Blackfoot Challenge

BCCA Field Tour
2023-06-15 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Denver)
Thursday, June 15th — 2:00pm until 5:00pm
Meet at the Boot Tree at 2:00 pm to car pool .
Barbecue will be served after the tour at 5:00—so be sure to RSVP!
The Blackfoot Community Conservation Area includes 41,000 acres of State, Federal, and private land north of Ovando. The 5,600-acre “Core” area is
locally-owned and community-managed. Join the Council members on a tour through the BCCA Core making several stops at recently completed projects and future projects.
Bring your old boots for a tossing contest!
Pease contact deb@blackfootchallenge.org or 406.793.3900 to RSVP.

Board Meeting
2023-05-17 10:00 - 12:30, 2023-04-19 10:00 - 12:30, 2023-03-15 10:00 - 12:30, 2023-02-15 10:00 - 12:30, 2022-09-21 10:00 - 12:30
The public is always welcome to participate in our board meetings. Contact our Office Administrator Deb Dillree for more information: 793-3900 or deb@blackfootchallenge.org.

Powell County Weed District Landowner Meeting
2023-04-28 13:00 - 15:00
Powell County Weed District
2023 Annual Landowner Meeting
Friday April 28
* Ovando School Gymn *
* 1:00-3:00 pm *
MEETING AGENDA
 12:30-12:55 pm Sign In & Welcome
 1:00-1:55 pm Dr. Lisa Rew
“Annual Grass Ecology and Management”
Description: The talk will cover the ecology and distribution of invasive annual grasses in Montana, and the efficacy
of different management practices for controlling their abundance and spread.
Dr. Lisa Rew is a Professor of Weed and Invasive Plant Ecology and Management in the Department of Land
Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, Montana. She and her
group work in natural, semi-natural and agricultural systems trying to understand more about the ecology of
invasive species under different conditions and how to manage them while improving desired vegetation at a local
scale. To achieve this her interests include, survey and monitoring methods, species distribution modeling, plant
community diversity, population dynamics, and long-distance
dispersal and spread.
 2:00-2:55 pm Dr. Jane Mangold
“Revegetating Weed-Infested Range and Pasture Lands”
Description: When range and pasture lands are severely infested with invasive and noxious weeds,
simply controlling the weeds may not result in desired outcomes. In such cases, seeding other species,
commonly referred to as “revegetation,” is necessary to establish desired vegetation that can compete
with weeds and help you meet your management objectives. This presentation will cover key concepts
from the new MSU Extension publication “Revegetation Guidelines: Considering Invasive and Noxious
Weeds” to help you plan and execute revegetation, including special consideration of how to integrate
herbicides and seeding. vegetation that can compete with weeds and help you meet your management
objectives. execute revegetation, including special consideration of how to integrate herbicides and
seeding. Jane Mangold is a Professor and the Extension Invasive Plant specialist at Montana State
University-Bozeman. She has been researching and extending science-based information on integrated
management of invasive and noxious weeds for about 25 years. One of her research interests is
revegetation, especially in the context of rangeland and pasture infested by invasive annual grasses like
cheatgrass and ventenata.

Livestock Guardian Dogs Presentation
2023-04-27 18:00 - 20:00
The Blackfoot Challenge is pleased to host Blackleaf Guardians and People and Carnivores for a special presentation on Livestock Guardian Dogs: their uses, breeds, and behavior, along with resources to help ranchers use guardian dogs for livestock protection against large carnivores like grizzly bears and wolves.
Thursday, April 27
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Helmville Community Hall
AGENDA
6:00-6:10 pm Introductions
6:10-7:00 pm Livestock Guardian Dogs: Uses, Breeds & Behaviors
7:00-7:30 pm Resources for using Livestock Guardian Dogs,bincluding tracking collars
7:30-8:00 pm Q & A
For more information, contact:
Blackfoot Challenge Wildlife Coordinator Eric Graham
eric@blackfootchallenge.org
406-240-3132

Pure Montana Tales: Rare Carnivore Monitoring
2023-02-23 19:00 - 20:00
Please join us for a Zoom presentation by Luke Lamar of Swan Valley Connections on a collaborative project to
monitor populations of rare forest carnivores like Canada lynx, wolverines, fishers, and more. SVC and
Blackfoot Challenge staff visit remote sites throughout the winter to collect evidence of these seldom
seen critters in our watershed. You’ll hear all about this important effort that involves many agency and
nonprofit partners, and see amazing trail camera footage of lots of cool species!
REGISTER HERE.

