Welcoming New Big Sky Members to FLBS
Happy New Year from FLBS!
Paige Weigand here with the Montana Pesticide Stewardship Partnership Program (MT PSPP). I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the lead BSWC (Big Sky Watershed Corps) member for PSPP this year. I can’t wait to get to know you all, the members of the broader PSPP community, this year throughout my term of service.
Also beginning her term of service this January is Callie Nelson! Callie is the lead BSWC member for MMW (Monitoring Montana Waters) this year. We will be working closely throughout our terms due to the overlap between PSPP and MMW. We received a warm welcome here at the Flathead Lake Biological Station and can’t wait to start diving in.
This month, Callie and I attended a three-day BSWC Orientation Training in Bozeman hosted by Montana Conservation Corps. We heard from incredible speakers about Montana’s native tribes, rural communities, watersheds, prairies, and even participated in an interpersonal psychology workshop.
As for PSPP Programming, this month we began building our 2026 Monitoring Plan. This year, we are aiming to reduce the miles traveled and to engage more volunteers within their local areas. This will make sampling more convenient for you, our partners, and us as well. We are meeting often as a team to discuss the best way to collect a projected 700+ samples in 2026.
MT PSPP is also looking to expand our volunteer efforts! If you or your watershed group would like to get involved with PSPP sampling this year, don’t hesitate to contact me at paige.weigand@flbs.umt.edu. We are always looking to engage new individuals and watershed groups!
Cheers to a big year ahead!
About the author
Paige Weigand
Paige Weigand is the lead Big Sky Watershed Corps member in 2026 for the Montana Pesticide Stewardship Partnership Program. She conducts fieldwork activities, coordinates volunteers, and assists with all things PSPP.