We all have a Gallatin River story—one that makes us smile, brings back a memory, sparks an idea, or offers a certain kind of peace in its telling. This year, the Gallatin River Task Force is celebrating 25 years of river stewardship, and to commemorate this milestone, we invite you to share a story or favorite memory as part of our storytelling project, Voices of the Gallatin: Scenes and Reflections from the Gallatin River Task Force Community. The Task Force will compile and share these stories—through our channels and eventually in a printed book—to convey what the Upper Gallatin River collectively means to our community
Voices of the Gallatin is a community storytelling project that aims to express the meaning and significance of the Upper Gallatin River through the lived experiences and reflections of those who are connected to it. Our goal is to highlight the river’s influence on individuals, families, friendships, and the broader community as they live, work, and recreate in relationship with it.
Whether your story recalls long-standing family traditions or something that happened last week, solo adventures or memories connecting with others, we want to hear what the Gallatin River means to you. We invite you to write a paragraph or two, a poem, or just a few lines about what comes to mind.
We’ve offered a few prompts and questions on the form for inspiration, but we encourage you to get creative and take this in your own direction—we want to hear your thoughts and stories in any format that feels right to you.
There is also a place on the form to upload up to five images. Feel free to attach your favorite Gallatin River photos or images associated with your story. Photos of photos also work, so if you have a shoebox full of prints, you can snap a photo of them with your phone and upload it via the form. If you choose not to submit any photos, we’ll work with you to select an image that pairs well with your words.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Additionally, if you would prefer to meet in person or over the phone to share your story, we would love to meet with you.
We look forward to hearing from you and reading about your amazing, funny, adventurous, and special moments on the Gallatin River—no matter how big or small.
Gallatin River Task Force Intern, Astrid McGuire, contributed to this post. Photo by Brandon Swanson.
