THE NEWSLETTER OF PRICKLY PEAR LAND TRUST
Connecting land and people
SUMMER 2015
Our mission is to protect the natural
diversity and rural character of the Prickly
Pear Valley and surrounding lands through
voluntary and cooperative means. The
Land Trust is dedicated to perpetuating the
recreational, wildlife, scenic, agricultural
and historic values of the land.
Prickly Pear Land Trust
On the Rise
Bid on your
very own
Montana highway
sign at this
year’s Harvest
Moon Banquet
& Auction.
Join us for the annual Harvest Moon Banquet & Auction
on Saturday evening, September 26.
2015 has already been an exciting year,
and we still have more in the works!
With new Executive Director Mary
Hollow, and the approaching
celebration of its 20th year, Prickly
Pear Land Trust is looking forward to
new opportunities that include more
trails and new conservation projects.
This year, at our annual Harvest Moon
Auction and Banquet presented by
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana,
we’d like you to join us in celebrating
all that has been accomplished and
all that there is to look forward to.
We hope you’ll be a part of it!
This year’s auction line-up just may
be the best ever. How about a day on
the Rocky Mountain Front doing grizzly
bear field research with veteran bear
biologist Mike Madel? Or an original
oil painting by Dale Livezey portraying
views from the proposed Prickly Pear
Creek Greenway between Montana
City and East Helena? Perhaps a
gourmet BBQ with the President of
PPLT, accompanied by live music,
piques your interest. Or flyfishing,
lodging on the Missouri, and flies made
by Joel Silverman—with a classy fly
caddie handmade by Al Swanson?
Plus, you won’t want to miss the
Knights of Spam-a-Lot—they’re back
with their luxury guided Spam-tastic
backpacking adventure! In addition to
plenty of auction items, we’ll also have
another “Dine Out in Helena” raffle
featuring gift certificates to just about
every restaurant in town.
Harvest Moon is PPLT’s biggest
fundraiser of the year. Because all
auction items are 100 percent donated,
every penny of your purchase goes
directly to support trail projects and
land protection in our area. PPLT
would not be able to continue its work
without the generosity that surrounds
Harvest Moon through your donations
and purchases. Thank you!
Tickets are only $75 and include
a delicious dinner served by Chili
O’Briens that features a choice of prime
rib with a Gorgonzola crème sauce or a
grilled quinoa and feta stuffed portabella
mushroom, wine on your table, and
mouthwatering bread and desserts
donated by Park Avenue Bakery. Tickets
are available now and can be purchased
at www.pricklypearlt.org or by calling
the office at (406) 442-0490. This is a
sell-out event, so be sure to get your
tickets early! We will be posting the
auction items on our website as they
are secured, so keep checking back.
See the list of generous sponsors
on page 3.
Celebrating Conservation Achievements:
Upper Prickly Pear Creek Fishing Access Site
At one of the final events of the
inaugural Montana Open Lands Month,
kids played in the stream while the
adults enjoyed root beer floats.
Everyone was treated to a beautiful
speech by Bob Morgan, Jr., honoring
the years his father spent growing
up on the property, and the deep
attachment he had for his former home.
“I believe this place left an indelible
mark on my father. His description of
the passing seasons and inevitable
adventures provided him with a
fulfillment of childhood dreams and
nurtured the landscapes of his mind
and then his palette,” Bob Morgan, Jr.
said at the event. “This is now and has
been a sacred place. Here, future
generations can come and experience
nature’s gifts of wildlife, sparkling
streams, gentle breezes and
mountainous vistas.”
Afterwards, folks could learn more
about birding and fishing opportunities
from Montana Audubon and the Pat
Barnes Chapter of Trout Unlimited,
and about aquatic insects or stream
restoration from Montana Fish, Wildlife
and Parks and the Lewis & Clark County
Water Quality Protection District. All in
all, it was a wonderful afternoon.
While the conservation easement
on 230 acres now owned by the Prickly
Pear Simmental Ranch was in place by
December 2012, PPLT was unable to
donate the remaining 36 acres along
the creek to Montana Fish, Wildlife &
Parks (FWP) until September 2014.
