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Our end of the year appeal
Well, another year has come and gone, it’s hard to believe it’s the end of 2024. I write this hoping for a strong winter; however, temperatures are ten degrees above normal right now. That will hopefully change soon. I try not to talk about politics in our newsletters and appeals but after this most recent election, I fear that the environment, public lands, and wildlife are in for a tough time with the new administration. The planet needs intact ecosystems to buffer the impacts of climate change, provide clean air and water, and provide habitat for the web of plants and animals that maintain these and other ecosystem services. Intact ecosystems are marginally maintained by a system of laws and regulations and agreements that have held back the people who would ravage the planet for personal gain. The days of the Robber Barons appear to be returning; and there is an overt effort to tear down the protections that have taken decades to build. Non-profits, citizens, and donors are really going to have to step up and try to keep our natural landscapes intact. It also means that nonprofit organizations will need your donations and generosity more than ever.
While Lance is mainly retired except for his occasional work on highway crossing structures, BearFest, and expert depositions, I remain busy with pikas, and local recreation projects. He is now Chairman of the Board of Directors. Lance worked with Save the Yellowstone Grizzly (STYG) on a proposal to determine if additional fencing could be placed at Mission Creek, near Livingston Montana. This was the first step in a long process to acquire funding and unfortunately Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) did not approve the proposal. Two other projects were approved in areas where MDT felt there was more of a human safety issue. We hope to apply again and try to convince MDT that long-term wildlife movement and future motorist safety concerns are just as important as short-term accident reduction.
My long-term work on pikas continues and I now have a thirteen-year data set for pika occupancy and temperature related data for Gallatin Canyon and surrounding areas. I’m working with a statistician to see if we can determine any long-term changes in pika occupancy during that time. I also started a new project looking at pika acoustics near the town of Neihart, Montana. I placed three acoustic recorders there this summer and will hopefully place more next summer along with collecting genetic information (scat) for further analysis. Previous research in the region suggests that pikas in this area are unique genetically and could have a local dialect specific to this area.
Looking at some of our more local projects, I finished up with our Gallatin County Regional Park project where I joined forces with Sacajawea Audubon Society (SAS) and the Gallatin Watershed Council (GWC) to enhance wildlife habitat by planting trees and shrubs at the park. This project was a great success with 126 trees and shrubs being planted and a 100 % survival rate. Thanks to the wonderful volunteers with GWC they took on the watering of plants and made our success a reality.
I’m also working with the Bozeman Tree Coalition (BTC) to protect mature trees and forests from being cut down due to development in Bozeman. Research indicates that these mature trees provide greater benefits to communities than new trees that are just planted after development has occurred. Ultimately, we would like to see changes in the Unified Development Code (UDC) that protects trees in the face of development.
Our movie project, Life with and Indian Prince, continues to move forward. We have two producers, John Heminway and Dennis Aig, both renowned movie producers and writers that have agreed to guide us through the movie making process. We are looking for funding to get a short 2-3 minute trailer made of the movie as soon as possible.
The next four years could be the most difficult and chaotic times that many of us have ever witnessed. Small organizations such as the Craighead Institute face immense challenges due to declining donations, lack of capacity and changes in foundational giving priorities. If you consider a donation to us, please know that it is greatly appreciated, and it is money well spent.
The Craighead Institute has a growing endowment portfolio that we began with the help of Bob and Bobbie Ritchie. Donating appreciated stock confers tax benefits -- which include deducting the amount of the charitable donation AND escaping the unrealized gains on the donated stock. These benefits come from the fact that the deduction for a donation of property to charity is equal to the property's current fair market value. Please consider a gift of stocks or funds to help us grow our endowment. Contact us for more info.
While Lance is mainly retired except for his occasional work on highway crossing structures, BearFest, and expert depositions, I remain busy with pikas, and local recreation projects. He is now Chairman of the Board of Directors. Lance worked with Save the Yellowstone Grizzly (STYG) on a proposal to determine if additional fencing could be placed at Mission Creek, near Livingston Montana. This was the first step in a long process to acquire funding and unfortunately Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) did not approve the proposal. Two other projects were approved in areas where MDT felt there was more of a human safety issue. We hope to apply again and try to convince MDT that long-term wildlife movement and future motorist safety concerns are just as important as short-term accident reduction.
My long-term work on pikas continues and I now have a thirteen-year data set for pika occupancy and temperature related data for Gallatin Canyon and surrounding areas. I’m working with a statistician to see if we can determine any long-term changes in pika occupancy during that time. I also started a new project looking at pika acoustics near the town of Neihart, Montana. I placed three acoustic recorders there this summer and will hopefully place more next summer along with collecting genetic information (scat) for further analysis. Previous research in the region suggests that pikas in this area are unique genetically and could have a local dialect specific to this area.
Looking at some of our more local projects, I finished up with our Gallatin County Regional Park project where I joined forces with Sacajawea Audubon Society (SAS) and the Gallatin Watershed Council (GWC) to enhance wildlife habitat by planting trees and shrubs at the park. This project was a great success with 126 trees and shrubs being planted and a 100 % survival rate. Thanks to the wonderful volunteers with GWC they took on the watering of plants and made our success a reality.
I’m also working with the Bozeman Tree Coalition (BTC) to protect mature trees and forests from being cut down due to development in Bozeman. Research indicates that these mature trees provide greater benefits to communities than new trees that are just planted after development has occurred. Ultimately, we would like to see changes in the Unified Development Code (UDC) that protects trees in the face of development.
Our movie project, Life with and Indian Prince, continues to move forward. We have two producers, John Heminway and Dennis Aig, both renowned movie producers and writers that have agreed to guide us through the movie making process. We are looking for funding to get a short 2-3 minute trailer made of the movie as soon as possible.
The next four years could be the most difficult and chaotic times that many of us have ever witnessed. Small organizations such as the Craighead Institute face immense challenges due to declining donations, lack of capacity and changes in foundational giving priorities. If you consider a donation to us, please know that it is greatly appreciated, and it is money well spent.
The Craighead Institute has a growing endowment portfolio that we began with the help of Bob and Bobbie Ritchie. Donating appreciated stock confers tax benefits -- which include deducting the amount of the charitable donation AND escaping the unrealized gains on the donated stock. These benefits come from the fact that the deduction for a donation of property to charity is equal to the property's current fair market value. Please consider a gift of stocks or funds to help us grow our endowment. Contact us for more info.
TO DONATE WITH PAYPAL:
JUST TYPE IN THE AMOUNT.
You do not need to erase the 0's in the amount space (in fact you can't)
Just type in the amount you want and then choose the payment method.
Thank You
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