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The New Wild West: How economic transition influences sense of place in rural trail communities
No full textAlong the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), rural communities have faced immense and rapid economic change in the last 50 years, spearheaded by a shift from traditional extraction-based industries to recreation-based economies. This research examines the impacts of economic transition on sense of place in four rural Montana communities- Anaconda, Augusta, Lima, and Lincoln- that have experienced economic hardship due to the decline of mining, agriculture, and timber industries. While the shift to amenity-based economies offers economic diversification, it also presents challenges such as lower-paying jobs, seasonal instability, and cultural impacts from increased tourism. This research aims to understand 1) how economic transition influences community identity, stakeholder attachment, and perceptions of tourism, and 2) what the roles of empowerment and engagement are in shaping the sense of place in transition communities. Using targeted interviews, the study applies Erfani\u27s reconceptualized framework of sense of place to examine the interplay of individual, community, and place relationships. This study contributes to the literature on sense of place theory, rural economic transition, and the social and economic impacts of long-distance trails. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and local businesses to develop strategies that align with community values, promoting economic diversification, cultural preservation, and sustainable practices in rural trail communities
Montana Kaimin, January 22, 2026
No full textStudent newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper/11189/thumbnail.jp
B. 1980 Flathead Lake Seismic Survey Track Map
No full textThe narrative in this book describes the process of generating a new track map of the 1980 seismic survey in modern GIS space. The map is also available.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/flathead_1980/1001/thumbnail.jp
John Wicks and Jesse Phillips are Flüffy Bünny
Full text linkDrummer John Wicks and bassist Jesse Phillips are two Montana musicians who’ve come together to form Flüffy Bünny – a project they describe as “future punk.” Drawing from diverse musical journeys – from John’s evolution through jazz, grunge, and high-profile session work to his current role as a teacher, and Jesse’s path from rural Montana to the vibrant music scene of New Orleans – they discuss how their shared passion for unbridled creativity and breaking genre norms sparked this project to rediscover the thrill of making music without boundaries.
Listen to Flüffy Bünny here.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/anewangle_podcasts/1387/thumbnail.jp
Lives and Lessons of Zoo Animals
No full textThis project was an interdisciplinary museum exhibit that was displayed at the Montana Natural History Center between April 4 and May 12, 2025. It displays my photographs that I took of some of the animals I worked with during my summer 2024 internship at ZooMontana. In this project, I educate the public about three main functions of zoos--rescue, conservation, and education--through the stories and lives of four species. These animals all have unique stories that are important to share to improve public knowledge of why zoos are important and how we can improve relationships between humans and wildlife. Photography is how I share my perspective and the stories of these animals, and these photographs are intended to inspire awe, curiosity, and respect for wild animals
Master of Social Work Portfolio: Rooted in Community
Full text linkhttps://scholarworks.umt.edu/grad_portfolios/1442/thumbnail.jp
2025 Statement of Support for All Staff
Full text linkA statement by Staff Senators affirming the importance of an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for all
Female Hummingbird Metabolism
Full text linkAnimal metabolism studies have frequently focused on males, resulting in a considerable gap in the knowledge of the metabolic requirements of females. These differences may have important ecological and evolutionary consequences, as female behaviors (nesting, incubation, and foraging to feed young) may lead to metabolic demands that vary significantly from those of males. Previous work has led to a hypothesis that metabolic rates to support hovering are greater outdoors compared with rates for the same behavior in laboratory studies, potentially due to wind and thermal conditions. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by measuring the metabolic cost of females using field-collected measures of hovering metabolic rates in calliope hummingbirds (Selasphorus calliope) during hover-feeding and comparing these data to laboratory-based measures.[TB1] We measured oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production to calculate metabolic rates. We used the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) to evaluate their fuel usage and the proportion of carbohydrates to fats. Field observations suggest that the females were nesting while we gathered our data, which could have influenced their energy requirements. Comparing the field data to existing laboratory results provides insight into how the birds satisfy their energy needs in different settings. We’ve seen that metabolic rate doesn’t seem to vary across lab and field measures, but further investigation into RER could reveal shifts in fuel use in females during key times in breeding phenology. To improve understanding of metabolic costs for hover-feeding, future research should explore how environmental conditions, territorial or foraging behavior, and timing of reproductive activities may influence variation in metabolic rates and fuels used
Pharmacogenomics (PGx) Implementation in Rural and Underserved Montana
Full text linkMy project focuses on optimizing pharmacogenetic (PGx - A medical tool used to tailor a person\u27s treatment based on their genes) testing, in rural pediatric psychiatry in Montana. A problem faced with PGx as an emerging health tool is limited access and difficulties implementing PGx services in rural, underserved, and tribal populations, which further healthcare disparities. Improving access and understanding of PGx would help alleviate these disparities and improve health outcomes. This project sought to answer what the perspectives on current implementations of PGx are. The project addresses healthcare disparities by evaluating provider and patient perspectives on PGx services in addition to how PGx has affected their treatment plans. PGx testing can improve treatment efficacy and reduce medication-related adverse effects in pediatric psychiatry.
Provider engagement and patient satisfaction are key factors in successful implementation, and further education and outreach are needed to maximize adoption. We developed and implemented qualitative surveys to assess provider uptake, utilization, and satisfaction with PGx, as well as patient perspectives on PGx-guided treatment. Provider feedback is gathered through post-consult and quarterly surveys. Patient experiences are evaluated via a post-consult survey. Data analysis and visualization are conducted using R and Tableau.
My project will improve access to precision medicine and PGx testing in rural and tribal communities. This research promotes more effective, personalized psychiatric care by addressing barriers to adopting PGx. Findings will help inform best practices for integrating PGx into rural healthcare to reduce health disparities and enhance treatment outcomes for all populations
Laboring and Living in Big Sky Country: The Experiences of Mexican Guest Workers in Montana during the Bracero Program 1942-1964
No full textDuring the Second World War, agricultural labor shortages led to a series of policy agreements between the Mexican and U.S. governments, colloquially known as the Bracero Program. During its 22-year duration, the U.S. government issued 5 million employment contracts to Mexican citizens across 24 U.S. states. While much of the scholarship on the Bracero program focuses on the Southwest, this paper examines the experiences of Mexican guest workers in Montana, an underexplored, although significant region in Bracero history. This paper seeks to analyze the working experiences of Montana\u27s Bracero guest workers and what those experiences reveal about broader trends in labor migration, cultural adaptation, and Montana\u27s economic conditions. The paper examines Oral Histories from the Bracero History Archive, a memoir, and newspapers to construct a thematic narrative about the Braceros in Montana. The narrative uses secondary sources to provide context for migratory history before the Bracero program started. Montana had Mexican agricultural migrant workers in the early 1900s, but when the Great Depression hit the United States, increased xenophobia led to the repatriation of many Mexicans. However, the urgent need for agricultural workers during World War Ⅱ created a unique relationship between the Braceros and their Montanan employers. This history carries deep relevance today as anti-immigrant rhetoric, ongoing mass deportation, and other forms of state violence criminalize, dehumanize, and decontextualize Mexican work-related migration in the United States