The old ranch homestead on the
property still stood, though it was too
York Gulch
On a warm Friday afternoon
in late June, about two dozen
people made the dusty drive up York
Gulch to celebrate the successful
addition of almost 400 acres to the
Helena National Forest. Officially, both
the York Gulch parcel (owned by
Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation)
and the Tiddy parcel (purchased by
PPLT from Mrs. Betty Tiddy) became
part of the surrounding National Forest
lands back in December 2014, but all
of the many partners involved in
completing this project were finally
able to gather together on site in June.
It was gratifying to once again visit
the properties in person as all of the
partners were applauded for their role,
and their work commemorated with
lovely plaques made of barn wood,
courtesy of Jeanne Holmgren.
Jeanne herself was instrumental in
getting this project to the finish line,
but huge thanks also go to: George
Bettas of Montana’s Outdoor Legacy
Foundation, the Lewis & Clark County
Commissioners, the Lewis & Clark
County Open Space Bond Citizen’s
Advisory Committee, Bill Orsello
and the Montana Fish & Wildlife
Conservation Trust, the Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundation, the Mule
Deer Foundation, the U.S. Forest
Service, the Land and Water
Conservation Fund, and Mrs.
Betty Tiddy.
Andrea Silverman
There was a large and happy crowd in attendance to celebrate
the completion of the final stage of the Aspen Trails project in
the Helena Valley on July 30.
Kids and parents alike splash in the creek at the new Upper Prickly Pear
Creek Fishing Access Site.
far gone to be saved. Prickly Pear Land
stream restoration work done by
Trust worked with Dick Anderson
Allen McNeal, and Jim Wilbur and the
Construction, Pacific Steel and
Lewis & Clark County Water Quality
Recycling, Helena Sand and Gravel,
Protection District, was completed in
Lewis & Clark County, and the East
June. All of the hard work from the
Valley Volunteer Fire Department to
many partners involved in this fantastic
get the land cleaned up.
project over the years has certainly
“The new Upper Prickly Pear Creek
paid off in a beautiful place close to
Fishing Access Site and Aspen Trails
Helena that everyone can enjoy.
conservation easement are excellent
Thank you once again to all of the
examples of how great community
partners and funders that made this
partnership can
possible: the Montana
“Here, future generations Fish & Wildlife
leverage the best
bang for the public
can come and experience Conservation Trust,
buck. None of
First Interstate Bank
nature’s gifts of wildlife,
the organizations
(formerly Mountain
sparkling streams,
involved in this
West Bank), the Lewis
gentle breezes and
project could have
& Clark County
mountainous vistas.”
accomplished
Commission, the
–Bob Morgan, Jr.
such dramatic
Lewis & Clark County
improvements without working
Open Space Bond Citizen’s Advisory
together,” said Lewis & Clark County
Committee, Montana Fish, Wildlife &
Commissioner Andy Hunthausen.
Parks, the Lewis & Clark County Water
Once FWP took ownership of the
Quality Protection District, the Pat
parcel, Bardell Mangum and several
Barnes Chapter of Trout Unlimited,
Carroll College students set to work to
Dick Anderson Construction, Helena
create the design for the property’s
Sand and Gravel, the East Valley
new role. The completed Upper Prickly Volunteer Fire Department, Lake Helena
Pear Fishing Access Site (the first FAS
Watershed Group, Ducks Unlimited,
on Prickly Pear Creek in the Helena
Geolex, Travelers for Open Land, and
Valley!) opened in April 2015, and the
the late Bob Morgan and his family.
Three months as Prickly Pear Land
Trust’s executive director and I couldn’t
be more thrilled to be here. Thank you
to my wonderful staff, board, to Andy
Baur and to the communities PPLT
serves for a wonderfully warm and
exciting transition!
Shortly after I took the helm at
PPLT, I ran the ridge trail with a friend
who owns a business in downtown
Helena. As we bumped along on the
Trail Rider Shuttle to Grizzly Gulch, we
talked about Prickly Pear Land Trust’s
work throughout our (four-county)
service area and the positive impacts
on the communities we serve—for
businesses, and for greater health and
happiness. I never run or ride the trails
or admire vast rolling hills from a
mountaintop, without thinking to
Congratulations, Mary
Congratulations to Prickly Pear Land
Trust’s very own Executive Director
Mary Hollow for receiving recognition
for Helena’s “20 Under 40” list
(developed by the Helena Independent
Record). Her recognition is well
deserved! “Montana is growing and
changing—we all see it,” said Hollow.
