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Gallatin Valley Land Trust conserves southwest Montana's heritage of open landscapes, working farms and ranches, healthy rivers, and wildlife habitat;
and creates trails to connect people, communities and the land.

 monthly news                                                                                                      September / 2011 

EVENTS 


A huge and heartfelt thank you to everyone that made an Evening on the Land such an incredible success! To our Event Partners, Event Sponsors, Food Donors, Auction Donors, Volunteers and Guests, we extend our deepest gratitude.

 

 

Over 200 people joined us at the beautiful, conserved property of Deborah Butterfield and John Buck to celebrate this landscape that sustains and inspires us. Following delicious cuisine crafted by the Bountiful Table using local harvests (many from lands conserved by GVLT) and a live auction and cash call that helped raise over $75,000, people danced the night away to the rhythm of the Glen John Swing Band and the fabulous voice of Jeni Fleming.

Thanks to our partners, sponsors, and producers

Evening on the Land Partners:

 Edward Jones

Kyle Andersen, Jim Hamilton, Marty Haskins  

Montana Import Group

Schnee's Boots & Shoes   

     

 Evening on the Land Sponsors:

Wayne & Fanee Freeman

Wells Fargo Bank

Norman C. Wheeler & Associates 

 

Contributing Local Producers:

Amaltheia Organic Dairy, Kimm Potato Farm, Visser Greenhouses, Rocky Creek Farm,  

Half Circle Ranch, Gallatin Valley Botanical, Crema Roasting, Willow Spring Ranch

 ________________________________________

 

A Special Thanks to the Outstanding Volunteers

At every event that GVLT hosts there are MANY people behind the scenes volunteering their time and energy to make each a success. This event is no exception, it took hundreds of volunteer hours to make the evening become such a stunning experience for all. Special mention to...  

 

Scott Stratford for the multiple hours helping in the office pre and post event - thanks would not do justice for my gratitude; Mary Anthony, your tireless dedication to this organization is immeasurable - you really will do anything; Laura Ryan your 'go get them' attitude pulling together all the auction packages was an inspiration; Ben Bahnsen, without you the day of the event would not have been possible (17 hours working!!); Sarah Day you always answer the call of help; Josh Olsen you make us all smile while we work, and Alison Totten, if everyone would dedicate as much time as you do to an organization they are passionate about then we would live in a selfless world. 

 

To all the auction/ registration volunteers: Cheryl Eiholzer, Anna Fernandez-Gevaert, Lass Dudley, Warren Vaughan, Russel Davis, Dana Pepper, and Heidi Balus - many thanks to each of you for helping us pull off such a first rate live auction and event.

 

Steve Bracken and Bill Klein - Thank you for getting everyone to and from their cars safely! 

 

 

And to all of the volunteer servers: Rebecca Belou, Chantel Enger, Brad Benne, Meryll Peck, Conner Flannigan, and Sarah Fitzgerald - Thank you for keeping our guests full of great food and spirits!

Doug Hert, Bountiful Table- thank you for always supporting GVLT and donating a portion of your time. Your yummy food and top rate staff made the event tasty and flawless.

Molly, Molly Stratton Designs- it was a joy to work with you to create a stunning Save the Date and Invitation. Thank you for donating a large portion of your services.

Derik, Derik Olsen Photography- the way you captured the landscape for the 'look' of our invitation was exactly what we needed to show the classy aspect of the evening. Your full donation of your image helped us stay in budget!

Deborah Butterfield and John Buck - thank you for sharing your beautiful land, so that we could all enjoy an incredible evening on the land!

