It is with great excitement that I write the first journal entry since the launching of the Yellowstone Country Guardians website. Times have been busy for us here at YCG in recent months as we spent the end of November and early part of December preparing for the organizations first public presentation which took place in Bozeman, Montana at the Bozeman Public Library. Though our work to inspire local communities to nurture the wildness and spirit of Yellowstone County is just beginning, our Bozeman gathering was something we have anticipated for over a year as we have worked long and hard to build a solid foundation for Yellowstone Country Guardians since our inception October of 2007. The outpouring of support and enthusiasm following our presentation was overwhelming and I want to take this opportunity to once again thank all of you who attended and for those of you who have subsequently shared generous contributions with YCG in a strong show of support for our work and vision.
As many of you know, I work as the director for Yellowstone Country Guardians by day and moonlight as the head boys’ basketball coach here at Gardiner High in the evenings and on weekends. We have had our ups and downs as a basketball team in recent months but feel we have turned the corner and have our ship pointing in the right direction as we venture over the Continental Divide on our way to our beloved Butte and the District Tournament two weeks from today (see article: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2009/01/31/sports/000shields.txt.)
I am extremely proud of our work with the boys (Travis Wyman, a bear biologist in Yellowstone National Park and member of the YCG Advisory Board is my assistant coach.) Since day one we have always placed a special emphasis on personal growth and important life skills that we believe will help our student athletes become the future leaders of our region.
Traveling throughout the area as we journey to towns such as West Yellowstone, Ennis, Sheridan, Twin Bridges, White Sulphur Springs, Harrison, and of course our highly anticipated forays to play our rivals in the Shields Valley allow us to gain a deeper appreciation for the people and communities across Yellowstone Country. And though our number one focus is the development of our boys as basketball players, young men, and contributors to our community, I have found our long bus rides and visits to small towns throughout Yellowstone Country to be ideal times to gain a better understanding of the concerns, hopes, and dreams of the youth that will one day have the fate of Yellowstone Country and this region’s unparalleled assets in their hands
I want to encourage all of you to continue visiting the YCG Field Journal as we hope this can be a source of inspiration for all of you who have a deep love for Yellowstone Country. I also hope that our Field Journal can help soothe the longing that many of you feel between your visits to the region.
Though we are absolutely swamped right now with grant deadlines, implementation plans for our 2009 programs, setting up presentations for the YCG regional road tour, and continuing our community organizing efforts by meeting with people throughout the area, we will make every effort to update the Field journal so you will have an opportunity to explore a collection of the writings, musings, and experiences of the YCG family. This will include everything from announcements of upcoming presentations and gatherings, exciting YCG news such as our recent Park County Community Foundation Grant (a big shout out to PCCF for supporting our Youth Wilderness Leadership Program), along with journal entries and essays from members of the YCG crew.
Thank you all for your support which sustains us as we move forward. We look forward to hearing from you…
Sincerely,
Michael Leach, Director
