Friends of Park County

07/28/2026

Just a few more days remain in the 2026 Give a Hoot campaign, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has already supported Friends of Park County. 🙏

Your support has placed us in a strong position and, more importantly, has shown that many people care about how Park County grows and how the decisions affecting our communities, working lands, water, wildlife, and natural resources are made.

But this work does not end when Give a Hoot ends.

Important conversations about growth and planning will continue, and Friends of Park County must be prepared to provide accurate information, encourage meaningful public participation, bring knowledgeable speakers into the community, and advocate for planning processes that are open, lawful, and fair.

Good decisions begin with good information, and your support allows us to continue providing that information when our community needs it most.

07/27/2026

Thank you for this shout out from the GIVE A HOOT account! We're honored to be working in community with so many terrific organizations dedicated to preserving our robust natural resources here in Park County! 🤝

07/25/2026

07/21/2026

We believe that community participation should be more than public hearings.

At its recent meeting, the Park County Planning Board discussed ways to give people a better opportunity to participate as it continues reviewing possible enhancements to our existing Part 1 Citizen-Initiated Zoning District process.

Friends of Park County welcomes that conversation.

The Planning Board has invested considerable time discussing how to better inform residents while making efficient use of everyone’s time. We support whatever process gives residents meaningful opportunities to learn about proposed changes, ask questions, and contribute ideas before recommendations move forward.

[Image: Meeting notes from the Park County Planning Board's facilitated workshop to create a public notification plan, hosted in Gardiner on May 15, 2023.]

07/15/2026

Why, yes, that IS our Board member, Chris Hillegass, being appreciated for her work with the Paradise Ramble Host Committee! Well done, Chris!! 👏

As we reflect on another outstanding Paradise Ramble, we would like to recognize the hard work of our Ramble Host Committee that spared no detail in making the night so special and full of magic ✨

From outreach to the community to beautiful table arrangements to warm welcomes and captivating featured art, we could not have done this without you!

Join us in saying THANK YOU to our 2026 Paradise Ramble Host Committee (pictured left to right):

Amanda Hester, PCCF Operations Director
Whitney Martin, Chair,
Joe Wayne, Featured Artist
Chris Hillegass, Ph.D.
Tricia Erikson, PCCF Philanthropy Director
Bernice Gillespie
Karen Cochran
Barbara Green, Ph.D.
Cindy Smith Page
Barbara Claiborn

Host committee members not pictured: Jen McMillion, Natalie Orfalea, Nikki Todd, and featured artist George Bumann.

“For the Love of Park County,” the Paradise Ramble gathers neighbors together to celebrate community and the spirit of generosity. Save the date for next year’s Ramble on Thursday, July 15, 2027 at Sage Lodge. Learn more about the Paradise Ramble here: https://www.pccf-montana.org/ramble

07/15/2026

In our 2022 countywide poll, three in five voters said growth and development in Park County were happening too fast.

Some growth is inevitable. The important question is whether Park County residents and county officials will have clear, practical tools to help shape how, where, and when that growth occurs. Friends of Park County works to help develop those tools before the next major proposal is already underway.

07/13/2026

Why do the people who know this work well give their time, energy, and money to Friends of Park County? We'll let you tell them theirselves!

07/11/2026

Bernice & John Gillespie are an incredible example of what it means to be engaged & enthusiastic community members!

We are honored to award the 2026 Westerly Award to John and Bernice Gillespie for their outstanding generosity and support for Park County nonprofits 🏆

Presented amidst the magic at the seventh-annual Paradise Ramble last night, PCCF’s Westerly Award celebrates community and the spirit of generosity in Park County.

“John and Bernice Gillespie are perfect examples of what The Westerly Award is all about—people who call this place home sweet home, who make the whole place better while insisting they’re ‘just helping out,’” said Whitney Martin, Paradise Ramble Host Committee Chair.

“John and I support this community because it makes us feel good and it’s the right thing to do. That other people have noticed is pretty astounding,” said Bernice Gillespie.

“There's no place where I've lived before where so many people are so well-intentioned and friendly towards each other. It is special,” said John Gillespie.

The couple was nominated Yellowstone Gateway Museum Foundation, PCCArts, Park County Environmental Council, and PCCF.

Pictured: Whitney Martin (left) and PCCF Philanthropy Director Tricia Erikson (second from left) presented the 2026 Westerly Award to John and Bernice Gillespie (right). Photo by Keelia Jo Photography.

Learn more about the couple’s outstanding generosity on our news page here: https://www.pccf-montana.org/news/the-westerly-award-celebrates-community-and-the-spirit-of-generosity-in-park-county