The Big Dry Arm Spring Storm in the Great Basin Red Cliffs Desert Tortoise Reserve March Morning on the Platte River After a Spring Storm in the Great Basin Hunting Upland Birds at Kingsbury Lake Waterfowl Production Area Sandhill Migration on the Platte River Badlands Sunrise The Green River at Ouray NWR North Park Lupines Moab Sunset
PFW - Montana
Mountain-Prairie Region
Graphic button showing the 8 state mountain prairie region

Partners for Fish & Wildlife - Montana

 

Overview | Accomplishments | Focus Areas | Adopt-A-Swan | Contact Us | Open / Close All

  • Bull trout. Credit: J Sartore, National Geographic.

    Bull trout. Credit: J Sartore, National Geographic.

  • Grayling. Credit: USFWS.

    Grayling. Credit: USFWS.

  • Aerial view of a Montana wetland. Credit: USFWS.

    Aerial view of Montana wetlands. Credit: USFWS.

  • Montana autumn of the Blackfoot River. Credit: USFWS.

    Montana autumn of the Blackfoot River. Credit: USFWS.

  • Centennial Valley, Montana. Credit: USFWS.

    Centennial Valley, Montana. Credit: USFWS.

  • Montana grizzly sow and cubs. Credit: USFWS.

    Montana grizzly sow and cubs. Credit: USFWS.

  • Rocky mountain front. Credit: USFWS.

    Rocky mountain front. Credit: USFWS. Credit: USFWS.

  • Bull trout. Credit: J Sartore, National Geographic.

    Bull trout. Credit: J Sartore, National Geographic.

We use a combination of art and science to set general goals and objectives. The "art" involves building trust and credibility with private landowners and partners. This is a critical step in achieving success. The "science" involves using data on habitat degredation, species use, and habitat assessments to set priorities for restoration.

Montana Partners for Fish and Wildlife wetland projects generally involve restoration by ditch plugs. Uplands projects consist of enhancing/restoring native plant communities by developing and implementing grazing management plans. Riparian/in-stream restoration is accomplished using natural channel design and re-vegetation with native plants and implementing grazing management plans.


Overview »

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Goals and Objectives | Ecosystem Approach | Riparian


Goals and Objectives

Grayling observed underwater in Montana. Credit: USFWS.

Grayling observed underwater in Montana. Credit: USFWS.

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  • Assists private landowners to restore wetlands and riparian habitat by offering technical and financial assistance.
  • Restores native prairie habitats and other habitat types of special importance to Federal trust species.
  • Emphasizes partnerships! Private landowners, conservation organizations, and other government agencies complete habitat projects under joint ventures.
  • Focuses on threatened ecosystems and imperiled watersheds.


Ecosystem Approach

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Private lands are a key component of virtually every ecosystem. The ecosystem management "toolbox" must include a private lands tool. Partners for Fish and Wildlife fits that need. In a landscape or watershed approach, Partners for Fish and Wildlife can link habitat projects between public and private lands.


Riparian and Wetland Projects

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Big Hole River, Montana. Credit: USFWS.

Big Hole River, Montana. Credit: USFWS.

Montana Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program projects illustrate spring creek habitat restoration. Spring creeks originate where ground water rises to the surface, and water flow is usually constant throughout the year.

Objectives:

  • Restore In-Stream Fish Habitat
  • Restore Riparian Habitat
  • Provide Habitat for Migratory Birds
  • Reduce Conflicts between Irrigation and Fish/Wildlife

Projects:

  • Riparian fencing and off-site water development
  • In-stream fish habitat restoration
  • Oxbow wetland restoration
  • Re-establishment of woody vegetation
  • Off-site wetland restoration
  • Headwater wetland restoration


Accomplishments »

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Rocky Mountain Front, Montana. Credit: USFWS.

Rocky Mountain Front, Montana. Credit: USFWS.

FY2015 Habitat Accomplishments

7,290 upland acres restored or enhanced
272 wetland acres restored or enhanced
11 miles of riparian habitat restored or enhanced
10 fish passage structures

FY 1988-2015 Cumulative Habitat Accomplishments

438,468 upland acres restored or enhanced
38,290 wetland acres restored or enhanced
1,407 miles of riparian habitat restored or enhanced
80 fish passage structures

The Montana Partners Program has completed approximately 1,160 projects with private landowners throughout the state.


Focus Areas »


Adopt-A-Swan »


Contact Us»

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State Coordinator

Greg Neudecker
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 66
Ovando, MT 59854
(406) 727-7400
greg_neudecker@fws.gov

Assistant State Coordinator

Randy Gazda
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 66
Ovando, MT 59854
(406) 727-7402
randy_gazda@fws.gov

Private Lands Biologists

Kevin Ertl
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
967 Marsh Lane
Helmville, MT 59843
(406) 793-0050
kevin_ertl@fws.gov

Marisa Lipsey
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
5 Lasar Drive
Glasgow, MT 59230
(406) 228-3750
marisa_lipsey@fws.gov

Jim Magee
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
420 Barrett Street
Dillon, MT 59725
(406) 683-3893
jim_magee@fws.gov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Sue McNeal

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 86   
Larson Building, 21 1st NW
Choteau, MT 59422
(406) 466-5500 
susan_mcneal@fws.gov

Loren Ruport
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 63
Jordan, MT 59337
(406) 671-7927
loren_ruport@fws.gov

Dean Vaughan
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
National Bison Range
132 Bison Range Road
Moiese, MT 59824
(406) 644-2211 ext. 208
dean_vaughan@fws.gov

 

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American People.
Last modified: June 02, 2016
All Images Credit to and Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Unless Specified Otherwise.
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