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TMC: Summer 2024

In This Issue

Lake County Cares About Pollinators

The Lake County Conservation District gives away pounds of pollinator seed every year!

Montana Conservation Districts Spring Board 2024

Montana Conservation Districts Host Annual Spring Board Meeting at the Capitol Building

Stream Restoration in Central Montana Using Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration

Making Impacts on Climate Resiliency Using Natural Materials

River Rendezvous 2024

A Day of Exploring and Learning

The Art of Backcountry Restoration

Seasons of Backcountry Invasive Species Management

Connecting Hearts to Nature

Inspiring Conservation Through Education and Experience

Ranching For Rivers

MACD Program Highlight

Lake County Cares About Pollinators

The Lake County Conservation District gives away pounds of pollinator seed every year!

Caroline McClung

Big Sky Watershed Corps (BSWC) – Lake County Conservation District

Here is a photo of a nice flower from the Lake County CD Pollinator Garden.

The Lake County Conservation District has been giving away free packets of pollinator seeds every fall and spring for 8 years! We have designed multiple eye catching seed mixes to thrive in Lake County while providing vital habitat to our local pollinators. Pollinator species, including butterflies, bees, bats, beetles, and moths, have been in decline locally and across the world. Through a combination of outreach events, school partnerships, and restoration gardens, we aim to raise awareness around the importance of preserving pollinators for agricultural production and beyond.

At the conservation district, we not only provide seed, but the education needed to make these gardens thrive for years! We provide the technical knowledge around site preparation and best practices for timing plantings. During this summer’s pollinator week, June 17th-23rd, we held a citizen science workshop about ensuring the efficacy of your pollinator habitat! Citizen science is incredibly valuable in tracking conservation efforts and shaping decisions to better reach desired outcomes

Some images of the Lake County CD pollinator garden. Click to enlarge images

This workshop covered the breadth of tools at the disposal of everyone to protect our pollinators, their habitats, and the soils and water we all need to thrive. All information about this program can be found at LakeCountyConservation.org!

Caroline McClung is a Big Sky Watershed Corps member with Lake County Conservation District

TMC Submissions: communications@macdnet.org

Montana Association of Conservation Districts Spring Board 2024

Montana Conservation Districts Host Annual Spring Board Meeting at the Capitol Building

Solomon Garza

Big Sky Watershed Corps (BSWC) – Montana Association of Conservation Districts

A photo of the current board members in front of the historic capitol building

The 2024 Spring Board meeting was a massive success for the  conservation Districts in Montana! The MACD board gathered in Helena for three days of reports and meetings to discuss all things conservation and to see all the things our board has accomplished since we last met.

Various shots of the long and intense meetings from the capitol this year. Click to enlarge images

The Spring Board meeting provides a vital opportunity for board members and district employees, who are often spread across Montana, to meet face-to-face. This meeting fosters collaboration and ensures that everyone is aligned on goals and strategies. Here are some fun interviews we captured for social media.

This year, over 25 participants engaged in numerous meetings held in the historic Capitol building. After the first full day, attendees enjoyed a complimentary BBQ meal provided by Bad Bettys at Ten Mile Brewery. The atmosphere was lively and allowed for informal networking and camaraderie. Our board members left well-prepared and enthusiastic to tackle the challenges ahead in the second half of the year.

Solomon Garza is a Big Sky Watershed Corps member with The Montana Association of Conservation Districts.

TMC Submissions: communications@macdnet.org

Stream Restoration in Central Montana Using Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration

Making Impacts on Climate Resiliency Using Natural Materials

Audrey Wright

Big Sky Watershed Corps (BSWC) – Montana Conservation Corps (MCC)

A crew leader explaining structure that helps aggrade eroded bank

In 2021, I sat in my undergraduate ecology class listening to a lecture on an environmental restoration technique known as Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration (LTPBR), and the benefits of restoring naturally wet, riparian areas.The only thought running through my head was, ‘If only there was a way to engage private landowners, as well as state and federal land managers, to implement these restoration techniques across entire regions.

One of the main reasons that Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration stood out to me was how intuitive it seemed to be. The entire premise of the restoration technique is to use natural materials (rock, tree limbs, dirt, etc.) to build structures in a stream channel that mimic naturally occurring formations like beaver dams and debris jams. All of these structures affect flowing water in different ways, including, slowing the water down to allow it to soak into the ground, or pushing water into an opposite bank to create an ‘S’ curve in a stream that was originally straight. Oftentimes the words ‘riparian’ or ‘mesic’ are used alongside LTPBR to describe the ecosystems around, and reliant upon, a body of water. And as complicated as the words and acronyms may seem, LTPBR is simply using nature to heal itself.

