The indigenous Shoshone people that first called this area home, called the Gallatin, the “Cut-tuh-o’gwa” (swift water) while conservationist and future President Teddy Roosevelt camped and enjoyed the Gallatin at Beaver Creek in 1888, along today’s 191. This history reminds us that this has always been a sacred place deserving of greatest preservation, and that we must, and will do the work to save and protect the Gallatin.
In forging ahead, we need your support more than ever to sustain the growing body of science and on-the-ground work to protect the Upper Gallatin. Can we count on your generosity? ANY financial support is meaningful. Donation options include one-time giving, monthly giving, and round-ups. Explore ways to give to learn how you can support conservation of this storied waterway and safeguard a legacy for future generations.
As the only organization exclusively dedicated to the Upper Gallatin and local water issues, we are implementing the most direct, impactful conservation and restoration work to address increasing threats to water locally. Below is a sample of the work being implemented for the Gallatin and our greater community.
Watershed Science:
- Algae Monitoring – The Task Force has partnered with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality on a multi-year study to determine the primary drivers of the algae blooms and what we must do to stop them.
Restoration:
- Porcupine/Beaver Creek – The third large scale restoration project in partnership with the Custer Gallatin National Forest to improve river access and ecological health. Over the next 10-15 years we will be restoring over 100 degraded sites along the Gallatin.
- Middle Fork Project 5 – The second restoration project on a polluted tributary of the Gallatin River to improve water quality, habitat conditions, and build climate change resiliency. There are 5 projects total planned for the Middle Fork to
Water Conservation:
- Water Conservation & Drought Management – Increasing demand for Big Sky’s water supply and changing climate conditions are putting a strain on our water resources. The Task Force is implementing targeted strategies including educating, incentivizing, and developing policies that require water conservation to build a more resilient community and watershed.
