Guest Column: Homegrown conservation: travelers for open land

February 13, 2012/ Bozeman Daily Chronicle

When I was 15 years old, the film “A River Runs Through It” forever changed my hometown. Of course, Norman Maclean’s story that spawned the film wasn’t new, and the Gallatin Valley was already a ski destination and gateway to Yellowstone National Park. But the film rekindled a romantic version of Montana – complete with epic trout and lonely, haunting rivers. For entire article click here.

Guest Column: The season of hope: promise for future generations

December 28, 2011 / Bozeman Daily Chronicle

The season of hope is upon us. Days stretch longer as we leave behind the darkness of the winter solstice, generosity abounds, and families gather to celebrate and honor deeply held traditions.

During this time of year, simple pleasures and the comfort of loved ones can renew our optimism and restore our hope. For entire article click here.

Guest Column: Good fences make good neighbors and better wildlife habitat

November 15, 2011/ Bozeman Daily Chronicle

These days, my life is all about setting boundaries with my 2-year-old daughter. It is a delicate balance of knowing when to allow climbing on a chair, how far to let her run ahead of me, and how long to let her stay in the bathtub when bedtime looms.

It is not easy. Knowing when to let her nudge the boundary and when to hold the line is perhaps the fundamental struggle of parenthood. To read article click here.

Guest column: The most important ingredient for local food: land

September 13,2011 / Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Cool mornings, smoky skies, longer shadows. The transition to autumn in the Gallatin Valley is every year a beautiful and surprising change – summer always seems to pass unexpectedly fast, and the brisk temperatures and hazy air are bittersweet reminders of the impending winter.

With the close of summer, one of the things I’ll miss most is the Gallatin Valley Farmers’ Market, which has its last market at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds today. With hundreds of vendors selling Montana-made products and fresh and local food, it is easy to take the market for granted all summer – until it’s gone. For entire article click here.

County, GVLT moving in a positive direction

January 20, 2012 / Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Bozeman’s extensive bike and pedestrian trail system is a big part of the quality of life that we all treasure here. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the Land trust for continuing its work to expand and maintain that system. Click here to view the entire article.

Gallatin Valley Land Trust hopes to revamp Triple Tree Trail

January 12, 2012/ Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Gallatin County commissioners unanimously agreed Tuesday to apply for an easement that could bring Gallatin Valley Land Trust’s dream of a contiguous trail from Bozeman’s Main Street to the mountains closer to reality.

GVLT needs the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to grant Gallatin County an easement so the trust can continue its work on Triple Tree Trail, said GLVT program director Kelly Pohl.

The approximately four-mile trail at the southeastern edge of the city has been maintained by GVLT for nearly 20 years, but steepness and excessive use have caused erosion, particularly on a section that is on state-owned property, she said.

Click here to view the entire article.

Sourdough Canyon Trailhead closes for improvements

October 11, 2011 / KBZK Channel 7 News

Sourdough Canyon trail closed today for improvements.

“People wanted to improve this for over 20 years,” said GVLT Trails Program Coordinator Gary Vodehnal.

And starting this week, the improvements are finally happening.

“We’re working on constructing a better road and an improved parking area,” Vodehnal said.

Click here to view the entire coverage.

Boulder dedication held in Bozeman

October 9, 2011 / KBZK Channel 7

Early autumn rain storms didn’t damper spirits of volunteers who put the finishing touches Saturday on the latest edition of the Gallatin Regional Park. The dedication of two new climbing boulders took place today.

The boulders were designed by climbers and provide a real climbing feel and experience.

Click here to see this news coverage.

Saturday dedication to celebrate final recreational climbing boulders

October 9, 2011 / Bozeman Daily Chronicle

The goal was to construct boulders within a short walking or biking distance of most Bozeman residents.

Now, with the completion of the area’s fifth and sixth boulders, that goal has been accomplished. Saturday, the newest boulders will be unveiled in a dedication at the Gallatin County Regional Park.

Click here to view the entire article.

Sourdough Canyon Trailhead to close next week for new improvements

October 6, 2011 / Bozeman Daily Chronicle

By the end of this month, Sourdough Canyon Trailhead will have more parking, increased safety and enhanced wildlife habitat.

Kelly Pohl, program director for the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, said about 30 parking spaces will be added and a turnaround for emergency vehicles will be installed. The access road will also be moved away from the Sourdough Creek corridor to help reduce sedimentation.

