Montana Association of Conservation Districts

Education Work Group
2023-03-10 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Denver) | 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]
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One tap mobile
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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
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
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

Flathead Basin Commission
2023-05-04 12:30 - 16:30
Flathead Basin Commission Meeting
Thursday, May 4th | 12:30pm – 4:30pm
Whitefish Community Center (with virtual option)
121 E Second St, Whitefish, MT 59937
Join the Flathead Basin Commission (FBC) for a meeting featuring FBC project updates, wrap up of commission business and discussions about the soon to be, Western Montana Conservation Commission.
All meetings are open to the public. See the DRAFT agenda below. To participate in the meeting virtually please register in advance with the button below.
Register for the Meeting here:
https://mt-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItcOurqz4vGtfFoZEBxyeeaSSPiV_ou4RS#/registration

MACD Board Meeting
2023-05-08 07:30 - 09:00 | Zoom
The MACD Board will meet on the second Monday of the Month at 7:30am. Contact Rebecca Boslough for meeting details.
The call info for May 8th, 2023 is:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82832056923?pwd=[REDACTED] Meeting ID: 828 3205 6923 Passcode: [REDACTED] One tap mobile +16694449171,,82832056923#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US +16699006833,,82832056923#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)
Board Organization Documents

Nutrient Work Group Meeting
2023-05-17 09:00 - 11:00
Nutrient Work Group Meeting | May 17, 2023
The Nutrient Work Group has decided to cancel the April 10, 2023 meeting. The Nutrient Work Group will reconvene on May 17, 2023 starting at 9 a.m. Nutrient Work Group members are welcome to join DEQ staff in Room 111 of the DEQ Metcalf building in Helena (1520 E. Sixth Ave).
An agenda with a Zoom link will be sent out mid-April. Please contact Kyle Milke with any questions at: kyle.milke@mt.gov or (406) 444-6491

Employee Roundtable
2023-05-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
The May Roundtable will be about Local Work Groups and how to make them work for your District.
EO Roundtable Meetings usually meet on the third Wednesday of the month. For this month’s zoom information contact Chris Evans (chris@lewisandclarkcd.org).

Winnett Aces: Farm Bill Listening Session
2023-05-19 11:00 - 13:00 | PETROLEUM COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER, 207 W Main Street, Winnett, Montana, 59087

MACD Board Meeting
2023-06-02 09:00 - 11:30 | Montana DNRC Headquarters, 1539 11th Ave, Helena, MT, United States
For the month of June, the MACD Board Meeting will be held during the in-person Spring Board Meeting in Helena. We will also have zoom available.
We will meet from 9am-11:30am in the Montana Room (first floor) at DNRC headquarters at 1539 11th Ave.
More information is available on our draft meeting agenda HERE.

MACD Spring Board Meeting In Helena
2023-06-06 - 2023-06-08
The Annual MACD Spring Board Meeting will be held June 6-8th in Helena, MT.

Spring Board Meeting
2023-06-06 - 2023-06-08 | Helena, Montana, Helena, MT, 59601, United States

Montana Conservation District Employee Organization Meeting
2023-06-07 08:30 - 17:00
The Montana Conservation District Employee Organization will be meeting on June 7th in the Montana Room at the DNRC, 1539 Eleventh Ave, Helena Montana. Check in will begin at 8:30 am, with the meeting starting at 9 am.
Lunch details will be provided about 1 month in advance. I’ll be setting up online ordering from Jimmy John’s.
A room block (20 rooms, variety of configurations include double queen, king and deluxe king rooms) at the rate of $107/night, for the nights of the 6th and 7th of June. Call by May 12th to reserve your room!!! 406-443-1000 Room Block name is MCDEO. If you plan to share a room, please work that out with the person you’re planning to share with.
The MACD Board will be having a discussion, probably on the 7th, about the CD Funding Effort. We will plan to zoom into that meeting for that discussion.
Please RSVP by filling out this form.

MACD Annual Barbeque
2023-06-07 17:30 - 19:00 | Ten Mile Brewing, Helena
MACD Annual Barbeque
June 7 @ 5:30pm, Helena
MACD invites you to our annual barbeque at Ten Mile Brewing. We can’t wait to celebrate the 2023 legislative session with you! Food provided by Bad Betty’s Barbeque. Please RSVP here so that we can plan food for the event.
Learn More

Executive Committee
2023-06-15 08:00 - 17:00
Executive Committee | July 31, 2023 7:30am
Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83664649400?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 836 6464 9400 Passcode: [REDACTED]

River Rendezvous Tour
2023-06-21 | Jordan, MT, Jordan, MT, United States
