Event Category: Other Event

EPA will use your registration information solely for this event. We will not share your information with any third party.

Automated live captioning will be available for this event. We also can offer direct assistance with registration if needed. If you require additional accommodations to participate in this event, please contact Margot Buckelew at Buckelew.Margot@epa.gov at least 3 business days prior to the event and let us know how we can best support your needs.

Please join the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for one of four listening sessions from May 17 – May 25 focused on equity and inclusion in the National Nonpoint Source (NPS) program. This discussion will cover anyone who is a subgrantee or is considering applying for an NPS Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319 grant.

On September 27, 2022, EPA released a memo entitled Near-term Actions to Support Environmental Justice in the Nonpoint Source Program. In the memo, EPA committed to taking action to ensure equitable and fair access to the benefits of cleaner water provided by the Section 319 program. Specifically, the memo strongly encourages action in FY22 by stating that the Nonpoint Source Program will begin incorporating approaches to enhance environmental equity in their 319 funding programs. Additionally, the memo commits the EPA’s national NPS program to several actions in FY22 to support this goal, including seeking input and sharing progress via quarterly engagements with State, Tribal, and Territorial grantees. Recognizing that this will be a shared learning experience, EPA is committed to an ongoing dialogue with the NPS community as this work goes forward.

This listening session will provide an overview of the NPS program and the Justice40 initiative, updates on EPA’s efforts to incorporate the Justice40 initiative into its NPS program, and a facilitated discussion with subgrantees. This discussion aims to understand the challenges facing environmental justice communities, Tribes, and Indigenous communities, how these challenges impact NPS programs working within these communities, and how EPA can help address these challenges through action in the CWA Section 319 programs.

There will be a total of four listening sessions, scheduled for:

• Tuesday, May 17 at 1:00pm-2:30pm ET

• Wednesday, May 18 at 3:00pm-4:30pm ET this session will focus on the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico watershed communities (AR, IA, IL, KY, LA, MN, MO, MS, OH, TN, WI)

• Tuesday, May 24 at 6:00pm-7:30pm ET

• Wednesday, May 25 at 3:00pm-4:30pm ET

Details TBD

Future West and the Montana Watershed Coordination Council invite local conservation leaders to attend an in-person capacity-building workshop on Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Virginia City. We will focus on increasing the sustainability and impact of our work, including building stronger relationships to achieve local conservation goals. Included in the workshop will be an optional gathering the evening of May 18 to get to know one another and get our collective, creative juices flowing.

Watershed groups, conservation districts, Tribal government agencies, and municipal governments are invited to attend. The workshop will take place in an outdoor venue, and we will follow Covid-19 protocols as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control at that time. More information to come!

This event will address needs identified during our co-hosted November 11, 2021 capacity-building peer-to-peer exchange: “Building Organizational and Community Resiliency in the New West.” This free event offered watershed groups, conservation districts, and other local conservation leaders the space to discuss ongoing changes in our communities and to share resources for adapting and responding – while staying true to our organizational missions and visions.

More information is available on the MWCC Training Page.

The Montana Water Center is excited to co-sponsor Water in the West: Toward Convergent Solutions to Water Security, an interdisciplinary regional workshop to be held in Bozeman, Montana May 24-26, 2022.

The workshop will bring together individuals working across a wide variety of water-focused disciplines to consider the challenges of fostering convergent research (collaborative transdisciplinary research for social benefit) to protect our regional water resources.

Travel support will be provided for participants and applications will be accepted through January 24th, 2022.   

MT League of Cities and Towns Conference Room- 700 Custer Ave., Helena, MT

OR Zoom

In celebration of American Wetlands Month this May, please join us for a webinar highlighting the cultural importance of wetlands to Tribal communities. Wetlands and other water resources provide Tribes with healthy, traditional foods; plants used for medicinal, healing, and ceremonial purposes; reeds and grasses for weaving baskets and textiles; and fish and other wildlife. During the webinar, three tribal representatives from across the U.S. will share their stories about the cultural importance of wetlands. Presentations will address tribal uses of wetlands, wetland mapping data and assessment efforts, as well as efforts to protect and restore these valuable resources. 

