In 2024, GBCA hosted two Big Sky Watershed Corps members. The Big Sky Watershed Corps is an AmeriCorps program coordinated in partnership with the Montana Conservation Corps, the Montana Association of Conservation Districts, and the Montana Watershed Coordination Council. During Marilynn’s term of service, she primarily concentrated on developing GBCA’s education program and also served as a crew member on the Kelly Creek Backcountry Restoration project. Kate’s term was mainly focused on her role as GBCA’s Volunteer Coordinator, helping to facilitate stewardship projects throughout the 2024 season.
Marilynn’s Reflection
Since starting in January, I’ve had the great opportunity to experience the broad range of work that occurs throughout nearly a year with GBCA. From project planning and preparation to on-the-ground project implementation and goal completion. The diligent, year-round focus that GBCA staff have is awe-inspiring, highlighting how vital conservation work is only completed with collaboration, partnership, and steadfast dedication shared between all involved.
My term of service with GBCA can be broken down into two primary focus areas: restoration and education. So, with that, I would like to highlight my favorite memories and takeaways from each over my term of service.
Restoration
While working on the Kelly Creek Backcountry Restoration project, I had the opportunity to work with Missoula County’s Youth in Restoration program (MYIR), which was definitely my field season highlight. MYIR is a program for high school students to explore different career opportunities within conservation through hands-on field experiences and opportunities. For many of these students, joining the Kelly crew on a hitch is their first or second backpacking trip, making it exciting and a bit daunting. Yet, their optimism and sense of adventure well overpowered any feelings of hesitation they may have had. During their time with the Kelly crew, we collectively worked to complete a hand-pulling project and introduced them to our biological control monitoring protocol.
Fieldwork is both challenging and rewarding, and there are definitely times when the heat (or the rain) can get the best of you. However, the visit from MYIR was a perfect morale boost, reminding us of the great opportunity we have to spend a summer in the diverse and beautiful Great Burn. From bear hangs to hand-pulling weeds, it was all new to them, an excellent reminder for me of the wonder that can be found in our everyday field activities when seen through new eyes.
Education
Picking one highlight related to education is very difficult, as what that encompasses is so broad, and I enjoy so many things about it. I love that when developing educational material, I get to be creative and strategic, utilizing various skills to better explain complex or challenging concepts. During educational events, getting to see new connections being made and ideas being understood is priceless.
Our partnership with Superior Elementary School well encapsulates all the growth and development that has occurred this year within the education program. We have had the opportunity to visit this school multiple times this year and hope to continue this into the new year. These students live at one of the primary gateways into the Great Burn, making this educational experience critical to their understanding of the special place they call home.
Plans After Term
Though it's bittersweet to say goodbye to GBCA, I am immensely grateful for the experiences I've gained here. Since August, I have been taking classes part-time at the University of Montana, working toward a Master of Public Administration (MPA). Upon completion of my term, I will transition to full-time course work while simultaneously serving as a Teaching Assistant for undergraduate non-profit-related classes. I'm eager to remain connected with GBCA, perhaps going on a volunteer trip or two, and I can't wait to see the incredible work that GBCA will accomplish in the coming seasons.
Kate’s Reflection
It is hard to believe how quickly time has passed since moving to Missoula and starting my journey with GBCA in May. Over the past months, I've been lucky to not only find my place in this wonderful community but also immerse myself in the Great Burn ecosystem. As my term comes to a close, I am filled with gratitude for land, people I’ve met, and experiences I’ve had along the way.
My season started off at the Northern Rockies Wilderness Skills Institute, where I received leadership training and earned my Wilderness First Aid certification. Throughout my term, GBCA and BSWC encouraged my growth through professional development opportunities, including a GIS course and certification as a Level 1 Leave No Trace Instructor.
One of the most memorable parts of the season was getting into the field with volunteers. Of course, I enjoyed all the beauty the Great Burn has to offer, but also loved the process of leading volunteers. Witnessing the diversity of people drawn to the Great Burn, from first-time backpackers to seasoned stewards, was truly rewarding. Everyone brought unique experiences and perspectives from which I was able to learn. While there were definitely challenges– especially during the first few trips when hiking tested me and I was new to leading volunteers– having patience and grace with myself helped me navigate the learning curve and grow my confidence with each outing.
While I wasn't taking a class or in the field, I was working on outreach and educational events. I connected with the community at farmer's markets and taught kids about bear safety and Leave No Trace, though my favorite outreach project of the season was Sunday Streets. This is an annual event by Missoula in Motion designed to envision a more livable community in which local businesses host an activity. I designed a scavenger hunt to promote mindfulness and notice nature in urban spaces. It was awesome to see how the community showed up for this event, and that so many people were interested in learning more about GBCA. It was also special to see kids' excitement when they finished their scavenger hunts!
Plans After Term
I am excited to share that I will be returning to GBCA for another season! I’ll be serving a full BSWC term, which means I’ll be with GBCA January through November of 2025. In the new year, I’ll help plan for the 2025 volunteer season and take on a bigger role in our education program, building upon Marilynn’s hard word from her term of service. As I look ahead to another season, I can’t wait to build upon the skills and knowledge I’ve gained and make an even bigger impact with GBCA.