The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘Green Living’ Category

The Circular Economy: How Glass Reuse and Recycling Support Sustainability in Missoula

This article explores how glass can contribute to a more sustainable future and what the residents of Missoula can do to support this effort.... more

The Impact of Junk Removal on Property Values

Junk removal is not just about cleanliness; it’s about maximizing the worth of your property.... more

Practical Tips on Choosing the Right Roofing Specialist for Your Home

In this comprehensive guide, we'll provide you with practical tips to ensure that you choose the right roofing specialist for your home.... more

4 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Montana

This article will provide insider knowledge that will help you prepare for your move to the Garden City or anywhere in Montana. ... more

Top 5 Most Popular Eco-friendly Home Modifications

The following factors should guide you when deciding on green improvements to make in your home:... more

Cleaning Missoula’s Air With Greener Travel and Carbon Offsetting

Among U.S. states, Montana is leading the way with investments in greener infrastructure making it easier than ever for us to live more environmentally responsible lives.... more

Ways To Sell Your House In The Summer

Do you want to know what potential buyers look for when purchasing a home in the summer? Before you put your house up for sale, consider the points raised in this article.... more

Tips On How To Sell Your Home Fast In A Slow Real Estate Market

While it may be a little bit challenging to sell a home, it's still doable. These tips should guide you through the process.... more

The Difference Between Renting A Dumpster And Hiring A Junk Removal Company

Here is the difference between getting a dumpster and hiring a junk removal company:... more

How to Reduce Non-Biodegradable Waste and Recycle More Effectively

Besides recycling waste, you can considerably reduce it by adopting various healthier alternatives to non-biodegradable products. ... more

How Yurt Housing differs from a Traditional Home

Yurt Living - an Alternative to Traditional Housing – and the Tiny House. Buying a home can be an expensive, lengthy process, and the rent for an apartment is looking increasingly more like mortgage... more

Missoula in Motion Launches January Clear the Air Challenge

For the month of January, Missoula In Motion will challenge citizens to reduce the amount of C02 they emit into the air by trying to limit their solo driving trips.... more

How to Start a Green Team at Your School

You’ve finally decided your school needs an Eco-messiah, and you’re looking into starting a green team, but you don’t know where to start? ... more

The State of the Jungle

By PAUL WHEATON - The more stuff I create and post online, the more people need to give me their feedback. Just reading their feedback is bigger than a full time job. ... more

Swords, Iron, Missoula Blood and Pie

By PAUL WHEATON - Turns out I have too much iron in my blood and it's leading to exhaustion. So I get the idea of just donating blood to see if I then feel supercharged. ... more

Jumping Spiders and Daddy Longlegs in Your House Keep Away Brown Recluse

By PAUL WHEATON - This video is of a jumping spider that found its way onto my monitor. I used to kill all spiders, but here's why I don't anymore.... more

Residential Water Conservation

Conserving water in your home is much easier than you think. By taking just a few simple steps, you can save water and decrease your water bill!... more

Struggles, Hurdles, Challenges and Observation

By PAUL WHEATON - I'm not yet of retirement age, but I suppose I could say that I am retired .... from being a software engineer. Sorta. ... more

City of Missoula Storm Updates

Clean-up from Monday’s thunderstorms continues throughout the City.  The City of Missoula would like to remind citizens of the following items: Power has been restored at Splash Montana waterpark. The fa... more

Are you Testing Your Drinking Water?

Arsenic is fairly common in Montana’s groundwater--especially in mountainous areas where well water is affected. Are you testing your drinking water?... more

Junkpole Fence: Freaky Cheap Chicken/Deer Fence

By PAUL WHEATON - We needed a permanent fence that would keep flighty chickens (layers) in and keep the deer and the wild turkeys out. This fence went up mighty fast and cheap.... more

Installation of Ybarra’s Public Art Sculpture Underway at Silver Park

Construction of the new public art piece for Silver Park, George Ybarra’s sculpture “Perseverance and Passage,” has begun.... more

City Imposes Stage 1 Fire Reststrictions Bans All Fireworks

Fire Danger moved to EXTREME on Monday and Stage 1 fire restrictions have been imposed prohibiting use of fire or open flame, including campfires, smoking and the use of fireworks.... more

Leave Young Wildlife Where You Find Them

By TOM PALMER - Remember this advice if you see newborn wild animals: "If you care, leave them there." Do not move or attempt to feed newborn wildlife.... more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders
Part 3 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON - I want to grow the future of permaculture. Not just with my ideas, but with 20 different artisans in seed and soil. Each permie would have their own vision for what is “best”.... more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders Part 2 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON - When it came to picking a piece of land, I have a powerful bias. I just love Missoula, Montana. Someday I want to be able to say that I grow a lemon tree, outdoors, in Montana.... more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders Part 1 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON -Decades ago I was obsessed with gardening and outgrew my urban lot. I needed more space. Not only for my horticultural endeavors, but I needed to expand into all sorts of animals.... more

