Blackfoot Challenge

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About Us
About Us

Who are we?
The Blackfoot Challenge is a landowner-based group that coordinates management of the Blackfoot River, its tributaries, and adjacent lands. It is organized locally and known nationally as a model for preserving the rural character and natural beauty of a watershed. Although its charter dates to 1993, Blackfoot landowners have played an instrumental stewardship role since the late 1970s—bringing conservation easement legislation, walk-in hunting areas and recreation corridor management to Montana.

The Mission of The Blackfoot Challenge is to coordinate efforts that will enhance, conserve and protect the natural resources and rural lifestyles of the Blackfoot River Valley for present and future generations. We support environmentally responsible resource stewardship through cooperation of private and public interests. Private landowners, federal and state land managers, local government officials, and corporate landowners compose the informal membership. All share a common vision of how the Challenge operates in the Blackfoot watershed and believe that we can achieve success by building trust, partnerships, and working together.



Board of Directors
Our dedicated and diverse board, staff and volunteers are very much responsible for many of our achievements to date.

Blackfoot Challenge Accomplishments with its Partners
A perceived collision course between resource development and resource protection led to the formation of the Blackfoot Challenge. The group seeks common ground and offers a forum for give-and-take discussions on issues facing the watershed from ridge to ridge. Is it working? Take a look at our accomplishments.
  • Weeds Managed -- Over 380 landowners utilizing integrated weed management practices on over 45,000 acres of noxious weeds since 1997. GIS weed mapping on 474,727 acres with 34% under active weed and grazing management.
  • Large Landscapes Kept Intact -- 89,000 acres of private lands under perpetual conservation easements.
  • Streams Restored -- 39 tributaries including 38 miles of instream restoration and 62 miles of riparian restoration.
  • Habitat Improved -- 2,600 acres of wetlands and 2,300 acres of native grasslands restored.
  • Water Conserved -- Over 75 key irrigators & recreational outfitters participating voluntarily in emergency drought response efforts.
  • Fisheries Improved -- Over 460 miles of fish passage barrier removal and 13 self-cleaning fish screens installed on irrigation ditches.
  • Community Shaping Its Future -- Community-driven plan directing the resale of 88,000 acres of corporate timber lands.
  • Human-Wildlife Conflicts Reduced -- 93 landowners participating with over 200carcasses removed, 14,000 linear feet of electrified predator-friendly fencing, 60% of the apiary yards fenced, and 80 bear-resistant dumpsters in the watershed.
  • Schools Involved -- Teachers and students from all schools in the Blackfoot are engaged in watershed education.
    Community Engaged and Networked -- At least 500 people involved in Blackfoot committees, education outreach, and tours.
  • Challenge Webpage and Newspaper Articles reach 2,759 households in Blackfoot and over 60 partners.
  • Lewis' Return Trail -- Mapped and accessible through the Blackfoot, with three gateway kiosks.



What is the Blackfoot Watershed?


What is Special about the Blackfoot Valley?


Blackfoot Publications
For Annual Report, Brochure or a short history of the Blackfoot Challenge see Blackfoot Challenge Publications.


History and Evolution of the Blackfoot Challenge