How tearing down old fences helps wildlife in Montana

Volunteers are working hard this week to remove another 35 miles of fencing in Grasshopper Valley in southwest Montana as part of ongoing efforts Remove old fences that impede wildlife migration.

It's the National Wildlife Federation's year-end project removing the old barbed wire Fences to ensure pronghorn, elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep can roam freely.

Collin Peterson, wildlife project coordinator, says there are over 20,000 miles of fencing in two counties in southwest Montana alone.

“At a minimum, fences block the pronghorn’s ability to move across the landscape, access important resources and complete migrations,” Peterson explains. “Fences can also pose a more lethal risk to pronghorn, so injuries are common when colliding with fences and entrapment often results in death, particularly in young, juvenile pronghorn.”

So far, 78 miles of old fences have been removed, involving over 200 volunteers.

“We have a program where we share costs with manufacturers to help install fences. You can also contact your local NRCS office or BLM office. They may have resources that can help you.

And there are a variety of other non-governmental organizations across Montana participating in this work.”

This includes Montana FWP, a good source of information.

The work continues today and tomorrow if you would like to help. How to register.

The merger of a large utility company goes to the PSC

Northwestern Energy and Black Hills Corporation are formally asking the Montana Public Service Commission to approve their multibillion-dollar merger with Black Hills Corporation, creating a utility that spans eight states.

The companies argue that merging the two companies will make them “better together” and provide a path for new energy investment, long-term rate stability and a system with more crews and resources to keep power flowing during storms and emergencies.

🔌 Northwestern emphasizes in the filing that the merger will not change “energy services or rates” for the utility’s Montana customers.

New Yellowstone judges appointed

Governor Gianforte is appointing two UM alumni to fill two new District Court vacancies in Yellowstone County.

Seth Cunningham is a graduate of the Air Force Academy, received his law degree from the University of Montana in 2009 and has been with the Brown Law Firm since then. Edward Zink graduated from UM in 1993 and received his law degree in 1998. He worked in the Yellowstone County Attorney's Office for 26 years and also spent a decade as a special U.S. attorney for the District of Montana.

Lawmakers approved expanding Yellowstone County courts from eight to 10 judges last session.

Montana takes the top spot as the best destination for travelers

We are wrapping up another great tourism season in Montana and with this ranking we can expect more visitors next year, putting us at the top of the list of destinations.

Chris Cards reports.

Montana is officially number one on Expedia's list of destinations of the year. According to Expedia, the ranking is based on real-time search data from the Expedia app and website and shows where global traveler interest is increasing.”

Montana's global travel interest topped the list with a 92% rating and is only one of two U.S. destinations on the list, along with Florida.

🚤 Tourists spent nearly $5 billion visiting Montana last year.

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