Join PCEC for these October events!
I got new glasses a few months ago. They have UV light protection, so the lenses change the color ever so slightly, the greens are a little greener and the blues a little less blue. I often find myself pushing them toward the end of the nose and looking over them to see if I can see what the "true" color is.
I went on a big walk last week to try to get my mind right, and I kept doing that with the colors of the leaves and the dark skies contrasting with the new white snow on the mountains. Everything felt too vivid to be real. But when I took my glasses down, it looked the same. They're the true colors of early fall.
I really would like to slow down, and this month, it feels like I might be able to. We have a lot of events, but they generally require you to take a seat and think. We have a few film screenings on grizzlies and the Yellowstone River, a reading by Montana Poet Laureate Chris La Tray on Indigenous Peoples' Day, a seed bomb activity and trail clean up. Events that make you take a moment to slow down and consider something.
This month, we also have the Montana Youth Climate Summit. I'm excited to learn from the next generation about what we need to do to ensure we have a bright future in Park County.
Read more below!
In community,
Johnathan
Return of the Grizzly World Premiere
Sunday, October 8, 3 p.m.
Shane Lalani Center for the Arts
You're invited to the Livingston world premiere of Return of the Grizzly - The new film explores grizzly bear tolerance and coexistence in the time of climate change. Free and open to the public.
The 37-minute documentary follows the path and challenges of the essential explorer bear, the innovative bear that comes from small, isolated core populations that generate them. Explorer bears have the personality traits that can lead to better relationships between humans and grizzlies.
Return of the Grizzly proves that, through coexistence and tolerance, humans and grizzlies can “learn” to live together as the Native Americans have done for thousands of years. The film is narrated by one of America’s most beloved actors and storytellers, Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges. It is scored by legendary pianist Bill Payne of Little Feat.
The film, directed by Maaike Middleton, visits with Native Americans, filmmakers, grizzly bear biologists, road ecologists, bear coexistence activists, wildlife photographers, and business owners. The film features archival, never before seen, grizzly bear footage by Doug Peacock.
The Return of the Grizzly was created and produced by Save the Yellowstone Grizzly and sponsored by Patagonia and the Sierra Club along with support from the Montana Film Office, the Natalie Orfalea Foundation, and Sound Color Studios. The executive producers are Doug Peacock and Dan Sullivan.
An Evening with Chris La Tray
Monday, October 9, 7 p.m.
Elk River Books, Livingston
Elk River Arts and Lectures is hosting Montana Poet Laureate Chris La Tray for a reading on Monday, October 9, which is Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
La Tray is a Métis storyteller and enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. He is the author of the award-winning “One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large” and “Descended from a Travel-worn Satchel.” La Tray’s third book, “Becoming Little Shell,” will be published by Milkweed Editions in 2024.
Bozeman Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration
Monday, October 9
Bozeman
Join for an Indigenous Peoples Day Community Celebration in Bozeman.
There will be two events:
Noon at the Montana State University Indian Hall for a Round Dance and Song
5:30 p.m. at Peets Hill there will be a community celebration, unveiling the new medicine wheel, impactful speakers and an interactive teepee display by artist Ben Pease.
The event is put on by Mountain Time Arts, the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, the Extreme History Project, the city of Bozeman and Indigenous Peoples’ Day Bozeman.
Bison Draft EIS Comments Due
Tuesday, October 10
Yellowstone National Park has released its draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Bison Management Plan that will decide how the species is managed years into the future. The park is seeking comment on the proposal, and this is the last day for comments. Comment here.
Want to learn more? PCEC hosted a Community Conversation to help people inform their comments. You can watch that here.
Montana Youth Climate Summit
Thursday, October 12 and Friday, October 13
The Park High Green Initiative will host the Montana Youth Climate Summit in Livingston. The student-led conference will feature leading climate scientists, student-led breakout sessions and more. Learn more on our website or donate today!
Livingston Bike Club Monthly Meeting
Sunday, October 22, 6:30 p.m.
Lincoln School Auditorium, Livingston
Join the Livingston Bike Club for its monthly meeting. You can help make native seed bombs that the bike club will spread at its O-Street Connector Clean Up.
Life in the Land: Upper Yellowstone River film screening and conversation
Tuesday, October 24, 5 p.m.
Shane Lalani Center for the Arts, Livingston
Join event organizers, Stories for Action, for an in-person event at the Shane Lalani Center for the Arts in Livingston, Montana. We will connect through film and conversation as we premiere the film Life in the Land: The Upper Yellowstone River (52 minutes). The film will share perspectives from those who are connected in various ways to the Upper Yellowstone River, specifically the stretch which runs from Gardiner to Livingston. Hear how no matter the pressure on the river (including flood, drought, increased river recreation), that the response can be more impactful when it is guided by the local communities and by the river itself. After the film, there will be a facilitated discussion around realistic challenges on the ground, promising actions, and the value of honest communication. RSVP here to reserve your spot.
This event is open to the public and free to attend.
5pm - DOORS OPEN & Refreshments
5:30pm - Film Screening (52 minutes)
6:30-7:15pm - Interactive discussion & creating connections
Return of the Grizzly in Bozeman
Wednesday, October 25, 6 p.m.
Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman
Save the Yellowstone Grizzly will be showing their newest film, Return of the Grizzly, on Wednesday, October 25 at the Museum of the Rockies – Hager Auditorium in Bozeman, Montana. Free and open to the public, doors at 5:30, film at 6:00. Special guest speakers: Author and grizzly bear expert Doug Peacock and conservation biologist Dr. Barrie Gilbert.
O-Street Connector Clean Up
Sunday, October 29
Join the Livingston Bike Club for a clean up of the O-Street Connector Trail in Livingston. For more information, email Sarah at Sarah@pcecmt.org.