About Forest in Focus Custer Gallatin National Forest
Welcome to the Forest Focus Custer Gallatin National Forest podcast, where the untamed spirit of nature comes alive through captivating stories nestled in the heart of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. Journey with us as we explore the rich tapestry of history, landscapes, wildlife, projects, tales from the field, and more!
Subscribe now and become a part of our brand-new community of listeners who cherish the wonders of the Custer Gallatin National Forest.
Building a Legacy: Harry S. Kaufman and the First Main Boulder Ranger Station
In this podcast, we dive into the remarkable history of Harry S. Kaufman, a pioneering ranger in Montana’s Absaroka Mountains, and the historic Main Boulder Ranger Station—an enduring symbol of conservation and rugged frontier spirit.
14 Aug 2026
A New Path Forward Building the Sweet Trunk Trail
In this bite‑sized episode of Forest in Focus, Public Affairs Specialist Morgan De Meyer talks with trails engineer and Contracting Officer's Representative Todd Orr about the creation of the new Sweet Trunk Trail No. 274.
Todd walks listeners through the trail’s planned 20‑plus‑mileroute from Big Timber Canyon to Sweetgrass Creek, how the alignment improves access by resolving former checkerboard ownership, and what hikers, horsemen, and sportsmen can expect once it's complete.
Tune in for an inside look at how this major trail project is being built and what it will mean for public access in the years ahead.
28 Jul 2026
Whitebark Pine Seeds of Survival, Little Bear Whitebark Pine Seed Orchard
In this episode, "Whitebark Pine Seeds of Survival," we venture into the rugged peaks of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to visit the Little Bear Whitebark Pine Seed Orchard, a beacon of hope in the fight against the decline of the majestic whitebark pine tree. We speak with Heidi Genito, seed orchard manager on the Custer Gallatin National Forest about the transformative journey the orchard has taken As we listen to voices like Randall Scarlett and Josh Hemenway, we learn about the importance of these resilient trees and the challenges they face.
5 Jun 2026
Crafting the Wild: Voices of the Trail Crew
Step behind the scenes of the Custer Gallatin National Forest, where the trails you hike don’t maintain themselves—they’re built, cleared, packed in, and protected by a community of people whose work is often invisible but always essential.
In this episode of Forest in Focus, Public Affairs Specialist Morgan De Meyer sits down with three backcountry experts whose lives revolve around tread, tools, stock, storms, and the quiet miles in between.
Trail specialist Josh Kinsel shares what it means to manage decades of erosion control, volunteer partnerships, chainsaw training, and the “search and repair” mission that keeps the Bozeman District’s trails open.
Wilderness lead Rachel Crump brings us into the solitude of the Gardiner District—eight‑day hitches, hand tools only, days without seeing another person, and the type‑two fun that becomes unforgettable.
And packer Trapper Osborne reveals how horses and mules make deep‑backcountry projects possible, from hauling bridge beams after historic floods to delivering the occasional root‑beer float 14 miles in.
It’s gritty, quiet, powerful work—an ongoing tradition that ensures anyone seeking wild places can still reach them.
11 Mar 2026
Safeguarding Bears and Visitors: Understanding the Food Storage Order
In this episode, "Safeguarding Bears and Visitors: Understanding the Food Storage Order," we speak with Josh Hemenway, the Wildlife Program Manager in a Question and Answer style interview as we discuss an important topic for all visitors: the Food Storage Order. This regulation plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of both visitors and wildlife, particularly bears.
Host:
Charity Parks, Custer Gallatin National Forest Public Affairs Specialist
Guest Speakers:
Josh Hemenway, Custer Gallatin National Forest Wildlife Program Manager
20 Jan 2026
Patrolling the Frozen Frontier: Inside the Snowmobile Operations for Law Enforcement Course
When the pavement stops and snow reaches shoulder height, the dynamics of law enforcement transform completely. In this episode, we delve into the Snowmobile Operations for Law Enforcement Course (SOLEC), a three-day intensive training led by law enforcement professionals from the Custer Gallatin National Forest. This program equips officers from various agencies to become adept backcountry operators.
Uncover why being stuck in chest-deep powder is viewed as the ultimate "benchmark for trying hard" and how enduring a full-body workout at 9,000 feet is an essential part of the role. We go beyond the fundamentals to explore the "art" of winter policing—where officers from nationwide agencies learn to handle life-and-death situations in extreme cold, reaching fifty degrees below zero.
From the tactical "shock and awe" of high-speed snowmobile pursuits to the somber duty of conducting backcountry coroner investigations, discover how this training addresses a crucial gap in public safety. Whether enforcing trail registrations or coordinating a midnight search and rescue, learn what it takes to uphold law and order in a landscape where the "tree always wins."
Host:
Morgan De Meyer, Custer Gallatin National Forest Public Affairs Specialist
Guest Speakers:
Brad Bolte, Custer Gallatin National Forest Patrol Captain
Dan Hayden, Gallatin County' Sheriff's Office Seargent
Gabe Gassman, formerCuster Gallatin National Forest Law Enforcement Officer
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3 ratings
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