Do you #GiveAHoot about Native Plants? (And some upcoming events!)
Today, I’m excited to tell you about PCEC’s newest program, and also to invite you to a few events.
The Noxious Weed Monitoring Program aims to work with partners to create a standard for weed treatment efficacy monitoring in Park County to promote healthy diverse habitat for our wild and working lands in which this community relies on and celebrates.
Last year, I joined PCEC to help get this program up and running, and it already has a life of its own. We are now working with 14 different partner groups and 13 private landowners. Twenty-one permanent monitoring sites have been established and 227 acres of weed infested areas along the river were inventoried and mapped post flood. We are going to continue this work while expanding and growing our education outreach and community support.
Our first year came with a lot of successes and we want to build on that.
Education is always the first step, and there are quite a few opportunities for you to learn more!
This week, I’m helping host a Paradise Valley Weeds Education Field Day on Friday, and organizing a Community Weed Pull on Saturday.
Later this month, I’m helping to lead a Native Plant Hike and another work day to help remove thistle from the popular North Dry Creek trailhead.
JULY 2023 EVENTS
Community Weed Pull
Saturday, July 8 at 8:30 a.m.
Livingston Peak Trailhead (RSVP today!)
Join us at the Livingston Peak Trailhead with our partners: Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service, and Livingston Bike Club. This is one of Livingston's most loved trails, so come help us protect it! We will have a brief identification and weed removal session before we head out to pull weeds, mostly houndstongue. We will have glovers and clippers. Be sure to sign up here for this event, lunch is provided!
U.S. Highway 89 Bike Path Trail Clean-up
Sunday, July 16, 9 a.m. to noon
Highway 10 and 7th Street
On July 16, PCEC's summer interns will lead a clean-up of the U.S. Highway 89 South Bike Path. We'll meet at 7th Street and Highway 10 at 9 a.m. We'll plan to wrap up around noon. PCEC has adopted this trail, and this is our annual clean-up. Please bring gloves if you would like to use them!
We'll bring trash bags and provide refreshments. Please RSVP to sarah@pcecmt.org, so we know how much pizza to order at the end!
3rd Annual Cayden James Leonard Memorial Bike Rodeo
Wednesday, July 19, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sacajawea Park during the Livingston Farmers Market
In July of 2019, Cayden lost his life when struck by a vehicle while biking. Join Cayden’s family and Child Care Connections for a child safety event in Livingston, during the Farmers’ Market. This event will celebrate Cayden while offering free education and resources on bike and vehicle safety.
This event is FREE and open to the public. Bring your bike and current helmet!
There will be a bike obstacle course and activities for kids 0-12 ~ vehicle safety for drivers ~ prizes ~ t-shirts ~ FREE bike helmets ~ music ~ first responders ~ chance to win a bike!
Info at: https://cccmontana.org/event/bike4cayden3/
PCEC Native Plant Hike
Saturday, July 22 at 10 a.m.
Suce Creek Trailhead (RSVP required!)
If you're a plant enthusiast, or just looking to spend a day outdoors with like-minded individuals, we invite you to join us on our hike through the beautiful Montana native plant communities. During this event, you'll have the chance to learn about the various native plant species and their significance to Montana's ecosystem.
Leading us on our hike, we have Bethany Allen from the PCEC team and Kaycee Kalahar, the creator of Folk Elements, a local business. They will be guiding us through the identification of various plant species. Bethany will be sharing her expertise in forest and plant ecology while Kaycee will provide her insight on the medicinal properties of our natural environment.
Registration is required and spots are limited so please sign up today to save your spot by emailing karrie@pcecmt.org. Bring water, sunscreen, and be sure to download the Montana Wildflowers App.
North Dry Creek Trail Work Day
Saturday, July 29
North Dry Creek Trailhead
Join PCEC, the Livingston Bike Club and the U.S. Forest Service for a work day that includes trailhead improvements and thistle removal. Meet at the Forest Service Office at 8 a.m. to carpool or at the North Dry Creek Trailhead at 9 a.m. Bring your bike if you have one!
Wishberry Hollow
July 29 - August 13
Myers' River View Trail
WISHBERRY HOLLOW, created by Eubank Creative, is the culmination of love and labor of local artists and fairy enthusiasts, who will come together to lure our fairy friends into temporary dwellings as they pass through the area on their late summer migration. A pocket of the Myers’ River View Trail in Livingston, Montana will be transformed into a fairy sanctuary during this two week migration. The pixie community will spark the imagination in both the youngest sprite and the eldest of wizards, by bringing together the beauty of nature, the whimsy of magic, and moments of curiosity, all enriching a sense of wonder in art and in the natural world.
Yellowstone Revealed 2023
August 10, 11 & 12
Madison Junction, Yellowstone National Park
Mountain Time Arts' Yellowstone Revealed series will continue August 10-12 with a theme around water. Learn more here!
From Mountain Time Arts:
This year's installation will be an artistic evolution of the Teepee Village that demonstrates our historical connection and present disconnect from water. Together, we will explore how to be intentional in our reconnection to water. We are excited to have our community experience this journey with us.