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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.