In 2024 I began my term as a Big Sky Watershed Corps member with Montana Conservation Corps. Here I met my supervisor Autumn Holzgen, who had begun to turn that thought I had three years prior, into a reality. Little did I know that I would not only be restoring streams, but stepping into a community of landowners, ranchers, natural resource practitioners, tribal nations, scientists, and other unconventional partners who are restoring the relationships between humans and the land.

Initially, the possibility of implementing restoration, like LTPBR, in streams of central and eastern Montana was put on MCC’s radar by a small network of knowledgeable natural resource practitioners, rural community organizations, and landowners searching for solutions after seeing the impacts of drought in 2021, and prior. Through cultivating relationships in rural Montana communities, Autumn helped pave the way for MCC to put project work on the ground in the Northern Great Plains. By the time I came into the picture a few years later, this network had expanded to incorporate an astonishing variety of partners, from landowners in the most rural corners of the US, to multinational organizations; and word of this attractive, multipurpose solution dubbed LTPBR seemed to be spreading like wildfire.

Head cut mitigation – step fall structure

At an LTPBR educational event hosted by Winnett ACES in 2022, Autumn was approached by a landowner who was interested in restoring the stream on her own property which had been in her family for generations – currently a working cattle ranch with exceptional land tenure. She described how when she was young on the ranch, the whole stream corridor was lined with towering cottonwoods, and in spring, the water would spread across the valley bottom, creating small ponds and wetlands with birds and fish. Her brother held his hands apart in front of him, showing the (almost unbelievable) size of the fish that he used to catch in those ponds. She described how beavers and their dams would be seen up and down the entire creek, creatures that her family welcomes and respects.

Upon visiting the ranch, Autumn found that the only trees on the bank were a few lone hawthorns and there was barely a pool big enough to support even the smallest of fish. A single willow patch was now the only evidence of a wetland and it was clear that this section of the stream hadn’t seen a beaver in a very long time. However a few miles downstream, the ranch manager was in his own battle with a beaver that had settled down behind the shop, subsequently flooding it, and making it routine to rebuild the dam each morning it was torn down. Needless to say, the ranch manager was a bit hesitant about the concept of us building more beaver-mimcry structures and their effect on his ability to effectively manage the ranch.

Two different types of structures commonly used.

After just three years of project work installing LTPBR structures, more progress has been made than any of us could have imagined. A beaver moved into the lone willow patch, the width of the original steam channel has doubled, and naked banks are being filled by vegetation. The benefits have not only become apparent to us, but the ranch manager has added LTPBR to his repertoire. He now walks the bank alongside us and the landowner, who is equally as thrilled, to point out spots where he thinks building more structures could be beneficial. They’ve noticed that the stream is no longer threatening to erode the main ranch road and the cattle can now drink without getting on their knees to reach the water. The excitement about the changes is palpable in everyone involved, and the rate of progress is only fueling the fire for other land managers in the area to explore implementing LTPBR.

There is no question that this natural restoration technique will likely be ingrained in the stewardship of this ranch for years to come, and is only made possible by the willingness of the land managers to say yes, and the willingness of the partners to listen. Restoration is not possible without having a place to do it and a variety of people to make the work happen.

Audrey Wright is a Big Sky Water Corps member with the Montana Conservation Corps.

TMC Submissions: communications@macdnet.org

River Rendezvous 2024

A Day of Exploring and Learning

The tour on the first stop learning about the mining reclamation site at Confederate Gulch

Over 30 participants gathered in Townsend, Montana for this year’s Missouri River Conservation Districts Council’s (MRCDC) River Rendezvous. It was a beautiful day, needing a jacket at first and then warming up to sunshine and blue skies. There were three stops, with multiple presenters throughout the day. We started at Six-O-Six Holdings mining site located up Confederate Gulch. We learned about their mining operation and the large reclamation project they did three years ago, reclaiming a perennial flowing stream. This is also the location of a big, 310 Law dispute that set precedent for future conservation district jurisdiction.

