On April 1, 2023, at 6:02 pm, Gallatin County Dispatch received a SOS notification from the International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) for a skier that was stranded and lost in the Bear Basin area. Their goal was to skin and backcountry ski into the Beehive Basin area, but the skier ran into equipment trouble and ended up needing assistance in Bear Basin.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section volunteers responded to assist. GCSSAR volunteers traveled via snowmobiles then transitioned to skis to meet the skier. The skier was ultimately escorted to the trailhead and transported back to their vehicle by a GCSO Deputy.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind winter recreationalist to be prepared for any situation and that equipment can fail. The skier had GPS device and a phone with downloaded maps. The phone and the charger for the phone died, and as a result, the skier initiated the SOS function on the GPS device.

Photo courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

(White Sulphur Springs, Mont.) – The 12th Red Ants Pants Music Festival announced its 2023 Main Stage lineup today featuring GRAMMY Award winner, Tanya Tucker, GRAMMY nominees for Best Americana Album, The Wood Brothers, Larkin Poe, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, The War And Treaty and many more!
 
As part of its mission to promote rural communities, the festival released its all-star 2023 lineup and tickets went on sale during a live event at the historic Strand Theatre in White Sulphur Springs, Montana this evening. 
 
The 12th Red Ants Pants Music Festival will take place July 27 – 30, 2023 on the Jackson Ranch just outside of White Sulphur Springs, Montana.
 
This year’s main stage lineup also features Ned LeDoux (son of country legend Chris LeDoux), American Aquarium, Montana's own Stephanie Quayle, Tami Neilson, Madeline Edwards, Arlo McKinley, Kaitlin Butts, The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers, Logan Ledger, Goodnight Moonshine, 2022 Red Ants Pants Music Festival Emerging Artist Competition winners Dusty The Kid & The Recession Special. The street dance on Main Street Thursday, July 27 will be headlined by Denim & Dust with opener Kenan Flannery joining us all the way from Ireland. In addition, the Red Ants Pants Music Festival will include 15 side stage performances along with Demo Area activities designed to teach, showcase, and celebrate traditional work skills.
 
“Our lineup is a great reflection of our mission in terms of featuring so many incredibly talented female artists. We work year-round to bring a diverse mix of the country heroes whose songs we know by heart along with rising stars who might not otherwise find themselves in the middle of Montana.  We’ve had some incredible lineups over the years and this year’s is certainly one for the books,” said Sarah Calhoun, Red Ants Pants Music Festival producer. “Festival fans take so much pride in knowing that long after the final act, they are making a positive difference as their attendance at the festival fuels mission-driven programming to increase women’s leadership, support working family farms and ranches, and enrich rural communities. We are grateful to welcome everyone to come connect with good folks and celebrate rural Montana.” 
 
Named the “Montana Event of the Year” by the Montana Office of Tourism, the Red Ants Pants Music Festival is known for its lasting impact of mission-based work to increase women’s leadership, promote rural communities, and support working family farms and ranches through the programming of the Red Ants Pants Foundation. 

Calling all artists! The Sweet Pea T-Shirt and Poster Contests are now open! The deadlines for both are Thursday, May 4, 2023 - so you still have plenty of time to create! Winners of the T-Shirt contest will receive $1000 for adult category and $250 for children's category. The winner of the poster contest also receives $1000!

Sweet Pea's mission is to promote and cultivate the arts and the Festival not only brings Art to Bozeman but allows us to award grants and sponsorship to other arts organizations in town. Over the years we have given over $385,000 to support arts in our community. Sweet Pea - "Where Art & Community Meet."

Getting an education is very important, especially if a student is studying architecture. You must study all the standards and norms to design houses and various architectural objects. Education is a stepping stone to getting a name among famous architects and the opportunity to create future buildings. In our post, we have happily compiled a list of places where students can get a Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

A list that will help you get a Bachelor of Science in Architecture?