“I believe the deep commitment to
the outdoors and to PPLT will bring
more people to the table, and will
help us leave a better place for future
generations.” With PPLT celebrating
our 20th anniversary next year, Mary
is looking ahead to a focus on the
long-term financial stability of the
organization to ensure that recreational
access and protected open lands
continue to grow.
Treehouse Photography
Greetings from the Executive Director
make the communities
myself at some point
we serve better places
“WE ARE SO LUCKY.”
to live and work. And
And better yet, I hear
on the eve of our 20th
this sentiment every
year, I am fixated on
time I talk to someone
our long term financial
about the trails and
sustainability—
the work of PPLT.
specifically, growing
That palpable
our endowment to
excitement and deep
ensure that PPLT will
commitment to
As the new executive
forever be building
shared values—to our
director, I will work
trails, improving
communities, people,
closely with business
access, protecting
and this place is so
leaders and community working farms and
incredibly inspiring.
partners to do
ranches, and the
Prickly Pear Land Trust
everything I can... to
habitat necessary for
wasn’t around when
make the communities wildlife to persist
I was growing up in
throughout our service
Helena. Trails were
we serve better places
area and beyond.
basically nonexistent
to live and work.
I extend a huge
and the need to protect
thank you to each and every one of
our open spaces wasn’t obvious.
you for your support and commitment
That has all changed, and today we’re
to the work of Prickly Pear Land Trust!
seeing escalating demand for this
Looking toward the next generation
work—which is a good problem.
of our communities and the lasting
To me, PPLT’s work is a matter of
quality of life. For nearly 20 years PPLT impacts of PPLT as your local land
trust, please consider using the
has been making outdoor recreation
enclosed envelope to make a
more available for future generations
contribution today.
of hikers, runners, and bikers by
I couldn’t be more proud to lead
developing the best trail system in
an organization that works for the
Montana, indeed one of the best in
continued betterment of our greater
the nation, and by bringing tools to
community, and with such a strong
agriculture operators to protect our
and varied backing. Stop by the office
open spaces and working lands, water
or call me for visit, a ride or run
resources, and the wildlife habitat that
anytime—I look forward to meeting
we as Montanans depend on. As the
you or seeing you soon. Happy trails!
new executive director of PPLT, I will
work closely with business leaders
and community partners to do
everything I can to bring the tools
–Mary Hollow, Executive Director
unique to land trusts to the table, to
WE THANK OUR
DON’T FENCE ME IN
SPONSORS
MT. HELENA PRESENTING PARTNERS
MT. ASCENSION PARTNERS
Kim Wilson and
RODNEY RIDGE PARTNERS
SPRINGHILL MEADOW PARTNERS
Don’t Fence Me In: 15 Years Running
THE SUN WAS SHINING, people
were smiling, tails were wagging, and a
record number of participants showed
up on a chilly May morning for 2015’s
Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run. This year’s
event raised over $35,000 for PPLT!
From all of us at Prickly Pear Land Trust,
we extend a huge thank you to our
generous sponsors, our incredibly
hard-working volunteers, and all of
the participants and pledgers.
Once again, the 30k portion of Don’t
Fence Me In gained recognition both
nationally and in Canada from its
inclusion in LaSportiva’s Mountain Cup
Series, bringing in numerous out of state
participants to accompany our local
Montanans in the race. Maria Dalzot of
Bellingham, WA and Matthew Kempton
of Denver, CO took first in the 30k,
Marilee Woyth from Great Falls and
Helena’s own Michael Kaiser led the
12k, and Ella Krumm and Marc
McCauley, both from Helena, won the
5k. Great job, runners!
