Uncategorized
On Earth Day, Celebrate Yellowstone and Its Many Gifts
Published
5 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersHeather White EBS CONTRIBUTOR
This year Earth Day has me thinking about nature’s gifts, and the beauty that surrounds us here in Montana—one of the most extraordinary places in the world.
For nearly 50 years, Earth Day has energized people across the world to address a host of environmental concerns. But for many of us, Earth Day is celebrated in a more personal way—in our homes, at our schools, and in our parks. It’s an occasion to recognize the natural wonders around us, and think about what we can do to improve and appreciate our amazing planet.
While this holiday comes around just once each year, it’s important to take the time to experience nature year-round, wherever we can. It’s good for both our brains and our bodies. Research confirms that living close to nature and spending time outside has significant health benefits, reducing the risk of ailments like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression.
These results should come as no surprise to most of us, who feel noticeably healthier and happier after spending time outdoors. For those of us who live here in Southwest Montana, how lucky we are to have Yellowstone National Park—the ultimate playground and classroom—right at our doorstep.
Every visitor to the park has their own story and their own personal connection to Yellowstone. I’ll never forget my first trip with my father when I was 11 years old. Since then, I’ve developed a love of the wilderness that I share with my own children. That visit also sparked a deep, lifelong commitment to conservation that has guided my professional career.
We all need to take time to experience the wonders of Yellowstone, and remember why it is a bucket-list destination for so many people worldwide.On each visit to the park, I hear languages from around the world and see license plates from states throughout the nation. Experiencing the park with such a diverse community renews my appreciation for this wonderland.
Yellowstone is truly unique, an ecosystem unlike any other in the world. Did you know the park contains half of the entire planet’s geothermal features? Yellowstone is also home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states; the wildlife-watching opportunities are extraordinary. What’s more, the park is mostly free of artificial light, protecting a dark, night-sky wilderness that has become increasingly rare.
In addition to enriching our lives, Yellowstone also enriches our local communities—literally. A 2018 National Park Service report shows that 4.1 million Yellowstone visitors in 2017 spent $498.8 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 7,354 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $629.6 million.
As the world’s national park, Yellowstone served as the inspiration for the National Park Idea: the desire to protect special places for visitors’ present and future enjoyment. Today, with growing visitation and limited resources, the park relies on private philanthropy to ensure that original idea continues to flourish.
Through the generosity of supporters, Yellowstone Forever—the park’s official nonprofit partner—helps the park by funding priority projects such as wildlife conservation, trail restoration, safety initiatives, and educational exhibits and programs.
Through partners like Yellowstone Forever, we all have the opportunity toparticipate in caring for our public lands and instill the value of stewardship in our children. They will take on the responsibility—and the privilege—of preserving Yellowstone for future generations.
I hope on this Earth Day you’ll enjoy a bit of time in the great outdoors, and commit to helping preserve our very special corner of Mother Earth.
Heather White is president and CEO of Yellowstone Forever, the official
nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. White is a nationally
recognized sustainability leader and expert on environmental law and policy
with deep roots in environmental education and conservation biology. Connect
with her on Yellowstone.org, or find her unplugged on a nearby
hiking trail.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
april, 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
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
Time
(Sunday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Cowboy Coffee
25 Town Center Ave. Big Sky, MT 59716