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, June 27
Greetings, TMC readers! I hear that it’s finally stopped snowing in West Yellowstone, and you know what that means: summer is here! So take this edition of TMC and a nice, cool drink to your nearest umbrella-covered sitting spot, and get to reading:
- As you may have heard, things are shaking at MACD & SWCDM. This week, SWCDM officially launched our search for a new Director. Do you know someone who would be awesome in this job? Please share!
- The Yellowstone CD submitted a nice write up about a recent tour they helped host, touring RCPP projects & demonstrations in their area.
- MRCDC writes in about how the work of Conservation Districts on the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee is helping support agriculture and restore the mighty Mo.
- Missoula is now distributing “Clean Suds” car wash kits, to help keep contaminated car washing water out of storm drains, thanks to a water quality mini grant from SWCDM.
- High Country News reports that range fires get bigger every year, threatening sagebrush habitat and rural towns, a crisis that demands greater urgency and attention than its currently getting.
- And in similar news, the Reno Gazette Journal has a nice primer on how the unique nature of cheatgrass makes it such a management problem, and a huge fire risk.
- NACD testified to Congress this week about the importance of soil health, and some of the work CDs are doing to promote it.
- Finally, although reintroduction of captive bred pallid surgeon has been successful, scientists saving the species still face a number of hurdles.
All of that and a sprig of mint in this week’s Montana Conservationist: TMC 2019-06-27