Dive into Summer with Our Awesome Local Programs!
As the days of summer begin to unfold, our field programs are in full swing
This community initiative, we believe, directly embodies our core mission to enhance healthy ecosystems, protect wildlife, advocate for clean cold water, and celebrate our access to public lands.
This summer, you'll find us tackling invasive weeds, educating on and building vital wild habitats, growing a resilient diverse urban forest, and working to build a less wasteful Livingston. Livingston Loves Trees already had a significant start to the season, with a huge shoutout to everyone involved in planting 105 trees this year!
We invite you to explore the exciting initiatives underway and discover how your support makes a tangible difference. Here's a peek at what's happening this summer and how you can get involved (keep scrolling for more)...
Upcoming events & volunteer opportunities
Get added to the volunteer list
Why do we do this work?
These aren't separate initiatives; they're interconnected actions that bolster the ecosystems sustaining us all. We're talking about tangible benefits like clean water, healthy wild and working landscapes, natural pest control, and vital biodiversity. By investing in these local initiatives, we're not just caring for the wild; we're actively building a stronger, more resilient community, thanks to your continued support.
We know volunteering isn't for everyone, but your financial gift is equally impactful. Every dollar directly fuels our efforts, purchasing native seeds, supporting expert-led field days, and expanding our reach.
Welcome Lizzie Carroll to the PCEC Team!
Lizzie is a Habitat Conservation Fellow with PCEC through the Montana Conservation Corps. After moving from Seattle to Chicago to study Environmental Science, Lizzie’s desire to understand a diverse array of ecosystems drew her back west to Montana. She joined the Montana Conservation Corps with an interest in learning more about conservation, ecology, and how to be a better steward of the environment. Lizzie is eager to work with PCEC to strengthen Park County’s urban forests, promote healthy landscapes, and encourage community-wide environmental awareness.
We are beyond thrilled to have Montana Conservation Corps Conservation Fellow support for 2025. If you see her around town monitoring tree health, mapping invasive weeds, or at the farmers market– be sure to say "HI"!!
Boots on the Ground
Tackling Invasive Species We're on the front lines, monitoring and managing those pesky noxious weeds that threaten our native plants and open spaces. It's all about keeping our landscapes healthy for everyone – from wildlife to ranchers.
North Dry Creek Group Ride Trail Day with Livingston Bike Club THIS Saturday June 14th- We'll be bringing hand saws to clear downed trees along our route, and we'll also be monitoring the efficacy of past LBC weed removal projects. Wheels up at 10am! Find out more on the events page.
Paradise Valley Weeds Education Field Day on June 25th- This annual educational field day will dive deep into herbicide use and soil health, biocontrol conversations, and more about integrated pest management and how to monitor your impact. Find more details here.
Annual Livingston Peak Weed Pull on July 12th- We're partnering with the Livingston Bike Club, Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation, and the Gallatin National Forest Invasive Species Team for a fun and impactful day of pulling weeds and cleaning up the trail. Sign up here today.
Yellowstone River Weed Mapping Friday on August 1st- We map invasive species along the river each year. We float a few different sections looking for salt cedar, Russian olive, and post flood recovery. Find out more!
Save The Date: Shields Valley Field Education Day on September 10th- More details about this event will be coming soon.
Smart Weed Solutions with Biocontrol Ever heard of using nature to fight nature? In partnership with our local Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA), we're embracing biocontrol methods for weeds, which means less reliance on chemical methods. For more information or to request biocontrol agents for Dalmatian toadflax, leafy spurge, and spotted knapweed, please contact Lizzie at lizzie@pcecmt.org.
Educating on and Building Wild Habitat
Livingston Loves Bees We're really excited to partner with the City of Livingston to integrate better pest management practices and educate the broader community about supporting our invaluable pollinators. Our pollinator friends, like the Western Bumblebee, are absolutely vital for everything from our gardens to our local farms. Healthy pollinators mean better harvests and a more secure food future for our community!
Photographing the Fascinating World of Insects Online Workshop with Clay Bolt on Sunday, July 13th 4 - 6pm! You can find more details here.
Xerces Society Montana Bee Atlas Field Day Training in Gardiner with Michelle Toshack on July 26th! Find more information here.
Wild Seed Initiative We're growing wild with our Wild Seed Initiative. We'll be planting native seeds around Livingston and then, with your help, monitoring how well they're growing. This project is key to understanding how we can best restore and enhance our local plant diversity, creating even more robust habitats for our pollinators and other wildlife. We're thrilled to continue our annual "Pull a Weed, Plant a Seed" event in partnership with Eastside Elementary School and Farm-to-School. Learn more about how to support this initiative and become a citizen scientist here.
Build a Less Wasteful Livingston
Zero Waste at the Farmers Market Come find us at the our Zero Waste Station at the Livingston Farmers Market! We're making it easy to compost and recycle, helping us keep waste out of the landfill and reduce plastic pollution. Every little bit helps create a cleaner, healthier Livingston. This is another great volunteer opportunity to help our community reduce waste, learn about composting firsthand, and interact with everyone enjoying the Farmers Market. We especially need volunteers every Wednesday throughout the summer for the first shift of the Farmers Market, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM! Please contact Lizzie at lizzie@pcecmt.org to sign up.
Grow a Stronger Urban Forest
Livingston Loves Trees Health Checks Our trees aren't just pretty – they're key players in our urban environment. We're working to diversify our urban forest and offer health checks to help landowners protect against the Emerald Ash Borer. A healthy tree canopy means cooler streets, cleaner air, and more vibrant neighborhoods for all of us. This is also a fantastic volunteer opportunity and a great way to connect with your neighbors! You can sign up to conduct health checks on newly planted trees from the past four years right in your own neighborhood. To volunteer, please contact Lizzie at lizzie@pcecmt.org.