About the project:

Montana's unique geology is the source of most of its successful economic base, including watersheds, agriculture, the mining and petroleum industries and, increasingly, tourism. But that geological heritage remains one of the State's best-kept secrets from the public. There are signs along Montana's highways that allow both residents and visitors to appreciate the rich human history of the State. To date, the geological information that explains the landscapes in which they are traveling remains mainly in books. This project creates a geologic education legacy, in the form of easily accessed informative signs along Montana's highways and byways. The tourism industry in Montana is preparing for a large increase in visitors to the Lewis and Clark Trail as the Bicentennial approaches. These signs will enrich their visits, and perhaps encourage them to stay a little longer. Pending funding in succeeding years, we will continue the project to include the most spectacular and important geologic sites elsewhere in the state.

Together, the signs will function as an entertaining, field-based mini-course in the State's landscapes and the Earth-based aspects of its economy and history. Ultimately, its impact on Montana residents and visitors should be an improved appreciation of the geologic history of Montana and the overriding influence of the State's geology on its landscapes and people. That kind of understanding is crucial as Montanans make long-term decisions about the best uses of our environment and the development of our Earth's resources.

This work has been funded by a federal grant to The University of Montana - Western, with administration of funds and oversight of the project by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). The project began with research to determine suitable, geologically interesting, existing safe sites for signs along roadsides that take traffic close to the Lewis and Clark Trail. We did additional research to gather more information about the geology of those sites, making contacts with local agencies and organizations, and writing sign texts. For the last two years, we have been working with sign contractors to produce the signs. They are now mostly completed and many are already installed. The rest should be in place by early summer, 2006.