Even though you want to get an education in architecture, you can later use it in other directions. If you know where it is better to apply, you will be able to expand your knowledge and skills. Of course, after you become a full-fledged architecture student, you will have a lot of tasks and little free time. The authors who have decided to order coursework will be able to make your studies easier. You will get the help you expect, and at the same time, you can easily manage to complete all your projects. Read on for a list of places to get a Bachelor of Science in Architecture so you can start writing your application as soon as possible.

Washington University in Saint Louis

This university is known for its focus on research and was considered medium in size. It has highly qualified teachers and capable students. The architecture program they offer has a long history of over 100 years. By enrolling there, you will be able to continue working as a graduate in architecture and combine this with a flexible program. Also, a consultant is provided for students who will help them cope with subjects from an individual program.

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame is a renowned Catholic institution offering a Bachelor of Architecture degree. Their program is a five-year program, and each academic year is designed to allow you to develop your skills and rapidly expand your knowledge. The University of Notre Dame has three areas you can choose from furniture design, restoration, and architectural practice. The university also offers different types of research directions. Consider this university if you are interested in architecture history, urbanism, and housing studies.

University of Minnesota

This university is considered public and large enough as it has campuses in different places. One is near the Mississippi River, and the other is in St. Paul. The University of Minnesota degree is designed for all students interested in theory and practice. Their program emphasizes design thinking and teaches students how to design and draw. Also, if you become a student of their program, you will be able to visit the actual practice in countries such as China, Italy, and others.

Illinois Technological University

Back in the 19th century, the private University of Illinois was created in Chicago. This educational institution offers a bachelor's degree to students whose studies will last for five years. Throughout the training, students will attend classes in studio design and, at the same time, standard theory and practice. In the last year of study, students participate in projects with different profiles. The project team is led by approximately 12 students who create and present the work. The university also holds many extracurricular activities that positively affect students.

Tulane University

This university is located in New Orleans and offers students a bachelor's degree in architecture. The student's training will take five years and, throughout the learning process, expands knowledge and innovation for students. During the classes, students study history, climate, urbanism, efficiency, and the globalization of the economy. At the end of the year of study, a dissertation is written to the student based on the research and class work. Also, if you choose this program, you can apply for participation in the Rome program abroad. You can visit one of the wealthiest cities in the world in terms of architecture for a semester.

The University of California at Los Angeles

This educational institution is huge in the world of research and education. They have over 300 undergraduate programs on their list. An architecture degree is also on the list for students. Their program is designed for two years and often starts in the lower grades. The curriculum has all the core courses like design, research, and technology. You will be able to visit a huge art library and modern classes for practice. If you want to be part of a large community of students, you should apply to this university.

Georgia Institute of Technology

This university is located near the center of Atlanta and is considered a large institution. The program combines studio classes and writing term papers. Students also attend specific workshops that allow them to be more creative in their projects. It is also essential that many students of their course take their chosen courses abroad. Programs are taking place in Italy, Ghana, Greece, etc. If you enter this university, you can not only study courses but also solve problems that exist in architecture.

Rhode Island School of Design

The Rhode Island School of Design is recognized as one of the highest-quality schools in design and art. It is located in Providence and offers students a five-year program of study. You will also earn a degree in architecture and be prepared for a specialist license. This school must have a progressive program with courses that complement each other. In the last year of study, students create individual projects that provide preparation for a career.

Montana State University

The MSU’s School of Architecture lets students gain excellent architectural experience by studying through practice. They work with real clients realizing various projects and learning to solve problems via the Community Design Center based at MSU. This center serves people of the Montana community, helping them reach non-profit and government organizations and agencies providing collaborative partnerships. In addition to fundamental knowledge in architecture, students can join volunteer programs contributing to the social sphere.

Getting a bachelor's degree is very important to become a pro and getting high pay for your work as an architect. Learning this craft is only possible with professors and relevant courses. After reading our list, you have received more information about educational institutions, and you can find something interesting for yourself. Do not worry about introductory papers because you just need to request: ‘Can you write my essay for me?’ to get qualified help.

The assistance of professional authors will always be available to you.