A few shots of the tour. Click to enlarge images

We moved onto visiting Hidden Hollow Hideaway Cattle and Guest Ranch. Here, we learned about the history of Diamond City and the gold rush and learned how to pan for gold in their creek flowing through the headquarters. Unfortunately, we struck out!

Our last stops were further to the north, going up into White Gulch. It was cool to see a 20-year-old reclamation site. There was bountiful forage and vegetation along the creek that was reclaimed, and as we learned and got to see, an abundant population of the Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Montana’s state fish, due to the reclamation work and conservation work that has been done by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and their partners to save this trout species population.

Left, The solar pump water jet stinger tool used for easily planting willow cuttings

Right, Lewis and Clark CD staff demonstrating how it is used

While in White Gulch, participants saw demonstrations of a solar water pump and waterjet stinger that Lewis and Clark Conservation District have put together for their willow reclamation projects. The waterjet stinger is used to plant willows along streams, while the solar pump can be used to help the new plantings get well rooted in their first year, increasing survival rates.

MRCDC thanks everyone who helped with this year’s River Rendezvous, particularly Broadwater Conservation District. Hope you can join us next year!

A few shots of the tour. Click to enlarge images

Molly Masters is the Missouri River Conservation Districts Council Coordinator for the Missouri River Conservation Districts Council

TMC Submissions: communications@macdnet.org

The Art of Backcountry Restoration

Seasons of Backcountry Invasive Species Management

Marilynn Mehmke

Big Sky Watershed Corps (BSWC) – Great Burn Conservation Alliance

This is Kelly Creek, which is centrally located at one of the Great Burn Conservation Alliance largest project areas

I’m standing in a meadow of spotted knapweed, bug net in hand and a sun hoodie fully deployed because of the heat, counting Larinus and Cyphocleonus—biological control agents, or insects that help manage invasive species. With single-minded concentration, I analyze satellite maps and previous season reports, looking for locations of possible infestations, water access points, and campsites along the trail. I methodically scan my surroundings, searching for the telltale yellow color of St. Johnswort. Upon discovery, I rush to apply our distinctive blue-colored herbicide. Pausing, I write reports and analyze data, attempting to uncover trends and changes from season to season. Managing invasive species in the backcountry offers a wide range of experiences, from writing and data crunching to eight-day-long stints deep in the wilderness, with nothing more than what you can carry on your back.

Top, The Larinus and Cyphocleonus Spotted Knapweed biological control agents.

Middle, This is a patch of St. Johnswort and the commonly found Chrysolina biocontrol agent for St. Johnswort.

Bottom, The Great Burn Conservation Alliance is a small, nonprofit organization established in 1971 and based in Missoula, Montana. Our mission is to foster the connection between people and place to further the conservation and stewardship of the Great Burn ecosystem. Our mission area spans Lookout Pass to Lolo Pass, encompassing the Lolo, Nez Perce-Clearwater, and Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

The Great Burn Conservation Alliance, is a small nonprofit organization headquartered in Missoula. They advocate for and steward the Great Burn ecosystem, encompassing the Nez Perce-Clearwater, Idaho Panhandle, and Lolo National Forests. Although a hidden gem for most, the Great Burn has a long history of backcountry recreation, made up predominantly of hunters and fishermen, often aided by stock support. As is the case with most forested areas, invasive species are all too common a sight. Populated with St. Johnswort, Spotted Knapweed, Mullien, and Canada Thistle, these invasive species outcompete and displace native plant species, leading to biodiversity loss inside this pristine natural area.

Canada Thistle

Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)

Canada thistle is a perennial, priority 2 noxious weed that can be identified by its marble-sized purple flowers and thorns along the stem. It can be difficult to control due to it’s extensive root system.

More Information Here

Spotted Knapweed

Spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe)

Spotted knapweed is a biennial, priority 2 noxious weed which spreads easily by seeds and can grow in almost all habitats. It is one of the most widespread noxious weeds in Montana. It can be identified by its marble-sized pinkish-purple flowers and tiny black bracts.

St. Johnswort

St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)

St. John’s wort is a perennial, priority 2 noxious weed that can be identified by its bright yellow flowers and five petals. It is toxic to grazing animals and if eaten in large quantities, can be fatal.

More Information Here

Common Mullein

Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Common Mullein is a biennial, county listed noxious weed in Montana. It can grow up to seven feet tall, with furry leaves and a flowering stem that produces yellow flowers. Common Mullein reproduces by seed and tends to grow in disturbed bare ground.

More Information Here

Here are some of the most common invasive plant species found in the Great Burn.

