Fall 2011

Black Hills Ultramarathon an Exercise in Endurance Story and photo by Ryan Phillips and Kim (Phillips) Hamil South Dakota Field Office   On June 25-26, 152 runners from 30 states and three countries got to experience the BLM and surrounding lands in an up close and personal manner as they competed in the inaugural Black Hills 100 ultramarathon. The race was run almost exclusively on the Centennial Trail, a portion of which runs through the South Dakota Field Office’s Fort Meade Recreation Area (the first and last 5 miles of the event).  [Read full story]

Intensive Program Bridges the Divide Story by Ann Boucher Montana State Office   In a world of instant news feeds, rapidly advancing scientific research, and an overwhelming array of entertainment, it’s easy to lose touch with the quieter, more traditional ways and wisdom. But those traditions have a lot to offer. The question is, how do we integrate them into our fast-paced world? The Bridging the Divide Program is one attempt to mesh modern science with Native tradition. [Read full story]

BLM Supports FireSafe Montana Story by Mary Apple Montana State Office The Montana/Dakotas BLM recently added $50,000 to FireSafe Montana’s fire prevention efforts. The money will be used to mobilize Montanans to make their homes, neighborhoods, and communities fire safe. The BLM is a major sponsor of Firesafe Councils in Montana and South Dakota.  [Read full story]

Prescription for a healthy forest Story by David Abrams Western Montana District The heat-resistant cameras were set up. The helicopters with the helitorches were on standby. The firefighters were suited up and ready to go. All that remained was selecting a favorable window of weather and fuel conditions—not an easy thing to do during this wetter-than-normal summer in the Rocky Mountains. But on June 28, the Missoula Field Office got the right weather window and fire managers converged on the Garnet Mountains east of Missoula for a successful controlled fire treatment. [Read full story]

Fossilized Remains of Giant Sea Predator Found in the Breaks Story and photos by Craig Flentie Central Montana District It was another hot, still day in the Missouri Breaks--the kind of July day that makes the cattle and wild things lay-up in the shade and wait for the cool of evening before moving about much. About the only things moving across the landscape during the heat of this day was a rolling blanket of grasshoppers and two BLMers.  [Read full story]