The Nature Conservancy in Montana highlights the organization’s work with landowners in eastern Montana near Bitter Creek. TNC reports that “Thanks to the quality and the extent of grass, this is an area that supports grassland plants and animals in an abundance unrivaled elsewhere. It contains grassland types that have largely been put to the plow. Deep soils that grow spring wheat and lentils elsewhere, here are home to America’s largest populations of Baird’s sparrow and Sprague’s pipits, which sing and flit among the wildflowers and porcupine grass.”
Registration Open for PPLT Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run
One of Montana’s premier trail running events, the Prickly Pear Land Trust Don’t Fence Me In Trail In, will take place on May 12 on Helena’s trails. Registration is open now.
Amazing Return on Investment for Gallatin County Open Land Program
Former Bozeman Mayor Jeff Krause writes in a Bozeman Daily Chronicle guest column that the return on investment for the county’s open space has been 500 percent, enough to “make Warren Buffet blush.” Gallatin County voters will be voting on a June 5 open space mill levy ballot measure.
High Divide Workshop Coming Up April 18-19
The 2018 High Divide Workshop is set for April 18-19 at the Lewis & Clark Room at UM Western campus in Dillon, Montana. The theme for the workshop is “Drought Resilience – Forests and Fire Wildlife Connectivity and Conflict Resolution.” The draft agenda shows workshop sessions on: WILDLIFE CONNECTIVITY & CONFLICT REDUCTION SESSION, FORESTS AND FIRE SESSION, and DROUGHT RESILIENCE SESSION. For more information contact JoAnn Grant of Heart of the Rockies at joann@heart-of-rockies.org, or 406-640-2816.
License Plate Dollars Help Conserve Bitterroot Valley Ag Lands
License plate donations to the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge – in turn donated to Bitter Root Land Trust – are helping area farmers and ranchers conserve key lands in the Burnt Fork drainage.
MALT Helps Sponsor Ties to the Land Workshop
Forest health and family succession of private forestland are key topics in the upcoming Ties to the Land Workshop, sponsored by the Montana Forest Stewardship Foundation and the Montana Association of Land Trusts.
Kaniksu Land Trust Celebrates Ospreys
Kaniksu Land Trust is sponsoring a presentation on March 16 in Sandpoint titled “The Ospreys of North Idaho,” featuring a presentation by Dr. Wayne Melquist. The event features two showings – 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM – at the Little Panida Theatre, with meet and greets set for 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Dr. Melquist has studied ospreys for 45 years. Tickets for the event are $5 and are on sale now.
GVLT Receives Conservation District Stewardship Award
Gallatin Valley Land Trust was named the recipient of the Bill Wright Conservation Award in Land Stewardship by the Gallatin Conservation District on March 9. In a Facebook post, GVLT wrote: THANK YOU for this incredible honor. We are humbled to work alongside our valley’s farmers and ranchers, exceptional stewards of our open lands.
FWP Commission Expected to Vote on Sandhill Cranes Project in April
The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission will be one of the final steps for Flathead Land Trust’s West Valley Wetlands Project, a project that would conserve key sandhill crane habitat and provide access for viewing and educational experiences as well. The commission meets April 19 in Livingston. A Missoulian article touted the work done by FLT and partners to bring the proposal to the commission, and highlighted the wildlife, wetland, agricultural, wildlife viewing and educational opportunities associated with the project. The $1.4 million project is complex, with diverse funding sources and specific goals for project outcomes from some of those sources.
Gallatin County Commission Gives Final Approval for June Open Land Mill Levy
Gallatin County Commissioners voted unanimously on March 6 to place an open space mill levy on the June 2018 ballot. That means voters will have an opportunity to approve the levy, which if passed would provide approximately $20 million over a 15-year period for county open land conservation and Regional Park improvements.