The Montana Land Reliance is sponsoring the 3rd Annual Greater Yellowstone Agricultural Forum on Feb. 7, with doors opening at 9:00 AM, at The Gathering Place at the Lewis & Clark in Three Forks. Forum topics include invasive species, biocontrol of weeds, use of livestock to control weeds, and more. Additional speakers will provide information about their programs and services. For more information contact Kathryn Kelly of MLR at 579-5481 or kathryn@mtlandreliance.org.
Vital Ground and Partners Help Reduce Bear and People Conflicts
In addition to operating as a land trust in the northern Rocky Mountains, The Vital Ground Foundation also funds conservation partners that work to reduce conflicts between bears and people. Last year, Vital Ground’s Conservation Partners Grant Program was extended to Mission, Madison and Big Hole valleys.
Alex Diekmann Peak Legislation Passes House Committee
Another major step toward the creation of Alex Diekmann Peak: The House Natural Resources Committee passed the Alex Diekmann Designation Act of 2017 on Jan. 10, and the bill will be headed to the House floor for action. The bill, sponsored by Senator Steve Daines and strongly supported by Senator Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte, has already passed the Senate. A Bozeman Chronicle article reports on passage of the bill and contains quotes of support from all three members of the Montana Congressional Delegation.
FVLT, NRCS Partner-Up for Ag Conservation
Done deal: Five Valleys Land Trust, NRCS and its ALE program, and the Open Cross Ranch partner-up to conserve 5,000 acres of prime ranch ground in the Flint Creek Valley.
The Nature Conservancy in Montana Working on Dillon-Area Ranch Conservation
Dillon ranch family, The Nature Conservancy in Montana, and the NRCS team up for agriculture conservation and ranch operation stability.
Land Trust Alliance Sets 2018 Webinar Schedule
The Land Trust Alliance has scheduled a broad array of webinars to start the new year, with 30 webinars scheduled starting on Jan. 11. The complete 2018 Alliance webinar schedule is available online on the Alliance’s website and a downloadable PDF is also available. The six-month webinar schedule (January through June) examines a multitude of private land conservation issues and topics, including risk management, appraisals, farmland conservation, organizational succession planning, conservation messaging, mergers, rebranding, and more. In addition, a series of complimentary webinars is also available on topics such as federal funding appraisals, Farm Bill funding, congressional advocacy, and federal funding for landscape conservation. MALT’s newsletters will provide periodic information on Alliance webinars but full and complete information and contact information is available on the Alliance’s website.
TPL, Stimson Lumber Team Up to Strengthen Access and Forest Management
The Trust for Public Land and Stimson Lumber strengthen recreational access and improve public land management with Lolo National Forest acquisition.
The Nature Conservancy in Montana’s 2017 Conservation Highlights
The Nature Conservancy in Montana has posted its top five conservation highlights in 2017, which range from grasslands and river conservation to forest and wildlife projects