National Ground Water Awareness Week March 8-14

National Groundwater Awareness Week is the week of March 8-14 and Kinetico of Montana just wants you to remember a few things about your groundwater and its importance in our lives.... more

Rocket Mass Heaters: The Absurdly Efficient, Cheap, and Comfortable Way to Heat Your Home

By PAUL WHEATON - So what’s the big deal? Well, Rocket Mass Heaters are one of the most sustainable and affordable heat sources in the world! ... more

The Dark Side of Native Plant Enthusiasm

By PAUL WHEATON - What’s wrong with native plants? The problem has nothing to do with advocating for native plants, but in advocating against all other plants – not just for oneself, but for all people.... more

Did you Just Should on Me?

By PAUL WHEATON - The word “should” is seriously embedded in our culture and habits. And I think it is possible that it may have slightly different meanings for different people. ... more

Infecting Brains with Permaculture 52 Cards at a Time

By PAUL WHEATON - When I give gifts, rather than giving people stuff that they might like, I tend to give them things that I like them to have. Check out this gift idea:... more

Capitalism, Gift Economy, and Prices That Are Too Damn High

By PAUL WHEATON - My feeble understanding of capitalism is that I can work super hard for a year, save up all my money and then live without working for several years.... more

Testing the Waters–Ensuring the Water You Drink is Healthy

Hard water is the leading water problem in America and, and Missoula and Western Montana are no exception. Here are few things to know about hard water and what to do about it:... more

Hops Ranch Soon to Provide Fresh Beer to the Flathead

By TRISTAN SCOTT - What began as a 1-acre research project, sponsored by the Montana Department of Agriculture and two local breweries – has entered its second season and is now producing hops.... more

Hard Water Problems in Missoula

Hard water is the leading water problem in America and, and Missoula and Western Montana are no exception. Here are few things to know about hard water and what to do about it:... more

Bee Huts

By PAUL WHEATON-I’ve heard that by adding a roof to protect your bee hives, you can increase honey production by as much as four or five fold. The secret: The happiness of the bee matters!... more

Missoula’s Annual Chip Seal Program Begins

City of Missoula Street Division crews begin applying oil and chips to city streets on Monday, July 28, in the City’s annual Chip Seal Street Maintenance Program. Missoula annually seals the surface of ab... more

Flies Really Bite. Are they Bugging the Cows?

By PAUL WHEATON-Biting flies can sure make life miserable for cattle, horses and even people! Big or small, those insects can inflict painful sores. Here are a few solutions for getting rid of biting flies:... more

20 Tips for Staying Cool and Saving Money in the Summer

By PAUL WHEATON-It’s hot! So it is perfect timing to talk about how to stay cool on the cheap – both long term and short term. Here are 20 tips on staying cool this summer and saving money too.... more

Vote With Your Fork

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - One of our very core rights as human beings is challenged in this country on a daily basis. That is the freedom to choose the food(s) that we wish to raise, buy and consume.... more

How to Eat Local & Stay Healthy

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON -Eating local means contributing to the local economy. A dollar spent locally generates twice as much income for the local economy. When businesses are not owned locally, money leaves th... more

Frugal Foodie: Intentional Leftovers

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - In times of economic struggles, often people cut their food budget, sacrificing the pleasure and fulfillment of true nourishment. But you don't have to.... more

Keen on Mason Bees

By PAUL WHEATON-And now boys and girls, it is time for Uncle Paul to tell you about the birds and the bees. Or, more accurately, the flowers and the bees. And, even more accurately: Flower sex.... more

Edible Weeds–If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Eat ‘Em!

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - Fields of the pretty yellow flowers in the lawn; are they really so bad? Dandelion leaves, flowers, stems and roots are all edible if you have an organic yard!... more

Sheep Grazing on City Open Space, Pet Owners Asked to Help Protect Herd

By BECKY GOODRICH-Missoula Parks and Recreation is asking dog owners to watch for sheep grazing on City open space, and leash their pets when hiking near the herd. ... more

Reversing Desertification

By PAUL WHEATON - Man-made desertification impacts climate change more than the burning of all fossil fuels. This includes contributions to greenhouse gasses, and overall warming.... more

Downtown Flower Baskets Scheduled For Hanging May 20

Missoula’s beloved Downtown Flower Baskets are scheduled to go up on Tuesday, May 20 beginning at 5:30 pm. Volunteers will place the baskets created by Pink Grizzly.... more

Passive Annual Heat Storage

By PAUL WHEATON -When heating or cooling a home can a comfortable temperature be obtained year round with far less energy use? Can we get it down to a tenth of the national average?... more

Apple Trees from Seed

By PAUL WHEATON -There is this story going around that if you try and grow apples from seed, then there is only a 1 in 20,000 chance that you’ll have an edible apple. ... more