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earth sciences

What makes a good hiking trail? An expert breaks it down

MISSOULA, Mont. — Thousands of Montanans use hiking and running trails every day, but the work that goes into building and maintaining those paths often goes unnoticed. Jamie Kirby, the natural areas manager at the University of Montana, says there is more to even a simple switchback than what people see

Speaking for the trees: At 'the end of the paved road', 81-year-old Jesse Logan advocates for ancient whitebark pine

As snow falls and temperatures drop, so too does the population of Cooke City. For Jesse Logan, this transition is his cue to make his annual migration from Paradise Valley to a cabin at "the end of the paved road." During Logan's first winter in Montana,

Study links major polluters to big climate damages bill

Study links major polluters to big climate damages bill

The economic cost of carbon emissions is far higher than previously estimated, said a new study Wednesday that links big polluters to tens of trillions of dollars in climate-related damages worldwide. The study in the journal Nature measures how human-caused warming affects economic growth and assigns a share

Invasive annual grasses in Montana

Invasive annual grasses in Montana

Invasive annual grasses have emerged as one of the most pressing ecological and economic challenges across the rangelands of Montana, profoundly altering landscapes once dominated by native perennial grasses and diverse plant communities. These non-native/invasive species — notably Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), Ventenata (Ventenata dubia), and

MSU professor explains how wildfires impact Montana ecosystems

MSU professor explains how wildfires impact Montana ecosystems

BOZEMAN, Mont. — As unseasonably early wildfires pop up across Montana this spring, including the Panama Fire near Cardwell and the Ordway Fire in Lewis and Clark County, researchers are examining the impact these fires have on local ecosystems. Wildfires have occurred in Montana for thousands of years and can be

Missoula County holds open house on updated floodplain maps

MISSOULA COUNTY, Mont. — Missoula County held the first of four public open house meetings to walk residents through updated floodplain maps for parts of the Clark Fork River, Bitterroot River and Rock Creek. The county says the changes could affect some property owners. Missoula County is working with FEMA and

Earth Day celebration planned at Missouri–Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center

WILLISTON — An Earth Day celebration is set for April 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Missouri–Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center. The free, family-friendly event will feature hands-on activities highlighting prairie ecosystems, including owl pellet exploration, cyanotype art, soil studies and animal track casting.