Local citizens started Bear Creek Council in 1983 when hard-rock mining was revived on the boundary of Yellowstone National Park, in Jardine on the banks of Bear Creek. Since that time, Bear Creek Council has worked to minimize the mine’s impact on the area, including monitoring its reclamation. Today, our projects include other resource issues affecting the Gardiner Basin.
Wildlife Tourism
The livelihoods of many Gardiner Basin residents depend on the wildlife in the area. Whether for tourism, research, or outfitting, the wolves, bison, bears, and other wildlife are a high priority to Bear Creek Council.
Greening Gardiner
Bear Creek Council has brought solar energy to the Gardiner Basin by putting 24 solar panels on the Gardiner School, leading solar workshops in the community, and doing a solar assessment of public buildings.
Community Fun
For nearly 30 years Bear Creek Council has hosted the Jardine Ski Run, a cross country race on Mineral Hill, and now each year they also host an annual Holiday Party, highway clean ups, the Wild and Scenic Film Festival and Earth Day outreach activities.
Bear Awareness Gardiner
Living at the entrance to Yellowstone means living with bears. Bear Awareness Gardiner has helped supply bear-resistant trash cans and bear safety education to residents in and around the north entrance to the park. Contact us if you would like a bear-resistant trash container!
Leadership
Chair
Nathan Varley
Vice Chair
Richard Parks
Secretary
Colette Daigle-Berg
Treasurer
Barbara Ulrich
Northern Plains Board Representative
Barbara Ulrich
Nathan Varley
Community Organizer
Sydney Ausen
sydney@northernplains.org
Living with Wildlife series
Bear Creek Council hosted a series of webinars in the Spring of 2021 on safety tips for living with wolves, cougars and bears.
