Environment Montana Hits the Trail to Fight for Climate Action

Missoula, MT – This summer, Environment Montana took a “Trailhead Tour” around the state to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change on Montana’s public lands. On Wednesday, the group ended its campaign with a group hike to the top of Missoula’s Waterworks Hill. 

“A love for public lands is something that really unites all Montanans,” said Environment Montana director Skye Borden. “Unfortunately, climate change is already threatening these special places.”

Climate change reduces snowpack and stream flows, causes habitat loss, and worsens wildfire season. This causes problems for outdoor recreation, including shortened ski seasons, longer fishing restrictions, fewer big game kills, and fewer days with clear summer skies.

Holly Seymour, Environment Montana organizer, said, “As Montanans, the right to recreate on public lands is among our greatest assets, and our way of life is being stripped away as climate change threatens the places we love more and more each year.”

According to Environment Montana, the Trump administration’s proposed budget is likely to make these problems even worse.

 “The EPA’s research and clean air regulatory programs are our greatest line of defense against climate change, but President Trump’s budget threatens to slash these programs in half,” said Skye Borden. “Senator Tester and Senator Daines need to stand up to this disastrous budget and protect our public lands from climate change.” 

During the summer tour, the group recruited hikers, bikers, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts to pose for backcountry pictures with a climate change banner. They also collected over a hundred postcards asking senators to protect Montana lands from climate change.

In addition to Missoula, the group has stopped at trailheads and backcountry spots near Glacier National Park, Bozeman, Livingston, Billings, Red Lodge, and Yellowstone National Park.