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Nonprofit steps in to keep Hyalite near Bozeman clean during government shutdown

Posted at 2:23 PM, Jan 07, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-07 16:23:50-05

BOZEMAN – The nonprofit Friends of Hyalite is making sure the Hyalite recreational area stays clean while the government shutdown continues. 

The group was formed by volunteers who work with the U.S. Forest Service to maintain the recreational area. Each year, the group reaches out to the public for donations to have Gallatin County plow the roads up to the canyon. This year they are still raising money on their website.

While the government is shut down, the group is also tasked with keeping the area clean and outhouses stocked with toilet paper. The group has asked citizens to make sure to leave no trace behind during this time.

“Really not that bad,” said Friends of Hyalite member Peter Bennett. “I was up here on Friday picking up trash and really there wasn’t that much. Some people haven’t been picking up after their dogs, and that was probably the worst of it, but other than that it has been pretty good.”

Bennett said 1,000 people visit the area each weekend and 20,000 each month in the winter.

Story by Mederios Babb, MTN News

Related: Residents near Yellowstone step up to help clean up during government shutdown