A special thanks to the following
participants who each raised more
than $100 in pledges:
Leonard Baluski
Ashley Basten
Mark Bell
Dave Burningham
Carolyn Caldwell
William Carroll
Art Clark
Carol Clifford
Gina Davis
Judy Fay
Tim Fitzpatrick
Leslie Foley
Bill Gallea
Melissa Godlewski
Doug Graham
Jeanne MacPherson
Megan Moore
Jennifer Painter
Kelsey Rohm
Jena Sabatini
Timothea Smart
Leah Tietz
Will Trimbath
Jim Utterback
Catherine Wright
Haendel Zepeda
Juliann Clum
Darla Fitzpatrick
Rebecca Snider
Ben Williams
Peter Strauss
Carolyn Caldwell: Giving Creatively to PPLT
IT IS WITH PASSION and
enthusiasm that Carolyn Caldwell
discusses why she chose to get involved
with Prickly Pear Land Trust. This
passion comes not just from her love of
nature, but from the inspiration that it
gives her as an artist, more specifically, as
a painter. She speaks of the importance of
land preservation to painters, for what
would landscape artists create if there
were no open lands to paint? Carolyn has
painted and lived all over the world, but
has chosen Helena as her home and
with that choice, has begun using and
Carolyn looks at painting and
creating art as another way to
preserve land for people to enjoy.
2
painting the beautiful and significant open
lands that surround us. “What interests
me most are the abstract patterns of light
and shadow that happen when the sun is
at a low angle. I’m not out to paint pretty
pictures, but to convey the profound
beauty in dark masses and illuminated
curves of hilltops, or the light on a field
of grass,” she said when discussing the
landscapes of Montana.
Carolyn has targeted her creativity
into giving to PPLT as well. In January of
2015, she took on the nation-wide
Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days challenge,
creating one painting per day and
donating twenty percent of her proceeds
to PPLT. As if painting 30 works in 30 days
wasn’t enough of a challenge, Carolyn
gave herself further limitations within in
her goal. She decided that if she was
going to truly get to know the landscapes
around her new home, then each painting
needed to be of a local landscape that was
open land. She not only completed this
challenge, but sold each of her 30 pieces
created during that time.
More recently, Carolyn taught the
Plein Air Workshop at PPLT’s completed
acquisition project at the Upper Prickly
Pear Creek Fishing Access Site to help
celebrate Montana Open Lands Month in
July. She gathered with eight enthusiastic
participants, in spite of the 6:30 AM start
time to catch the best light, to create a
painting under the big sky on the Helena
Valley’s newest addition to public land.
Carolyn stated, “It felt right to have the
workshop on public land, where artists
can return time and time again to
continue their paintings without ever
having to seek permission.” She hopes
to do another workshop to expose
other artists to Montana’s open lands,
emphasizing the importance exploring
and sharing the beautiful and unspoiled
spaces around us.
Although Carolyn has lived in Helena
for less than a year, she is a thirdgeneration Montanan who has a profound
appreciation for the lands around her
new home. She sought out PPLT soon
after moving to Montana from Maine, and
we’re sure glad that she did. She believes
that paintings and artwork can help to
memorialize both lands and objects, and
looks at painting and creating art as
another way to preserve land for people
to enjoy.
Keller Law Firm
WAKINA SKY PARTNERS
Big Sky Cycling & Fitness
Bike Helena
Mosaic Architecture
Opportunity Bank of Montana
Robert Peccia & Associates
Valley Bank
Van’s Thriftway
Windbag Saloon
In addition to her contributions
through her art, Carolyn serves as a
volunteer on the PPLT Lands Committee,
which works to maintain and secure
open public spaces, including those that
Carolyn visits to paint. PPLT also does
significant work with private landowners
who wish to conserve land and natural
resources while continuing sustainable
operations and maintaining private
ownership.
Carolyn has truly given to PPLT in
multiple ways and has big plans to
continue to do so. When asked about
why she feels so strongly about getting
involved with our land trust and
preserving open space Carolyn stated,
“There is a certain serenity about open
landscape and being in nature. It’s
amazing how being somewhere wild and
undeveloped can ground someone. It
feeds your soul. It is essential.” We, too,
believe that open lands are essential, and
that members of PPLT like Carolyn
Caldwell are essential to maintaining
those lands. Thank you to Carolyn, and to
all of our members, for your continued
support of Prickly Pear Land Trust!
open views
New Trails Announced
PRICKLY PEAR LAND TRUST
has not one, but THREE new trails to
announce! Some segments are new
additions and some segments are
reconstructions of social trails to make
them safer or more sustainable. Please let
us know what you think at the PPLT
website or on our Facebook page.
