October 2021

Here is a short summary of our activities since our annual meeting last year. This year's membership meeting is on Wednesday, October 13th at the O'Hara Commons. If you can't attend or just want to support our work, please consider making a donation!

Advocating for policy changes at the local, county and state level

Instituted Action Alerts program through email and social media, enabling BCAG members to take action on specific issues.

BCAG Board “Start the Conversation” meetings with elected officials and community groups to introduce BCAG, our goals and what we are advocating for.

BCAG Board members advocate climate change planning and mitigation in the City of Hamilton's "Envision Hamilton" program.

Hosted a UofM graduate student intern in spring 2021 who interviewed Bitterroot community leaders on their attitudes about climate change.

BCAG organized a team of local scientists and experts to write our 50 page Science Primer noting the vulnerabilities and risks to the Bitterroot. The Primer was released in early 2021 and includes:

• Overview of Ravalli county resources
• Climate change projections for our area
• Projected local impacts to water, land, economy and health systems

In 2021 our authors have written a series of articles for the Ravalli Republic drawing from the Primer.

Planning for and Mitigate climate change impacts

In July 2021 provided ten (10) portable HEPA filters to mitigate wildfire smoke for vulnerable community members at Burnt Fork Manor in Stevensville

Raised $800 matching money in 2020 for Hamilton’s first electrical vehicle charging station in cooperation with Hamilton City government. Construction is slated to begin in late 2021.

• In 2020-21 presented eight public lectures and webinars on climate science and local impacts
• Committed to planning as a Local sponsor of ResilienceMT, climate science exhibits and community forums in 2022
• Provided the BCAG Booth at local events
• Initiated an ongoing social media program on Facebook and Instagram, including E-newsletters
• Articles in Ravalli Republic newspaper drawn from our Science Primer, authored by BCAG members