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Capacity Funding to Improve Water Quality and Reduce Nonpoint Source Pollution

Yaak Valley Forest Council logo

This project was funded by a Big Sky Watershed Corps Cost Share Capacity grant from the MWCC Watershed Fund.

Project Description

BSWC member Niah Brass helped the Forest Council to establish a program to engage more private landowners in stream restoration. This included writing a successful grant for YVFC’s second restoration project on private land; monitoring and maintaining the group’s first private land restoration project, completed in 2022; developing and distributing private landowner outreach materials; and generating a list of interested private landowner. Niah also helped plan and develop water quality monitoring and biological sampling protocols and completed sampling of the Yaak and its tributaries under the plan.

Project Outcomes and Impacts

  • 225 Community Partners engaged
  • 11 Conservation Practice implemented
  • 1 Acre made more resilient to changing conditions
  • 528 Feet of stream bank restored
  • 1 Brochure created for private landowners interested in restoration on their property
YVFC headwaters field crew doing surveys on the South Fork Yaak River. Photo Credit: Niah Brass
YVFC staff member carrying willow whips out of a willow thicket. Photo Credit: Niah Brass

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!