Climate change and Montana

By Robin Cunningham, Dan Vermillion and Ed Tompkins

As Montanans we live close to the land. Our unique way of life is directly tied to the quality of our lands, waters, fish and wildlife. We are people who are counting on cold, clean waters and an abundance of trout. The quality of that resource directly impacts not only our personal recreation but also our business interests and our livelihoods.

Each year guides, outfitters, fly shop owners, restaurants, hotels and their employees watch Montana’s snowpack anxiously. In an ever-increasing number of years, Montanans are confronted with l...