Natural Resources Conservation Service

Montana

United States Department of Agriculture

Conservation Easement Protects Working Ranch

Steve and Catherine Peckinpaugh and the Bitter Root Land Trust recently completed an ACEP-ALE conservation easement on the Lazy Burnt Fork Ranch, near Stevensville, Mont. The ranch offers a diverse mix of pasture, hayland, and grazingland supporting both agriculture and wildlife.

Lazy Burnt Fork Ranch conservation easement

Conifer Removal Good for Sage Grouse Habitat

In a 200-acre area in southwestern Montana, NRCS worked with a landowner to remove Rocky Mountain Juniper and Douglas Fir that had encroached into sage-grouse habitat. This was a prime location for conifer removal as there is an active lek nearby and the rangeland has a healthy understory.

Before and after of conifer removal for sage grouse habitat.

NRCS Invests $1.2 Million in Innovative Conservation Partnership in Montana

NRCS is providing $1.2 million for a Yellowstone Region Agricultural Sustainability Project, defining best management practices that lower natural resource consumption and degradation for irrigated producers.

2017 RCPP Project: Yellowstone Region Agricultural Sustainability Project

2017 Western Montana Grazing and Agriculture Conference

Agricultural producers, natural resource professionals, and educators from across Montana will converge in Missoula on Feb. 9-10. The focus of the conference is to continue the conversation of sustainable, profitable and environmentally sound on-farm practices.

Save the Date for Soil Health Workshops

The Soil & Water Conservation Districts of Montana, NRCS, and Soil & Water Conservation Society are presenting a series on soil health featuring Dr. Wayne Beck and Dan Forgey. Workshops will be held on Jan. 17 in Great Falls, Jan. 18 in Billings, and Jan. 19 in Sidney. Register now.