April Steward of the Month: Michael Smith!
Introducing our Steward of the Month for April, Michael G. Smith! We want to recognize Michael for being a Watershed Steward in a multitude of ways - from participating in many of our volunteer events, to reading poetry at the GWC annual meeting, to prioritizing watershed health in his daily life - the list goes on. Thank you for everything you do Michael!
Let’s learn a little bit more about the community’s Watershed Steward of the Month for April!
Michael G. Smith is a semi-retired chemist and poet. An outdoors enthusiast - backpacker, bird watcher, cross country skier and bicyclist - he enjoys volunteer work with GWC, the Gallatin Valley Food Bank, and at an orphanage and school in Kathmandu, Nepal.
1. What is your favorite thing to do within the watershed?
This is tough to answer since we are blessed with so many options. On average itwould be to hike, cross country ski or sit and read a book along the Gallatin.
2. What excites you most about GWC's mission?
That GWC is a group of concerned and caring people working together to proactively address and resolve environmental issues affecting the long-term health and viability of the Gallatin Valley watershed, and educating the public for the need to do so.
3. What's your favorite book? (Or favorite band?)
Two books and multiple bands, actually! Home Ground: Language for an American Landscape, edited by Barry Lopez and Debra Gwartney; and Mountains and Rivers Without End by Gary Snyder. As for music, I love rock and folk, but if confined to an island by myself I'd take baroque and chamber music with me, including that of the Fab 4: Bach, Mozart, Handel and Vivaldi.
4. What do you want the Lower Gallatin Watershed to look like within 5 years?
Definitely an evolution towards more trees, wetlands, bike paths, parks and wilderness, and fewer roads and motor vehicles.
Are you interested in becoming a Watershed Steward? Click here to find out more and to take the pledge. You can also meet fellow Watershed Stewards through the following volunteer opportunities!