The Science of Hospitality:
Summer Camp-Feel Making FLBS Event Management and Lodging Services More Popular than Ever
|
|
|
|
In recent years, the Bio Station has become an increasingly popular location for outside groups to hold their conferences and academic retreats. Whether it be our quaint and cozy cabins along the shores of Flathead Lake, the access to our world-class scientists and facilities, or the opportunity to immerse in spectacular ecological settings that offer breathtaking views, reservations are already filling up the 2020 calendar. This is great news for our research and education programs, because the revenue generated through our event management and hospitality opportunities helps support the three driving forces behind our mission: Our facilities, our science, and our staff.
|
|
|
|
A group of environmental writers from Johns Hopkins University take a trip out on the Bio Station's Jessie B research vessel during their stay at the Bio Station earlier this summer.
|
|
|
In her first feature as the 2019 FLBS Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism intern, Conna Bond explores the Bio Station’s booming hospitality and event management services, and uncovers why staying at the Bio Station is like finally getting to that childhood summer camp to which you were never able to attend, but always knew you belonged.
|
|
"You Have to Believe in Yourself":
An Interview with NASA Intern and Miss Flathead Lake MT Baleigh Doyle
|
|
|
|
|
2019 NASA intern and 2020 Miss Flathead Lake MT Baleigh Doyle.
|
|
Bio Station NASA intern and Miss Flathead Lake Montana Baleigh Doyle doesn’t have time for stereotypes. The University of Montana-Western graduate and University of Montana Applied Statistics PhD candidate is far too busy spending her summer conducting environmental sensor field tests with FLBS Technologist Cody Youngbull in the SensorSpace Lab, collecting lake samples with FLBS Researcher Phil Matson, or connecting with Western Montana communities as an advocate of Flathead Lake, to be concerned with anyone’s predetermined expectations about who or what she should be.
For Doyle, time and effort is far better spent carving her own path through life. She has a passion for seeking out complex problems and working with others to solve them, and ultimately plans to use her platform in pageantry to raise awareness for environmental issues and the opportunities STEM-related fields can provide to young minds with bright ideas.
|
|
|
|
In addition to her work as a NASA intern helping FLBS researchers collect samples (upper right), Doyle also represents the Bio Station as Miss Flathead Lake MT at many western Montana events, including the Missoula Osprey Conservation and Environment Baseball Game (left) and the Fourth of July Parade in Bigfork (lower right).
|
|
|
Recently, FLBS Media and Information Specialist Ian Withrow had the opportunity to sit down with Doyle for a candid interview, in which they covered everything from her time growing up in Colorado, to the importance of perseverance, to the exposure of a national conspiracy involving Baskin Robbins ice cream. The most amazing revelation of all, however, came in Doyle's telling of a special encounter she had in a mountain ski lodge one snowy afternoon...
|
|
|
Follow Baleigh on Social Media
|
|
A Gathering of Grizzlies:
University of Montana Alumni and Friends Assemble at the Bio Station for Unforgettable Summer Event
|
|
|
|
|
Photos courtesy University of Montana Foundation intern Audrey Godbey.
|
|
What began as a blustery morning transformed into a beautiful evening as the Bio Station served as the venue of the 2019 University of Montana Flathead Lake Alumni event. This was the first time the event has been held at our facilities, and the University of Montana Foundation and University of Montana Alumni Association certainly pulled out all the stops to show everyone an outstanding time. During the event, UM President Seth Bodnar gave a special recognition of FLBS Director Jim Elser for his recent election into the National Academy of Sciences, and our interns and scientists were on hand to give presentations and answer questions about our research and monitoring of Flathead Lake. It's because of evenings like this that we are reminded how fortunate we are to be a part of the Griz family and how proud we are to represent the University of Montana.
|
|
Community Snapshot(s): Boys & Girls Clubs from Ronan and Polson Stop by to Help with Flathead Lake Research
|
|
|
|
We had some special visitors stop by the Bio Station in July! As participants in our Flathead Lake Aquatic Research and Education (FLARE) K-12 program, the Boys & Girls Clubs from Ronan and Polson made the trip up Highway 35 to get hands-on experience researching Flathead Lake. Our FLARE K-12 program is already gearing up for a busy start to the school year. In the meantime, we were so grateful for the opportunity to work with these incredible kids!
|
|
SOT Reminder: No Science on Tap in July or August
|
|
|
Due to a busy summer schedule, there will be no Science on Tap in July or August.
The next Science on Tap will be Tuesday, September 3
(topic and location TBD)
Stay tuned for updates and have a safe and happy summer!
|
|
|
|
|
|