On the south side of Mt. Ascension, a
connector trail between the Arrowroot
Road parking area and the Entertainment
Trail was completed in July by Boy Scout
Troop #214. Many thanks to the June
PPLT volunteers (upper portion) and
the Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout project of
Walter Evans on lower portion), the City
of Helena (corridor clearing), and the
PPLT staff, all of whom participated in the
establishment of this trail segment! The
alignment is slightly shorter than what was
shown as a “proposed trail” on the new
South Hills Trail Map due to aesthetics and
safety of trail users, limited maintenance,
and respect for private property.
On the northwest side of Mt. Helena,
a loop trail was recently completed.
This was a combination of new trail
construction and improvements to an
existing social trail, both on City-owned
land. Its general alignment is identified as
a “proposed trail” on the new South Hills
Trail Map; the specific alignment was
approved by the City of Helena. The trail
was completed in August by Boy Scout
Troop #208 (Eagle Scout project of
Nathan Nielsen) and the PPLT staff.
Up Davis Gulch, a short connecting
trail converted a social trail into a formally
constructed trail and was added to the
trail system for maintenance. This trail
connects the parking area on the Deford
Trail with the Eagle Scout Trail on the
northwest side of Mt. Ascension. The
steep, eroding sections were improved
for all trail users and a fall line section
was closed due to resource damage. This
was completed on a July trail worknight
for PPLT volunteers who showed up
after the July Fourth weekend. Be sure
to thank them for their hard work if
you see them while you’re out enjoying
the new trail!
Ever wonder why certain trails
are named the way they are?
2006, Rent Money, Diretissima, Pail
Rider…the list goes on. And where
on earth did the “old Chevy” and the
“naked lady picnic table” come from?
Many people are savvy with the trail
system itself, but few are aware of
the lore that is also
a part of it. As part
of a series, we’ll be
highlighting certain
trails and sharing
some of their history
with you.
Let’s start with
Rent Money. This
newer iconic flow
trail was designed
with mountain bikers in mind (though
it is open to all user groups) and is a
fun descent with its swooping turns
and mixed cover. But who names a
trail Rent Money? Someone who has
a story to back it up, that’s who.
Emmett Purcell has been a part of
the trail system as a planner and
volunteer crew leader for more than a
decade and is often seen out making
modifications to trails, cutting downed
timber or scouting a new trail.
A couple of summers ago, he had
a tenant named Timmy Wiseman.
Timmy also has an affinity for the trails
(to put it mildly) and offered his trail
building skills as compensation for
renting from Emmett. Emmett
thought this was a great idea, so
Timmy and numerous volunteers
worked to build this
epic new trail. Rent
Money seemed the
perfect fit to name
it, and provides a
great story as to
how it came to be.
If you want to
experience it, Rent
Money is on Helena
National Forest land
and is part of the Rodney Ridge Trail,
extending about ¾ mile from the
Roger Fuchs Trail and ending at the
Pinchot Trail (near what’s lovingly
called the Top of the World).
BE AWARE: Rent Money is a
gravity biker’s dream and is heavily
used by descending bikers. Please
pay attention to your surroundings
and any blind corners. Earbuds could
be disastrous for any trail user type.
WE THANK OUR HARVEST
MOON BUSINESS SPONSORS
South Hills Map Updates
A NEW EDITION of the South Hills
Trail Map is available at local sporting
goods stores and PPLT. As noted in the
previous newsletter and E-views, this map
edition shows the trail construction
completed in 2014. The map also shows
trails proposed for construction in 2015.
However, the map went to print before the
specific alignments were established and
approved, so please be
aware that new trails will
not follow the exact lines
indicated on this version
of the map. PPLT will
continue its work with
partners for signage of
trail identification and
safety of users.
The map also
shows portions of the
Centennial Trail,
which has recently
been expanded.
The collaborative work of PPLT, the City of
Helena, Lewis & Clark County, the Friends
of Centennial Trail, landowners, and the
MT Dept. of Transportation is recognized
and users should thank them all for the
additions to the trail network.
The map will not show those trail
segments that have been closed or
obliterated (due to maintenance needs,
safety issues, private landowner concerns,
and/or resource damage), so please do
not use those segments.
