Each month, we’re highlighting the people and organizations who make the Gallatin Forest Partnership tick. This month, the spotlight’s on GFP member Chris McCarthy.
Hey Chris, can you tell us a little about yourself?
My wife and I are recent empty nesters, with adult children living in Bozeman and Chicago. Both of us grew up on the Rocky Mountain front in Augusta. I’ve lived in Missoula, Helena, Billings and briefly in St. George, Utah. When we moved our family to the Gallatin Valley in 2009, we picked Belgrade over Bozeman, thinking the schools would be a little smaller for our kids, which they really weren’t. We’ve now been here longer than any other community we’ve lived in and see no reason for that to change anytime soon.
What brought you to Montana?
I was born and raised here!
So what do you do for work?
I’m the sales manager and part owner of Outside Media Group. We’re the publishers of Outside Bozeman magazine, several niche guides, and outsidebozeman.com. Prior to joining OMG, I was involved in sales and management for multiple radio stations in Montana and Utah.
What is your favorite part of the GFP landscape?
The ones I haven’t been to yet.
What do you do for fun?
It depends on the season, but it’s always outside and predominantly on public lands. Nordic and alpine skiing in the winter; fishing, rafting, mountain biking in the spring and summer; hunting upland game birds and big game in the fall. I also trail run year round.
What are you most passionate about?
Besides my family, it’s public land and everything that goes with it. Concerns over loss of access is what got me involved with the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, where I am currently a regional board member representing Gallatin, Park and Madison counties.
Why is the Gallatin Forest Partnership important to you?
Working with a group that is willing to work with multiple users is the most important draw for me. Having horsemen at the table with mountain bikers, all working towards a shared vision, is something worth fighting for. Plus, being born and raised in Montana, I’ve watched the development of these areas for the last several decades. Rampant development cannot go unchecked or we’ll have no wild places left.
Want to learn more about how the Gallatin Forest Partnership proposal will protect the wildness, wildlife, recreation, and clean water that make our corner of Montana so special? You can explore the full proposal here and show your support by endorsing it here.