April E-Views
Inside and Outdoors–Plenty of Ways to Stay Engaged
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What does COVID-19 look like for PPLT?
I run the same trail (when it's not muddy) just about every day. Boring I know, but I love the consistency. I know every tree, rock, curve in the path. In this time of uncertainty, and no matter what is in the news, nature and that trail specifically heal me. Our lands and trails remain constant, and today I have a special appreciation for the sanity they provide. I hope the work of Prickly Pear Land Trust offers this assurance and healing for the community during this time.
There are silver linings to this tough period and one for PPLT is the togetherness I've witnessed among our team (which seems strange since we are all apart). Every staff member has reached out to see how they can help, one of the many reasons I love this team.
One thing is clear—our community is resilient. I have seen this community rally many times and 2020 will be no different. Our institutions are sound, and recognizing that everyone is impacted differently, we are all doing our very best. We are all in this together. And Prickly Pear Land Trust is immensely grateful for each of you.
We have loved the cards, texts, posts, and photos with messages of thanks for trails and open space. I've seen more people using Tenmile Creek Park than ever before, with plenty of room for social distancing. Once the mud subsides, you'll start to see trail staff in the South Hills. We cannot wait!
We, as a community, will get through this and I look forward to hugging each and every one of you at the finish line.
Mary Hollow
Executive Director
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Introducing the New Way to Play
Don’t Fence Me In 2020
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Prickly Pear Land Trust’s Don’t Fence Me In 2020 Virtual Run and Trail Challenge is “Virtually” the Best Event in Town! The new event kicks off TODAY and invites runners, walkers, bikers and dogs near and far to participate and compete for more prizes and recognition than ever before. Run according to official guidelines for social distancing, this race is designed for everyone eager to get outside and/or feel a part of the community they miss.
This year’s 20
th
anniversary
Don’t Fence Me In
has two components: A virtual trail run and a trail challenge. Outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists, and those just looking to blow off some steam or find catharsis are all invited to compete in both events. By taking our wanderlust to a whole new level and going “off the grid” of the traditional race structure, we hope that even more folks can join in the fun.
Both the race and the challenge run from April 15 to June 30. Race by taking on the course(s) of your choosing on whatever day works best for you and turn in a time--on the honor system--to compete for prizes. Don’t Fence Me In offers 5k, 12k, 20k and 30k distances, and you can participate in as many as you choose for one price. Check out our routes on
Strava here
.
To participate in the trail challenge, keep track of your days and miles on the trails and compete for prizes in an array of categories. These include: most days on the trail, mileage by paw, elevation gain, hitting every trail in the South Hills. If you’re outside the greater Helena area, you can win prizes too, just find your nearest trail system.
If you start the challenge today, please be mindful of current trail conditions. To limit any damage, we encourage you to stay off the trails until they're dry, and stick with those less sloppy.
Registration for the Don’t Fence Me In Virtual Trail Run and Trail Challenge is just $30 (free for 17 and under!), and includes a special-edition t-shirt and post-event party when permitted.
Click below to register and learn more about the race, maps, tracking, and prizes.
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Running Uphill - PPLT Staff Ensures Trails, Projects Are
Smoothed
Out
Mud, snow, ice, mud, snow, ice—trail conditions seem to be caught in a weird cycle this spring. But if you’re concerned about the widening of trails, the health of our open spaces, or the quality of our beloved trails, you can rest assured. Every year there is some amount of damage from the thaw. Much of it will heal itself. And where it doesn’t, Prickly Pear Land Trust—along with our partners and volunteers—will be there.
Even amid the pandemic and the wonderful increase in usage by families and those new to spring outdoor recreation, trails will be maintained. We do live in a different world, however, and PPLT was forced by financial prudence to forgo hiring a new full-time trails coordinator. Thankfully, due to the incredible outpouring of support from our multitude of local sponsors and supporters, Prickly Pear can maintain its current staffing levels. To continue providing the same level of service, fun, and conservation results that this community deserves, PPLT staff has come up with some creative solutions and simply agreed to step up our efforts and hours.
Nate Kopp will continue in the trails coordinator role for the time being. Nate knows every partner, has helped plan every single public trail work day over the last five years, and worked closely with the past two trail coordinators. In addition, he is the second longest-serving staff member at the Land Trust, and has twice served as the interim trails coordinator. Nate will assume the supervisory role on trails while continuing to lead PPLT’s ever-growing community-based conservation efforts. Many moons ago, before PPLT, he led trail crews in California, North Carolina, and Vermont. Nate’s life is trails.
Assisting Nate in weeds abatement, plantings, creek restoration, and volunteer events as well as implementing the trails program, is Blake Sexton, our Big Sky Watershed Corps member. In just a few short months, Blake has shown impressive initiative and skill as the coordinator of PPLT’s
education program
. Before PPLT, Blake worked as a climate resilience planner for MT Dept of Commerce and was the volunteer coordinator for the University of Michigan educational farm. He knows how to put people to work in the dirt and why we do it.
Keep on keepin’ on (the trails).
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Get the Detrails with PPLT
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If you have been out on the trails the last couple weeks, you’ll know that the South Hills and Tenmile are THICK with mud and people. Please be advised that North-facing trails are particularly resistant to drying out and many trails will have sections that are icy, dry, snowy, and muddy. If you must use muddy trails, it is still best for the longevity of this public resource for everyone to stay in the middle of the trail, even if that means you get a little more on your mud flaps. Please go prepared for all conditions and be careful out there!
During these unprecedented times, it is also important to keep a couple trails-related thoughts in mind. First off,
use the trails and tell others
. Help ‘em out by pointing them towards
maps
and other resources (like
PPLT
). We can all use a little more time outside. But with that, be safe. All of our public lands and trails are a unique privilege that we need to protect. Abide by social distancing measures. If you’re an experienced trail user, try out the more remote trailheads, parking areas, or a different time of day. And please, step off (don’t run off) the trail. Help us all spread the word, not the virus!
We have lots of fun projects on the trails, in the weeds, and on the water this year. To see what’s on the docket for 2020, check out our
website
as we update it with more details.
While work on the Beattie Street Trailhead and parking area has been halted for the time being, the trailhead will remain closed during this time. Please contact the City for questions or concerns.
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A Community Lift for Community Work
If you are able, please consider making a donation to Prickly Pear Land Trust to support our trails, conservation work, and our people. In
addition to donations from individuals, PPLT relies heavily on our two major events to fund our operations - they are both hugely impacted this year.
This year, donations to nonprofits of
up to $300
get special treatment.
Here are the details
:
For 2020, individuals can deduct up to $300 for cash donations made to charities this year – meaning that people who don’t itemize their deductions can benefit from this tax break (called an “above the line” deduction). For those who itemize, the limit on cash donations that is deductible was increased from 60% of adjusted gross income to 100%. Limits for corporate contributions to charitable organizations was also increased from 10% of their taxable income to 25%
.
With these changes, more of our supporters will be able to have a tax benefit from donating to PPLT. Prickly Pear Land Trust depends deeply on the generosity of our community members. Every single donation, especially those during the lean times, means we can continue to do the critical work of connecting land and people.
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