Friends of Bear Paw, Big Hole & Canyon Creek Battlefields

News From The Sites

Webmaster's Note: Information on the page is published in the Nez Perce National Park / Big Hole National Battlefield "Partners and Friends" edited by Marc K. Blackburn.

Bear Paw Battlefield

Stephanie Martin - New Ranger at Bear Paw Battlefield

April 2008: Stephanie Martin has been selected to fill the Park Ranger position at the Bear Paw Battlefield. Martin’s first day on the job will be April 28, 2008. Martin brings a solid background in National Park Service interpretation and education to the position, having most recently been an interpretive ranger at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument in Idaho. At Hagerman, Martin staffed the park visitor center, presented programs on geology, paleontology, and wildflowers to visitors of all ages, including school groups, and helped park visitors with travel information.

Raised in Burley, Idaho, Martin attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, and went on to work in a number of natural resource positions in Idaho, Wyoming, and Honduras, Central America. After four years in the US Army, Martin returned to Hagerman, Idaho, to work in the family winery. She earned a Masters Degree in Education during that time.

Martin is excited about the new position and living in the local community. Martin has two children, Luke (10) and Lainey (6) who are quite excited about joining the swim team in Chinook.
 

Ranger Stephanie Martin

Terry O’Halloran - New Chief of Interpretation for Nez Perce National Historical Park

February 2008: Terry O’Halloran was born and raised in Grand Forks, North Dakota. After service in the United States Army, he attended the University of North Dakota and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1978 with a major in history.

His park career began with seasonal Ranger positions with the North Dakota State Park system and with the Corps of Engineers. In 1981, Terry joined the National Park Service as a Ranger at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, followed by an assignment at St. Croix National Scenic Riverway in Wisconsin. His most recent position was Chief of Interpretation at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in North Dakota.

Mr. O’Halloran enjoys bird watching, hiking and travel in his spare time and is an avid gardener. Terry will begin his new job on February 17, 2008.

Ranger Terry O'Halloran

Scenic Easement Acquired 

May 2007: A 120 acre scenic and conservation easement was just added to the Bear Paw Battlefield.  The easement, located on the north side of the battlefield, was acquired by the National Park Service from the S-B Ranch of Chinook.  The easement will provide for increased protection of the cultural and visual landscape surrounding the battlefield.   

The National Park Service acknowledges the S-B Ranch and the Davies family for their cooperation in granting this easement.  Jack and Ann Davies deserve special recognition for their efforts.  “Previously, the Davies family donated 40 acres to protect areas on the north end of the battlefield.  This new endeavor shows their deep and long-term commitment to caring for this sacred and moving site.  Partnerships such as these allow the National Park Service to fulfill its mission and to foster a shared sense of stewardship that is crucial for the future,” said Park Ranger Robert West.     

Located 16 miles south of Chinook, Montana, the battlefield commemorates the final conflict of the Nez Perce War of 1877.  Following the breakout of war in Idaho, nearly 800 Nez Perce spent an arduous summer fleeing U.S. Army troops, first toward Crow allies and then toward refuge in Canada.  Forty miles short of the Canadian border the Nez Perce ceased fighting on October 5^th, 1877, during which Chief Joseph gave his immortal speech: “From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.” 

Please contact Superintendent Tami DeGrosky at 406-689-3155 for further information regarding this scenic and conservation easement.

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