OUR WORK
in BIG SKY

Projects, Outreach, and Community Engagement

SNO PROJECTS

CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

ALPENSCAPES | A LOCAL LANDSCAPE PARTNERSHIP

Alpenscapes is a collaborative landscaping education program brought to you by Big Sky Fire Department, Gallatin River Task Force, Grow Wild, & SNO.

BIG SKY ONE LESS CAR

SNO and GoGallatin have teamed up to reduce Canyon Traffic. From August 2022-June 2023, if you log 4 carpool or bus trips through the canyon at GoGallatin.org, you receive a gift card from that month’s sponsoring business. Check back to see our sponsoring businesses throughout the year that will be rolled out every three months.

Sign-up: Create an account on GoGallatin.org and sign up for the Big Sky SNO Network

Commute with Company: Find or start a carpool on GoGallatin, log your rides

Qualify: Log 4 carpools or bus rides each month

Redeem: Receive a gift card to a participating local business

Questions: Contact bigskysno@gmail.com or gallatincommute@montana.edu

Partners: BSRAD, GoGallatin

RECYCLING & COMPOSTING BASICS IN BIG SKY

Recycling with Pete from Full Circle Recycling

Composting with Karl from YES Compost

WASTE COMPOSITION ASSESSMENT

Published June 2023: The Big Sky Community Waste Composition Assessment.

Partners: BSRAD, Moonlight Community Foundation, Rieschel Foundation, Republic Services, Gallatin County Solid Waste

ZERO WASTE EFFORT EVENTS

Big Sky SNO has completed a GHG (Green House Gas) Inventory of the Big Sky community for the years of 2018 and 2019.  The study was performed using a ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) software that conforms with national and international emission calculation methodologies and is currently being used by 38 other ‘mountain towns’ in western states.

Data has been collected and calculations completed that quantify emissions from the use of electricity and propane gas as well as transportation (cars, trucks and buses) and solid waste disposal.  These study results show an urgent need for the Big Sky community to:

  • Set priorities through community engagement

  • Target the most effective GHG emission reduction actions

  • Quantify community energy and cost savings

  • Track emissions performance year to year

  • Work with other ‘mountain towns’ to identify best practices in resort communities

Project Partners : Various Community Organizations

Are you hosting an event in Big Sky? Contact SNO and ask how we can help facilitate your efforts at landfill diversion by coordinating with local compost and recycling haulers, provide you with vendor contracts to push for universal adoption of compostables and recyclables, and motivate some “Trash Talking” Volunteers to help educate your event-goers. Each zero waste effort event has a ripple effect in educating community members on what is recyclable and how we are encouraging greater adoption of compost. Remember if you sign up to be a SNO steward you will get your first month of curbside compost free with YES Compost.

Partners: BSRAD, YES Compost, 406 Recycling

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY

Big Sky SNO has completed a GHG (Green House Gas) Emissions Study of the Big Sky community for the years of 2018 and 2019.  The study was performed using a ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) software that conforms with national and international emission calculation methodologies and is currently being used by 38 other ‘mountain towns’ in western states.Data has been collected and calculations completed that quantify emissions from the use of electricity and propane gas as well as transportation (cars, trucks and Buses) and solid waste disposal.  These study results will allow the Big Sky community to:Set priorities through community engagementTarget the most effective GHG emission reduction actionsQuantify community energy and cost savingsTrack emissions performance year to yearWork with other ‘mountain towns’ to identify best practices in resort communities Project Partners : Various Community Organizations

MOBILE WATER FILLING STATIONS

WATER FILLING STATIONS

In partnership with Highline Partners, SNO obtained 3 portable water bottle filling stations with built-in filtration. They are used weekly at the summer Farmer’s Market & Thursday night Music in the Mountains hosted by Big Sky Arts Council, and at more remote events hosted throughout the year. Contact SNO if you’re interested in renting these water filling stations for your remote outdoor event.

Project Partner: Highline Partners

Through a partnership with the Gallatin River Task Force, SNO was able to purchase and install three water bottle fountains and filling stations; one in Town Center and two in the Big Sky Community Park, hoping to encourage reusable water bottle use, and reducing the purchase and use of single-use plastic bottles in the community.  These units were placed in high use areas by both residents and visitors, in commercial and recreational sites in the community.

Project Partners : MCF, SPCF, Gallatin River Task Force

RECYCLING AND COMPOST BINS

RECYCLING AND COMPOST BINS

SNO successfully purchased and installed 3 new compost, garbage and recycling bins in Big Sky: 2 in Town Center, and one in the Big Sky Community Park.  This project addresses the need for better and more consistent opportunities for recycling, with the addition of a compostable bin as well.  The bins were custom made by Back Alley Metals in Red Lodge, MT, giving the ability to support a Montana business, and installed strategically in high traffic areas and areas of both residential and visitor use in commercial and recreation sites in the community.

Project Partners : BSRAD, YCCF, MCF, SPCF, Rotary Foundation, Republic Services

Want to learn more about community recycling opportunities, and what you can & cannot recycle in Big Sky? Check out these helpful resources fo learn more:

RECYCLING AND COMPOST BINSSNO successfully purchased and installed 3 new compost, garbage and recycling bins in Big Sky: 2 in Town Center, and one in the Big Sky Community Park.  This project addresses the need for better and more consistent op…

GOGALLATIN

MOUNTAIN IDEAL

GoGallatin and SNO have collaborated in community engagement of sustainable transportation alternatives: riding bikes, carpooling & bus services. Working with a team of MSU grad students in the Fall of 2021, their combined efforts produced a qualitative data survey and analysis of commuters in the Gallatin Canyon. They aim to increase sustainable transport with both employers and employees in Big Sky with incentivizing programs and outreach.

The Mountain IDEAL is recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as a sustainability standard and certification program for mountain resort communities.  It provides a framework of sustainable tourism criteria and performance indicators that support any mountain destination in elevating its sustainability performance, stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and recognition as a global leader.  Together with community organizations, Visit Big Sky & Chamber of Commerce leadership and stakeholders, Big Sky SNO is committed to focusing on the work it will take to achieve this highest standard in sustainability for mountain resort communities.

PROJECT PARTNERS

The work we do would not be possible without the help of many community partners. The organizations listed below have all had a hand in our achievements to date. Successes are made possible by their investments, and their belief in our vision for more sustainability wins throughout the community.

 

If you are interested in becoming a partner of Big Sky SNO or want to get involved in projects, please contact us and we will get back to you with more details!

Help Us Achieve
Our Sustainable Vision

You can donate to Big Sky SNO to help fund our future projects!