Land Trust News

Kelly Kountz Photo / Courtesy of Gallatin Valley Land Trust

Kaniksu Land Trust Salvaging Blowdown Timber at Pine Street Woods

A nasty mid-March windstorm in the Sandpoint, ID area resulted in blowdown trees across portions of the Kaniksu Land Trust Pine Street Woods property. The heavily forested area, owned by KLT and managed for conservation, recreation and education, is a popular destination for area hikers, cross country skiers, mountain bikers and others, and also for an array of outdoor and nature education programs. The windstorm left blowdown trees across trails, and KLT immediately worked to clear the trails, salvage the timber, and provide educational materials to the community about the ongoing forest management activities.

From KLT: The most severe damage at Pine Street Woods occurred in two locations, both if which are located on the eastern ridge of the property on or near the 20-acre Manning Buffer. Standing atop the Manning Buffer ridge looking north, the storm damage aligns perfectly between GN Road, Upland Drive and Pine Street Woods. The wind tunnel effect of the Purcell Trench appears to have caused the wind to “wrap” around the corner of Greenhorn Mountain (Mickinnick Trail) and funnel the strongest gusts along a narrow swath. This caused a micro-burst of damage and left uprooted trees that are all aligned in a generally southern direction.

In order to reopen the trails along the Manning Buffer and to avoid attracting bark beetles that may spread disease to otherwise healthy timber, KLT has engaged a conscientious small-scale logger with a forestry background to salvage the downed timber. Log skidding will be done using either a forwarding trailer pulled by a farm tractor or a small rubber-tired skidder. Although precautions will be taken, some degree of ground disturbance is unavoidable as these large trees will require a certain amount of maneuvering to either load onto the trailer or skid across the ground. The small equipment used will finesse in lieu of sheer horsepower to extract the logs.

The storm damaged areas of Pine Street Woods and the Manning Buffer consist of well-formed, well-spaced, mature trees, partially as a result of past forestry practices. KLT intends to maintain conscientious and sustainable forest management practices that continue to support this healthy working forest for the enjoyment and edification of our community.

Five Valleys Land Trust “Un-Banquet” Going On Now

One of the major events for Five Valleys Land Trust in Missoula is its annual spring banquet, a yearly sold-out affair that brings together hundreds of area residents, landowners, local business owners, Five Valleys supports and more. Like everyone, Five Valleys has had to make adjustments based on the ongoing COVID-19 response, restrictions and impacts. So Five Valleys has launched its “Un-Banquet,” a festive online event featuring voting for favorite area Five Valleys projects, online charitable giving, a virtual Happy Hour at 5:00 PM on April 10, and much more. The event ends on April 11. Check out the Five Valleys website for lots more information.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: Falls Creek Project Provides Access, Habitat and Conservation

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, based in Missoula and one of Montana’s premier wildlife conservation organizations, celebrated the closing of the Falls Creek project in 2019 with a major celebration at the project site near the Rocky Mountain Front, and in RMEF’s signature publication (The Bugle). The Falls Creek project not only opened up public access to the scenic falls itself, but to an additional of 26,000 acres of public land. RMEF negotiated a purchased agreement with a cooperative Barrett family, raised the funding to purchase the 442-acre property, and now the land is in public USFS ownership. Read the full – and very interesting – story here, as told by RMEF.

FWP Seeks Comments on Proposed Conservation Easement Near Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a proposal to tap federal Forest Legacy Funds and state Habitat Montana funds to purchase a 7,274-acre conservation easement on lands in the Flathead now owned by Southern Pine Plantations (SPP), new owner of lands formerly owned by Weyerhaeuser. The Trust for Public Land has worked to put the project together, and has been in contact with SPP during the ownership transition. The proposed conservation easement is adjacent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge.

FWP reports that “The proposed conservation easement would allow SPP to continue sustainable forest management, preclude development, sustain forestry jobs, protect valuable wildlife habitat and a key migratory corridor, and provide permanent, year-round public access to popular recreation lands. This project would protect the north slope of Dredger Ridge, a favorite walk-in elk hunting area. The property also supports grizzly bears and Canada lynx.”

