Important and fragile mountain environments need study and protection to sustain water resources, prevent soil erosion and deforestation, restore biodiversity, monitor air quality, and assure that economic development is
compatible with other values and sustainable in the long term. Mountain communities may be enriched or threatened by changing patterns of tourism, agriculture, forestry, and settlement. Cultural attributes, including customs and stories, are often particular to certain mountain regions. Initially, there will be three parts to this project: (a) Mountain environmental research & restoration projects: Share results of your environmental projects in mountain environments. (b) Mountain land use issues and proposals: Contribute your stories to a special edition of the Billings Press Review, deadline March 15 for publication in June. (c) Mountain stories adapted for the stage: Rewrite regional stories into short plays.

Possible project/classroom activities? Air quality monitoring is important in
mountainous regions. Quite often prevailing winds blow air pollutants from urbanized areas to the mountains, and air quality may also be affected by burning of wood for heat and/or cooking. Information about levels of fine particulates in mountain areas is especially important, as other pollutants often covary with particulate levels. Particulate fall-out may affect pH of water in mountain streams and lakes, so a study of pH of surface waters is a good idea. Evidence of soil erosion is another possible study. Restoration projects might include a native plant revegetation project, a rainwater catchment project, a project to reduce wood-burning requirements, etc. The news stories and folktale scripts (see above) will be shared widely. Share your ideas! The facilitator for this project knows of many government agencies and NGOs around the world with people who may be willing to help, so ask for contact information.