ENNIS – A partial closure at Eight Mile Ford Fishing Access Site has been lifted.  The boat ramp at this site on the Madison River was closed in February due to unstable ice and hazardous flooding. Ice jams and flooding here have receded, allowing public use of the ramp to resume.  

Partial and full closures are still in effect for some fishing access sites affected by seasonal flooding. To see where site closures and waterbody restrictions are in place, visit fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions. 

As river flows rise this spring, recreationists should keep in mind that dangerous river conditions can arise suddenly, and access roads can also be impacted.  Learn more at fwp.mt.gov/activities/boating.  

The Gallatin County DUI Task Force is hosting the annual Law Enforcement Award Ceremony on Thursday, April 20 at 6 PM in the Gallatin County Courthouse Community Room at 311 W. Main St. in Bozeman.

The top law enforcement officers from each agency with jurisdiction in Gallatin County will be recognized for their efforts and contributions to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of those people who made the decision to drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs in 2022. The award ceremony is open to the public.

The Gallatin County DUI Task Force is a group of volunteers who are passionate about helping to reduce the incidence of driving under the influence, DUI crashes and deaths related to those committing DUIs. The task force works to increase the awareness of the dangers, implications, and severity of DUIs through education and civic outreach.

 For questions regarding the award ceremony or the DUI Task Force, please contact the DUI Task Force Coordinator at hali.kapperud@gallatin.mt.gov or 406-585-1492.

As temperatures rise and with more snow in the forecast, Gallatin County is beginning to see increased calls for assistance with flooding.  If you are in IMMEDIATE need of assistance with obtaining sandbags, please contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 406-582-2100.  We will provide you information on where you can obtain sandbags.  You can also call 211 to be connected to additional resources. And don’t forget to sign up for emergency alerts through the Gallatin County Emergency Management Community Notification System.

Sign up today at www.readygallatin.com!

Spring black bear hunting season opens April 15

HELENA — The spring black bear hunting season starts April 15.

Here are some reminders for the 2023 season:

• There is a 48-hour reporting requirement for all black bear harvests.
• The mandatory inspection of black bear harvests in Region 1 changed in 2022. See page 10 of the black bear hunting regulations for more information.
• It is lawful to use hounds to train and/or hunt for spring black bears in some areas. See page 4 of the black bear hunting regulations for more information.
• Hunting and fishing licenses are now accessible through a secure and convenient mobile app. The Montana MyFWP app provides a digital wallet to store and display licenses and digital carcass tags, known as E-Tags, that can validate your harvest in the field. See mt.gov/myfwpapp.
  
  

  Spring turkey hunting season opens April 15

  HELENA – Montana’s spring male turkey season opens April 15. Turkey hunters can purchase a turkey license for a general area at FWP offices, license providers or online.

  The 2023 turkey regulations are included in the 2023 Upland Game Bird Regulations Booklet. Regulations are available at FWP offices, license providers and online at fwp.mt.gov.

A dark sky citizen science kit pictured on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Montana State University in Bozeman. The kit contains an instruction sheet, sky quality meter, night sky field guide, planisphere, red flashlight, log book, pencil and citizen science stickers. MSU photo by Colter Peterson

BOZEMAN — Montana State University is offering a new way for citizens to help scientists and contribute to national science projects.

The MSU Science Math Resource Center is partnering with the MSU Library to provide four citizen science kits that all MSU Library users, including community borrowers, may use for free. A citizen science kit holds everything needed to gather data for a specific citizen science project. Each kit was field-tested by librarians and patrons and includes a printed activity guide, helpful tips, and any specialized tools or materials needed to complete the project, as well as information about student researchers in Montana. The kits are all linked to national citizen science projects and focus on light pollution, pollinators, biodiversity and water.

Citizen scientists help scientists with their research by making observations, collecting data or documenting changes in nature. Anyone, regardless of their age, education or profession, can be a citizen scientist, according to Suzi Taylor, director of the MSU Science Math Resource Center, which created the kits. The kits are part of the outreach efforts of the National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR program, which supports water quality research across Montana.

“Citizen science is for everyone,” Taylor said. “We really hope people will check these kits out and do them.

“We chose projects that are pretty user-friendly regardless of people’s age, and we really do hope that kids use them, or schoolteachers could check them out,” Taylor added. “They would also be great for retired people.”

