Montana is full of places that shape who we are—a favorite stretch of river, a hunting camp, a trail, a family ranch, a city park, or a piece of public land we return to year after year. Why do some places matter so deeply to us? And once they do, what responsibility do we have to care for them? Join Wild Montana Executive Director John Todd for a conversation about place, memory, change, stewardship, and the Montana we hope to pass on.

Zachary Block’s grandfather Daniel G. Block moved to Montana from Milwaukee, WI after World War II and homesteaded on the western boundary of Glacier Park. He later became a biology professor for the UM Western. Zachary discovered Daniel’s memoir in 2025 and worked with local historians to edit the book. Talk with Zachary about his process and how his family’s story has taken on new life as publications like the Big Sky Journal, Montana Quarterly, Flathead Living have featured the memoir and thousands of copies have sold.

How does our historic architecture reflect our identity? Pat Jacobs serves as architect of record for two remarkable Virginia City projects: the Madison County Courthouse and the Stonewall Hall. In 2001, she founded her own architectural firm, ARCHitecture Trio, focusing on community revitalization, building renovation, and adaptive reuse. Her firm has restored nearly 100 historic building facades listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Pat champions preservation as a means of enhancing our communities, preserving our built environment, and enriching the lives of individuals.

For 75 years, the Archie Bray Foundation has attracted ceramic artists from around the world, making Helena an unlikely destination for ceramic exploration and artistic exchange. But the story goes back even further—to Archie Bray himself and his vision for bringing world-class musicians and artists to Helena. Robert Harrison, who has spent five decades creating site-specific, large-scale architectural sculpture and engaging with the Bray, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people, ideas, and artistic energy that have helped shape Helena’s cultural identity and continue to do so today.

Heated Rivalry was an instant phenomenon-gripping the world’s attention and leading many to ask themselves “why am I so obsessed with this gay hockey romance?” Dive deeper into what this story means to people and why it captivates so completely with Astri Hahn. Astri is a senior studying Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Montana, with the goal of becoming an SLP in Montana schools. A fan of all things pop culture, Astri is eager to discuss why stories like these are more important now than ever.

Why do some games hook you for hours while others gather dust after one play? Ashley Rezvani is an Assistant Professor of Game Design & Interactive Media at the University of Montana. She designed educational video games for ten years and recently branched out into board games, co-founding Ludonaut Games. Join Ashley to crack open the toy box of game design, exploring the psychology, rules, and “just one more turn” magic of stellar games. Come nerd out about what separates a good game from a great one and discuss your own game ideas!

Highly political and controversial cultural cases are flooding state and federal courts. 24-hour news and passionate social media coverage bring constant and often hostile attention to the judiciary. Courts in states like Montana have seen a surge of legislative proposals seeking to politicize the courts, curb their authority, and undermine public confidence in judicial institutions. Retired Montana Supreme Court Justice Patricia Cotter will discuss these phenomena and the importance of maintaining a strong and independent judiciary. Elected to the Montana Supreme Court in 2000, Pat served as a justice for 16 years.

When the federal government is asserting broad authority at the local level, it’s important to know our state constitution. Betsy Griffing practiced law for 43 years including as chief of the Appellate Bureau in the Montana Attorney General's office, and general counsel for the Montana ACLU. She taught Montana Constitutional Law at the University of Montana Law School. Her table will look at the provisions in the Montana Constitution that offer greater protection than the US Constitution, including the right of privacy and the public's right to know.

As television programs and myths caricature our state and newcomers flood in, familiar communities are evolving, and changes to land and life leave many overwhelmed or bitterly resentful. How can the state’s history help us understand and navigate these changes? Retired professor of western American history Mark Fiege invites us to consider what it means to belong in Montana, and how we can protect the wonderful qualities that draw people to the Treasure State. Born and raised in Washington state, Fiege’s personal and professional ties to Montana go back four decades.

Are you from a big town or a small town? In what ways can the size of town you are from (or live in now) influence how big you play in the world? Join Jane Wolery to consider the biases we have about town size and learn about some of the innovative and big projects people are tackling in rural areas and small towns across Montana. Jane is an MSU Extension Agent who works across multiple disciplines: Community Vitality, Family Consumer Science, and Youth Development.

