HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-16-23 Public Comment - M. Parsons, GVLT - Public Comment for City Commission Meeting - FY24 Budget - Non Profit Grant AwardsFrom:Matt Parsons
To:Agenda
Cc:Madison Brown; Glen Steinhoff
Subject:Public Comment for City Commission Meeting - FY24 Budget - Non Profit Grant Awards
Date:Friday, June 16, 2023 10:01:11 AM
Attachments:GVLT LOS for MCC City Grant FY24.pdf
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Hello, please see the attached letter of support for Montana Conservation Corp’s non profit grant
application to be included in the City’s FY24 budget. Thank you,
Matt
MATT PARSONS ▪ Trails Director
406.587.8404 ext. 103
212 S. Wallace Suite 101 ▪ Bozeman, MT 59715
www.GVLT.org ▪ Hike Kind
Gallatin Valley Land Trust 212 South Wallace, Suite 101, PO Box 7021, Bozeman, MT 59771
www.gvlt.org ● 406-587-8404
June 15, 2023
Bozeman City Commission 121 N Rouse Ave.
Bozeman, MT 59715
RE: Public Comment for FY24 Budget – Non Profit Grant Awards
Dear Commissioners,
It is with great enthusiasm that the Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) submits this letter in support of the Montana Conservation Corp’s (MCC) one-time grant application to rehabilitate the Kirk Hill
Nature Preserve trail system. GVLT works to create trails and to conserve working farms and ranches, healthy rivers, and wildlife habitat in southwest Montana. Since our founding in 1990, we
have helped to create over 90 miles of trails in the Main Street to the Mountains trail system, and we have conserved over 60,000 acres in the Gallatin Valley and surrounding communities.
For decades, a small group of dedicated citizens have been building and maintaining the Kirk Hill
trail system south of Bozeman. There are approximately two miles of public hiking trails in this system and the Kirk Hill trails are easily accessible via South 19th Ave, just 3.5 miles from the city
limits. These trails serve a growing number of city neighborhoods south of Main Street and Huffine, including many large, new subdivisions such as Blackwood Groves and the many student apartment
complexes popping up around the University.
The original caretakers of the Kirk Hill trails have since “aged out” and have been looking for another group to care for it. In the meantime, and with increased use, much of the infrastructure has
degraded to the point that it can no longer support public use. MCC has stepped forward to provide ongoing care, but they need help in order to bring the trails back to a sustainable condition so they
can provide routine maintenance.
With a one-time grant from the City, MCC will be able to replace the failing boardwalks, the bridge crossing over the irrigation ditch, and hundreds of feet of fencing to protects native plants. It will
also allow MCC to address what has become a highly eroded section of trail within the first ½ mile from the trailhead. GVLT has secured matching funds of $10,000 and will provide in-kind
consultation and project management support.
This project aligns with the City’s Parks, Recreation, and Active Transportation Draft Plan, the Community Plan, and Sensitive Lands Protection Plan. Specifically, the Kirk Hill Nature Preserve
trail system provides:
• Convenient access to public hiking trails less than a five minute drive from the city
• The only dedicated public access trailhead on 19th Ave, Bozeman’s primary north-south
arterial roadway
• Connectivity to dozens of miles of US Forest Service trails
• Diverse wildlife, plant identification, and birding opportunities
• Incredible views of the Gallatin Valley!
Gallatin Valley Land Trust 212 South Wallace, Suite 101, PO Box 7021, Bozeman, MT 59771
www.gvlt.org ● 406-587-8404
GVLT is excited about this collaborative restoration project not only because it will help improve our trail infrastructure in Bozeman, but also because of the potential to create long-term stewards of
Kirk Hill. MCC is an incredible organization whose conservation crews are charged with doing some of toughest labor in remote locations all over Montana They are also focused on creating the next
generation of leaders, stewards of the land, and engaged citizens who improve their communities.
Thank you for your consideration, and for your commitment to community trails.
Sincerely,
Matt Parsons Trails Director