By Marne Hayes EBS COLUMNIST
As temperatures rise and summer swings into full effect, decisions about how we recreate become more important than just where we’re going to find our favorite variety of adventure. Being mindful becomes the name of the game, with understanding how temperature, heat index, impacts from heavy recreational use, and seasonal restrictions that come into play all have the ability to come together in a perfect storm to wreak havoc on the habitats and ecosystems around the Gallatin River watershed. The good news is our behaviors can make a positive difference.
One of the most rewarding advantages of living where we do—surrounded by national forest, within a stone’s throw of the Gallatin River, and with access to public lands and recreational trails of all kinds—is that we have an abundance of ways to get outside and play. What we sometimes take for granted is the range of impacts all of this use has on these places that we love. Impacts from heavy use coupled with impacts from climate variances like high temperatures and warmer waters can leave a lasting impression in the worst way.
It is important this time of year to understand how we can exercise more mindful ways of recreating so that we are being good stewards of the river, of our trails and of forest habitats, protecting these resources and outdoor assets into the future. By taking small steps to mitigate our impacts, we can ensure that the natural state of aquatic and other ecosystems remain healthy. Here are a few pointers that we’ve shared before, but which we feel are important reminders of how we maintain a level of respect for the habitats and recreation areas that make Montana—and Big Sky—special.
Anglers
River stewardship for people fishing along the Gallatin should be a given. Understanding the etiquette of fishing—how to handle fish, how to reduce physical damage to them, and how to clean, drain and dry your gear to prevent the spread of aquatic species all come into play. Remember that the fish are a commodity to the river, and that they are in high demand as more and more anglers every day are enjoying the river and the thrill of that fish on a fly. Warm temperatures contribute to the stress on the fishery each summer, and using best practices and abiding by hoot owl restrictions as they are put in place will go a long way for keeping our trout and other fish species healthy.
Access
Recreation in and around the river is a given on any day—even more so during summer months. Be mindful of using designated access points for both fishing and boating, with extra care to use established trails rather than creating your own foot path to that best secret spot. Access areas are created and maintained for a reason, one of those being that it is in the best interest of the river, the fishery, and the streamside ecosystems to have fewer points of traffic affecting growth and health of vegetation and other species that comprise a river’s ecosystem. Remember, too, that trail use close to the river has an impact. When out hiking on trails that are close to the river, be aware that erosion eventually reaches the river via runoff, and the less we contribute to rogue trails or unestablished access points for recreation, the better.
Outdoor ethics
It goes without saying that it is not just our privilege to live in this place with so much magic, and so many opportunities to explore the outdoors. It is also our responsibility to take care of it for the next generation. Summer use puts an additional strain on many of the places we love to play, and much of the habitat that supports our healthy appetite for the outdoors. Using simple practices of leave no trace, and pack in, pack out do make a difference. No Empty Nets is a new partnership dedicated to keeping our spaces clean, healthy, and beautiful—you can help by picking up trash in the areas where you recreate.
Fishermen, boaters, trails users, those getting out on horseback rides and even those people accessing pullouts for riverside picnics all have a responsibility to take care of the outdoors in a way that contributes to their resilience and sustainability. Small changes to our collective behaviors and a big understanding of impacts we can help mitigate are foundational to how we keep the river and its surrounding habitats healthy for generations.
Marne Hayes is the communications manager for the Gallatin River Task Force.
