Montana Association of Conservation Districts

MACD Board Meeting
2023-01-09 07:00 - 08:30 (America/Denver) | Zoom
The MACD Board will meet on the second Monday of the Month at 7:30am. Contact Rebecca Boslough for meeting details.
For the duration of the legislative session the board meetings will be moved to 7:00am.

Jan 16 Legislative Training - moved due to holiday
2023-01-16 08:00 - 17:00 | Montana
Jan 16th is MLK Day, which is a holiday for most Districts and other organizations. Although the Legislature is in session, MACD will be moving the Legislative trainings for 1/16 (originally planned at 12pm and 5pm) in order to allow for higher attendance).
The EO Legislative Training on 1/18 at 10am will still take place.

MACD Finance Committee
2023-01-17 07:30 - 09:00 | Zoom
The MACD Finance Committee will meet at 7:30am. Please contact larinda@macdnet.org for the zoom link.
Updated MACD Financials will be posted on the MACD Conservation District Members page (login required)

Madison Conservation District Board Meetings
2023-01-19 12:00 - 14:00 | Montana
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.

CD Educational Event in the Capitol Rotunda
2023-01-24 10:00 - 14:00 | Montana State Capitol, 1301 E 6th Ave, Helena, MT, 59601
Conservation Districts and partners will have an educational and outreach event in the Capitol Rotunda from 10am-2pm on January 24th.
Steph Criswell from DNRC is coordinating tables for the event. Please reach out to Steph if you would like a table for your organization (scriswell@mt.gov).

Legislative Meet and Greet
2023-01-24 17:00 - 21:00 | The Montana Club, 24 W 6th Ave, Helena, MT, 59601
Conservation Districts and partners will be hosting at Legislative Meet and Greet at the Montana Club in Helena the evening of January 24th from 5 to 9pm. Heavy appetizers will be available. Sponsoring partners will be able to set up a table to share information about their organizations.

Soil Health Symposium
2023-02-07 - 2023-02-09 | Billings, MT, Billings, MT, United States

MACD Education Work Group Meeting
2023-02-10 08:00 - 22:00 | Zoom
After a few meetings to re-envision what the MACD Education Work Group will work on, the smaller group wanted to get a meeting of a larger group together to inform people as to the process and structure of the new Education Work Group.
The attached document details the basic structure of the group, and how we think things will work. The general idea is that the larger Education Work Group will have teams that work on specific topics—MACD Scholarship, Rolling Rivers Trailer, Outreach and Education, and Stewardship week and the Poster contest. These teams will meet and get some work done with one of the team members reporting back to the bigger Education Work Group meetings.
We are seeking District involvement—employees and supervisors—to get this work done. Please review the attached document and plan to attend our next meeting on February 10 at 8 am (I know, it’s not our normal time or day, but time is of the essence due to the scholarship deadlines). If you cannot attend, and you want to add your name to one of the teams, please feel free to email me your name and which team you’re interested in and I’ll get your name and email address added to the right list.
CD Administrators, please forward to your supervisors. The more the merrier! Have a good day!
The meeting information is below:
Topic: Education Work Group
Time: Feb 10, 2023 08:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5538406576?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 553 840 6576
Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,5538406576#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Houston)
+16694449171,,5538406576#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US

Employee Roundtable
2023-02-15 10:00 - 12:00 | 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)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87120159916?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 871 2015 9916
Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile=
+13462487799,,87120159916#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Houston)
+16694449171,,87120159916#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US

Dillon Range Seminar
2023-02-15 10:00 - 15:00 | Montana

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

Reducing Nonpoint Source Pollution Funding
2023-02-18 | Montana
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 | Montana

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 | Montana
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 | Montana

Irrigation Development Grants
2023-02-24 | Montana

Renewable Resource Planning Grants
2023-02-24 | Montana

USDA Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grant Deadline
2023-02-27 | Montana
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 | Montana
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

Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82832056923?pwd=[REDACTED]
Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,82832056923#,,,,*[REDACTED]#
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
https://zoom.us/j/95758528510?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 957 5852 8510
Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile
+14086380968,,95758528510#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)
+16699006833,,95758528510#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)

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 | Montana
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 | Montana
