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Strengthening Community Connections in Our Watershed

This project was funded by a Capacity Support Grant from the MWCC Watershed Fund.

WHO & WHERE

Stillwater Valley Watershed Council in Columbus, Montana—a volunteer-driven forum that brings residents, agencies, and businesses together to research, educate, and implement practical solutions for sustaining river health and quality of life.

BEFORE THE FUNDS

An unwieldy tangle of Excel spreadsheets tracked hundreds of landowners, projects, grants, and contacts— making outreach inefficient, data prone to error, and collaboration across board members and partners more confusing than it needs to be.

WITH THE FUNDING

This funding will help provide a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) subscription and an assistant coordinator to migrate decades of data into a centralized system, configure stakeholder workflows, and enable targeted communications, streamlined reporting, and real-time analytics.

KEY BENEFITS

  • Data-driven outreach – segmented contacts ensure landowners and cooperators receive program-specific invitations, boosting participation in restoration, weed pulls, and water-quality projects.
  • Enhanced collaboration – board members, volunteers, and partners access up-to-date contact records and project metrics, fostering transparency and shared ownership.
  • Operational efficiency – automated reporting and dashboards free up staff time to focus on on-the-ground conservation work, while easy and compelling data visuals may strengthen grant proposals and public communications.

PROJECT OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS

Project in progress

Become part of MWCC’s NEW 406 Water Crew!

We aren’t at 406 members yet, so we’ll keep going! Joining at just $5 a month is one of the most impactful ways to convene and connect Montana’s community of water conservation practitioners from around the state. By joining the Crew, you will be contributing directly to Montana Watershed Fund initiatives, like professional development funding that provides stipends for travel, food, lodging, and registration for trainings and conferences.
“As a small nonprofit with limited funds, attending the Montana Annual Water Resources Association Conference is not an opportunity I would have had without a professional development award. Attending this conference helped me make connections that have helped me grow the Sun River Watershed Group and provide better benefits to our community.” -Tracy Wendt, Sun River Watershed Group Executive Director
Learn more about how joining the Crew today safeguards Montana’s landscapes, wildlife, and thriving communities!