For Immediate Release

Contact:  Marna Daley, (406) 587-6703 or  Mariah Leuschen, 406-493-9657

Friends of Hyalite Hosts Spring Clean-Up Day, May 12, Road Opens May 16

Bozeman, MT – Completing its inaugural year, the new non-profit, Friends of Hyalite and the Gallatin National Forest are hosting a spring clean-up day, May 12 from 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., bringing like-minded community members together to clean up one of the most popular recreation sites in the state of Montana, Hyalite Canyon.  The spring clean-up comes just prior to the Hyalite Canyon Road (FS Road #62) re-opening on Wednesday morning (May 16) to motorized use.

As Bozeman’s favorite backyard, Hyalite Canyon offers a unique privilege for our community by providing unparalleled access to world-class recreational opportunities,” says Joe Josephson, Friends of Hyalite.  “By giving a few hours back to what we love, we can maintain this gem and continue to enjoy it for years to come.”

“We know that many people enjoy Hyalite year round.  Now is the opportunity to help.  Every year it takes a lot of work to maintain the facilities in Hyalite and we are grateful for the continued support of the Friends of Hyalite and the community,” added Lisa Stoeffler, Bozeman District Ranger.

For spring clean-up, no sign-ups are necessary but volunteers are asked to meet at the Lower Fishing Access (closed gate) on Hyalite Road and bring gloves, lunch, water, bear spray and warm layers.  Snacks and coffee will be provided by Sola Café.

Recreationists are reminded to carry bear spray, follow food storage regulations and remain aware of their surroundings, as they enjoy the canyon; additionally loose rocks and debris are common during spring break-up, with the ground thawing and with spring precipitation.

For updated road, trail and campground information please call the Bozeman Ranger District at (406) 522-2520 or call the 24 hour Information line at (406) 522-2534.  Recreationists should beware of increasing administrative traffic on Hyalite Road as spring progresses and crews prepare campgrounds, complete snowpack monitoring and maintain the reservoir.  Ice on the reservoir is currently melting and trails are mostly snow packed.

Information on Gallatin National Forest recreation activities can be found at: www.fs.usda.gov/gallatin.     

Join Friends of Hyalite and the Gallatin National Forest on Sunday, October 16 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. for their inaugural fall clean-up day. Volunteers will focus on cleaning, improving and restoring dispersed campsites and recreation areas throughout the canyon. At nearly 10,000 visitors a month during winter and over 30,000 visitors a month during summer activities, Hyalite recreation corridor is one of the most visited National Forest System lands in the state of Montana. “Friends of Hyalite is a new 501(c)3 grassroots organization that draws on a broad base of community support to help manage Bozeman’s backyard recreation opportunities and issues, as to not love Hyalite to death,” explains Joe Josephson, Friends of Hyalite Coordinator. “We are thrilled to have this new partner, Friends of Hyalite, working with the Forest Service and others to maintain the local and national treasure that we have in Hyalite Canyon”, added Lisa Stoeffler, District Ranger in Bozeman. “We look forward to all the benefits that this community group can bring to enhance our public lands”. For fall clean up, no sign-ups are necessary, but volunteers are asked to meet at the Hyalite Day Use Area at the Hyalite Reservoir at 12:30 and bring warm work clothes suitable for layering and inclement weather, gloves, bear spray (if available) and water. Volunteer groups will spread both up and down canyon throughout the course of the day and a volunteer appreciation BBQ will follow, sponsored by Friends of Hyalite at the Hyalite Reservoir Pavillion.

Great news!

On May 21, 2011 Friends of Hyalite was granted exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions since September 2, 2010 are deductible under section 170 of the Code.

Friends of Hyalite is a corporation organized exclusively for charitable purposes to promote volunteerism and support for recreational opportunities and conservation in Hyalite Canyon on the Gallatin National Forest near Bozeman, Montana.