Cheryl D. Cohen is the executive director of the Montana Board of Housing and Administrator for the Commerce Housing MT Division. She has over 18 years of affordable housing compliance, property/asset management, and operations experience in the public and non-profit sectors. She’ll guide a discussion on housing affordability and homelessness that covers the state and federal affordable housing landscape, policy evolution on housing and services for people experiencing homelessness, Helena and Lewis and Clark County specifics that impact housing locally, and how we navigate personal and family situations involving housing insecurity.

Headlines about immigration abound, but what does the US immigration system look like up close? Andrea Sweeney has practiced law for nearly 15 years, representing individuals and families navigating the U.S. immigration system. In 2026, she founded Big Sky Immigration Legal Services & Advocacy. Learn from Andrea’s experience as you discuss the complexities of immigration law, the human stories behind immigration cases, and some of the misconceptions surrounding the system. This will be a space for questions, curiosity, and conversation about what immigration means for our communities.

On May 30, 2026, HHS alum Adella Harris was crowned Miss Montana and went on to compete in the Miss America pageant. Adella’s community service initiative, “Made for More,” focuses on helping individuals recognize their unique callings. Through her experience as Miss Montana, a student, a leader, a resident advisor and a community servant, Adella has worked to cultivate an identity rooted in who she is rather than simply what she does. She’ll share stories about participating in the national contest and open an honest conversation about authenticity, purpose, and the people we become when the titles come off.

The interaction between food, eating, and our bodies is complicated. Current trends in diet culture, especially the rise of GLP-1 agonists, can be difficult to understand. Caitlin Martin-Wagar, PhD, is a professor of psychology and licensed psychologist who directs the University of Montana Eating Disorder Training Clinic. She researches eating disorders and weight stigma, focusing on improving access to care in rural regions and how we think about food, eating, and our bodies. Her table will consider how we can create a weight-inclusive future, and support the health and well-being of all.

Emerging diseases don’t know borders. As the US moves away from supporting efforts to address public health abroad, whether that be research, prevention or treatment of HIV, or international vaccination programs, do we realize we are hurting ourselves? Anne Ruedisili Langdji has a Master of Public Health from University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa. She spent most of her adult life working in West Africa but now works in Montana on state-level pro-vaccine public policy.

In 2019, Megan Helton and Bob Goodwyn, owners of Stonetree Climbing Center, successfully summited Denali and quickly began planning a return to the Alaska Range. Their next adventure, the more technical and demanding Mt. Huntington, pushed them to reassess their tolerance for risk and draw on every tool in their climbing toolbox. And the biggest adventure of all? They got married! Megan and Bob will share stories from their climbs in the Mountain West, Alaska, and South America, and prompt you to reflect on your own relationship with risk.

Montana is home to 29 species of bumble bees—the highest diversity of any U.S. state. These fuzzy pollinators can tell us a lot about the health of Montana’s landscapes. Join conservation biologist Michelle Toshack, who leads the Montana Bumble Bee Atlas with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, to learn how scientists and community members are working together to document bumble bees across Montana. Discover why some species are of particular conservation concern, what we’re learning from the Atlas, and how you can become a bumble bee detective in your own backyard.

Cindy Lewis is a lifelong traveler whose curiosity increasingly leads her toward animals, conservation, volunteering, and experiences well beyond the usual itinerary. Her travels have included wildlife conservation and rescue work, veterinary and sanctuary experiences, house- and pet-sitting, and a growing habit of using AI to find connections and possibilities she might otherwise have missed. She is beginning graduate study in animal law at Lewis & Clark Law School. Join Cindy (who is also HEF’s first executive director!) to consider how curiosity, technology and chance can lead you beyond conventional sightseeing.

Join Ron and Ann Waterman on an adventure through Australia in search of some of this vast continent’s most unique and unforgettable animals. From kangaroos and koalas to unusual creatures found nowhere else in the world, they’ll share stories and images from their travels across this fascinating country. Along the way, discover the landscapes, wildlife, and unexpected experiences that make Australia such a remarkable place. Ron, a retired attorney, and Ann, an international fabric designer, are experienced world travelers with a passion for discovering unique animals and scenery.