Montana Geoheritage Sites
About This Project
Following the Global Geoparks Network model, the purpose of this project is to introduce the natural and cultural heritage of selected sites in Montana for the enjoyment and education of learners of all ages. We take an Earth System Science approach, emphasizing the connections between the numerous components of the Earth system: bedrock geology, surficial processes, landscapes, geologic time, weather/climate, ecosystems and biota, human interactions with Earth, and impacts on society and culture. We selected the Augusta-Chateau area as our inaugural Montana Geoheritage site because of the diversity of geologic features present in this landscape, the rich cultural heritage of the people who live here, and the stunning beauty of the Rocky Mountain Front.
This project is being done as a service learning project by students Mariah Cannon, Sarah Devaney, and Willie Freimuth, in the Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University. This is a pilot project that demonstrates how web resources can be used to encourage exploration and discovery of the geoheritage of the Augusta-Choteau area. In coming school years we plan to extend our coverage to other geoheritage sites across Montana. We also hope that this project will serve as a model to develop geoheritage sites in other areas across the United States.
Geoheritage of the Augusta-Choteau Area
Explore the dramatic Rocky Mountain Front near Augusta and Choteau, Montana. In this web module you will find:
- An Overview of the Geographic Setting, links to county resources
- Geologic Setting
- Cultural Heritage
- Ivan Doig Country
- Native American Heritage (under construction)
- Topical Issues Around the Rocky Mountain Front
- Climate Change
- Agriculture
- Topical Issues--Wilderness areas, Endangered Species Act, Oil and Gas Exploration Along the Rocky Mountain Front
Visit the Choteau Chamber of Commerce and the Augusta Area Chamber of Commerce for more information about tourist amenities.
Resources to Explore Montana
Learn More About the People of Montana's First Nations
- Blackfeet Nation Official Website
- Blackfeet Nation--Montana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs
- Chippewa Cree Tribe--Montana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs, Rocky Boy's Reservation
- Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation
- Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes--Montana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs
- Crow Tribe
- Crow Nation--Montana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs
- Fort Belknap Indian Community--Home of the Nakoda (Assiniboine) and Aaniih (Gros Ventre)Nations
- Fort Belknap Indian Community--Montana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs
- Fort Peck Tribes
- Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes--Montana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs
- Little Shell Chippewa Tribe
- Little Shell chippewa Tribe--Montana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs
- Northern Cheyenne Tribe
- Northern Cheyenne Tribe--Montana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs
For More Information About Geo-Touring in Montana
- Official Montana State Website
- Montana State Travel Site
- Montana State Parks
- National Parks and Monuments in Montana
- Montana Maps--Montana Department of Transportation
- Lewis and Clark Trail
- Montana Dinosaur Trail--Links to 14 museums around Montana
- Montana Historical Society
- Montana Heritage Commission
- Interactive Media--photo gallery, videos, maps