"Landscape of Hope" Film Premiere
2023-02-09 17:30 - 19:30
Connecting People & Place in Montana: An evening of short films presented with the Blackfoot Challenge
Film 1: LANDSCAPE OF HOPE: The Blackfoot Challenge Origin Story
A short film by Jeremy Roberts, Conservation Media
Beginning 30 years ago, the Blackfoot Challenge pioneered the community-led approach to natural resource conservation and stewardship. Today, thanks to a focus on collaboration and trust-building among partners, the Blackfoot watershed is home to a vibrant river and all of the diverse wildlife that inhabited the area when Lewis and Clark ventured through. LANDSCAPE OF HOPE features the voices and stories of Blackfoot founders and community members. It reflects on a legacy of hard work to sustain working landscapes and wild places through common ground– while giving hope that people with diverse perspectives can make a difference together. (14 minutes)
This film will be followed by a Q&A with Jeremy Roberts as well as Seth Wilson, Blackfoot Challenge executive director, and Leigh Kelley, Blackfoot Challenge Board member. We look forward to up to 20 minutes for audience discussion.
Film 2: LIFE IN THE LAND: Connecting People & Place in Montana
A short film by Lara Tomov, Stories For Action
The Big Hole Watershed is an expanse of mostly intact grasslands, sage steppe, and forested mountains that host a diversity of wildlife, from sage grouse to pronghorn, and waterways that are key fish habitat. A large portion of the Big Hole River runs through working rangelands, and the fly fishing on this river attracts people from all over the world, making agriculture and recreation the driving forces of the local communities here. Find out how people representing a diversity of needs within a watershed are coming together to benefit all life here within the land, water, and communities, and how this is building resiliency throughout droughts and other pressures. (32 minutes)
This film will be followed by a Q&A with Lara Tomov as well as Pedro Marques, executive director of the Big Hole Watershed Committee. We look forward to up to 20 minutes for audience discussion.
Link here for tickets.

Board Meeting
2022-08-17 08:00 - 10:00, 2022-07-20 08:00 - 10:00
The Board conducts a shortened meeting in July and August. The public is always welcome to participate in our board meetings. Contact our Office Administrator Deb Dillree for more information: 793-3900 or deb@blackfootchallenge.org.

Blackfoot Community Block Party
2022-08-10 17:00 - 21:00
An annual celebration of conservation and community in the Blackfoot watershed. Live music, food trucks, beer garden, silent auction, and more. Location: Downtown Ovando.
Thanks to our sponsors: US Bank, Pyramid Mountain Lumber, Blackfoot Communications, & Blue Mountain Landscape & Sprinkler

Creating a FireWise Home in the Blackfoot
2022-07-21 19:00 - 21:00
Join Blackfoot Challenge Forestry Coordinator Cindy Super, along with Julia Berkey of DNRC and Henry DeLuca of Fire Adapted MT, for a presentation on how to make your home and other buildings more fire resistant. This will be an engaging presentation full of practical steps you can take to reduce the risks of losing your home to wildfire.
For questions, please call the Blackfoot Challenge at 406-793-3900 or contact elaine@blackfootchallenge.org.