"Libraries across the country are circulating the kits, hosting events and collaborating with their communities to enable participation in citizen science," said Kris Johnson, head of MSU Library's Learning and Research Services, which circulates the kits. "When Suzi approached us about this possible partnership, I said we’d love to test out checking out the kits as part of our technology lending program."

One kit focused on the night sky invites citizen scientists to take part in an international citizen project that involves the public in measuring and collecting night sky brightness observations to help scientists understand the impact of intrusive artificial light known as light pollution. Information included with the kit notes that too much light pollution can wash out starlight in the night sky, interfere with astronomical research, disrupt ecosystems, have adverse health effects and waste energy.

The kit includes a sky quality meter to measure light pollution, a field guide to the night sky, a night-sky map known as a planisphere, a red flashlight to help with night vision, a log book, a pencil and citizen science stickers (borrowers are invited to keep a sticker). It also includes instructions for contributing observations online through a national database, SciStarter.

Taylor noted that citizen science results can be trusted due to scale.

“When you’re getting a thousand measurements, they may not be made with the precision you would have with a $4,000 instrument, but through the sheer volume of the measurements, you can still see patterns and collect observations that you wouldn’t typically get.”

And, Taylor said, individuals who complete observations as citizen scientists really do help the professional scientific community.

“When you observe, for example, birds or water or clouds, there are scientists who rely on having those observations,” she said. “There’s no way they could have the human power to get all that data themselves. It’s pretty cool to actually be contributing to true research.”

It’s also fun, she said.

“It’s great to combine citizen science with the activities you already do, like hiking or camping or birdwatching,” Taylor said.

Finally, citizen science can help spark an interest in and understanding of science, Taylor noted.

“Any time we can get people doing real science – even from the very youngest age – we may help build more future scientists,” Taylor said. “Citizen science helps people understand how scientific data is collected and what kinds of information scientists like to get. It also enables individuals to connect with professional scientists and other people all around the world.”

The kits were launched for Citizen Science Month, which is in April every year. More information about the four kits, titled “Dark Skies: Measuring Light in the Night,” “Observing Pollinators,” “Exploring Biodiversity” and “Water Wonders: EarthEcho Water Challenge and Crowd the Tap,” is available on the MSU Library technology checkout page at lib.montana.edu/request/tech-checkouts/#citizenscience. Questions may be directed to the Science Math Resource Center in the College of Education, Health and Human Development at smrc@montana.edu.

April 9-15 is 911 Dispatcher Appreciation Week in Gallatin County and the perfect time to highlight all the incredible work our dispatch center staff does for our community.

The Gallatin County 911 annual report for 2022 highlights the activities and accomplishments of Gallatin County 911, operations, systems and records division last year.

The 2022 annual report shows that Gallatin County dispatchers processed 152,829 incoming calls, a 4.77% decrease from the previous year. However, the 2022 total was 1.22% higher than the five-year average of calls.

“We’ve seen several factors contribute to the decrease in calls being processed by our staff,” said Gallatin County 911 Director Tim Martindale. “Throughout the year, we’ve made an effort to educate the community on when to call 911 and when not to. We’ve also invested in the PulsePoint app to encourage the community to be part of our solution in responding to calls. Along those same lines, several of our law enforcement partners are investing in online reporting tools, this would directly contribute to the number of calls coming into our center going down.”

In addition to statistics on calls and 911’s budget, the report also highlights accomplishments of the staff, including launching an online records request portal, taking part in the implementation of a mobile mental health crisis team, lifesaver awards, and numerous trainings completed by staff.

“I could not be prouder of the commitment and excellence that our staff exudes,” Martindale said. “Like any organization, there are times where we fall short, but with this staff, we pick ourselves up, take ownership and move forward.”

Click here to see the entire report.

Gallatin County 911 continues to look for quality dispatchers. Click here to see our current job openings and apply to join our team.

In conjunction with National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, the Gallatin County Commission proclaimed April 9-15 as 911 Dispatcher Appreciation Week in our area.

“The Gallatin County Commission honors the staff of the Gallatin County 911 Dispatch Center for their service and sacrifice, which make all of the communities in our county better and safer places to live, work and play.”

The valuable protein resource has already been delivered to many of our Network Partners in Beaverhead, Big Horn, Browning, Carbon, Cascade, Custer, Dawson, Deer Lodge, Fergus, Gallatin, Glacier, Granite, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Powell, Rosebud, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Wibaux, and Yellowstone counties.

