Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Inspection Stations Open Across Montana, District and partner staff travelled to Washington DC for the 2023 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) annual convention, and three days of soil health in Billings, Montana.
The Montana Conservationist January 9
Greetings readers! I hope the new year finds you well, and anticipating the first edition of TMC for 2018. I can already tell that it’s going to be a great year for conservation. Here’s what’s up today:
- USDA reports that Montana’s snowpack is currently the best in the west. Fingers crossed the snow gods keep delivering!
- A new study by ARS in Montana reports that grazing in the year following wildfire does not harm grasses as much as previously thought, meaning the typical 2-3 year wait after a fire may be reduced.
- The East Rosebud Creek Wild & Scenic Rivers act has passed the Senate and now just needs House approval.
- Sage Grouse populations are set to decline in the coming years, but don’t panic! This is just the downswing in their typical decadal cycle, says Wyoming Fish & Game.
- Popular Science discusses the pros and cons of using genetic engineering to control invasive species.
- Congress failed to pass a supplemental $81 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Administration, meaning payments to local firefighting accounts may be delayed.
- A longterm study of cow pies is suggesting that climate change gasses may be causing less nutritious grasses.
- Wyoming is considering Montana’s opposition to elk feedlots, but they say it will take a decade or more to phase out the controversial practice.
- And NACD writes in about their Congressional activities in 2017, and looks ahead to priorities for 2018 (hint: it rhymes with Charm Grill).
All of that, plus the grants and events that make our world go round. Read today’s Montana Conservationist: TMC 2018-01-09