Owning It
When it comes to stewardship, there's no time like the present.
For public servants, this year’s political events haven’t been the most confidence-inspiring in terms of job security. While many of the original hasty Forest Service layoffs have been walked back, DOGE’s waving of the federal magic wand gave those of us who work for government agencies a jarring reality check: What might things look like if the workforces that maintain our functioning public-land system stop operating? Trails would very quickly succumb to deadfall and overgrowth. Campgrounds, bathrooms, and boat ramps would close. Roads would go uncleared and result in a loss of access to an immense amount of public ground. In short, things would look a lot different.
The truth is that the people with boots on the ground who do the jobs to keep access open and available to southwest Montana are overworked, undervalued, and underpaid. It would not take long to feel the effects of losing their efforts.
That said, there are plenty of groups and individuals who carry out these labors in no official capacity, with no government paycheck—oftentimes, no paycheck at all. And they are equally, if not more, deserving of attention and praise. There really isn’t a better time to practice stewardship than right now, so if you use public lands, keep an eye out and lend a hand. Join a river cleanup or a fence-pull. Invest some sweat equity and get out for a trail-maintenance day. If organized gatherings aren’t your thing, pack a hand-saw on your weekend hike and clear some overhanging brush. Pick up garbage that someone else left behind. After all, public lands are ours to look after, much like a garden that needs tending. Check out these groups for events and ideas on how to chip in.
Friends of Hyalite
Stewardship events are organized throughout the summer, on weekday evenings and Saturdays. Learn more at hyalite.org.
Gallatin Valley Land Trust
Be a community watchdog for the Main Street to the Mountains trail system and join one of GVLT’s many trail events after work or on weekend mornings. See the list at gvlt.org.
Gallatin Watershed Council
Play a role in helping preserve and restore our valley’s primary river system. Volunteer season is April through October with opportunities for both day- and season-long contributions. Find an event at gallatinwatershedcouncil.org.
Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association
For the pedalers out there, SWMMBA hosts three large volunteer days each year, as well as trail-work days every other week. Get involved at southwestmontanamba.org.
Gallatin River Task Force
Though focused more on river-access sites and riparian corridors than trail maintenance, per se, the Gallatin River Task force hosts cleanups and work days year-round. Stay tuned at gallatinrivertaskforce.org.
Other Organizations
In addition to the aforementioned groups, there are a host of others that contribute, like the Gallatin Valley Backcountry Horsemen and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Foundation, just to name a few. Alternatively, organize a group of friends, grab some saws and shovels, pick a trail, and start clearing logs and filling holes. There’s near-endless work to be done.
