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By Mark Moran - Producer-Editor, Contact News
Big Sky Connection - A new urban forestry grant program will allocate nearly a half-million dollars to improve the tree canopy in Montana's urban areas. In addition to fighting the effects of climate change, supporters say the urban tree canopy program will also benefit the areas economically. Comments from Jamie Kirby, urban and community forestry program manager, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
Click on the image above for the audio. Urban Community Forestry Grants seek to improve air quality and wildlife habitat in Montana's disadvantaged urban areas. (Adobe Stock)
Mark Moran
January 12, 2024 - The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is investing $400,000 in grant projects to improve the tree canopy in Montana's urban areas.
It is the largest forestry grant of its type the state has ever received. The department wants applicants to focus on innovative forestry projects to take on the effects of climate change, such as improving air quality and providing shade.
Jamie Kirby, urban and community forestry program manager for the department, said the Urban Community Forestry Grants should have a big impact on historically underserved areas in Montana.
"We'll be focused on increasing access to green space in urban areas," Kirby explained. "The funds will improve economic and environmental impacts to these disadvantaged areas."
In addition to getting trees into the ground, grant recipients will be required to provide urban forest management plans and educational programs on tree care and preservation.
Kirby pointed out more and better urban canopies will also improve air and water quality and enhance urban wildlife habitats. She added the whole country has seen a reduction in urban canopy vegetation. In Montana, reversing the trend means planting more trees and monitoring those already in place.
"Assessing them for their health, for what kind of species we have available and what really grows well in our climate is really important to understand our urban forest resources," Kirby emphasized.
Kirby added Montana cities, towns, counties, community-based organizations, colleges, nonprofits and tribal governments are eligible to apply for the grants, which range from $10,000 to $50,000. The program is paid for largely through the Inflation Reduction Act. The deadline to apply is the end of January.
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PNS - Friday, January 12, 2024 - The far-right says the release of the January 6th video is being "slow-rolled," some Republicans reject former President Trump's calling insurrectionists "hostages," and a Pentagon watchdog says more than $1 billion in Ukraine weapons have gone missing.
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PNS - Friday, January 12, 2024 - MN project part of autonomous vehicles movement for people with disabilities; Trump rants that New York civil trial is a 'fraud on me' after judge allows him to speak during closing arguments; Americans are getting billions in student loan debt canceled.
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By Mark Moran - Producer-Editor, Contact - News
Big Sky Connection - A new comprehensive health report shows Montana ranks just about in the middle among the states in terms of overall health. The United Health Foundation, in partnership with the American Public Health Association, found eight chronic conditions are on the rise nationwide, with alcohol consumption especially concerning in the state. Comments from Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare.
Click on the image above for the audio. The number of mental healthcare providers in Montana increased 36%, from 282.7 to 385.1 per 100,000 people, according to the United Health Foundation report. (Adobe stock)
Mark Moran
January 11, 2024 - New data from the United Health Foundation show a handful of significant and chronic health conditions on the rise across the U.S.
But there is some good news, including in Montana.
Montanans show a high rate of high school completion, report that they're getting sufficient sleep, and have a low hospitalization rate for preventable illnesses.
But the report says eight chronic conditions are on the rise nationally. They include asthma, cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, diabetes and arthritis.
The latter rose 12% in Montana. Dr. Rhonda Randall is UnitedHealthcare's chief medical officer.
"These are generally conditions that can be well controlled, with the appropriate lifestyle modifications and treatment from your physician," said Randall. "But generally, these are conditions that someone will live with long term."
The state also reported a high rate of "excessive drinking" in Montana, a 14% increase in premature deaths, a low rate of dedicated in-home care providers, and one of the nation's highest teen suicide rates.
If you or a loved one are in crisis, please call 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
The report indicates the number of mental healthcare providers in Montana was up by more than a third, following a national trend. Randall called this one of several positive pieces of news in the data.
"The number of mental health professionals in our country increased 7%," said Randall. "The number of dental professionals increased 7%. The percentage of uninsured decreased 7%. Occupational fatalities went down. Smoking is now the lowest it's been."
Montana ranked first nationally in the number of residents protected by no-smoking regulations and also showed a sharp increase in the number of primary care and dental health providers.
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