South Hills Trail Map
Going Digital
Get your smart phones ready! The Prickly
Pear trail map of the South Hills is now
available for download on your smart
phones and tablets.
Through an application called Avenza
PDF Maps, users are able to access the
trails map anywhere along the South Hills
PRESENTING PARTNER
trail system and because the app allows
you to download it to your device, there
is no need to worry about losing service.
The Avenza PDF Maps application comes
with features such as recording your
movements as GPS tracks, measuring
distances, and the ability to add placemarks
and plot photos to map locations. For the
technologically savvy this could add a
whole new element to enjoying and
exploring Helena’s trails. And for those
of us who might be less technologically
inclined, don’t worry—the paper map
will still be available for purchase at local
sports store businesses and from the
PPLT office.
Download the app today and the map
can be yours for just $3.99. Make sure to
stay tuned to PPLT’s Facebook page and
the Eviews announcements for any future
updates to the digital map.
PLATINUM
GOLD
MCC Work Benefits Trail System
THE MONTANA CONSERVATION
CORPS (MCC) has been a big help to
Jake Reller
PPLT. While we contract with them for
paid services, we also benefit from their
volunteer work on the trail system. PPLT
also hosted a Conservation Intern (Nate
Kopp) from MCC. Nate has assisted in
the office as well as along the trails.
SUMMER 2015
This summer we benefited from two
paid crews. One Field Crew conducted
maintenance work on the Hogback Trail in
early June, which included installing some
needed drainage structures. Nate Kopp
worked alongside the crew, providing them
with both oversight and direction. Later in
July, an MCC Invasive Weed Strike Team
spent one week spraying weeds along trails
in the South Hills, principally on National
Forest-owned land. On the day that July
gave us some very welcome rain, causing
the trails to be too wet to spray, the team
pulled weeds from under shrubs on cityowned land. The crew was overseen by
Joel Lawson and Mario Colucci from the
MCC and PPLT’s own trails director,
Robert Rasmussen. This activity was
partially funded by a grant from the
Noxious Weed Trust Fund in cooperation
with the City of Helena, the Helena
National Forest, and PPLT.
The trail system also benefited from
MCC volunteer work. In early June, PPLT
worked with an MCC crew on City-owned
land; this work was overseen and directed
by Emmett Purcell of PPLT. The Powerline
Trail also received much needed annual
maintenance from MCC volunteers in early
June. The volunteers were coordinated by
Krystle Gawel-Kulesa (MCC) and this work
was directed by Emmett Purcell, Nate
Kopp, and Robert Rasmussen (PPLT).
Thanks to all who participated in these
trail projects!
MCC crew member Levi Ballard on
the Hogback Trail on Mt. Helena.
SILVER
The James Brown Law Office, PLLC
Dr. Will Snider
Mountain View
Family Health Care, PC
Crowley Fleck
Attorneys
Valley Bank
3
Welcome New Members!
Calendar of Events
September 21: Trail Work Day
September 26: Harvest Moon
Banquet & Auction
October 2: PPLT & Gravity Guild
joint party @ Four0Six
Date TBA: PPLT community
evening in Lincoln
We warmly welcome:
American Storage
Russ Cargo
Karen & Mike Crogan
Dr. Thomas & Lisa Evans
Judy Fay & Philip Campbell
Robert Fitzgerald & Pam Carlson
Peg Hunter and Patrick Johnson
Eloise Kendy & Tim Byron
Jeremiah Langston
Bill & Jan Lombardi
John Alke & Aidan Myhre
Greg Normandin
Glenn & Courtney Oppel
Jason Reese
Howard Skjervem
Mark M. Smith
Paula Thiede
Alan & Angela Woodmansey
Pesky and Persistent Plants
Giving the Gift of PPLT
Feel like your summer wardrobe could use an update? Need a new piece
of artwork to hang on your wall? Perhaps a new accessory for your beloved
pet? Our office is now stocked with new and exciting PPLT and Happy
Trails logoed gear!
Just In! “Happy Trails” t-shirts and
sweatshirts are a fabulous (and stylish!)
way to show your support for Helena’s
trail system. T-shirts are $15 and
sweatshirts are $30. And don’t worry—
we’ve still got our classic PPLT ball caps
and beanies that never go out of style!
