Distinctly Montana Magazine

"When I discovered a new plant, I sat down beside it for a minute or a day, to make its acquaintance and hear what it had to tell." John Muir Fairybell pear amid the woods. Red Twinberry and the Fairybells' paired flowers hide beneath emerging leaves. Glacier Lily I am "land snorkeling," to use a term coined by artists Clyde Aspevig and Carol Guzman (visit http://landsnorkel.com). I am out under the big sky country of Mon- tana, but I am looking down and around. Like snorkeling over a reef, I am looking at the patterns of color and texture, seeing what new growth has cast away the soil and winter's decay. I am aware of where the sun has warmed a southern exposure, recognizing that northern exposures are weeks behind in their awakening. Land snorkeling allows me to turn a hike into an experience. Not limited to the expectation of hiking four miles with an elevation gain of 1,200 feet, burning sufficient calories to enjoy two glasses of good wine with locally grown lamb, I am anticipating much more. John Muir once observed, "When I discovered a new plant, I sat down beside it for a minute or a day, to make its ac- quaintance and hear what it had to tell." Taking that sound advice, I kneel down to observe a plant whose identity I am unsure of, like a snorkeler descending to better examine the terrain. The plant is being coy; I will have to wait for it to show more of itself. Out of the corner of my eye, a speck of pink attracts my attention. Dropping to both knees, I peer beneath some shrubs. There, standing less than three inches tall are two Fairy Slipper Orchids. They are spectacular in form and color. With a background lit by Glacier Lily, they are a treat for the eye. Having now attuned my eyes to their minute presence, other Fairy Slippers appear as if by magic, each exquisite in its pink and purple finery. I have been interested in the outdoors since childhood. I spent my youth rambling though woods and fields, sometimes on a mission, but often just open to experience. My initiation as a land snorkeler in the Northern Rockies began when ranching in the Teton Valley of Idaho in the 1970s. Over the years and rambles across the Greater Yellowstone Region, my interest grew. In 2011, I authored Flora of Montana's Gallatin Region to provide outdoor enthusiasts with a field guide to the wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees of the region. Published by the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, all proceeds from the sale of this book go to GVLT and the Big Sky Community Corporation. Typi- cal of the Montana's character, a conversation in the sum- mer of 2011 with a biologist friend about "when are you developing the app" led Bozeman native Katie Gibson and I to form High Country Apps (see first sidebar). A glance at my watch tells me it's time to turn around. The good news is that I will be back. I am fortunate to be GALLATIN VALLEY LAND TRUST Founded in 1990, the GALLATIN VALLEY LAND TRUST (GVLT) conserves southwest Montana's heritage of open landscapes, working farms and ranches, healthy rivers, and wildlife habitat; and creates trails to connect people, communities, and the land. GVLT is a member-supported, accredited nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing the communities that we serve. In the past 22 years, the Gallatin Valley Land Trust has proudly partnered with 88 vi- sionary and generous families in Gallatin, Madison, and Park counties to conserve over 38,000 acres (56 square miles) of prime land using voluntary conservation easement agreements. We work with private landowners to help limit development while keep- ing irreplaceable landscapes in private ownership and management. Each easement is tailored for the property's unique resources and the landowner's vision. GVLT has also helped expand the Main Street to the Mountains trail system to over 60 miles in length, providing recreation, transportation, and a connection to 24 nature. Last year, our trails program engaged volunteers in more than 2,000 hours of trail stewardship, including weed pulling, fence removal, and trail resurfacing. To celebrate our achievements, we have several public events throughout the year. On Saturday, June 2nd we will celebrate National Trails Day with volunteer trail building and maintenance projects, a mid-day lunch, and afternoon group hike. Friday, June 22rd boasts our Longest Day of Trails. This event is scheduled to occur near the Summer Solstice. It is a dawn-to-dusk (5 a.m. to 10 p.m.) membership drive that highlights GVLT's work to expand, improve, and maintain our community trials. Headquartered at Montana Ale Works, it features bike rides for all ages and abilities on Bozeman Main Street to the Mountain trails and an evening party at Ale Works. We hope you will come join us. Our work would not be possible without our partners and engaged supporters who be- lieve in the work we do. We are grateful to everyone who makes our vision and our mission possible. For more information about GVLT, please visit our Web site at www.gvlt.org, call us at (406) 587-8404 or visit us at 25 N. Willson Ave, Suite E, Bozeman, Montana. DISTINCTLY MONTANA • SPRING 2012

• Cover