The health of the Yellowstone River is being discussed in Livingston today and Friday.
Montana Aquatic Resources and Trout Unlimited are hosting the Yellowstone River Symposium at the Livingston Depot. It will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday.
The first day will include presentations about the 2016 fish kill and closure of the river and ongoing scientific efforts. There will also be panel discussions.
Friday will consist of a three-hour working session in which symposium participants will discuss the creation of a framework to protect the river.
Those who want to attend can register at www.eventbrite.com/e/yellowstone-river-symposium-registration-32637386301.
A full schedule is available at: montanaaquaticresources.org.
A schedule for the Yellowstone River Symposium on April 27-28 at the Livingston Depot.
Thursday 8-8:30 a.m.
- Participant registration and welcome event with refreshments
- 8:30 -9 a.m. – Opening remarks from Dan Vermillion of Sweetwater Travel
- 9:10:30 – Session 1 Panel: A cross-industry overview of the economic, social and ecological impacts of the 2016 whitefish kill and subsequent closure of the Upper Yellowstone River. (Speakers: Travis Horton – FWP, Jeremy Sage & Norma Nickerson – Institute of Tourism U of M, Druska Kinkie – E Bar P Ranch, Mattson Rogers – Anglers West)
- 10:30-10:45 Break following 15 minute Q&A session
- 10:45-noon Session 2 Panel: An educational discussion of the ongoing efforts and existing data on the Upper Yellowstone Watershed, including YRCDC Cumulative Effects Analysis, drought resiliency, agricultural water demands and the hydrology of the river. (Speakers: Lucas Zukiewicz – NRCS, Daryl Stutterheim – YRCDC, Karin Boyd – Applied Geomorphology, Patrick Byorth – Trout Unlimited, Kerri Strasheim – DNRC)
- Noon-1:30 p.m. Lunch & Keynote Speaker Address: Jim Posewitz, Conservation Ethic – How collaborative conservation happens
- 1:30-2:45 Session 3 Panel: An educational panel among cross-industry subject matter experts discussing tools and resources to address impacts, adaptation models and methods. (Speakers: Jamie McEvoy – MSU, Patrick Byorth – Trout Unlimited, Wendy Weaver – MARS, Sara Meloy – DNRC)
- 2:45:03 Break following 15 minute Q&A session
- 3-4:30 Session 4 Panel: Facilitated Community engagement session discussing on-the-ground efforts; community planning session. (Speakers: Steve Caldwell – Park County Commissioner, Jacquie Nelson – UYWB, Max Hjortsberg – PCEC, Brant Oswald – Fishing Outfitters Association of MT)
- 4:30-4:45 Wrap up/Adjourn following 15 minute Q&A session
- 5:30 -8 p.m. Evening Social Reception, Buckhorn Saloon – Ocean Media Institute Film Showing, The Shape of a River
Friday 8:30-11:30 a.m.
- Half-Day Collaborative working session: Open to all symposium attendees looking to contribute and participate in the creation of a community-driven framework to protect the Upper Yellowstone River. The available models for developing a cohesive and action-oriented grassroots effort will be discussed. (Moderator: Jennifer Boyer)
- 11:30 Wrap up and opportunity to sign up to receive the Symposium Summary Report and updates from partners
Article link here.