On March 28, 2023, at 4:00pm, Gallatin County dispatch received a call for a snowmobiler who was injured on Green Mountain near Jackson Creek Road.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section and Heli Team, along with American Medical Response responded to the area of Jackson Creek Road and Stublar Road. GCSSAR deployed a hasty team of four snowmobilers to establish contact with the patient. Ground teams packaged the patient and coordinated with the Heli Team to extricate the patient off Green Mountain.  Ultimately, AMR transported the patient to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationalists to be prepared for rapidly changing conditions. Sheriff Springer commends the patient for having multiple means of communication and being prepared for the weather.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

On March 28, 2023, at 12:09 pm, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call for a snowmobiler that sustained a leg injury from a tree strike on Buck Ridge Trail near mile marker 3.5.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section volunteers and Big Sky Fire Department personnel responded to assist.   GCSSAR volunteers reached the patient by snowmobile. The patient was medically assessed on scene before being transported down the trail in a specialized rescue sled. The patient was transferred to a waiting Big Sky Fire ambulance and transported to the next level of care.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind winter recreationalist to be prepared for any situation. He commends the riders for having the ability to quickly communicate the emergency to get help on the way and encourages recreationalists to have a fully charged communication device in case of an emergency.

Photo courtesy of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

BOZEMAN – Two Montana State University experts are preparing to contribute to remapping a portion of the Yellowstone River that was dramatically affected by last June’s devastating floods, while practicing techniques they will use to help calibrate a new NASA satellite designed to continuously monitor most of Earth’s surface water.

A team led by Eric Sproles, assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Earth Sciences, and Katey Plymesser, assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, will float portions of the Yellowstone River between Livingston and Yankee Jim Canyon this spring and early summer to map the depth of the river and measure its velocity in 10 to 15 locations. They will use their data to calculate streamflows, thereby working with state and federal agencies to once again provide accurate, real-time streamflow and discharge information on the approximately 30-mile stretch of waterway.

“The Yellowstone’s channel has changed markedly since the floods,” Sproles said. “This information will verify streamflow estimates for the Yellowstone River and also collect baseline information on the shape of the river channel.”

It’s the sort of data people in the United States take for granted, he added, because the U.S. Geological Survey continually measures streamflows and posts current conditions online.

“That’s not the case in other parts of the world,” Sproles said.

But that’s about to change, thanks to NASA’s new SWOT, or Surface Water and Ocean Topography, satellite. SWOT was launched into orbit in December 2022, outfitted with instruments to collect measurements from nearly all of Earth’s lakes, rivers, reservoirs and oceans at least once every 21 days. According to NASA, the data will help scientists improve ocean circulation models, make better weather and climate predictions, and aid in the management of water around the world.

Before that can happen, the instruments aboard the satellite need to be precisely calibrated with the help of five U.S. universities, including MSU. Under a recently awarded $600,000 NASA grant, the MSU team – the only one assigned to South America – will collect high-fidelity field data on two Chilean rivers as SWOT passes overhead and takes its own measurements. The data sets will be compared, and the information from the ground team will be used to dial in the satellite’s accuracy.

NASA currently is conducting an initial series of checks on the satellite’s hardware and instruments to be sure everything is operating properly before the calibration effort begins. While that is happening, Sproles, Plymesser and partners from the Universidad Austral de Chile in Valdivia will practice their techniques on the Yellowstone.

“I think early relationship-building will be important,” Plymesser said. “We will be relying on our Chilean partners to collect data when we are not present.”

MSU’s work for NASA will begin this June and July, which is the height of winter in the southern hemisphere. The team will float the Rio Petrohue and Rio Valdivia, using a high-accuracy GPS tool to measure the elevation of the water’s surface. A Doppler radar on the raft will collect information about the shape of the rivers’ channels, and – as they will have practiced on the Yellowstone – team members will measure the velocity of the water at different points, enabling calculation of total streamflow.

“When the SWOT satellite passes over, we want detailed measurements of water surface elevation and flow rate,” Sproles said.

Plymesser, who has measured streamflow and river discharge rates on numerous projects in the past, will apply her hydraulics expertise in the field. Sproles, a geographic analyst who focuses on snow and water resources, will oversee the satellite aspects of the project and verify the results.  

