2024 Professional Development

The MWCC Watershed Fund has funding to help Montana’s local watershed conservation organizations build their capacity to reduce and prevent nonpoint source (NPS) pollution through professional development opportunities directly related to this work. Funded opportunities must involve training to reduce and prevent NPS pollution in accordance with the Montana Nonpoint Source Management Plan and/or to support implementation of DEQ-accepted Watershed Restoration Plans (WRPs). This funding is provided in partnership with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Local watershed conservation organization personnel, including staff, board members, and Big Sky Watershed Corps (BSWC) members, may use these small grants to attend trainings, conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities. Awards of up to $700 may support registration fees, lodging, and travel expenses but may not cover meals or per diem. $3,000 in total funding is available. Funding requests must be submitted at least 14 days before the training or event start date.

Funding is available on a rolling basis depending on availability and is disbursed on a reimbursement basis. Award amounts are typically less than $500, but MWCC does consider financial need and the reality that some of our watershed conservation partners in more remote parts of Montana have higher travel costs.