Employee Roundtable
2023-02-15 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Denver) | Zoom
We will be going through some outreach tools, primarily Canva, and how to use it for editing and creating your own outreach materials. MACD has created a Pro account for each of the MACD areas in the state and you can browse through and find tools that you can then copy and edit for your own CD.
Please join us for a tour of some hands-on Canva work!
Those who are Area Representatives should plan to stay on for our 11 am Area Rep meeting following the Roundtable.
Topic: Montana CD Employee Roundtable
Time: Feb 15, 2023 10:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
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Dillon Range Seminar
2023-02-15 10:00 - 15:00

Webinar: Financial Planning for Disasters
2023-02-15 11:00 - 13:00 | Zoom

Reducing Nonpoint Source Pollution Funding
2023-02-18
I’m writing because the MWCC Watershed Fund has funding currently available for professional development opportunities (trainings, events, and workshops) that will allow BSWC members and host site personnel to acquire skills and knowledge relevant to: 1) Reducing and preventing nonpoint source pollution in their watersheds and 2) Building long-term capacity to implement DEQ-accepted Watershed Restoration Plans. Awards are typically less than $500 and may cover registration fees, lodging, and travel costs for pertinent, in-state events on a reimbursement basis. Funding is available on a rolling basis throughout the year, until funds run out. Funding requests must be submitted at least 14 days before the training or event start date. At the bottom of this email I’ve included two upcoming professional development opportunities that may qualify for this funding, depending on your host site’s needs and water quality goals.

Not all BSWC members and host sites are eligible for this funding, but I am sending this announcement out to everyone so I don’t accidentally miss anyone. I’ve copied our eligibility requirements below. If you’re in doubt or have any questions about your host site’s eligibility, feel free to reach out.

Details about this funding opportunity are on the 2023 BSWC Professional Development Support web page. Click the following link for more information about all MWCC Watershed Fund BSWC Support Funding.

Eligibility
BSWC members, BSWC host site supervisors, and host site personnel who are actively implementing DEQ-accepted WRPs are eligible to apply. Additionally, these host sites must be local watershed conservation organizations, such as watershed groups; conservation, irrigation, and water quality districts; non-profits; forest collaboratives; Tribally led nonprofits; and Tribal government agencies. Federal and state agencies, individuals, and for-profit entities are not eligible.

Upcoming Trainings that May Qualify for this Funding

Montana Soil Health Symposium, hosted by the Montana Association of Conservation Districts and the Montana Natural Resources Conservation Service. Feb. 7-9. This event is less than two weeks away, so if you are applying for funding to attend, please do so as soon as possible.
Volunteer Water Monitoring Training, hosted by Montana DEQ, Montana State University, Monitoring Montana Waters, and MWCC. May 10-12. Website and registration are not yet available, but I’ve attached the Save the Date flyer to this email.
Trainings listed on the MWCC Events & Trainings Calendar may also qualify if they are directly related to preventing and reducing nonpoint source pollution.

To stay up-to-date on Montana conservation-related trainings, events, funding opportunities, and more, sign up for MWCC’s biweekly Watershed News newsletter.

Raw and Real: Montana Ranch Families Share Succession Stories
2023-02-20 - 2023-02-21

Finance Committee
2023-02-21 07:30 - 09:00 | Zoom
The MACD Finance Committee will meet on Feb. 21st at 7:30am. For meeting details, contact rebecca@macdnet.org

LOR Field Work Initiative Funding Opportunity
2023-02-22
LOR Field Work Initiative Funding Opportunity Accepting Applications
Application Opens February 1, 2023
Helena, Mont. – The LOR Foundation is now accepting applications for their Field Work Initiative. The application opens February 1st, 2023 and will provide funding for research into innovative approaches to using water in agriculture. Up to $10,000 will be available for farmers and ranchers in rural parts of Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Idaho, and Colorado.
LOR’s Field Work Initiative is open to those farmers and ranchers in the listed states that have the independent authority to make changes to water use on the land. Funding is intended for projects that improve outcome in the following areas: “water efficiency, water reliability, water quality, crop yield or crop devastation, and labor efficiency.” All projects must be completed in 2023 and must include a plan for reporting learnings.
The deadline to apply is February 22nd, 2023. Applicants will be notified by March 15th, 2023. Learn more at lorfoundation.org/field-work.
The Montana Department of Agriculture is serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky. For more information on department programs and services, visit agr.mt.gov.

Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program Deadline
2023-02-23

Irrigation Development Grants
2023-02-24

Renewable Resource Planning Grants
2023-02-24

USDA Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grant Deadline
2023-02-27
USDA is making available up to $7.5 million for grants through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning Projects and Implementation Projects.
Learn more.

Education and Outreach Mini Grant Applications Open
2023-03-06 08:00 - 17:00
Call for Applications – Open through April 7th
Application for Funding

Education Work Group
2023-03-10 08:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
Contact LaRinda Spencer for zoom information (larinda@macdnet.org)

MACD Board Meeting
2023-03-13 07:00 - 09:00 | Zoom
MACD Board Meeting

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US +16699006833,,82832056923#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose) The MACD Board will meet on the second Monday of the Month at 7:30am. Contact Rebecca Boslough for meeting details.

AgroClimate Workshop
2023-03-14 - 2023-03-15 | Billings, MT, Billings, MT, United States
Forestry Professionals and Partners

Increase your weather and climate knowledge.
Network with others and build connections.
Grow your confidence to effectively communicate about climate with local agricultural producers.
Develop new skills to guide conservation planning for drought and other extreme events.

We invite you, your colleagues, and agricultural & forestry partners to attend this informative and engaging workshop!
USDA NRCS provides reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities to participate in NRCS programs and
activities. If you require special accommodations, contact Windy Kelley at wkelley1@uwyo.edu by February 28, 2023.
Learn More and Register

MACD Finance Committee
2023-03-15 07:30 - 09:30 | Zoom

Employee Roundtable
2023-03-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
The next CD Roundtable (regular one) will be February 15th. The topic is the Permissive Mill Levy for benefits. Last year we had a professional from Local Government Services do a presentation. This year, we’re going to review the resources that are on the DNRC’s website in regard to the PML, the process and the steps that Districts go through to do it, and some chit-chat by those who use it.
If we have time, we can have a general discussion about any current questions or concerns that folks have.
There is an extra Roundtable this month, on Tuesday the 21st at 10 am. This one was scheduled at the request of the NRCS.
I am asking that any questions concerning NRCS related topics (Office space, the Cooperative Work Agreement, Memorandum of Agreement, collaborative work situation, phones, computers etc.) be forwarded to me ASAP so that I can get the list to Kyle Tackett.
As always, these will be recorded and put on the EO website

Join Zoom Meeting
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Ad-Hoc EO Roundtable-USDA Items
2023-03-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
This meeting will cover updates on the USDA Network Computers, overall space planning for CD Employees and the impact on the Unfunded Cooperative Work Agreements with NRCS.
This meeting will be recorded.
The meeting information is:
Topic: Ad hoc EO Roundtable-USDA Items
Time: Mar 21, 2023 10:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5538406576?pwd=[REDACTED]

EO Roundtable (NRCS)
2023-03-21 10:00 - 12:00
There is an extra Roundtable this month, on Tuesday the 21st at 10 am. This one was scheduled at the request of the NRCS.
I am asking that any questions concerning NRCS related topics (Office space, the Cooperative Work Agreement, Memorandum of Agreement, collaborative work situation, phones, computers etc.) be forwarded to me ASAP so that I can get the list to Kyle Tackett.
As always, these will be recorded and put on the EO website.

Conservation Districts Advisory Council (CDAC) Meeting
2023-03-29 08:30 - 12:00 | Zoom
This meeting is open to the public. The most current meeting information including meeting minutes can
be accessed at https://dnrc.mt.gov/Conservation/About-Us/cd-bureau-overviewpage
Zoom Meeting Information:
https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/86353054930?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 863 5305 4930
Password: [REDACTED]
Dial by Telephone +1 646 558 8656
For questions email KasydiLucas2@mt.gov as soon as possible before the meeting date.

