This project was funded by a Capacity Support Grant from the MWCC Watershed Fund.
Project Description
GWC developed a riparian planting guide for landowners living along small streams in the Gallatin Watershed to re-plant and care for their riparian edge. Our goal was to create something that was concise, visually engaging, and approachable. The small booklet describes why bushy stream sides matter and includes several elements:
- Section and plan views of an ideal riparian plant community typically found in the Gallatin Watershed
- A step-by-step for how to plan, plant, and care for riparian areas
- Best management practices
- A list of local, native riparian plant species
- A list of resources
We are looking forward to handing out copies of the booklet during upcoming outreach events: Earth Day, Arbor Day, Catapalooza, landowner site visits, volunteer planting events and more. It will also be displayed at local nurseries and MSU Extension offices, and available for download on GWC’s and partners’ website.
The elements developed for the booklet can each be used as stand alone elements. Design typicals will be available for download for partners to use in various applications, including project design documents, grant applications, and planning documents. The intent is to streamline riparian revegetation projects by providing plug-and-play design typicals that can be applied as a template across the Gallatin Valley. The native riparian plant list can be shared separately from the booklet and used by partners in various applications. The lists includes recommended species of grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees that are specific to riparian corridors in the Lower Gallatin Watershed. In order to practically assist landowners, plants have been grouped by planting zone based on each species preference for wetter or drier soils, and include narrative descriptions, browsing pressure ranking, if propagation by cuttings is possible, mature height, and planting spacing.
The text content included in the booklet reads as a do-it-yourself guide for how to plan, plant, and care for riparian areas. It also includes best management practices for living, farming, and playing along stream sides. GWC assembled a team of local partners to advise the development of the booklet and its components. Partners included Montana State University Landscape Design, Montana State University Extension, Trout Unlimited, Sundog Ecological, Inc and the City of Bozeman. GWC staff wrote the guide and plant species descriptions, with input and review by the team. BYLA Landscape Architects was hired to create the booklet layout and graphics.
Project Outcomes and Impacts
GWC accomplished the following with Watershed Fund Capacity Support funding:
- Developed a riparian planting guide for landowners living along small streams in the Gallatin Watershed to re-plant and care for their riparian edge, including:
- Section and plan views of an ideal riparian plant community typically found in the Gallatin Watershed
- A step-by-step for how to plan, plant, and care for riparian areas
- Best management practices
- A list of local, native riparian plant species
- A list of resources
- Engaged six community partner organizations throughout the process