Sproles believes the data from SWOT could help reduce contention in parts of the world where a lack of information or data-sharing leads to disputes over water rights or management. Helping communities around the world access adequate water is one of the goals of the SWOT program, according to NASA.

“SWOT data will be used to monitor drought conditions and improve flood forecasts, providing essential information to water management agencies, disaster preparedness agencies, universities, civil engineers and others who need to track water in their local areas,” a NASA project website states.

MSU will use the grant funding for equipment, travel and to support stipends and tuition for two graduate students.

The SWOT mission is a collaborative effort by NASA and the space agency of France, with contributions from the space agencies of Canada and the United Kingdom.

BOZEMAN — As part of a multi-state and Canadian research effort involving the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University, more than a dozen new reports summarizing the latest science and economics of structures designed to reduce animal-vehicle collisions are now available online.

The Western Transportation Institute was the research lead of the Wildlife Vehicle Collision Reduction and Habitat Connectivity Pooled Fund Study, a $1.2 million project involving more than a dozen partners in the U.S. and Canada. The project’s 14 reports identify cost-effective solutions that integrate highway safety and mobility with wildlife conservation and habitat connectivity.

The other partners on the study were transportation departments in Alaska, Arizona, California, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Ontario, Oregon and Washington as well as the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Parks Canada Agency. The project was supported by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration and ARC Solutions, an international organization promoting wildlife crossing structures. The Montana Department of Transportation, which has been a longtime partner with WTI on wildlife crossing research, provided research sites and other support for the work.

‘This is the most comprehensive analysis yet of what’s working and how we can make it better,” said David Kack, director of WTI. “This study will help guide state departments of transportation and other partners as they look for ways to improve our roadways while also benefitting the habitat around them.”

Kack said the study comes at an important time. The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 will allocate $350 million over five years to fund a pilot wildlife crossing program in the U.S. which will build on the success of several wildlife crossing structures around North America —typically bridges or tunnels that allow animals such as elk and bears to safely cross above or under a highway.

The pooled fund study was managed by the Nevada Department of Transportation, with WTI leading the research component comprising more than half the project scope. WTI’s Marcel Huijser served as principal investigator and led a cost-benefit analysis of various crossing structures and related measures such as signage and fencing along roadways, played a part in several of the reports.

WTI researchers Rob Ament, Matthew Bell, Damon Fick and Marcel Huijser also authored a report focused on the potential for advanced polymer materials to make crossing structures, “Improving Connectivity: Innovative Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Structures for Wildlife, Bicyclists, and/or Pedestrians.” According to the researchers, manufacturing crossing structures out of fiber-reinforced polymers, recycled plastics and bio-based materials could make the structures more customizable, more affordable and longer-lasting compared to traditional steel and concrete construction.

“We took a hard look at this material and what it’s capable of,” said Bell. “We think there’s a lot of opportunity, and that as it starts being used in wildlife crossing structures, the benefits will show themselves.”

For the report, Bell and the rest of the WTI team worked with the California Department of Transportation to analyze the potential for a polymer-based structure at a site where it could help elk and other animals cross U.S. Highway 97 in northern California.

The researchers designed a wildlife overpass with fiber-reinforced polymer girders and concrete reinforcement and used recycled plastic beams for sound and light barriers, wildlife fencing and structures that allow wildlife to exit the roadway.

“The construction method would be almost identical to using concrete and steel, but we estimate that the structure would last longer and be easier to maintain, which is a big consideration for departments of transportation when they have to budget for additional infrastructure,” Bell said.

As the research lead, WTI maintains the webpage to house the final reports and other resources including project presentations, webinar recordings and peer reviewed journal articles resulting from the research as they become available. For more information on the project and to access the reports and other products, visit http://tpf-5-358-wvc-study.org.

WTI is one of the nation’s largest transportation institutes focused on rural transportation issues. It has twice been designated as a National University Transportation Center by the federal Transportation Department. WTI has conducted transportation research at local, state and federal levels in 35 states and in 22 countries around the world.