Montana Farmers Union:

“Montana Farmers Union is working with Montana Food Bank Network to help feed the families of Montana. Recently we donated a third truckload of pork that was processed in a Farmers Union-owned Redwood Farms pork processing plant. This is our way to help farmers to feed families. MFU is also working with Montana Premium Processing Cooperative to process donated livestock for the food banks and pantries of Montana. Farmers Union will pay for the processing of any livestock that is donated to Montana food banks and pantries that is processed at Montana Premium Processing Co-op. I am also excited to be helping Montana Foodbank Network to raise money to build a new storage and processing facility in Missoula to help with the procurement and distribution of food around the state. This new facility will have a special space dedicated to taking food directly from Montana growers to be repackaged for distribution. This will allow Montana farmers to provide food directly to the food bank network. If you are interested in supporting Montana Food Bank Network, please reach out to let them know.”Walter Schweitzer, President  

Montana Food Bank Network:

“We are so thankful for Montana Farmers Union’s donation of 36,840 pounds of pork! This could not have come at a better time as food pantries statewide continue to report significant numbers of households needing food right now as families struggle to keep up with the inflated cost of groceries, fuel, utilities, rent, and living expenses. It is because of donors like the Montana Farmers Union that I remain optimistic that we will get through these hard times and provide some relief to our neighbors and seniors experiencing food insecurity.” Brent Weisgram, Vice President and COO    

Distribution Statistics:

Thanks to Montana Farmers Union (MFU), all donated pork has been provided and distributed free of charge to our Network Partners of food banks, food pantries, shelters, schools, and senior centers across Montana.

Montana Farmers Union is a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the agricultural way of life. Their membership is made up of folks who support rural communities and family farms and ranches. They believe that no farmer or rancher should stand alone, and are fighting for the issues that will preserve agriculture and rural communities for the next generation. For more information, visit montanafarmersunion.com.

Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) is Montana’s only statewide food bank and member of Feeding America. MFBN distributes food to over 340 partners that include community food banks, pantries, senior centers, shelters, and schools to end hunger in Montana. MFBN’s hunger relief programs include BackPack, Hunters Against Hunger, Mail-a-Meal, Retail Food Rescue, and SNAP outreach. MFBN advocates for long-term policy solutions to strengthen public nutrition programs and address the root causes of hunger.

For more information, visit mfbn.org.

The Highline Canal above Axtell Anceny Road near Gallatin Gateway has failed is several locations causing water to flow onto the roadway.  People are asked to stay clear of the area.

The Bozeman Spring MADE fair is fast approaching on May 5-6, just in time for finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift, and we are excited to connect artists with the Gallatin Valley community again. Shop and discover a curated collection of over 195 local and regional artists. You can expect to see everything from affordable, functional works of art to fine heirloom pieces at the show. 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.

Those interested in a head start on their shopping can purchase a Friday $10 VIP Pass, valid 5 pm-8 pm, or an Early Bird $5 Pass, valid from 9 am-10 am an hour before the show opens. Get a solid head start shopping and check out the best selection. All proceeds from ticket sales benefit Compassion Project, a local non-profit dedicated to teaching and spreading compassion through art and mindfulness. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. In 2023 handMADE Montana raised over $18,000 for non-profit organizations across Montana.

The MADE fair is a modern art & handcrafted market featuring local & regional artists and makers. Our events are a curated collection of skilled artisans and 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 to support local and regional small craft businesses by providing a place to sell their goods. We provide opportunities to artists of all levels—from hobbyists to seasoned professionals. The MADE fairs are presented by handMADE Montana.

Event Details

Date:  May 5-6, 2023

FRIDAY: 5 pm-8 pm : $10 VIP PASS

SATURDAY: 9 am-10 am $5 EARLY BIRD PASS

10 am -4 pm: FREE ENTRY

Location: Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, Bozeman, Montana 

Cost: Free Entry/Parking*

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

*VIP passes can be purchased online. There is a limited number available. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/handmademontana/867460

Sales from VIP Passes benefit Compassion Project.

Event Details: https://handmademontana.com/pages/bozeman-spring-fall-made-fair

Artists Participating: https://handmademontana.com/collections/bozeman-spring-made-fair-2023

https://handmademontana.com/collections/bozeman-spring-made-fair-2023