Join PCEC for these September events

The Yellowstone Gateway 30k is just under two weeks away, and we are really excited about another year of runners experiencing this incredible course!

This race covers 18 miles of trail and gravel roads, starting at Sage Lodge and traveling 3,000 feet up Emigrant Gulch before descending to the finish at Chico Hot Springs, where lunch and Katabatic beer will be provided for runners and volunteers. Registration is $75 per person. As directors and racers, we are committed to sustainability and choose to tread lightly and steward the landscape responsibly.

Registration is still open for runners and we are in need of a few more volunteers as well. To register for the race or volunteer, please visit our website.

Each year, the race celebrates the beautiful Paradise Valley and Emigrant Gulch and commemorates the passage of the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act in March 2019. That bill permanently protected over 30,000 acres of Custer-Gallatin National Forest from gold mining. 

In community,

Karrie

SEPTEMBER 2023 EVENTS

Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group Summer BBQ

Thursday, September 7, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

State Land Parcel on Bridger Hollow Road

The Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group is holding its End-of-Summer BBQ this week. The gathering is open to all partners, supporters and friends of the UYWG.

Burgers, drinks and desserts will be provided. Side dishes for sharing are encouraged and appreciated!

Please RSVP with Ashley Lowrey at Ashley.lowrey@mt.nacdnet.net.

Gallatin Yellowstone Wilderness Association: Joseph Scalia at Elk River Books 

Thursday, September 7, 6 p.m.

Elk River Books, Livingston

Join Joseph Scalia, the GYWA's first president, for a spirited discussion of what can best preserve and protect the wild lands and ecosystems that make these lands unique and worth preserving.

From the event organizers: "The future of Yellowstone is inseparably linked, on the one hand, with both the kind of society and politics we might construct. On the other hand, it depends on the emergence of human beings en masse who are not susceptible to either witty sales campaigns, or to sanctimony or self-righteousness. What would it take to collectively imagine and create a world in which Yellowstone's, and indeed the Earth's, environmental integrity were protected hands-down? The limitations versus the deceptions of opposing elements of the environmentalism world will be depicted, as will the need for a collective, transformative response to both."  

Tippet Rise Bike Ride

Saturday, September 9

The Livingston Bike Club is heading to Tippet Rise for a bike ride. Interested in joining? Email Sarah Stands at sarah@pcecmt.org.

Walking Community Conversation: Downtown Master Plan

Wednesday, September 13, noon

Meet at Lincoln School Community Garden

We're taking our Community Conversation to the streets. Join PCEC for a walkabout in Downtown Livingston to learn more about the Downtown Master Plan. 

We'll meet at the Lincoln School in the Community Garden at noon and head downtown for a short walk and talk.

Farmers Market: Native Seeds, Bison and Bees!

Wednesday, September 13

Farmers Market, Sacajawea Park

Learn more about protecting Montana's ecosystems and the role of bison and native bees. Bison have a crucial role in maintaining native plant diversity in Montana, while native plants help promote and sustain native bee populations. You can also contribute to building a thriving ecosystem by making native plant seed bombs and spreading them around Park County.

Come get your hands dirty and learn how to make your own seed bombs to help spread native flowers for pollinators, wildlife, and build resilient native habitat. Fall is a great time to spread Montana native seeds. 

The seed bomb activity will be held at the Livingston Farmer’s Market on Wednesday September 13, 4:30-7:30pm!

Give Back to the

Yellowstone River Clean Up

Saturday, September 16

Sacajawea Park, Livingston

Join Montana Freshwater Partners on Saturday September 16th as we GIVE BACK to our beloved Yellowstone!

We're asking for volunteers to help out by floating sections of the river and cleaning up trash and debris still left from the historic flooding and summer recreational use. Bring your family, rally friends and make a day on the river something the whole community will appreciate.

With TWO locations to participate:

- Sacajawea Park in Livingston, MT
- Paradise Adventure Company Office in Gardiner, MT

To give thanks we will cap off the day of volunteering with beer and food in Sacajawea Park starting at 4 p.m. (at the bandshell) to celebrate your efforts to help cleanup the Yellowstone River. Raffle prizes will be announced at 5:30pm.

The event kicks off at 9 a.m. in both locations with trash bags and gloves provided the day off. Shuttles will be provided and walk in sections will also be an option for those without a boat.

All trash can be brought back to the park for disposal when you've completed your float in the afternoon.

Pint Night: Yellowstone Bison EIS

Tuesday, September 19, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Katabatic Brewing, Livingston

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 we hope this conversation will help inform your comments.

Want to learn more? PCEC will be hosting this Pint Night with our partners to help answer your questions.

Community Conversation: Yellowstone Bison EIS Plan

Wednesday, September 20, noon

Zoom: Register here!

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 we hope this conversation will help inform your comments.

Want to learn more? PCEC will be hosting this Community Conversation with our partners to help answer your questions.

Porcupine Ibex Trail Clean Up and Key Swap

Saturday, September 23

Porcupine Ibex Trail, Crazy Mountains

On September 23, Livingston Bike Club will be hosting a Porcupine Ibex trail clean up and key swap. Hikers and dogs and bikes all welcome. There will be an end-of-year BBQ and trail celebration, and camping is allowed at Porcupine Cabin.

PCEC is a partner. Contact sarah@pcecmt.org for details about the event.

Pick Up Your Park

Saturday, September 23

Arch Park, Gardiner

Please mark your calendar and spread the word about this year's Pick Up Your Park event on Saturday September 23rd. This is National Public Lands Day, so it's a great excuse to show Yellowstone NP and our surrounding National Forests a bit of extra love. 

Whether you are working, recreating or resting on September 23rd, please take some bags and PPE with you and collect some trash on your public lands.  Of course you can do this any other day too!

From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.,  please join folks at Arch Park in Gardiner MT to celebrate the summer's end and visit with others. We'll have some light food and soft drinks courtesy of Bear Creek Council. Feel free to BYO too. 

Here's the webpage for this event: https://in-our-nature.com/pick-up-your-park/

If you have any questions or would like to receive some trash bags and gloves, please get in touch with event organizer Cara McGary at cara.mcgary@gmail.com or 406-579-3838.

Shields Valley Watershed Group general meeting

Monday, September 25, 6 p.m.

Wilsall Fire Department

The September Shields Valley Watershed Group meeting will have a focus on weed management and local collaborative weed mapping efforts. There will be presentations by PCEC's Plant Ecologist and Monitoring Program Manager, Bethany Allen, and the Park County Weed Coordinator, Theresa Pospichal.