“In like a lion, out like a lamb” is a saying that has been all too real for those living in southwest Montana. When I began my AmeriCorps service term in mid January, it was a mild 40 degrees and sunny—quite unlike what I expected from a wild west winter! March, however, had different plans. By the time the first few days of the month had dawned, the park was buried under two feet of snow! Needless to say, the trickling in of mountain bikers that usually marks the beginning of spring would be getting a late start this year.
In the midst of the snowstorm, I had an outreach event at Willow Creek School. I had the privilege of speaking with over 50 students and teachers about fun bat facts. I created a ‘choose your own adventure’ style program where kids got to choose what topic they wanted to learn about based on their age group. The kids especially enjoyed the ‘build a bat’ activity I created to introduce them to the different adaptations bats around the world have to accommodate their food preferences. Despite the terrible road conditions, it was a very welcomed excuse to get out and spend the day laughing and getting kids excited about this under appreciated animal.
At a library talk later in the month, I got to extend my knowledge of bats and echolocation to a wider audience in a program titled “Echolocation: not just for bats.” I shared with my audience technological advances scientists are making using echolocation, most relevant of which is the Ultracane. The Ultracane gives blind people more independence by using ultrasonic sounds—sounds above our hearing—and vibrations to alert the user of the proximity and location of objects in their path.
I will be giving library talks periodically at either the Whitehall or Three Forks Libraries now until August. These talks are part of an initiative to bolster the presence of park representatives in surrounding communities and promote June Family Month at the caverns.
Family Month coupons will be located on the park website and at local businesses for families with two adults and two children to enjoy a tour for only $25 in the month of June.
The highlight of this past month, however, was the AmeriCorps symposium. Over 300 AmeriCorps members, filling a range of needs across the state, came together to participate in an annual service project and partake in service training. Never before have I been surrounded by so many like-minded people, so many others who have a heart for service. The Grandfather of AmeriCorps was born during the Great Depression in the persona of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Young men across the country were put to work restoring and making our most treasured natural areas more accessible. Their work put food in their families’ bellies and paved a way to a more beautiful America. Today, 75,000 Americans across the country engage in intensive national service each year.
In my short time in Montana, I’ve noticed the pride Montanans have for their state and the sense of unexpected community they have for one another. With 1 million people encompassing the population of the entire state, it would be understandable to lose that sense of community. However, those at the conference got the privilege of hearing from both the beloved Governor Steve Bullock (left) and First Lady, Lisa Bullock (right). Their humanity and their heart for Montana rang through every word and joke they made. Along with their heartwarming speeches, we also got to hear an inspirational speech from the 2012-2016 former AmeriCorps Director Bill Basl (center), thanking us for setting aside this time to serve. This conference solidified in my mind the validity of undergoing a third AmeriCorps term. I now have a deeper sense of commitment and connection to my work and my AmeriCorps family.
Long before the symposium, I had planned on spending AmeriCorps Week, the week after symposium, doing outreach events in nearby schools. Symposium was the perfect “pre-workout’ that got me fired up to inspire and entice new people to the possibilities AmeriCorps offers. I spoke with over 60 students at Montana State University, Whitehall High School, and Willow Creek School. Hopefully some of them will accept the invitation and discover how AmeriCorps can change their lives as it has changed mine.
Thankfully, spring seems to be finally making a breakthrough in southwest Montana. I have started to see more and more Mountain Bluebirds in the area (photo credit Tom Forwood, Jr.). Their intense streaks of blue never fail to attract my eyes. What stopped me dead in my tracks, however, was a pair of golden eagles that were perched on fence posts just off the side of the road. I had to turn my car around to get a closer look. Nonetheless, the cuteness award goes to a porcupine located right next to a trail. He did not seem too bothered that a bunch of large primates were keenly interested in his presence.
Anyone in the area is welcome to join us at the park on April 13th at 8:30am for a trails repair and weed management Earth Day event! Follow the Facebook event link to find out more https://www.facebook.com/events/622990608162640/
We are in the final month countdown until the cave reopens on May 1st! Be on the lookout for my next blog that will give readers an insider’s look into the renovations and improvements that have been occurring in the cave. These updates are promised to give the cave a whole new feel, worth a visit even for those who have been to the cave many times!