Each of you makes my job manageable and enjoyable. Please accept my sincerest thank you-

 

Anne Tyler, GVLT Development and Outreach Manager

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LANDS

Fire Season is Here!
Living in the Big Sky country requires that we endure a few weeks of smoky skies and classic Charlie Russell sunsets as the close of summer brings about dry conditions that are apt to burn if an ignition source meets readily available dry fuel. Southwest Montana would not have abundant scenic vistas and a healthy mosaic of meadows and forests if it were not for our history of fires and their ability to create vegetation communities that are defined by age and plant species diversity. Living here requires that we consider when and where fire might burn next and what we can do to protect and defend our private property from wildfires. Occupying this landscape means that active management of vegetation adjacent to our homes will help to create defensible and safe space that will save not only our homes but also the firefighters that are tasked with protecting our private property. The links below provide a variety of resources that can help to answer questions about creating defensible space around your home as well as contacts that might be of assistance if you choose to actively manage for a safe and defendable home site. 



Gallatin County Extension and the Northern Rocky Mountain Resource Conservation & Development Area: http://www.nrmrcd.org/fuels_reduction.htm


Fire Safe Montana: http://firesafemt.org/


Firewise: http://www.firewise.org/  
TRAILS           

Construction Season Is In Full Swing

 

Fall is always a very busy time for trail construction and this year is no exception. Please understand that some trails may be closed for your safety during construction, and wish us luck in completing the work before the snow flies!

 

In late September we will be working on flood damage repair on the East Gallatin Recreation Area. We will be rerouting some trail sections that are continually flooding and repairing others that have been damaged.

 

In late October we will be finishing the Sourdough Canyon Trailhead parking lot and road improvement project. This work could take several weeks and you can expect the area to be closed during week days. We will advertise the closings and post the road so that users can be informed of our progress.

 

Also stay tuned for improvements to the trail west of Morning Star School and a new connector trail from the Softball Complex parking lot to the intersection at Ellis and Highland.


COMMUNITY NEWS 


Trail Work Day in Hyalite Canyon

Join the Bridger Ski Foundation on Saturday, September 17th for a community trail work day. Volunteers will be led by experienced trail crew leaders in clearing brush, digging sign post holes, and marking ski trails in Hyalite. Please RSVP to BSF at trails@bridgerskifoundation.org.

 

Art Exhibit of Longtime GVLT Supporter

Frances Senska donated a conservation easement and trail easement to GVLT and was a diverse artist known for her ceramic works. A long-time supporter of GVLT, she passed away in 2009. Some of her incredible art collection is now for sale and can be viewed at the Emerson Center's Weaver Room on Friday September 23rd from 4PM to 8 PM and Saturday, September 24th from 10AM to 4 PM. Read more here: http://senska-wilbercollection.com


FUNDRAISERS


Flora of Montana's Gallatin Region: Greater Yellowstone's Northwest Corner 

Flora Book

FLORA BOOK - NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR WEBSITE!

 

It is not too late to pick up your copy of Whitney Tilt's, Flora of Montana's Gallatin Region, Greater Yellowstone's Northwest Corner, which can now be purchased (for $25 plus shipping and handling), using our website. Please visit us at www.gvlt.org to order your book or have one, or several, sent to friends and family. It is easy and convenient and helps GVLT.

This great guide may also be purchased for $25 at the Gallatin Valley Land Trust office (25 N. Willson St, Ste E), Schnee's Boots & Shoes, Vargo's, Powderhorn Outfitters, Sola Cafe, and the Country Book Shelf. Proceeds benefit the GVLT so when you purchase one, not only will you deepen your knowledge of the wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees of the Gallatin Region, you will also support GVLT. Thank you!

GIVING

Ways to Give
Giving to GVLT is simple and fast, satisfying and gratifying, using our website at www.gvlt.org. Click on Donate Now and simply follow the quick and easy instructions. Your generous donations help to make our work possible. We can't do it without you. Thank you!

GVLT


Want to find out more about GVLT - find us online

Become a Fan of GVLT on Facebook or Twitter

 
Want to Volunteer?
Fill out the volunteer application, email annetyler@gvlt.org, or call the office.


Gallatin Valley Land Trust
 25 North Willson Ave, Ste E - Bozeman, MT 59715
 406.587.8404 p.
 406.582.1136 f.