Click here to view the entire article. (Photo: Sean Sperry / Chronicle)

Editorial: Chris Boyd’s legacy for open space endures

October 2, 2011 / Bozeman Daily Chronicle

One of the quality-of-life draws that has contributed to the growth of the Gallatin Valley is the miles of foot and bicycle trails that lace the city of Bozeman and its environs and the tens of thousands of acres of dedicated open space that preserve the vistas that surround the city.

But those amenities didn’t happen by accident. It has taken tireless effort on the part of a handful of trail and open-space advocates – often in the face of adverse public opinion – to make this important aspect of our lives a reality.

Click here to view the entire article.

Chris Boyd: an advocate for Bozeman’s trails, open land, community

September 18, 2011 / Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Take a stroll on Bozeman’s premiere trail along the ridge of Peets Hill. Admire the expansive view. Then note the plaques, benches and tree dedicated to Chris Boyd.

It is largely due to Boyd, who founded the Gallatin Valley Land Trust in 1989, that the park the trail meanders through — Burke Park — exists.

Click here to read the entire article.

A Natural Playground

Fall 2011 / Zone 4 Magazine: Living in the High Country West

My best childhood memories are of our neighborhood crew running through the woods, building stick forts, climbing trees, and playing games. It was within this natural environment that I spent hour  upon hour and fostered my love for plants and animals and respect for nature. Over time, our public schools and playgrounds lost track of the importance of creative play and instituted cookie cutter playground equipment. Today’s conventional playground equipment may have a few more bells and whistles than when we were kids, but they come with a promotion of predictable play.

Click here to read the entire article.

Gallatin Valley Land Trust and MSU team up to tackle trail work

August 28, 2011 / KBZK News

Gallatin Valley Land Trust and MSU team up to make one trail in Bozeman a little more user friendly.

Click here to see this video coverage.

Bozeman’s last climbing boulders being built at Gallatin County Regional Park

August 12, 2011 / Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Workers and volunteers attached sheets of lath onto a 12-foot-tall metal structure Thursday, forming what will become one of Bozeman’s last boulders.

The framework and a smaller, 8-foot-tall boulder for kids will be the last built under the Bozeman Boulder Initiative, an organization that aims to make climbing accessible to children and adults. The two new boulders will be at the Gallatin County Regional Park.

Click here to read the entire article.

Dry Creek family gets open space funds for conservation

July 16, 2011 / Belgrade News

A Dry Creek-area farm family has received county approval to tap into Gallatin County’s Open Lands funding to place 955 acres into a conservation easement, though Tuesday’s County Commission vote went against the decision of the board that oversees the program.

Click here for the entire article.

New Bozeman Trail Welcomes Hikers

June 30, 2011 / KTVM News

Bozeman hikers will be able to enjoy a new trail just outside of town. The Gallatin Valley Land Trust, along with the Trust for Public Land, celebrated a ribbon cutting for Bozeman’s newest hiking edition- the Chestnut Mountain Trail. The five mile gravel trail is located off the Trail Creek Road exit on I-90.

Click here for this news coverage.

Gallatin Valley Land Trust’s “Longest Day of Trails” event yield discoveries for cyclists

June 25, 2011 / Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Bozeman’s trail system might just be a hidden gem.

It seems at least some of the more than 60 miles of foot and bike paths remain a mystery to Bozeman denizens despite their outdoor inclinations.

The Gallatin Valley Land Trust held its fifth annual “Longest Day of Trails” event Friday with Gallatin Alpine Sports/Intrinsik Architecture cycling team members leading eager cyclists on one-hour tours of the system.

Click here for the entire article.

Community members ride from dawn until dusk to raise awareness of local trail system

June 24, 2011 / KBZK News

They began riding around 5 a.m. and wont stop until 10 tonight.

The Gallatin Valley Land Trust’s annual Longest Day of Trails event has been going on all day.

“It’s really a trail celebration,” said GVLT Program Director Kelly Pohl.

Members of the community rode their bikes from dawn until dusk today to hit the trails around Bozeman.

Click here to see video of this coverage.

Wide Open: Seven Questions for GVLT

Spring 2011 / Outside Bozeman

Penelope Pierce, the new executive director of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT), offered some insight into one of the area’s most well-known organization that protects this valley that we call home.

Click here for the entire article.