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BSOA January Newsletter:
Art, Construction, and Ice Dams, Oh My!
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Pond construction update from January 19, 2024. Alex Fox from Pond and Stream Consulting explains the construction process thus far, our ongoing restoration goals, and the expected end date! | |
Little Coyote Pond/West Fork Gallatin River Restoration Project Update: Alex Fox and his team at Pond & Stream Consulting will be completing the construction phase of the project by the end of January! Thereafter, initial work on a few amenities (the northern beach and retaining wall) will be done, and then in the spring, landscaping and revegetation. Alex was kind enough to explain the process and plan on camera (published above).
The BSOA's goal is to restore Little Coyote Pond as a recreational area for community use by the 2024 summer. The plan includes: a perimeter trail, beaches, picnic tables and benches, landscaping, and fishing docks, all accessed by an ADA ramp. To complete the restoration project, BSOA and several community partners have already contributed over 64% of the funds needed, but additional donations from the community will be essential! Help reach the fundraising goal of $650,000, by using the QR code below, or visit the Benefit Big Sky website at benefitbigsky.org to donate. You can also contact BSOA's Communications, Outreach and Development Manager, Katie Darrow, at katie@bigskyoa.org.
Follow the project's progress on the BSOA website.
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How Will The Restoration Project
Improve the River?
It will...
- Enhance trout fisheries and spawning in the Gallatin River watershed that will also improve fly fishing on the Gallatin!
- Restore natural habitats, vegetation and filtration along the West Fork of the Gallatin River streambank for improved water quality.
- Remove excess sediment and pollution from fertilizers that negatively impact the health of the West Fork and river downstream.
- Deepen the stream channel and restore its natural flow to cool the water temperature in the summer (both in the Pond and downstream), and allow fish to survive Montana's harsh winter temperatures.
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Support Our Restoration Project!
Benefit Big Sky is 64% of the way toward our goal of $1.4 million to complete the Restoration Project. To provide the Big Sky community and visitors a place to recreate and appreciate the our natural environment, a sanctuary for wildlife, and help clean up the Gallatin River, we need your donations!
Visit the Benefit Big Sky donation page or scan the QR code to support this project through a tax-deductible donation today.
Contact Katie Darrow to make a pledge or donate by check.
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Little Coyote Traffic Calming Efforts
Safety is top priority for BSOA and implementing traffic calming measures on Little Coyote Road is no exception. We are currently out to bid the construction of three speed tables, and are expecting those bids to come back any day now. Once we know the specific cost of this project we can begin fundraising for this purpose, as well as sending in grant and Resort Tax funding applications. Community participation for funding of these safety measures is critical -- and this extends beyond the residents of Little Coyote Road! BSOA expects that other areas in our jurisdiction will also need traffic calming measures in the near future due to growth and an increase in traffic, and therefore, view this as a Big Sky community need. Advocating for and maintaining safety on our roads and for of our residents is beneficial for everyone in Big Sky.
If you'd like to contribute to this initiative, please visit our Benefit Big Sky website and select "Traffic Calming Efforts on Big Sky Roads" in the PayPal dropdown menu. We appreciate all that you can give to further these important safety measures!
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On the topic of traffic mitigation, there is talk of adding a roundabout in Big Sky near the Conoco. We would like to know your thoughts? Read about the issue on KBZK and Explore Big Sky. | |
Reminder!! All holiday lights should be turned off and removed by February 12th. | |
Oh Dam! Now is the Beginning of Ice Damming Season
The warm daytime temps and cold nights create ideal conditions for ice dams to form on site-specific roof eaves & valleys. This usually begins at the end of February. As there is limited snow on rooftops this year, this year may not be as bad as other years (one benefit of our limited snowpack). That being said, you should still take caution and be aware of your own roofs. It its recommended that problematic roofs get shoveled or steamed by mid-February to mid-March.
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Join Benefit Big Sky at the Artists Collective for a Monthly Show and Free Beer on Feb. 2!
Benefit Big Sky will be tabling at the Artists Collective from 5-7 pm on February 2nd as the gallery displays two new artists, Marybeth Morand and Delaney Coveno. Join us as we celebrate local artists, enjoy some snacks and craft beer donated by Bunkhouse Brewery, and talk about Benefit Big Sky's community projects!
About the Artists Collective:
The mission of the Big Sky Artists Collective is to support, inspire and promote local artists in the community by building a community of artists who live and/or work in the Big Sky, MT area.
Bunkhouse Brewery generously donated a keg of their tasty, thirst-quenching beer to further BBS fundraising for our Restoration Project. Their Brewery is located at 7715 Shedhorn Dr Bozeman, MT. After the Artists Collective, stop by their brewery to try another mouthwatering beer or join one of their many community events!
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"Rodeo and Range"
Oils by Marybeth Morand
"Rodeo and Range" is a painter's exploration of Montana and Wyoming's sparsely populated spaces and the people and animals who live there. In surveying small rodeos throughout the two states, Marybeth has discovered a gusto and courage amongst the beautiful abyss of the big ranges and the boldness they create.
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"Wild Montana Moments"
Original Photographs
by Delaney Coveno
Experience the untamed beauty of Montana and Wyoming's Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in Delaney's work. Bears, moose, mountain goats, foxes, and pronghorn come to life while the landscapes transport you to unique moments in time in this unbelievable place.
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What else has BSOA been up to in January?...
- We are implementing a new, efficient, and user-friendly portal and website for the BSOA members, staff, and Board.
- The Best Practices Guidebook was approved by the Sustainability Committee and BSOA Board. A graphic designer will create the visuals for a finished product that will be free for all, to enhance stewardship in Big Sky.
- Furthering the restoration of Little Coyote Pond and the West Fork River! The design for the community Pond's amenities has been solidified, the agreement was finalized for the Pond's water rights transfer from Big Sky County Water and Sewer, and fundraising is ramping up for the project's completion.
- A Benefit Big Sky website was created, which will be launched in the coming week!
- Continuing our partnership with regional wildlife experts to study and gather data on wildlife migration in the Big Sky area.
- In partnership with BSCO, BSAC approved temporary delineators to be installed along Little Coyote Road to the Community Park to avoid vehicles encroaching onto the new trail.
- Along with BSRAD, WIA, and, Big Sky Hospital, BSOA continues to further the effort for a new Wellness District for the Big Sky Community.
- A left corner sign on Two Moons was replaced.
- We removed an abandoned vehicle on Little Coyote Rd and Half Moon Court.
For questions, reach out to us at bsoa@bigskyoa.org or (406) 995-4166. We also have open Board meetings in the BSOA office at 9 am on the third Friday of each month.
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Upcoming Events for BSOA and BBS:
Feb 2: 5-7 pm- Art Show Opening at the Artists Collective with Benefit Big Sky. Appetizers and craft beer donated by Bunkhouse Brewery will be available! 88 Ousel Falls Rd. C-1, Big Sky, MT.
Feb 26: Pint Night at Beehive Basin Brewery to raise money toward Benefit Big Sky projects.
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(406) 995-4166 | bsoa@bigskyoa.org | bigskymt.org | | | | | |
