We hope you will join in supporting Park County Environmental Council, our grassroots countywide conservation organization. As you know, PCEC does important work to protect this beautiful part of Montana, from Gardiner up through Livingston, Wilsall, Clyde Park and all points within the county. We are a small nonprofit organization, depending on support from concerned people such as you. We would greatly appreciate your support in two ways:
Looking back, 2014 has been a busy year for PCEC. We worked hard on major programs and projects, with success in each:
- Oversaw transfer of E-Waste Recycling, which PCEC initiated, to Park County recycling
- Supported the County Land Use Regulation information program
- Participated in the Gallatin Community Collaborative (access issues for the Gallatin range)
- Conducted community education program concerning coal trains
- Supported opposition to a regional tire dump in Paradise Valley
- Continued monitoring of potential impacts of oil and gas extraction on Shields valley water
- Spearheaded support for completion of Lower Fleshman Creek Restoration Project
- Monitored and reported on Livingston railroad yard Superfund unfinished toxic plume cleanup
- Started planning work on a new Education for Invasive Species program in collaboration with Livingston schools.
Going forward, we are interested in your opinion as to what environmental issues and programs we should pursue in the future. Take our 2014 Survey here. Please indicate your ranking from 1 to 10 for each listed issue. And write in other issues of interest to you at the bottom of the survey. We value your opinion and will work to address concerns of our members and others in the county as we move forward.
We are considering several possible new programs. For example, there is a proposed copper mine on a tributary of the Smith River near White Sulfur Springs. Coal and petroleum train traffic to the west coast could increase precipitously, with several negative consequences for our local quality of life. Effects of climate change on our local economy and individuals should be addressed. Mountain pine beetles, the emerald ash borer and other invasive insects have the potential of further decimating trees in our area. Other environmental issues will no doubt arise in the near-term.
PCEC is different from national and regional environmental organizations. We are one of only a few county-based such organizations in the United States. We’re involved because this is one extraordinary county: Yellowstone National Park and ecosystem, the surrounding mountain ranges and wilderness areas, the great Yellowstone River and the beauty of the Shields and Paradise valleys. PCEC is the one organization that deals with environmental issues in this uniquely beautiful county.
Like most small non-profit organizations, PCEC receives only a minor fraction of its income from foundations and none from government sources. Instead, we rely on our members and individual donors who provide most of our yearly budget through membership dues and contributions. This makes every contribution important, whether it’s $10 or $10,000. Since PCEC is a 501(c)(3) organization, contributions are tax-deductible. Your contribution will help keep the office doors open and keep us participating in meetings and public events, maintaining personal contacts and managing our programs. Your contribution supports a year-round voice for your concern about the environment and natural values of our county. We deeply value this support.
We would very much appreciate your contribution to the Park County Environmental Council before year-end. You can contribute via our website here.
Thanks for your support. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you soon.