On a blustery Oct. 16 morning, Five Valleys Land Trust held a get-together on the JT Ranch not far from Philipsburg in the Flint Creek Valley.

     The purpose of the meeting was a presentation by Five Valleys about their pending Flint Creek Valley Regional Conservation Partnership Program application, and the value of the Five Valleys proposal to the valley’s culture and identity, NRCS RCPP goals, local agriculture producers, Granite County’s economy, wildlife habitat, and more. Participating in the discussion were (left to right) Tim Hilmo and Joleen Meshnik from JT Ranches; Montana State Conservationist Tom Watson; Five Valleys project manager Sarah Richey; FVLT executive director Whitney Schwab; Jerry Shows, assistant state conservationist (programs); and Allen Persinger, assistant state conservationist (easements). Also participating were Brian Ohs, Montana ALE coordinator; Bret Bledsoe, NRCS district conservationist, Philipsburg Field Office; Kelley Barkell, NRCS program specialist; Five Valleys philanthropy director Ramey Kodadek, and Glenn Marx from MALT. MALT wishes to expressly thank Tom Watson and the NRCS crew and Tim Hilmo and Joleen Meshnik for participating in the meeting.