By Robin Fedock EBS COLUMNIST
This year, the Gallatin River Task Force is celebrating its 25th anniversary as an organization committed to solving water issues in the Upper Gallatin River region. A big part of our mission is to inspire our community to steward the Gallatin River, one of southwest Montana’s most precious natural resources. In the spirit of our 25th anniversary and the start of a new year, we’d like to share a list of 25 ways you can help steward the Gallatin River in 2025.
- Upgrade your indoor plumbing fixtures and appliances with products that have a WaterSense label and apply for a Task Force rebate, to receive up to $300 cash back for certain products that use less water.
- Learn about how to transform your landscape to water-wise landscaping with Alpenscapes.
- Turn off the sink faucet while brushing your teeth.
- Be mindful of your water use, especially during drought events.Gallatin River Task Force’s online drought tracker can keep you in the loop about usage recommendations. Currently, Big Sky and the upper Gallatin River are in a moderate drought.
- Tune into the Montana legislative session starting Jan. 6 and track bills that will impact water resources.
- Support centralized water & sewer infrastructure including expansion and funding opportunities for the Gallatin Canyon Water and Sewer District.
- Advocate for resort tax funding of water projects.
- Advocate for protection of water resources at Gallatin and Madison county meetings by engaging with officials like county commissioners, planning department staff and health departments.
- Advocate with federal legislators to protect the Gallatin as Wild and Scenic.
- Volunteer to collect water data.
- Test your well water.
- Inspect your septic system.
- Sponsor a streamflow gauge in local rivers.
- Assist Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks in collecting fish data.
- Refrain from tampering with deployed water monitoring equipment.
- While recreating on and near streams and rivers, utilize developed recreation sites with designated parking areas, boat launches, and restrooms, to minimize impacts to the river and avoid trampling streamside vegetation.
- When fishing during the spring and fall, watch out for redds, nests made by spawning fish in which they lay their eggs.
- If your property is adjacent to a stream or river, consider working with the task force to explore restoration projects on your property.
- Learn how to clean, drain, and dry your gear to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.
- Pick up some trash on your next adventure on the river.
- Pick up your pet waste to reduce harmful runoff.
- Use fishing techniques that reduce harm to fish like keeping your fish wet, using plastic nets, pinching your barbs and using barbless hooks.
- Attend our public events to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing the Gallatin River.
- Volunteer with us! We have a wide variety of opportunities, including water monitoring, river cleanup events and more.
- Stay engaged with the task force by signing up for news, updates, and our monthly newsletter.
For more information on these and other ways to steward the Gallatin River in 2025, visit our website at https://gallatinrivertaskforce.org/. Robin Fedock is the communications and marketing manager with the Gallatin River Task Force.
