Conservation & Partnerships
 Montana Native Plant Conservation Strategy Published
The Montana Native Plant Conservation Strategy: Vascular Species and Habitats of Greatest Conservation Need (GCN) has just been published after six years of work by a diverse group of partners. Its purpose is to promote the collective and coordinated stewardship of Montana’s native flora and habitats, emphasizing native Plant Species, Unique Habitats, and Plant Communities of Greatest Conservation Need (GCN).
Montana State Reference Network Updates
The MTSRN has recently added a new station near Wisdom, in the southwest region of Montana. This station receives signals from multiple satellite systems, providing maximum coverage in the region.
We’ve also added signals across our network of stations, giving subscribers access to more satellite systems. This upgrade means increased reliability and precision for industries like surveying, GIS, public works, agriculture, and more.
With this update, the MTSRN now includes:
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54 stations receiving signals from multiple satellite systems for maximum coverage and accuracy
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16 stations with expanded coverage from three major systems
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5 stations maintaining essential GPS and GLONASS support
 Montana Stockgrowers Opposes the Federal Dietary Guidelines Advisory Council New Recommendations
On October 22, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) previewed the content in their upcoming scientific report. This report includes their recommendations on how the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) should develop the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans in the coming year. It will be sent to USDA and HHS sometime before December 9th.
Montana Stockgrowers Foundation Host Raising the Steaks Environmental Stewardship Tour on Award Winning Ennis Ranch
The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation hosted its annual Raising the Steaks Environmental Stewardship Tour on September 23, at the Goggins Ranch. The ranch is owned and operated by Pat Goggins, Janet Endecott, and Rachel Endecott.
Agency Updates
Funding Available Now!
Multiple Grant 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.
 Grazing Land Management and Soil Carbon: A Climate Hubs – LTAR Webinar Series
The goal of this webinar series is to provide an update on the knowns and unknowns about the influence of grazing land management on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics, with a strong emphasis on practical implications. Region-specific results from long-term grazing studies will be discussed by a team of recognized researchers in this field.
BLM, Tribes announce historic co-stewardship agreement
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today celebrated the historic signing of a Co-Stewardship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formally establishes the BLM’s commitment to collaboratively steward federal public lands administered by the Missoula Field Office within the aboriginal territory of the Tribes.
 NRCS Sets Conservation Program Funding Application Dates
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE), and Agricultural Land Easements (ALE). There are several dates to be aware of for the current funding cycle of these programs.
• ALE Farm Bill: Nov. 29, 2024
• WRE Farm Bill: Nov. 1, 2024
• CSP Classic: Dec. 27, 2024
Beloved Bison: Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation Finds the Balance Between Land, Bison, and Man
Encompassing approximately 15,244 acres, the new Northern Cheyenne Buffalo Pasture has taken shape over the last few years in Lame Deer, Montana. Brandon Small, a Northern Cheyenne tribal member and the new manager of the Northern Cheyenne Bison Ranch went on to explain, “The tribe, they want to maintain a buffalo herd. It’s an important part of, as a Plains tribe, their cultural identity.”
 Black Henbane (Hyocyamus niger) Revisited
Black henbane, less commonly known as fetid nightshade or insane root, is an annual to biennial plant that grows in pastures, meadows, and roadsides, and has been gaining attention in Montana.
 FWP announces public comment opportunities
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on environmental assessments (EAs), conservation leases and other department projects. For the full list of proposals, more information, including how to submit comments, click on the link below.
Applications available for FWP’s Habitat Conservation Lease Program
Beginning October 15, 2024, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting applications for its Habitat Conservation Lease Program.
Future Fisheries Improvement Program grant deadline is November 15
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds landowners, watershed groups and others that this winter’s deadline to apply for Future Fisheries Improvement Program (FFIP) grants is Nov. 15. Approximately $400,000 is available for the winter grant cycle.
FWP seeing localized EHD in white-tails in Glendive, Sidney area
FWP wildlife biologists in southeast Montana’s Region 7 have seen an increase this fall in epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) reports in white-tailed deer along the Yellowstone River between Glendive and Sidney.
 Exciting Update - Farm Service Agency Loan Assistance Tool Now Serves Lenders!
We are thrilled to announce that the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Loan Assistance Tool (LAT) has been updated to better support lenders in the loan application process. Previously designed to guide farm loan applicants, the LAT now includes new features tailored specifically to meet lenders’ needs.
USDA Announces Department-wide Effort to Support Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Connectivity
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a Department-wide effort to support connectivity of wildlife habitat on working landscapes through the management of National Forests and voluntary conservation assistance on private agricultural lands.
USDA Invests $1.5 Billion in 92 Partnership Projects to Advance Conservation and Climate-Smart Agriculture
USDA today announced a historic $1.5 billion for 92 partner-driven conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. Selected RCPP projects will help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners adopt and expand voluntary, locally led conservation strategies to enhance natural resources while tackling the climate crisis.
Podcast Corner
Water Weary Rancher Resourcefulness
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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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