For your pet: Animals love trails, too! Match your pet to the trails you’re
walking on with a PPLT logoed dog leash!
Artwork: Feature local artists on the walls of your home by purchasing
PPLT posters and prints! “Giant Dawn” ($20) and “Mount Helena”($10)
by Dale Livezey are available for purchase as well as Bob Morgan’s
“Prickly Pear Creek” ($20) print.
As most trail users are more than
aware, weeds are an important
concern along trails and elsewhere.
They can spread from trail use by
bikers, hikers, and pets, so please be
aware! To try to combat this issue,
PPLT and the City of Helena
collaborated on a weed pull event in
July. Greta Dige, Code Enforcement
Officer for the City, provided
information, examples, and tools and
PPLT volunteers provided weed pull
labor and a BBQ afterward. It is
important to bag any pulled weeds
and take them offsite to a trailhead or
the transfer station. This is a highly
important step in the removal
Dalmatian Toadflax
Spotted Knapweed
The Helena Trail Rider: Your
Community Trails Shuttle
Don’t miss the last few dates on the
calendar for the Helena Trail Rider this
season! The Helena community trails
shuttle is still going strong through the
first two weeks of September. Visit
www.bikehelena.com to see the
calendar of trail access. The Trail Rider
is set-up for bikers (with a trailer that
can haul over 20 bikes!), hikers, and
runners to enjoy a FREE service to
access the South Hills trail system and
MacDonald Pass. In its final days of the
season, the shuttle will access the
Eddye McClure Trail, Mount Helena
Ridge Trail, and MacDonald Pass.
What a great way to explore trails in
the final days of summer!
process, as weeds may have enough
energy in their leaves, stalks and/or
heads to produce seeds that can be
dispersed along the trails. PPLT also
partnered with the City and the Helena
National Forest on a grant from the
Noxious Weed Trust Fund. Under this
grant, PPLT retained a Montana
Conservation Corps Invasive Weed
Strike Team to use backpack sprayers
for weed treatment along the trail
system in the South Hills. Due to
weather conditions and limited
funding, only a portion of trails were
sprayed this year. Please advise PPLT
of any weed infestations you may
encounter along the trails. Thanks!
Houndstongue
Leafy Spurge
Drake Barton phootos
Details are subject to change.
Visit www.pricklypearlt.org
for more information.
We thank you for joining us!
Membership dues play a vital role in
helping PPLT sustain and further our
mission.
Your dues will help us preserve
open space through conservation
easements, develop trails along the
creek corridors in the Helena Valley
while preserving and restoring these
natural areas, and allow us to enhance
and maintain the world-class trail
system in the South Hills.
Thank you to our newest members
since March 20, 2015 for supporting
Prickly Pear Land Trust. We’re so glad
you share our vision of protecting
working lands and improving access
to public lands.
Odds ‘n’ Ends: South Hills Trail Maps ($8) can still be purchased both at
our office and at multiple sporting goods store locations and license plate
frames ($2) are available at the PPLT office.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE NEWSLETTER OF PRICKLY PEAR LAND TRUST
John Beaver
Tyrrell Hibbard
Chris Hunter
Paula Jacques
Sarah Jaeger
Jane Kollmeyer
Jonathan Krauss
Ron Marcoux
Dennis Milburn
Dawn North
Bob Person
LeRoy Schramm
Jim Utterback
Erin Woodrow
Connecting land and people
SUMMER 2015
STAFF
Mary Hollow
Executive Director
Heather Greene
Development Director
Robert Rasmussen
Trails Director
Andrea Silverman
Land Protection Coordinator
Lanie White
Development Associate
Claudia Davis
Administrative Services
Emmett Purcell
Trails Assistant
www.pricklypearlt.org
On the Rise:
Harvest Moon
September 26
kentonrowephotography.com
Phone: 406-442-0490
Fax: 406-442-1790
Return Service Requested
46 N. Last Chance Gulch,
Suite 2A
PO Box 892, Helena MT 59624
Connecting land and people
PRICKLY PEAR LAND TRUST
46 N. Last Chance Gulch, Suite 2A
PO Box 892
Helena, MT 59624
Nate Kopp
Trails & Volunteer Coordinator