Exploring the Past, Present, and Future of Conservation on the Rocky Mountain Front

Important Updates:

As we prioritize the wellbeing of our conservation partners and community members across the state, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this event for now. We are hopeful for a future opportunity to carry out this tour, but are uncertain at this time when that might be.

For details on turning your registration fee into a donation to MWCC, or to request a refund, please contact Ethan Kunard at ethan@mtwatersheds.org or (406) 475-1420.

If you choose to turn your sponsorship or registration fee into a donation to MWCC, the Cinnabar Foundation will make a 1 to 1 match in support of our work in 2021 (up to $8,000).

If you made lodging reservations at the Choteau Stage Stop Inn or Cut Bank Super 8, please contact them as soon as possible to cancel your reservations. You will receive a full refund if you cancel before Sept. 13th.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue adapting to our changing circumstances. The last 18 months have brought many unforeseen challenges for all of us. As we try to embrace the continued uncertainty in our personal and professional lives, we encourage you to take care of yourselves and reach out to us for any assistance, guidance, or support we can provide.

As we help connect land and water conservation partners throughout Montana, we also aim to provide inspiration and learning opportunities to Montana’s conservation and community leaders. Each biennium, MWCC works with local conservation partners to host a Fall Watershed Tour where participants gather, share, and learn. This year, we are convening in Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front for three days of learning, peer exchanges, local storytelling, and on-the-ground project experiences that demonstrate the unique resource challenges and diverse conservation strategies implemented by local organizers across this iconic landscape.

The tour will highlight diverse strategies and perspectives for implementing land and water stewardship with participants from the Blackfeet Nation, watershed groups, conservation districts, irrigation and noxious weed partnerships, NGOs, and local landowners.

Lodging & Logistics

To cancel your hotel reservations call (406) 466-5900 for the Choteau Stage Stop and 406-873-8325 for the Cut Bank Super 8

Day 1 (September 15th):

Presenters and Local Partners Include: Lewis and Clark Conservation District, Cascade Conservation District, Sun River Watershed Group, Montana DNRC, Montana FWP, and Greenfields Irrigation District

10:00 am	Arrive and Check-in at Augusta Rodeo Grounds (click here for location)
10:30 am	Kickoff – Welcome, introductions, opening remarks
12:00 pm	Lunch
12:30 pm	Elk Creek Riparian Management – Lewis & Clark CD and Cascade CD
1:15 pm	Travel (30 min)
1:45 pm	Willow Creek Reservoir – Sun River Watershed Group
3:00 pm	Travel (30 min)
3:30 pm	Gibson Reservoir – Greenfields Irrigation District
4:00 pm	Optional interpretive hike, dam tour, weed walk, or free time
6:00 pm	Reception and networking at Choteau City Park
7:00 pm	Dinner and food sovereignty presentation

Day 2 (September 16th):

Presenters and Local Partners Include: MWCC 2021 Watershed Stewardship Awards Winners, The Nature Conservancy, Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent Collaborative, Blackfeet Community College, Blackfeet Environmental Office, Inii Initiative, Ksik Stakii Project, and Western Collaborative Conservation Network

8:30 am	Travel (30 min)
9:00 am	Pine Butte Guest Ranch
10:15 am	Travel (1 hr 45 min)
12:00 pm	All Chiefs Park – lunch and presentations
3:30 pm	Travel (15 min)
3:45 pm	Bison Summer Range – Innii Initiative
4:45 pm	Travel (45 min)
6:30 pm	Cut Bank Brewery – Reception and Dinner

Day 3 (September 17th):

Presenters and Local Partners Include: Blackfeet Agricultural Resource Management Plan Office, Blackfeet Indian Land Trust, Piikani Lodge Health Institute

8:30 am	Travel (15 min)
8:45 am	Seville Flat Ranch – regenerative grazing
10:15 am	Travel (45 min)
11:00 am	Yellow Bird Woman Sanctuary – Blackfoot Indian Land Trust
12:00 pm	Closing Remarks
12:15 pm	Depart

Tour Partners and Presenters

Blackfeet Agricultural Resource Management Plan Office (Blackfeet ARMP)
Blackfeet Environmental Office
Greenfields Irrigation District
Lewis & Clark Conservation District
Piikani Lodge Health Institute
Sun River Watershed Group

Blackfeet Community College
Cascade Conservation District
Iinii Initiative
Montana DNRC
Rocky Mountain Front Weed Roundtable
The Nature Conservancy
And more!

Support as a Sponsor

The Montana Watershed Coordination Council (MWCC) is inviting sponsors to join us to support our Fall Watershed Tour, held September 15-17, 2021 on Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front. Sponsorships will allow us to make this event more accessible and affordable to attendees, as well as provide scholarships to select participants. Additionally, this provides a great opportunity for promotion and exposure to sponsoring entities. Sponsors will be recognized throughout the event, as well as in in tour publications, MWCC’s website, and relevant announcements.

Progress Toward Sponsorship Needs