310 Training
2023-04-03 14:00 - 14:30 | Zoom
Throughout the month of April, Hailey Graf from the DNRC Conservation District Bureau will be hosting online 310 trainings twice a week. On Mondays, the trainings will be at 2 PM and on Wednesdays the trainings will be at 6 PM. Each training will consist of a 20-minute presentation with 10 minutes for Q&A. Every training will be recorded and will have an accompanying Fact Sheet summarizing the information and frequently asked questions. All materials will be available on the DNRC website about a week after each presentation.

Monday, April 3, 2 PM

What is a project?

Wednesday, April 5, 6 PM

Forming a Team & Conducting Onsite Inspections

Monday, April 10, 2 PM

Determining 310 Jurisdiction

Wednesday, April 12, 6 PM

Emergencies

Monday, April 17, 2 PM

Violations

Wednesday, April 19, 6 PM

Complaints

Monday, April 24, 2 PM

Know your forms

Wednesday, April 26, 6 PM

Permits from other agencies

Join the Monday, 2PM trainings here: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/88528113198?pwd=[REDACTED]
Join the Wednesday, 6 PM trainings here: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/84859736797?pwd=[REDACTED]

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Signup Deadline
2023-04-07

Reclamation and Development Planning Grants
2023-04-13
DNRC Reclamation and Development Grants Program (RDGP) is now accepting applications for RDGP Planning Grants. Grants up to $50,000 are available to any city, county, Tribe, conservation district or other political subdivision in Montana. For additional information visit the RDG Planning Grants page.
Applications due: Thursday, April 13 by 5:00 pm
The RDG Program funds planning for the following project types:
1. Mineral Development: Projects that repair, reclaim, and/or mitigate environmental damage to public resources from non-renewable resource extraction (mining, hazardous waste, and oil and gas)
and/or
2. Crucial State Need: Projects that identify clear measurable benefits to natural resources across a watershed or region of the state. The primary goal of the project must be to improve natural resources in the State. Eligible project types include:
Drought Mitigation – Projects that identify and mitigate drought and develop management plans in line with the State Water Plan. The primary purpose of the project must be to address drought and have a benefit to natural resources across a watershed or region of the state. Examples include development of drought plans that lead to project implementation and address drought management or mitigation and planning for specific projects that address drought across a watershed or region of the State, as the main purpose of the project, and have been identified in an approved planning document to improve issues related to drought.
Flood Assessment and Mitigation – Projects addressing natural resource impacts to a watershed or region of the State. Examples include planning for large-scale flood assessment and mitigation projects that identify clear benefits to natural resources across a watershed.
Other projects that meet a crucial State need to protect Montana’s resources.

Employee Roundtable
2023-04-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
EO Roundtable | Apr 19
April 19-Financial reporting and documentation-Organization, when to file, what to file, how to file, DOA reporting, BARS system
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/95758528510?pwd=[REDACTED]

Madison CD
2023-04-20 19:00
Madison CD Board Meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month November through March at Noon at the Madison Valley Public Library and March through October at 7PM at Madison Valley Public Library Ennis Montana.

Montana Envirothon
2023-04-24 - 2023-04-25 | Great Falls, Great Falls, MT, United States
Envirothon® is an environmental and natural resource conservation problem-solving, teambuilding and leadership – experience and competition for high school students across the United States, Canada, and China. Envirothon Incorporates STEM principles, experiential learning, and hands-on outdoor field experiences. Students are challenged to develop critical thinking skills to create inventive solutions to the complex local and global natural resource issues facing our world today. The Montana Envirothon is a competitive event for 9-12 grade students. Last years winning team was the team sponsored by Bitterroot CD. They competed well at the (inter)national competition taking 1st place in the oral presentation. Between Bitterroot CD and Helena CD, they hold a mass majority of wins for Montana and I’d like to challenge you all to get a team together to beat them! It’s time they learned that they are not the only ones with students who know a thing or two about our natural resources!!
Students are tested in 5 critical areas: Aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, range health and wildlife. They are then presented a current issue problem that they develop a solution for as a team and present to a panel of judges the following day. Our station leaders are professionals in the field from NRCS, USFS, FWP and USFWS.
The purpose of the program is to provide high school students a forum for competing against other students in the areas of water, soils, forestry, wildlife, range, and a current issue. The goals of the Montana Envirothon are:

