Conservation & Partnerships
 
Montana State Library launches Cadastral Redesign
The Montana Cadastral application (gis.mt.gov) is heavily used by Montanans across the state as the source on land ownership information. Citizens, industries, and government entities use this map-based application to search for property information by geocode, owner, address, assessment code, subdivision, or by location on the map.
Becoming the Beaver
The sweet peas are popping up in north Phillips County, enjoying the cool Montana spring before the heat of summer puts them to rest for another year. Birds chirp. The breeze is cool, the air fresh. And in the mind of Brian Fox, the gears are turning. Will the ranch improvements he’s made in the last year equate to the improvements he’s after? They were unconventional, he’ll give it that, but also natural in a way that we may be just starting to appreciate.
Nonprofits Collaborate for Agricultural Grassbank Campus
A groundbreaking demonstration in the power of collaboration and dedication to our region’s ranching and conservation future, TNC will purchase a property and gift it to either RSA or Winnett ACES to create the campus.
 Online training SHIFT: Skills and Tools to Equip Leaders in Change Initiatives
Are you ready to expand your leadership and communication skills? SHIFT is a transformative program designed to elevate your leadership, and equip you with the essential tools to excel in today's dynamic and complex environments.
Agency Updates
Funding Available Now!
Multiple Grants Opportunities
DNRC administers a wide range of grants and loans for Montana, assisting cities and towns, conservation districts, private landowners, and other groups in managing natural resource issues at the local level.
 Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2024
These datasets provide early estimates of 2024 fractional cover for exotic annual grass (EAG) species and one native perennial grass species on a weekly basis from April to late June. Typically, the EAG estimates are publicly released within 7-13 days of the latest satellite observation used for that version. Each weekly release contains five fractional cover maps along with their corresponding confidence maps for: 1) a group of 16 species of EAGs, 2) cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum); 3) Field Brome (Bromus arvensis); 4) medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae); and 5) Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda).
 Farm Bureau Gearing Up for Mental Health Awareness Month in May
Studies show that farmer suicide rates are several times higher than the national average. Jessica Cabrera, managing director of member engagement with the American Farm Bureau Federation, says mental health among farmers and ranchers is an important topic to discuss, particularly during Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Proposal to remove Agriculture from Wildlife Refuges
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a rule to further restrict agriculture, pesticides, genetically engineered organisms and predator control on wildlife refuges throughout the country. The Service's proposals seek both to change internal policy and promulgate a new regulation related to Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health (BIDEH) on the National Refuge System (Refuge System). This proposed change isn't just bad for ranchers that graze in wildlife refuges, but for communities with economies that depend on refuges, neighbors, the land and ultimately, wildlife.
US Fish & Wildlife services needs to hear from producers like you to help them understand the far-reaching effects of this change.
Drought
Resources to help you!
 Biden-Harris Administration finalizes strategy to guide balanced management, conservation of public lands
The Department of the Interior today announced a final rule to help guide the balanced management of America’s public lands. The final Public Lands Rule provides tools for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to help improve the health and resilience of public lands in the face of a changing climate; conserve important wildlife habitat and intact landscapes; facilitate responsible development; and better recognize unique cultural and natural resources on public lands.
 USDA Seeks Partnerships to Expand Conservation on Grazing Lands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $22 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative until Sunday, May 26, 2024.
Three Key Ways NRCS Supports Double Wins for Wildlife and Working Lands Conservation
As Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and a lifelong outdoorsman, I’m proud of how we support wildlife conservation across the nation. From the iconic sage grouse in the west to the spotted turtle in the east, much of our nation’s wildlife depends on private, working lands for food, habitat, and other resources. Here are three key ways NRCS supports win-win conservation solutions that strengthen working lands and the species that call them home.
 May 2024 Weed Post
Mediterranean sage (Salvia aethiopis)
Mediterranean sage (Salvia aethiopis L.), or “Med sage,” is a unique invasive weed in the mint family. What is not unique about Med sage is that it shares the native range of Eurasia with numerous invasive weeds in western North America. This species is considered noxious in many western states including California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. While it has not been found in Montana, it has been reported in 11 counties in Idaho, including both Clearwater and Idaho Counties which share a border with Montana.
 FWP seeks public comment on proposed projects, conservation leases, other items
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on several draft proposed projects, conservation leases and other items. For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the links provided or visit fwp.mt.gov/public-notices.
FWP seeks comment on proposed habitat conservation leases
FWP is seeking comment on seven proposed Habitat Conservation Leases (HCLs) in southeast Montana.
Future Fisheries Improvement Program
Deadline is May 15
Landowners, watershed groups and others have until May 15 to apply for summer Future Fisheries Improvement Program (FFIP) grants.
The goal of Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ FFIP is to restore rivers, streams and lakes to improve Montana’s wild fish habitat. Entities can receive funding for qualifying projects that benefit Montana's wild fish. Each project is assessed by an independent review panel and final funding decisions are made by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.
FWP seeking public comment on proposed conservation easement for nearly 33,000 acres in northwest Montana
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on a potential project that would place nearly 33,000 acres of private timberland in northwest Montana under a conservation easement and protect working lands, public recreation access, and wildlife habitat.
 Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council Recruits for Open Positions
The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is currently recruiting for open positions on its Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council (NWMAC). The following council terms expire June 30, 2024:
- Recreationist / Wildlife Group Representative
- Noxious Weed Free Materials Representative
- Montana Weed Control Association Representative
- Eastern County Weed District Representative
- At-Large Member
 
 Local Dashboard Now Available for Producers in MT
Farmers in Montana can now access county specific farming data and USDA resources all in one place via the new farmers.gov local dashboard [lnks.gd]. Your farmers.gov [farmers.gov] local dashboard includes farming data and USDA resources including USDA news, commodity pricing, weather forecasts, historical climate data, past storm events, USDA service center locator and additional state resources for Montana and your county The dashboard transforms complex data sets into easy-to-read charts and graphs to help you quickly find information that matters to you. <link to farmers.gov [lnks.gd]>
Podcast Corner
AoR 130: Society for Range Management Plenary "Change on the Range" with Young Professionals
It's been said that the only thing that is certain is change. These young rangeland professionals engage in interview discussion around what "Change on the Range" means to them. The 2023 annual meeting plenaries addressed the synthetic nature of rangeland science and the necessity of working across disciplinary and geographic and social boundaries to be effective. Effective change may require all of that. Join Katherine Haile, Paige Stanley, Kaelie Pena, Josh Tashiro, and Melissa Lackore in our conversation about rangelands and productive change.
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Research Center
To make the 406 Rangelands newsletter more reader friendly, the "Research Center" section has been permanently moved to the Rangeland Resources Program website. You can access it here.
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