Conservation Strategies Committee

The Blackfoot Challenge takes seriously its mission to conserve, protect and restore the natural resources and rural character of the Blackfoot watershed. With the efforts of dedicated landowners dating back to the late 1970’s, a legacy of conservation has developed that is remarkably unique to the Blackfoot.

In 2000, recognizing the growing conservation momentum within the valley, the Blackfoot Challenge formed the Conservation Strategies Committee to coordinate private and public conservation efforts

Photo Courtesy: Bruce Andre

throughout the Blackfoot and undertake cooperative projects with land trust partners. More than 89,000 acres have been protected by landowners, land trusts and public agencies working together. By pooling resources, funding, experience and knowledge, the committee continues to work hard to generate new ideas and strategies to preserve the special landscapes that are so vital to communities living and recreating in the Blackfoot. 

Key Partners 

Current Projects:

Blackfoot Challenge Watershed Map A Collaborative Effort Showing Ownership & Conservation Easements Blackfoot Community Project This multi-year project continues to progress according to a unique community-driven plan guiding the future ownership and management of 88,000 acres of diverse and valuable timberlands. Conservation Easements Private lands form the backbone of our conservation efforts and are critical to the long-term health of the 1.5 million-acre watershed.  Located in valley bottoms, private lands are comprised of the most productive land and water resources with valuable agricultural and biological values.  By working with private landowners who are concerned about the future of their lands, we are working to conserve intact landscapes using conservation easements. A Guide to Land Conservation in the Blackfoot Using Conservation Easements (PDF) Local Landowners Address Conservation Easement Issues in the Blackfoot (PDF) North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grant In 2002, this grant was acquired funding wetland conservation and restoration on 2,804 acres of glaciated wetlands, associated grasslands, and riparian habitat.  Resource Stewardship The commitment to conservation begins, not ends, with conservation easements and other land protection strategies.  For that reason, we’ve developed a stewardship program to assist landowners with Best Management Practices (BMP’s) both on and off of conservation easement lands. For more information on our Stewardship Program contact: Allen McNeal (406) 475-3133 mcnealres@earthlink.net