PRESENTERS

• Nathan Dexter, Native American Liaison, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Columbia – Pacific NW Region
• Roger LaBine, Water Resource Technician, Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
• Jessica Lewis, Environmental Scientist, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians

EPA will use your registration information solely for this event. We will not share your information with any third party.

Automated live captioning will be available for this event. We also can offer direct assistance with registration if needed. If you require additional accommodations to participate in this event, please contact Margot Buckelew at Buckelew.Margot@epa.gov at least 3 business days prior to the event and let us know how we can best support your needs.

Please join the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for one of four listening sessions from May 17 – May 25 focused on equity and inclusion in the National Nonpoint Source (NPS) program. This discussion will cover anyone who is a subgrantee or is considering applying for an NPS Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319 grant.

On September 27, 2022, EPA released a memo entitled Near-term Actions to Support Environmental Justice in the Nonpoint Source Program. In the memo, EPA committed to taking action to ensure equitable and fair access to the benefits of cleaner water provided by the Section 319 program. Specifically, the memo strongly encourages action in FY22 by stating that the Nonpoint Source Program will begin incorporating approaches to enhance environmental equity in their 319 funding programs. Additionally, the memo commits the EPA’s national NPS program to several actions in FY22 to support this goal, including seeking input and sharing progress via quarterly engagements with State, Tribal, and Territorial grantees. Recognizing that this will be a shared learning experience, EPA is committed to an ongoing dialogue with the NPS community as this work goes forward.

This listening session will provide an overview of the NPS program and the Justice40 initiative, updates on EPA’s efforts to incorporate the Justice40 initiative into its NPS program, and a facilitated discussion with subgrantees. This discussion aims to understand the challenges facing environmental justice communities, Tribes, and Indigenous communities, how these challenges impact NPS programs working within these communities, and how EPA can help address these challenges through action in the CWA Section 319 programs.

There will be a total of four listening sessions, scheduled for:

• Tuesday, May 17 at 1:00pm-2:30pm ET

• Wednesday, May 18 at 3:00pm-4:30pm ET this session will focus on the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico watershed communities (AR, IA, IL, KY, LA, MN, MO, MS, OH, TN, WI)

• Tuesday, May 24 at 6:00pm-7:30pm ET

• Wednesday, May 25 at 3:00pm-4:30pm ET

EPA will use your registration information solely for this event. We will not share your information with any third party.

Automated live captioning will be available for this event. We also can offer direct assistance with registration if needed. If you require additional accommodations to participate in this event, please contact Margot Buckelew at Buckelew.Margot@epa.gov at least 3 business days prior to the event and let us know how we can best support your needs.

Please join the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for one of four listening sessions from May 17 – May 25 focused on equity and inclusion in the National Nonpoint Source (NPS) program. This discussion will cover anyone who is a subgrantee or is considering applying for an NPS Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319 grant.

On September 27, 2022, EPA released a memo entitled Near-term Actions to Support Environmental Justice in the Nonpoint Source Program. In the memo, EPA committed to taking action to ensure equitable and fair access to the benefits of cleaner water provided by the Section 319 program. Specifically, the memo strongly encourages action in FY22 by stating that the Nonpoint Source Program will begin incorporating approaches to enhance environmental equity in their 319 funding programs. Additionally, the memo commits the EPA’s national NPS program to several actions in FY22 to support this goal, including seeking input and sharing progress via quarterly engagements with State, Tribal, and Territorial grantees. Recognizing that this will be a shared learning experience, EPA is committed to an ongoing dialogue with the NPS community as this work goes forward.

This listening session will provide an overview of the NPS program and the Justice40 initiative, updates on EPA’s efforts to incorporate the Justice40 initiative into its NPS program, and a facilitated discussion with subgrantees. This discussion aims to understand the challenges facing environmental justice communities, Tribes, and Indigenous communities, how these challenges impact NPS programs working within these communities, and how EPA can help address these challenges through action in the CWA Section 319 programs.

