After living in the same place for a while, things can change. He said Montana is one of the places that has seen major changes over the past 70 years. We have seen our populations grow and our towns, cities, and landscapes change.
Not just Montana, but the entire West has changed.
Some of the changes we’ve seen have been subtle, while others have been quite dramatic. It’s another thing when new shops open or new schools pop up here and there. It’s another thing to see an entire neighborhood change. There’s new technology that allows you to see how much states have changed, not just in Montana but across her 17 states west of the Mississippi River.
Satellite view of Missoula from Landscape Explorer
landscape explorer
The University of Montana is working on a project called Landscape Explorer with Working Lands For Wildlife, Montana NRCS, and Intermountain West Joint Venture. They have created a website with an interactive map that juxtaposes early satellite images from 70 years ago with more modern images. It shows the dramatic changes that have occurred in the western United States over the years.
Check out your neighborhood in Montana
On this website, you can see the big picture of changes in the West, but you can also zoom in to see changes that have taken place in your own neighborhood. Not only is it informative and educational to see the changes in Montana and surrounding states, but it’s also an interesting glimpse into how much our world has changed and continues to change.
See if you can identify these Montana lakes using Google Earth imagery
Viewed from above, Montana’s lakes may be more subtle than you think. Test your knowledge. See if you can recognize these Montana lakes from Google Earth images.
Gallery credit: Ashley
See: 25 hidden gems to visit from across the US
Gallery credit: Abby Montil
