BOZEMAN, Mont. – A Montana State University fraternity helped clean up abandoned campsites on Sunday as a way of fulfilling their community service hours.
A sofa, mattress, clothes and even a broken TV were all left on woodlands located at the base of the Bridger Mountain Range. Bart Manion, who has helped the owner of the property clean up these abandoned campsites, said the mess was most likely left behind by Bozeman’s homeless population.
“I really feel for these folks, and to live out here in those kind of conditions, it is not only sad but I think it is something that we really need to address as a community,” said Manion.
Just a short walk away is another campsite. On this site, left behind is a tent, toothbrush, and a metal enclosure spray painted with the words ‘The Kill Machine’. Everything left behind creates danger for wildlife passing through.
“Critters as they come, migrate out of the mountains during the winter time need to have a secure place to bed down and kinda get away from the general population,” said Manion.
For years there was a tree house on the property. Last year it came crashing down, crushing a deer that was standing right underneath it.
The owner of the property is hoping to turn the land into a wetland wildlife preserve, but first it needed to be cleaned up. Luckily enough, Manion’s son Benjamin is part of Kappa Sigma fraternity, which pitched in to help.
“It is definitely a bonding experience no matter how many people we have out here. Just working together and putting in the work together so that the job can get done faster makes us closer in the end, I think,” said Benjamin.
A bonding opportunity while making sure no more deer are harmed in the future.
