Uncategorized
Mountain Bikers Support Montana Land Protection Bill
Published
13 years agoon
photo: A group of mountain bikers ride along a rebuilt section of the Continental Divide Trail in the Centennial Mountains.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the Montana Mountain Bike Alliance (MMBA) recently announced their support of more than 97 percent of the acreage included in the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act of 2011. Sponsored by Montana U.S. Senator Jon Tester, the bill includes 35 units, totaling 1,019,764 acres. IMBA and MMBA are requesting boundary adjustments in five units that would lead to reduction of Wilderness (23,419 acres), and an increase (16,319 acres) of Recreation Management Areas.
“Well-managed mountain biking is a proven economic driver for many communities across the country,” said Ashley Korenblat, director of IMBA’s Public Lands Initiative. “Montana’s small towns are poised to benefit from a sustainable revenue source if the state’s world-class trail opportunities are planned, protected and promoted — this bill will help us do just that.”
IMBA recently hosted a trails conference in Montana to discuss land protection options, and to explore trail opportunities throughout the area. A cross section of stakeholders attended the conference, leading to the identification of nearly 1,000 miles of existing and new trail opportunities.
“While some new construction will be needed, many existing trails simply need maintenance. IMBA’s experience in trail design, permitting and funding will be very useful in creating these opportunities,” said Jonathan Klein, from the U.S. Forest Service’s Madison Ranger District.
According to the IMBA, the bill would help bring recreation dollars to the region from mountain bikers and other recreational users. New routes would become viable through the release of more than 66,815 acres of Wilderness Study Area (WSA), and the creation of more than 369,500 acres of Recreation Management Areas or Special Management Areas.
Cycling is a growing part of the Montana economy for both visitors and locals, and the requested boundary adjustments in the bill were designed to protect access to trails for Montana’s communities.
“My business could be located anywhere,” said MMBA member Greg Garrigues, president of Pacific Outdoor Equipment. “I moved my company to Bozeman so that our staff and their families would have the benefit of the outdoors close at hand. It’s not only where we recreate, it’s also where we craft the designs for the equipment we make, so protecting our federal lands is very important to me.”
IMBA recently submitted testimony in support of the bill, including a list of needed changes and the new trails it would make available.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during
more
Event Details
Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during their regular Toddler and Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 20, at 10:15 a.m. The free program, presented by the Bozeman Symphony is especially for children ages 3 to 5. Children will be able to listen to Montana Shakespeare in the Parks actor Emma Rather, who will be joined by Bozeman Symphony Bassoonist Sam Macken. The goal of the program is to encourage a love of music, literacy, and discovery. Additional programs are scheduled at the Library on April 10 and June 12. For more information, visit www.bozemansymphony.org or call 406-585-9774.
Time
(Wednesday) 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Location
Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main St, Bozeman, MT