There will be a total of four listening sessions, scheduled for:

• Tuesday, May 17 at 1:00pm-2:30pm ET

• Wednesday, May 18 at 3:00pm-4:30pm ET this session will focus on the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico watershed communities (AR, IA, IL, KY, LA, MN, MO, MS, OH, TN, WI)

• Tuesday, May 24 at 6:00pm-7:30pm ET

• Wednesday, May 25 at 3:00pm-4:30pm ET

All UC³ meetings are open to the public, please contact Cassidy Bender for more information and participation details.

Location: TBD/likely hybrid

Join GLCI and other sponsors for a tour of the Haughian Ranch to learn about the Haughian Ranch’s history and management and hear from the industry speakers below:

• Terry Haughian
• White Hibbard
• Miles City Veterinary Service
• Ft. Keogh Livestock and Range research update
• Kevin Good, Cattle Fax – Fall price outlook

Tickets are $20 each. For registration, ple4ase visit Eventbrite or contact Ben Hauptman at 406-544-5090.

MT DNRC Headquarters- Montana Conference Room, Helena, MT

Hosted annually by River Network, River Rally provides an inspiring and energy-infused touchpoint for nonprofit groups from across the US and beyond, as well as for agency and foundation representatives, industry innovators, philanthropists, academics, students, and community leaders. We bring thought leaders and practitioners together to accelerate progress towards an equitable and sustainable water future.

Over three days at this high-value event, attendees will discuss urgent water issues, and we’ll share what we learn with our 14k social media followers. River Rally will provide and expand access to the practical knowledge and hope essential to a future where healthier rivers and clean water are paramount. Join us for education, celebration, and inspiration… IN-PERSON once again!

The next Statewide TMDL Advisory Group (STAG) meeting will be Wednesday, June 8 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. via Zoom Webinar. STAG members are welcome to join DEQ staff in Room 111 of the DEQ Metcalf building in Helena (1520 E. Sixth Ave). A full agenda will be forthcoming in May, which will contain Zoom links; however, topics will include planned water quality monitoring for 2022 and a discussion of new TMDL development priority areas.

As a reminder, past meeting summaries and a list of STAG members can be found on DEQ’s website. Please contact Christina Staten with any questions: CStaten@mt.gov or (406) 444-2836

Registration is open for the second, Maryland-based BeaverCON event, which builds off the successful State of the Beaver Conference hosted in Oregon in alternating years. BeaverCON 2022 will feature a presentation on Montana’s work to restore beavers and resolve conflicts, as well as panel discussions, demonstrations, and networking opportunities with the beaver community. Conference hosts have changed the dates and are taking precautions for COVID-19 safety. The conference will take place in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Learn more here.

Details TBD

Details TBD

The Weed Rodeo is a noxious weed pulling event on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River started in 2003. Private volunteers combine with commercial rafting outfitters, government organizations, non-profits and local businesses to hand pull weeds along the beautiful river corridor.

Groups will have a full day of rafting with one of the four commercial raft companies or by joining the group of private boaters.  Along the way the group will stop and listen to a short educational talk on noxious weeds led by a local weed expert. All participants need to bring leather gloves for hand pulling weeds. The Middle Fork of the Flathead is a beautiful free flowing river that is protected by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The native plants and animals on the river corridor would appreciate your help.  Email riverweedrodeo@gmail.com for more information.

Celebrate Glacier Guides & Montana Raft’s 25th Anniversary of R4R with trash clean up and post float event! Clean up trash at the public river access points and along the river corridor on the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Learn more HERE.