Working closely with GBCA’s Restoration Program, I have had the opportunity to learn what I call “the art of backcountry restoration.” Restoration encompasses a broad spectrum of work: some days saw us spraying fifteen miles down a remote trail, while others saw us transcribing field data on digital spreadsheets in the office. Every day is unique and wouldn’t be possible without dedicated support from the Great Burn staff. When I first started, I had a limited understanding of what truly went into making critical conservation and restoration work occur. It has been an eye-opening experience, highlighting dedicated people within the conservation field who get crucial work done at all times of the year.

Marilynn and a crew member completing vegetation monitoring.

Some of the various tasks conducted in a field season.

With summer ending, many are undergoing a period of transition, not unlike the changing hue of leaves, inaugurating the start of fall. The field season is wrapping up, with seasonal crew members departing for home and gear being stored for the off-season. Yet, in the light of finality, there is another beginning. I feel like an excited student, eager to begin the next chapter in our mission to protect and restore the Great Burn.

Marilynn Mehmke is a Big Sky Water Corps member with the Great Burn Conservation Alliance.

TMC Submissions: communications@macdnet.org

Connecting Hearts to Nature

Inspiring Conservation Through Education and Experience

Katie Lynch-Dombroski

Big Sky Watershed Corps (BSWC) – United States Forest Service.

Flathead National Forest

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Northwest Montana, just south of the Canadian border, the Flathead National Forest spans 2.4 million acres. It offers year-round beauty with its wilderness, lakes, rivers, over 2,000 miles of trails, campgrounds, and ski areas. Visitors from around the globe come to enjoy Montana’s abundant public lands. One highlight for visitors is the Summit Nature Center at the top of Big Mountain in Whitefish, MT. This year, I have had the privilege of working in the Summit Nature Center and serving with the Forest Service Tally Lake Ranger District. As a returner to the Big Sky Watershed Corps program, I am thrilled to be carrying out my new love for conservation education.

The Summit Nature Center offers a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about local wildlife and admire the majestic peaks of Glacier National Park. Staffed by interpretive Forest Rangers, our primary goal is to help visitors forge personal connections to nature. We believe that by fostering this connection, visitors will develop a deeper appreciation for the land and a strong commitment to its conservation.

Left, Katie with other Summit Nature Center Staff

Right, An exhibit on types of animal tracks found in the Flathead National Forest

Below, A photo showing off some of the pelts you can touch at the Summit Nature Center

We often use sight and touch to make sense of the world and this is very true in the nature center, even for adults. Visitors get to see and feel our array of animal pelts. Many are surprised to feel how soft they are and ask, “what is this?” while others venture a guess. By tapping into visitor’s curiosities and introducing them to the incredible animals of our ecosystem, like the mountain lion, lynx, wolverine, and snowshoe hare, I aim to inspire a lasting appreciation for the natural world and its remarkable inhabitants.

A mountain lion, a black bear, and a grizzly bear are some of the featured taxidermy mounts at the Summit Nature Center.

One of my favorite exhibits at the nature center features grizzly and black bear taxidermy mounts. These displays provide a rare chance for visitors to see these magnificent creatures up close. They highlight the physical differences between the species, such as the grizzly hump and the tall black bear ears. These exhibits often lead to discussions about bear safety and the importance of carrying bear spray. We teach visitors that each bear encounter is circumstantial in how you react and requires a calm response. Respecting bear habitat is essential not only for our safety but also for protecting bear populations for generations to come.

Fostering a sense of care for the environment starts with education and personal connections.  During my time at the nature center, I’ve learned that most people already have a connection to the outdoors, whether from childhood play or a newfound appreciation as adults. The beauty of nature resonates with us all, transcending cultural differences. My experience has shown me the power of hands-on learning and direct engagement with nature. By providing opportunities for visitors to experience the Flathead National Forest and interact with its wildlife, we can inspire a deeper appreciation and cultivate a collective responsibility to protect and cherish our environment for future generations.

Katie Lynch-Dombroski is a Big Sky Water Corps member with the United States Forest Service.

TMC Submissions: communications@macdnet.org

Upcoming Events

Area Meetings

September 24- October 3, 2024

Each fall, MACD attends meetings for each of Montana’s six Conservation District Areas. At these meetings, neighboring conservation districts, MACD area directors, staff, and partners get together to discuss issues facing their areas, programs the districts are implementing, proposed resolutions, election of MACD Area Directors, and more. Area Meetings are annually scheduled for the last week of September and first week of October.

