By Jessianne CastleEBS ENVIRONMENTAL & OUTDOORS EDITOR
BOZEMAN – When
snow falls in Montana the clouds draw in from the sky. They huddle close
against mountain peaks and spread across the valleys, blanketing the sagey
plains in snowflake wonder. Crystalline white drops of snow sail to the ground
and gather there, smoothing cracks and ravines. When snowfall stops in Montana,
the sky smiles, clouds part and sunshine dances with the glistening snow.
The
experience of place, the way a landscape immerses the senses, mind, body and
spirit, is widely appreciated in Montana. It’s why people come here, why they
stay, why they live as they do.
A new
literary anthology celebrates this Montana sense of place, featuring 20 of the state’s
contemporary writers, including Rick Bass, Maile Meloy and Carrie La Seur, as
well as 28 bright color landscape photographs by Alexis Bonogofsky.
Titled “A
Million Acres,” this new release is sponsored by the Montana Land Reliance and
specifically commemorates the land trust’s protection of 1 million acres of
Montana open spaces, which was achieved at the end of 2017.
As the
largest state-based land trust in the U.S., Montana Land Reliance has worked
with more than 800 landowners—many of whom are working farmers and ranchers—in
a partnership that permanently protects private land from development while
maintaining private ownership of the land. This keeps agricultural land in
production and preserves fish and wildlife habitat in perpetuity.
“It requires a willing landowner who has a conservation ethos or who’s really interested in stewarding the land,” said MLR southwest manager and Big Sky resident Jessie Wiese. “It leads to really meaningful conservation.”
West Rosebud Creek in Stillwater County. PHOTO BY ALEXIS BONOGOFSKY
Wiese said that
beyond serving in tribute to open land conservation, the book also honors those
willing landowners who have been partners in conservation. “It’s been working
with landowners of all walks of life,” she said. “I think the writers did well
showcasing that.”
She added
that she hopes “A Million Acres” inspires its readers, whether they live in
Montana, visit Montana or have only heard of Montana from afar.
“Hopefully
it does connect more people with Montana,” she said. “It’s an important place
to preserve.”
Editor Keir
Graff, a Chicago resident who was born and raised in Montana, echoed Wiese. In
the national scene, he said, “’Montana’ is like a magical word, an association
with the mythic West. Montana will always fascinate people.”
Recognizing
both his own and many a Montanan’s desire to keep the bounty of the Treasure
State a closely kept secret, Graff offered one perspective.
“We really
need to be less possessive of it and more encouraging of people to really know
what it is,” he said. “Really this isn’t just about Montana. This is about land
and open space everywhere.”
Ultimately,
the book considers how the landscape touches those who set foot in Montana
through the lens of multi-generational Montanans as well as out-of-state
transplants. In essays, memoirs and short stories, the writers tell their tales
of the rivers, mountains and plains from across the state.
“It’s such a
Montana thing to do, to celebrate that,” Graff said. “We need everybody to
visit Montana at least once in their life not only to experience the beauty,
but to understand it and know why it’s worth preserving.”
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 - July 31Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get
more
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28
EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 – July 31
Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get your paintbrushes ready for an unforgettable experience at
Paint Under the Big Sky, a thrilling plein air event set against the stunning
backdrop of Big Sky, MT, Chet Huntley’s “The Last Best Place”. Don’t
miss this chance to unleash your creativity and be part of a vibrant artistic community.
What is Paint Under the Big Sky? PUBS is a plein air event for all painters of any ability (over the age of 16). Sponsored by the Big Sky Artist’s Studio & Gallery and the Big Sky Artists Collective, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a strong community of artists in the Big Sky area, the paint-out hopes to introduce painters to our extraordinary landscape for an opportunity to create, meet and have fun. Plein air painters record our landscape for generations to come.
Artists are invited to travel to Big
Sky, MT to paint anytime between Jun 1 – 28, and participate in the exhibition
and sale of paintings from June 29 – July 31.
Come join us! We have a great
place to paint and are welcoming and fun!
Don’t miss out!
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 1:00 am - July 31 (Wednesday) 11:55 pm
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary.Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm