Looking back on 2021

What a year 2021 was. 

As Park County continued to face increasing growth, skyrocketing housing prices and more and more pressure on our wild backyard, our community continued to show up and work for a better future. 

Here are a few highlights:

  • In June, Livingston adopted a new Growth Policy that includes significant public input from community members and prioritizes housing, infill development, redevelopment in our downtown, active transportation and more!

“People here care an extraordinary amount about their community,” said Mathieu Menard, Livingston’s deputy director of planning. Read more HERE.

“This is a story about local people coming together and trying to find some resolution to challenging problems.” said Erica Lighthiser, PCEC's Deputy Director. Read more HERE.

A few more highlights:

  • PCEC launched the Paradise Pledge, an educational campaign to promote responsible recreation.

  • We worked with community partners to help develop and launch a new wildlife campaign, Yellowstone Safe Passages.

  • And, importantly, we connected hundreds people in our community to talk about some of the most pressing issue -- planning and zoning, housing, recreational use on the Yellowstone River, climate change, and more through our Community Conversations and our new monthly planning newsletter: Crossroads.

We’re proud of the support we have from the community, both in our work and financially. This year the PCEC staff grew by two people, and we have an increased focus on Active Transportation and working with local businesses. Next year we are adding a Landscape Conservation Specialist to launch a collaborative project on invasive weeds.

If you haven't already, now is a great time to donate to PCEC. Through the end of the year, we have a $20,000 match from a generous PCEC supporter, so your gift will go twice as far.

Please note that the PCEC office is closed Dec. 20 through Jan. 2. Our staff will be taking some well deserved time off. If something comes up, please give me a call on my cell at 406-223-4714.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the holidays and the SNOW!!! We’ll be back open in the new year, re-energized and ready to show up and advocate for the community with you, Erica. Thanks for all you do!!

Enjoy this magical time of year!

Erica Lighthiser