Dates, Hosts, and Locations

09/24: Area 6 Mtg – Lewis and Clark CD- Helena, MT

09/25: Area 3 Mtg – Toole County CD- Sunburst, MT

09/26: Area 5 Mtg – Green Mountain CD- Trout Creek, MT

10/01: Area 1 Mtg – Roosevelt County CD- Culbertson, MT

10/02: Area 2 Mtg – Wibaux CD- Wibaux, MT

10/03: Area 4 Mtg – Stillwater CD- Columbus, MT

Learn More

North American Invasive Species Management Association 32nd Annual Conference

September 30- October 3, 2024

NAISMA is the leading forum to connect invasive species management, science, policy, and outreach efforts regarding aquatic and terrestrial plants, animals, insects, pests, and pathogens.

This year’s conference is packed with educational sessions, networking opportunities, and engaging experiences planned for attendees.

  • Over 100 Educational Sessions
  • 40 Poster Presentations
  • 4 Field Trips
  • Key Note Speakers including MSU professor Jane Mangold
  • Special sessions on invasive annual grasses
  • Special sessions on non-native forest pests and pathogens
  • Continuing education credits
  • Network with invasive species professionals from the US and Canada

Who attends? Noxious weed and invasive species coordinators, land managers, agriculture and natural resource professionals, researchers, students, foresters, environmental consultants, private landowners, conservation group leaders, and non-governmental organizations.

Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge, connect with like-minded professionals, or discover new opportunities in the field, this is a conference you don’t want to miss.

Montana Conservation District staff and board members can take advantage of a free registration thanks to a grant from the Noxious Weed Trust Fund. See the Button below for more details.

Learn More
MACD Annual Convention
November 19-21, 2024 in Great Falls ,MT

The 2024 Annual Convention is scheduled for November 19th-21st in Great Falls, Montana. This year it will be at Heritage Inn.

Learn More
Soil Health Symposium 2025
February 4-6, 2025

The 2025 Soil Health Symposium is scheduled for February 4-6 in Montana.

Learn More

Ranching for Rivers

The Ranching for Rivers Program is a cost-share program designed to assist landowners in protecting riparian health through improved ranching practices. Through the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Ranching for Rivers offers 50% cost-share for fencing material, off-site water infrastructure, and developing grazing management plans. Funding is also available for Conservation Districts and Watershed Groups to provide technical assistance on ranching management projects to local landowners in their area.

Landowners, Conservation Districts, and Watershed Groups who are working within areas with a DEQ-approved Total Maximum Daily Load Plan / Watershed Restoration Plan are encouraged to apply for program funding for identified projects. More information and application materials can be found below:

Ranching For Rivers Project Timeline

In early 2016, SWCDM partnered with the Missouri River Conservation Districts Council (MRCDC) to launch the Ranching for Rivers pilot program. Five projects were funded through this pilot program, which helped ranchers develop riparian pastures on their lands by providing 50% cost-share for riparian fencing and related infrastructure (water gaps, off-site tanks, etc) projects. Altogether, the program resulted in over 10 miles of riparian pasture/fencing projects on the Missouri and Milk Rivers. One of the program participants was Dick and Connie Iversen, Richland County ranchers near Culbertson. You can read more about how the project unfolded here.

If you or your Conservation District are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Brenna Rietmann at brenna@macdnet.org.  Thank you to Rachel Frost and the Missouri River Conservation Districts Council for bringing this program to fruition and coordinating with landowners, MRCDC member districts for their participation, and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)for project funding.

Flood Irrigated Grass Hay Benefits Watersheds From the Top Down

For ranchers who irrigate grass hay meadows in riparian corridors, this means opening headgates, dropping tarps, and watching the season’s runoff rise up and over ditch banks and spread across grass hay meadows. Water pools in the field’s low spots and slowly seeps into the ground, saturating the soil as it goes. In a month or two, the grass hay grown in this field will be ripe for the cut and ready to sustain livestock through the next winter. A new body of research from Intermountain West Joint Venture and partners shows just how important this practice is for wetland habitat in the western United States. Although flood-irrigated grass hay agriculture makes up only 2.5 percent of the footprint of irrigated lands in the region, it provides 58 percent of the temporary wetlands that provide habitat for wetland-dependent birds and other wildlife.

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