Comments are due by May 5.

Maximizing the Grass Resource in the Bitterroot

Bitter Root Land Trust contributed an article in the recent Ravalli Republic Agriculture Quarterly publication about the benefits of “flash-grazing” in the Bitterroot Valley.

From the article, written by Bitter Root Land Trust’s Emy Royce:

“We were looking for ways to maximize the grass resource, address weeds, improve soil health, and provide healthier pastures for the cows,” rancher Steve Peckinpaugh explains.

Now they “flash-graze,” also known as “intensive grazing.” Small sections of pastureland are grazed, and then left to rest for at least 45 days, sometimes longer.

“It ensures all the forage is eaten, not just the ‘good stuff,’ and in turn the weeds have all but disappeared,” says Steve.

“There’s more organic matter in the soil, which means more nutrient-rich grass for cows. It’s a natural cycle that helps ranches like ours weather the changing times,” notes Lee Severson, another rancher utilizing flash-grazing.

Lee manages Flying E Ranch, one of the larger conserved ranches in the area. “We adapted this grazing strategy a little over 10 years ago. The biggest difference I’ve seen is that I can feed our cows natural grasses for longer, instead of hay. If you can feed them grass instead of hay, not only are the cows better off, it saves money and water.”

Flathead Land Trust Seeking Support for Somers Project

Flathead Land Trust is working to expand already-strong area support for a community project that would maintain and formalize access on a portion of the north shore of Flathead Lake near Somers. The Somers Beach Flathead Lake Public Access Project would ensure public access and would also protect water quality, conserve bird and wildlife habitat, and maintain scenic open space as a new addition to the Montana State Park system.

“In order to protect this special place from future private development, conserve the wetlands and bird habitat, and secure much needed new public access on Flathead Lake, we feel a state park offers our best opportunity to do so,”  said Paul Travis, executive director of Flathead Land Trust. “We are hopeful that community members will be supportive of this project by voicing their support.” FLT has already obtained over 200 letters of support for the project.

Adaptation: Five Valleys, Prickly Pear Adjust Events

Two major springtime Montana land trust events – the Five Valleys Land Trust Annual Spring Banquet and the Prickly Pear Land Trust Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run – are set to go…with some social distancing safety adjustments.

 Five Valleys will actually hold its First Annual Spring Un-Banquet on April 10, which includes a chance to remotely purchase Un-Banquet Un-Tickets and raise your Un-Paddle in support of Five Valleys projects and activities.

Prickly Pear Land Trust’s Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run is now a 2020 Virtual Trail Run & Trail Challenge. PPLT says, “The new guidelines for social distancing may have affected our plans for the 20th Annual Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run on May 9, but they haven’t stopped us from finding fun new ways to get “together” and celebrate the incredible trail system we have right in our backyard. We’re running with it!”

Check the PPLT website for details. Registration ends June 1, and it’s easy to participate.

Positive Signals on Weyerhaeuser Transaction

The 630,000-acre transaction between Weyerhaeuser and Southern Pine Plantations was completed on March 26, and the Georgia-based company sent some positive signals after its purchase had been finalized. An article in the Flathead Beacon suggests SPP will – at least initially – continue the tradition of allowing recreational access on the lands, and also reports that SPP continues to work with The Trust for Public Land on a 7,200-acre conservation easement that would border Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge.

From the article: According to (SPP Vice President) Pat Patton, SPP has been in talks with organizations including the Trust for Public Land about moving forward with the Lost Trail easement.

“We have had meetings with the Trust for Public Land and we have talked to them about Lost Trail, the easement on that 7,200 acres,” Patton said. “We are moving forward. We have agreed to that, we have taken an assignment of that conservation easement and we are moving forward with it.”

The article also indicates SPP will renew the Montana FWP Block Management Program agreement once the existing agreement expires in May.

These are positive signs from SPP, but the long-term disposition of the 630,000 acres is vital to western Montana’s economy, culture and way of life.