Fall Watershed Tour

70 conservation leaders gathered September 18-20, 2022 traveling from Great Falls toward the Sun River headwaters in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. We filled the three days with learning, peer exchanges, local storytelling, and on-the-ground project experiences that demonstrate the unique resources challenges and diverse conservation and partnership strategies implemented by local organizers across the region. This year, we partnered with the Sun River Watershed Group as they celebrated 30 years of restoring and protecting the Sun River watershed and its communities.

Agenda

Wednesday, September 18 – Great Falls, MT

• 3:00-5:00 Tours of Black Eagle Dam (Must be pre-registered)
• 5:00 – 8 PM Pint Night at Annie’s Tap House

Thursday, September 19 – Sun River Watershed, East

• 7:30 AM Check-In and Carpool Gathering at Wal-Mart (701 Smelter Ave)
• 7:45 AM Breakfast and NorthWestern Energy Presentation at Black Eagle Dam 
• 10:00 AM    Wadsworth Pond 
• 11:15AM    Muddy Creek Bison Ranch
• 12:00 PM Lunch and Bathroom Break in Vaughn
• 1:05 PM  J-Wasteway 
• 1:50 PM Spring Coulee Farm
• 3:45 PM Return to Walmart
• 6:00 PM Big Bash Anniversary dinner and celebration at Cascade County Conservation District 

Friday, September 20 – Sun River Watershed, West

• 8:30 AM   Meet at Lowry (Loweree) Bridge Campground (Carpool starts here)
• 11:00 AM Arnold Coulee 
• 1:00 PM Lunch at Sun Canyon Lodge and Closing Remarks
• 2:25 PM Gibson Reservoir (Optional)
• 4:00 PM Arrive back at Lowry Bridge and head home

More than 70 conservation leaders gathered September 15-16, 2022 along the Rocky Mountain Front to learn from projects and programs tied to the Blackfeet Climate Change Adaptation Plan. Along the way, we learned that climate resilience takes many forms, including connecting with land and culture, building and restoring relationships, and regaining human and ecological health. Whether through regenerative grazing, working with beavers, restoring food sovereignty, or recharging wetlands, Tour partners expressed the desire to protect and preserve land and water by fostering relationships and extending Blackfeet culture to future generations.

Agenda

(OPTIONAL) DINNER & SOCIAL HOUR – CUT BANK – SEPTEMBER 14TH

5:30 PM –  Social Gathering and Networking (dinner provided) – Cut Bank Brewery
8:00 PM –  Dinner & Social Hour Concludes

DAY 1 – BROWNING, EAST GLACIER, TWO MEDICINE – SEPTEMBER 15TH

We departed from Cut Bank and carpooled to tour sites around Browning, East Glacier, and the Two Medicine Valley.

8:30 AM –  Carpool from Cut Bank to All Chief’s Park in Browning (for those staying in Cut Bank)
9:15 AM –  Welcome, Introductions, Ceremonial Blessing, Climate Resiliency Overview, and Ksik Stakii (Beaver) Project at All Chief’s Park in Browning
11:45 AM –  Depart for North American Indian Days Pow Wow Grounds
12:00 PM – Lunch and Food Sovereignty Presentation
1:30 PM  – Depart for Browning High School
1:45 PM  – Willow Snow Fence and Wetland Recharge at Browning High School.
2:15 PM  – Depart for Blackfeet Community College.
2:30 PM  – Piikani Walking Park and Relationships to Climate Resiliency Projects
4:30 PM  – Depart for Two Medicine Campground, Glacier National Park
5:00 PM  – Free time
6:00 PM  – Dinner
7:30 PM  – End of the Day

DAY 2 – CUT BANK – SEPTEMBER 16TH

We carpooled to a local ranch to discuss regenerative grazing and drought resiliency initiatives. The tour concluded with a wrap-up discussion. Participants were then free to return home or stay and explore the local communities and geography of the Rocky Mountain Front, Blackfeet Nation, and Glacier National Park.

8:30 AM    – Carpool to Private Ranch West of Cut Bank (for those staying in Cut Bank)
8:45 AM    – Regenerative Grazing and Drought Resiliency
10:00 AM  – Depart for Cut Bank City Park
10:15 AM  – Tour Wrap-up, Q&A, and Facilitated Group Discussion
11:45 PM  – Closing Remarks
12:00 PM  – Depart