To encourage students to think critically about natural resources and natural resource issues.
To aid in the development of an understanding of the difference between scientific fact and scientific theory.
To encourage a rational, well-thought-out approach to natural resource management.
To increase knowledge and awareness about Montana’s natural resources and the principles of natural resource management.
To aid students in the recognition of the basic laws of science.
To recognize application of sound natural resource knowledge.
To develop the ability to articulate solutions using analytical thinking and problem solving.

The dates are Monday, April 24 and Tuesday, April 25 this year with a Get to Know Ya Social at the hotel for those traveling in on Sunday, April 23. Most teams are sponsored by their local conservation districts. This years registration is $150.00. I would say the best way to get a team started is with a good teacher who can pull them together. The team must be from the same school, FFA chapter or 4H group. A great way to prepare for the competition is to make it fun and bring in your local professional from NRCS or others. This is a great way to create some great partnerships as well. There is continuing education credits available to teachers for their participation in some fun hands on training while students are testing. It’s a win/win/win all the way around…
The theme this year is ADAPTING TO A CHANGING CLIMATE. The international competition will be held in New Brunswick Canada. Winners win cash scholarships.
We need you to bring it! We need a teams but we also need volunteers to help in all kinds of ways. We need people in the accounting room and people at the registration table, we need you to help us keep and eye on things and set up for testing, training and judging. Please let me know if you are interested and can help out. Bring your supervisors too. I promise you will have a good time.
Attached is basic information about Envirothon, Last year’s Oral problem to give you an understanding about the work required of students, a registration form and hotel information. Reach out with any other questions.

Hotel Information and Competition Venue
Registration Form
What Is the Envirothon About
2022 Oral Presentation Problem Statement

MACD Executive Committee
2023-04-24 07:00 - 08:00 | Zoom
The MACD Executive Committee typically meets on the last Monday of the month at 7:30am via zoom. Please reach out to rebecca@macdnet.org for further details.
During the 2023 Legislative Session these meetings are moved 30 minutes earlier and will begin at 7:00am.
Board Organization Documents

CEMIST Eastern Heath Snail Public Meeting
2023-04-25 13:00 - 15:00 | Stanford City Hall, 102 Central Ave, Stanford, MT, 59479, United States
The Central and Eastern Montana Invasive Species Team (CEMIST), Montana Invasive Species Council (MISC), and partners are hosting an Eastern Heath Snail Public Meeting in Stanford on Tuesday, April 25th, from 1-3 pm at the Stanford City Hall, located at 102 Central Ave.
The Eastern Heath Snail (EHS) is a non-native/invasive terrestrial snail that was first detected in Belt and has spread to other areas in Chouteau, Cascade, and Judith Basin Counties. The EHS feeds on a variety of plants and can impact agricultural crop production and quality. It is a possible vector to spread animal diseases.
Representatives from USDA APHIS-PPQ and Montana State University will be discussing the EHS and answering questions. For more information about the meeting contact Brent Smith at cemist.manager@gmail.com

MWCC Annual Meeting
2023-04-26 | Helena, Montana, Helena, MT, 59601, United States
MWCC Annual Meeting and
Stewardship Awards Ceremony
MWCC will host our Annual Meeting on April 26, 2023 at the Holter Museum in Helena, MT. This year’s meeting will include a ceremony for the 2023 Montana Wetland and Watershed Stewardship Awards and an opportunity to learn more about the Montana Wetland Council (MWC), which will co-host the awards ceremony with MWCC. More details to come when we open registration in March. Looking forward to seeing you there!

2023 Stewardship Week
2023-04-30 - 2023-05-06
