News

The Big Sky Institute has launched a new internship program at MSU. Interns will contribute to ongoing ecological informatics research and science communication conducted by BSI and our partners at the USGS NBII program. We are currently recruiting interns from a diversity of majors at MSU.

Listen to a 13 minute podcast that highlights the Lake Biodiversity Project.  BSI Director, John Varley was interviewed by 90-second Naturalist host Thane Maynard for Cinncinati Public Radio.  Listen to the podcast, or learn more about the project.

The Big sky Institute co-hosted the first annual Yellowstone National Park BioBlitz with the Yellowstone Center for Resources in YNP and other partners August 28th and 29th, 2009.

See the fantastic GALA AUCTION ITEMS on the slate for the 2009 Big Sky Institute Annual Evening Gala!

Tickets are now on sale for the Big Sky Institute's 4th Annual Evening Gala, which will be held on Saturday, August 1 at the BSI site adjacent to Ophir School. The event, which has sold out for the past three years , is fast becoming the can't-miss ticket in summer charitable events in Big Sky. Auction donation and sponsorship opportunities are available now, as are tickets. Contact Katie Alvin at 406-993-9355 or katiealvin@montana.edu for more information. Watch for updates on our Gala web page as well.

Documenting Science in Your Backyard

Biology, chemistry, physics – science is truly all around us, from changes in the snow as it melts to bears emerging from their dens early in a warmer spring. The Big Sky Institute is wondering what science you have seen in your backyard. To find out, BSI is hosting a contest to showcase your observations. BSI encourages creative entries of all sorts – from art to poems to original science experiments – and is accepting entries from backyard scientists of all ages. Entries for the contest are due June 15th.

Contest entries will be displayed at the Big Sky Institute’s 2nd Annual Open House on Wednesday, June 24th from 5:30 - 7pm. Everyone attending the Open House will also be able to vote on their favorite entries.

Have you seen a butterfly or moth in your backyard this spring? Why not turn that photo into science data! The spring newsletter tells you how to by contributing your observation to the Butterflies and Moths of North America project, coordinated by the Big Sky Institute.

Also in the newsletter...
- Find out details to enter the Documenting Science in Your Backyard spring contest. The contest is open to all ages!
- Learn about the two new BSI hires who are working on the Yellowstone Lake Biodiversity project.
- Discover new facts from BSI's winter speaker series.

Download directly: BSI Spring Newsletter

The BSI newsletter is completed, and will soon be available in Big Sky and Bozeman. It is also available electronically here. Highlights include...

Our fall newsletter is now available online! Features this season include:
- An interview with Caitlyn Florentine, who will begin study of Lone Mountain’s rock glaciers this fall.
- Updates on BSI research and collaborative projects that can increase your knowledge of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
- Details on September programs that will take a close look at the trees in our backyard, the problems they face, and the solutions.
- Fun and fascinating facts on the changing colors of fall and the unique sound of fall...bugling elk.

The Greater Yellowstone Science Learning Center is announcing the debut of their new website, www.greateryellowstonescience.org. BSI has worked intimately with Yellowstone National Park and a variety of other constituencies to design and develop the site. Information can be found on a number of topics from amphibians, to geothermal features, to historic structures. Click here to read the press release.