In this episode, we hear about different community-guided and collaborative efforts taking place around river health (and therefore the well-being of the land and people), in the region of Missoula, Montana. You'll hear from those whose lives connect to these rivers; to inspire ways for folks to engage, but also to gain insight to all of the moving parts that contribute to a healthy community and watershed.

This episode is the recording of a panel and community discussion we hosted after a screening of the film Life in the Land: The Upper Yellowstone River in Missoula in November 2024. The panel includes Brian Chaffin (Executive Director of Clark Fork Coalition), Jennifer Harrington (Director of UM's Native American Natural Resource Program), Sarah Christensen (area rancher, Pintler Mountain Beef), and Travis Craft (area fishing guide, Thunder Hammer Fly Fishing). 

The event was co-hosted by Jessie Thomas of Sustainable Wellness , whose philosophy is "the world needs us to show up for ourselves and each other. Your health is where we start". The event was also hosted by the International Wildlife Film Festival and The Roxy Theater. 

Stories for Action is a hybrid production company based in Montana, that produces short films, a podcast series, and hosts story workshops…all with a mission to spark positive action through the power of storytelling. Learn more about our work at www.StoriesforAction.org or on FB & IG @StoriesforAction.

LINKS:

Clark Fork Coalition

UM's Native American Natural Resource Program

Thunder Hammer Fly Fishing

Pintler Mountain Beef

Tribal Consultation Policy & Practice: Jennifer Harrington's Graduate Thesis, regarding CSKT involvement with Superfund process

Frenchtown Smurfit Stone Community Advisory Group

PLWA - Public Land Water Access Association

Article: Bitterroot landowner proposes fences across Mitchell Slough

Sustainable Wellness

The Redside Foundation - providing health and support services for the outdoor guiding community

Life in the Land

The gathering that this episode was recorded at, was made possible through a grant from the Montana Forest Collaboration Network and the Montana Watershed Coordination Council. We thank them for their support of the Life in the Land project.

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