Conservation & Partnerships
Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Kicks Off Free Rural Resilience Webinar Series
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is proud to announce the fifth annual Rural Resilience Webinar Series, a free educational program designed to help ranchers and rural residents grow their financial, ecological, and social resilience. This four-part series, held via Zoom on the fourth Thursday of each month from January to April, provides expert insights, actionable strategies, and an opportunity to connect with others who are passionate about the future of ranching and rural communities.
Webinar Schedule:
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Thursday, April 24 – Managing Risk for Ranching
Get the ins and outs of pasture, rangeland, and forage (PRF) insurance. Presenters: Brad Beck & McKay Erickson, Redd Summit
Each webinar runs from 7:00 to 8:30 PM Mountain Time, featuring a 60-minute presentation followed by a 30-minute Q&A, where participants can engage directly with the presenters.
“We’re thrilled to offer this space for meaningful conversations and practical takeaways,” said Mary Oxarart, RSA Education Program Manager.
Pre-registration is required, and participants will receive the Zoom link upon registering.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow alongside others dedicated to resilient ranching!
 MSGA Advocates for ESA Reform at the Federal Level
The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) submitted a letter of support for the Endangered Species Act Amendments (ESA) of 2025 Act (H.R. 1897) to the House Natural Resource Committee leadership and Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries subcommittee leadership in advance of their hearing on Tuesday, March 25.
This act initiates key reforms to the ESA that will fundamentally alter and improve the implementation of this massive, historical piece of legislation that has shaped land management across the nation for decades. ESA reform, like this act proposes, is critical to optimizing conservation efforts, increasing efficiency in processes, and managing natural resources in the most effective and practical manner.
 Looking to buy or sell hay or straw? Need to lease pasture or have some available? Mountain West Grazing is here to help! With the launch of the grazing connection, you can easily post listings FOR FREE to connect with others in the ag community - this is your go-to resource.
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.
 MDA Announces 2025 Growth Through Agriculture Grant Awardees to Advance Montana Agriculture
Director Jillien Streit and the Agriculture Development Council announced recipients of the state’s $915,360 investment in innovative, value-added agriculture projects through the Montana Department of Agriculture’s Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program.
From Opheim to Stevensville, a total of 25 agricultural businesses throughout the state were awarded funds to advance Montana’s agricultural economy.
“MDA’s Growth Through Agriculture program has gained serious momentum because it focuses solely on giving our agricultural businesses an opportunity to grow and expand. These awards are often that extra boost that takes a business or operation to the next level,” said Montana Director of Agriculture Jillien Streit. “The Department of Agriculture is proud to invest in these innovative projects that will add value to Montana agriculture as well as contribute to economic development and local communities.”
Interior’s first oil and gas lease sales of 2025 bring in over $39 million
The Department of the Interior today announced it generated over $39 million in total receipts from oil and gas lease sales held in the first quarter of 2025 – underscoring the Department’s continued commitment to responsible energy development on public lands and American Energy Dominance. In line with policies championed under the Trump administration, these revenues reflect an ongoing focus on unleashing domestic energy production, supporting job growth, and reducing reliance on foreign resources through efficient, streamlined permitting and leasing processes.
 USDA Announces New FPAC Leadership to Better Serve Farmers and Ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced key presidential appointments to the Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area. These appointees will lead efforts to advance President Trump’s America First agenda and ensure that farmers, ranchers, and producers have the support they need to keep feeding, fueling, and clothing America.
“FPAC is the most farmer-facing mission area at USDA, housing the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service—agencies producers rely on every day,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “Following this week’s $10 billion economic assistance announcement, these appointees will help ensure that support gets to farmers and ranchers without bureaucratic delays. Strong leadership in FPAC means real results, less red tape, and a USDA that works for those who feed, fuel, and clothe America. I’m proud to welcome these new leaders who will champion our farmers and rural communities.”
MSU Extension’s Schutter Lab identifies first known blacklegged tick in Montana
Several species of ticks are native to Montana, and they are a common sight for runners, hikers and campers in the spring and summer months. But for the first time, specialists in Montana have identified a blacklegged tick in the state, a species that can carry and transmit Lyme disease.
Rocky Mountain wood ticks and American dog ticks are commonly seen in Montana, said Marni Rolston, a diagnostician in MSU Extension’s Schutter Diagnostic Lab in the Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology. Rolston identified the specimen, which was found in eastern Montana. Wood ticks and dog ticks do not transmit Lyme disease, but blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, can.
 FWP Public Notices & Opportunity for Comment
FWP releases final Montana Wolf Management Plan
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released the 2025 Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan today, wrapping up an extensive public process to capture updates to wolf management strategies and research into a new plan.
The final 2025 Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan (2025 Wolf Plan) incorporates updates in wolf-related research, more than 20 years of management experience, evolution in conflict management, new laws, social perspectives, and public input.
“The former wolf plan served us well, but it was time to make sure our management plan contained the evolutions we’ve made in wolf research, monitoring, conflict management, and the changes to the legal framework we operate under today,” said FWP Director Christy Clark.
The 2025 Wolf Plan builds on a foundation of FWP wolf management: monitoring populations, tracking harvest, effective conflict management, and flexibility to integrate evolutions in science.
Podcast Corner
Open Migration, Secure Herd: The Art of Wildlife Friendly Fencing
Fencing is a fundamental part of ranching, but not all fences are created equal. In this episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, host Haylie Shipp dives into the benefits of wildlife-friendly fencing—also known as modified farm fencing—with RSA Conservation Coordinator Martin Townsend, Phillips County rancher Mark French, and Brett Dorak from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
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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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