Group recognized for many contributions to the Yellowstone County environment
Billings, February 12, 2025: Bright n’ Beautiful, the Keep America Beautiful affiliate for Yellowstone County, is proud to announce that the Yellowstone Area National Smokejumper Association is the recipient of the 2024 Bright n’ Beautiful Community Star Award. Bright n’ Beautiful created the award in 2018 to annually recognize people in the community who have made outstanding contributions to the beauty and well-being of Yellowstone County.
The members of the local Smokejumper Association have been enhancing our region for many years, whether it be identifying and hefting tons of metal waste from our waters, ridding our natural areas of noxious weeds and invasive trees, removing litter from ditches, re-surfacing trails, or doing away with barbed wire and other hazards to Montana wildlife. Their activities go on year-round.
“Over the last four years, the retired Smokejumpers have become an integral part of the Yellowstone River Research Center’s cleanup efforts and have pushed us to new heights in terms of the amount of trash removed each year,” says YRRC Director Kayhan Ostovar. “I can’t imagine a more generous and dedicated group of individuals who live each day in service to their community. They have made it a healthier place to live and have set an example of service that should be applauded and appreciated.”
The Smokejumpers collaborate with various environmental improvement organizations including YRRC, Our Montana, Bright n’ Beautiful, and the 33-year strong volunteer-driven Yellowstone River Parks Association (YRPA). “Rarely have we had a group as driven as the Billings-area retired Smokejumper crew,” says Executive Director Carolyn Sevier. “They pile together their abundant energy and lifetimes of experience with plenty of camaraderie and a willingness to share their knowledge with others. Thanks to the members of the Yellowstone Area Smokejumper Association for showing us how it’s done.”
“It takes a village,” says Smokejumper leader Jack Sterling referring to the many organizations that work together to preserve and protect the Yellowstone environment. Groups like the Smokejumpers inspire us to get outside, enjoy fellowship with our neighbors and get involved in caring for our precious Montana home. Thank you, members of the Yellowstone Area National Smokejumper Association for your outstanding contributions to the health and well-being of Yellowstone County.
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About the National Smokejumper Association
Mission Statement: The National Smokejumper Association, through a cadre of volunteers and partnerships, is dedicated to preserving the history and lore of smokejumping, maintaining and restoring our nation’s forest and rangeland resources and responding to special needs of smokejumpers and their families. Our Values: Comradeship, Education, Pride in work well done, Loyalty, Benevolence. For more information, visit www.smokejumpers.com.
About Bright n’ Beautiful
Founded in 1988, Bright n’ Beautiful is a nonprofit organization serving Billings and Yellowstone County. It is a proud affiliate of the nation’s leading community improvement organization, Keep America Beautiful, and has achieved the 2024 President’s Circle designation, recognizing exemplary performance by certified affiliates in creating clean, green, and beautiful communities. Bright n’ Beautiful collaborates with individual volunteers and organizations throughout the region to end littering, promote recycling and beautify our shared environment. For more information visit www.bnbyc.org and www.kab.org
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