Russell Gates Weed Pull
2022-06-25 09:00 - 11:00
Join the Powell County Weed Board and the Blackfoot Challenge for our Annual Russell Gates Weed Pull!
Saturday June 25
9:00 am to 11:00 am
Refreshments Provided!
Located at MP 35 on Highway 200 at the Russell Gates Fishing Access Site

Board Meeting
2022-06-15 10:00 - 12:30, 2022-05-18 10:00 - 12:30, 2022-04-20 10:00 - 12:30, 2022-03-16 10:00 - 12:30, 2022-02-16 10:00 - 12:30
The public is welcome to participate in our board meetings. Contact our Office Administrator Deb Dillree for more information: 793-3900 or deb@blackfootchallenge.org.

Prescribed Fire Tours
2022-06-02 12:00 - 19:00
Our Forestry Committee is hosting two Prescribed Fire Tours today. Click here for more information and to register.

Stewardship Guide Art Show
2022-04-21 17:00 - 19:00
Stewardship Guide Launch Party & Art Show
Thursday, April 21 from 5 – 7 p.m.
KettleHouse Brewing Bonner Taproom
605 Cold Smoke Ave, Bonner
An evening celebrating stewardship, community and art!
We are excited about the publication of our Blackfoot Watershed Stewardship Guide, and especially excited about being able to partner with local artists to bring the guide to life. So, we’re throwing a party to celebrate both! Artists featured in the guide will have various works for sale, and Blackfoot Challenge staff and partners who made the guide will be on-hand to share information and answer questions.
Join us to pick up a copy of the guide, peruse and purchase local art, drink good beer with great folks, and celebrate springtime in the Blackfoot!
Many thanks to our friends at KettleHouse Brewing Company for hosting us.

The Blackfoot Watershed Stewardship Guide artists:

Annie Allen Angela Bennett Claire Emery Lisa Gibson Bonnie Holmes Diane Whitehead

No. Powell County Weed Board
2022-04-19 13:00 - 15:00
Northern Powell County Weed Board Annual Landowner Meeting.
Location: Helmville Community Center.
Presentations include:
Rangeland 101 with Corteva — Clair Volk, Corteva Rangeland and Pasture Representative. Topics will include managing and identifying invasive species, current prescriptions, and the tools for long-term success of rangeland restorations.
Biological Control Agents Update — Melissa Maggio, MT Biocontrol Project Coordinator. An update on the progress of the development of new biocontrol agents for houndstongue, yellow toadflax, and whitetop will be provided. Additionally, the newly finalized Biocontrol Posters and updated Montana Biocontrol Field Guides will be introduced and handed out to attendees.
Contact Vegetation Coordinator Karen Laitala for details: karen@blackfootchallenge.org.

BCCA Council
2022-04-07 19:00 - 20:30
The Blackfoot Community Conservation Area Council Meeting. Public is welcome. Meeting location: Ovando Fire Hall. Contact Deb Dillree for details: deb@blackfootchallenge.org.
Learn more about the BCCA.

Blackfoot Prescribed Fire Coordination Call
2022-04-04 10:30 - 11:30
Meeting weekly throughout the prescribed burning season. Contact Forestry & Prescribed Fire Coordinator Cindy Super for more info: cindy@blackfootchallenge.org.

Conservation Strategies Committee
2022-03-31 10:00 - 12:00
Annual meeting of the Conservation Strategies Committee and Conservation Easement Work Group. Location: Helmville Community Center. Contact coordinator Sara Schmidt for details: sara@blackfootchallenge.org.

Blackfoot Prescribed Fire Workgroup
2022-03-07 10:30 - 11:30
Meeting periodically throughout the prescribed burning season. Contact Forestry & Prescribed Fire Coordinator Cindy Super for more info: cindy@blackfootchallenge.org.

Water Committee
2022-03-01 10:00 - 12:00
Contact Water Steward Jennifer Schoonen for details: jennifer@blackfootchallenge.org.

Drought Resilience Webinar, Part 4
2022-02-23 15:00 - 16:00
Drought planning lessons from the Southwest with Dr. Doug Tolleson of the Texas A&M’s Sonora Research Station. Click here for more information.

Drought Resilience Webinar, Part 3
2022-02-16 15:00 - 16:00
A panel with producers across Montana about the creative ways they’re increasing their resilience to drought. Click here for more information.