Rafting for Refuse requires advance registration of $10 that will be donated to Leave No Trace- Center for Outdoor Ethics. Please call the Glacier Guides and Montana Raft office to sign up! 406-387-5555 or info@glacierguides.com

One of Gallatin River Task Force’s most recent restoration sites still needs a little TLC before it is ready to flourish on its own. The plants need a little watering, grassy areas need some seeding, and the trails need to be raked out again. Join them for some maintenance at the Deer Creek access site to keep this popular access site happy and healthy!

Contact jessica@gallatinrivertaskforce.org or call 406-993-2519 with questions, and please register in advance. 

Details TBD

Mark your calendars for June 23, 11 AM MDT for a walk through of the Graves Creek large woody debris project. Meet at the parcel Avista owns at the junction of Graves Creek Rd with Blue Slide Rd (there’s a turn in off of Blue Slide Rd). For anyone who hasn’t seen the new permanent weir upgrades, I’m sure that after our site visit, if someone from Avista is there they’d be happy to give a little tour of that, too.

Details TBD

Location: Divide Grange Hall – Divide, MT
Dinner: 6:00 PM
Presentation: 7:00 PM
Presenters: Torrey Ritter, MFWP and Elissa Chott, Clark Fork Coalition
Food: Potluck with main dish (burgers) donated by Hagenbarth Ranch.

Details TBD

details TBD

NAWM’s (formerly ASWM) Annual State/Tribal/Federal Coordination Meeting, to be held at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) from August 15-19, 2022. The purpose of this annual meeting is to support state and tribal wetland program managers, and other wetland professionals as they respond to challenges in the coming year. If circumstances require it, the meeting will shift to a fully virtual format.

Focus areas for this year’s meeting include:
▪ Sharing the Marsh: Approaches to Engaging Under-Resourced & Minority Communities in Wetland Protection and Restoration
▪ Staying Afloat: Regulatory Changes and Opportunities for States and Tribes
▪ Building Your Nest: Developing a Community of Practice through Effective Outreach and Communications
▪ Foraging for Funds: Sticking Your Straw into the Infrastructure Pot for Climate Resiliency
▪ Learning to Fly: Advances in Geospatial Tools and Technology
▪ Passing the Will-O’-Wisp: Continuity and Mentorship for Staffing Changes

Last fall Gallatin River Task Force completed a restoration project on the Middle Fork, one of the impaired sections of the West Fork of the Gallatin River. They mimicked beaver activity to help repair the floodplain and increase wetland habitat, which has all sorts of benefits to the Gallatin River watershed. Come check out the site with them to learn more about why beaver activity is so important to our environment, and the model of our streamside restoration work.

Contact jessica@gallatinrivertaskforce.org or call 406-993-2519 with questions and please register in advance!

Details TBD

If you enjoy the Missouri River and all the benefits this amazing resource provides, this is your chance to give back! Join this annual event to clean up over 140 miles of the Missouri and Sun Rivers. We need volunteers to help on the water (if you have your own boat) and on land. Sign up today to clean up your favorite reach, park, or trail!

With 2021 Bashin’ Trash on the books, you can contact us now to be added to the email list to receive information about next year’s event. It’s never to early to sign up as a volunteer, sponsor, reach captain, or to help in other ways. More info

Details TBD

Great Falls, MT

Details TBD

Details TBD

• Format:
  • Friday: Field Trips
  • Saturday: Sessions
  • Sunday: Morning sessions (hike, yoga, coffee, etc.) A detailed schedule will be announced as soon as possible, the format is subject to change.
• Location: Missoula, MT
• Registration Fee: TBA
• Speakers, Schedule & Theme: TBA

The Montana Environmental Education Association is hosting a three-day, in-person conference in Missoula, MT on September 16-18, 2022.

• Date: September 16th – 18th, 2022
• Format:
  • Friday: Field Trips
  • Saturday: Sessions
  • Sunday: Morning sessions (hike, yoga, coffee, etc.) A detailed schedule will be announced as soon as possible, the format is subject to change.
• Location: Missoula, MT
• Registration Fee: TBA
• Speakers, Schedule & Theme: TBA

Details TBD

Details TBD