visit www.bozeman.net/CleanupDay or contact Jessica Johnson, Bozeman Neighborhood Coordinator at 582‐2274 or jjohnson@bozeman.net.

Ever wanted to be a little savvier in local railroad history?

 If you don’t quite become the envy of your friends, you can still impress them with more than they knew before – as a newly-minted savvy museum volunteer.

The Livingston Depot Museum is hoping for additional volunteers to help with its summer visitors’ season.  The museum will open Friday, May 13 – a lucky day for those  broadening their horizons – and has several half-day shifts available.  

“There’s a kind of camaraderie in helping as a volunteer,” said Museum Director Diana Seider.  “It’s fun to share the experience of local history with visitors, and most of our volunteers have that in common with each other.  It’s a good chance to make new friends and meet people visiting from far and wide. ”   

Seider said volunteers help out at the front desk taking tickets and answering general questions, as well as in the gift shop.  Schedules can be flexible but usually involve just one 3.5-hour morning or afternoon shift a week.  Openings are currently available for both weekdays and weekends.

Volunteers also help with other occasions such as the Depot Foundation’s summer and winter events including its Festival of the Arts pie booth, Roundhouse Roundup outdoor barbecue, film nights, Wine and Beer Tasting, and more, but there are usually still last-minute vacancies with summer museum positions.

“It’s not that demanding, but volunteers enjoy visiting with people, answering questions, and learning new things themselves,” she said.  “We always train people for the basic tasks, but the main things are an interest in helping visitors learn and a friendly face.   

General information is available on the Depot’s website at www.livingstondepot.org, and anyone interested in signing up is invited to reach the Depot at (406) 222-2300.