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Urban Wetlands and Communities: Bridging Ecological and Social Values

SAS

This project was funded by a Capacity Support Grant from the MWCC Watershed Fund.

Project Description

Recently, SAS was given a 33-acre wetland property within the city limits of Bozeman – the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve (IAWP). The IAWP is the largest protected urban wetland in Montana, situated in one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the Intermountain West. The wetland provides an incredible opportunity for SAS and the community to demonstrate the value of wetlands and water quality, the threats that wetland ecosystems face, and methods to preserve and restore them. SAS will capitalize on this opportunity by hosting a Big Sky Watershed Corps member to help not only permanently protect the wetland, but also implement ecological restoration, engage in a public outreach campaign about wetland ecosystems and their values, and build a local wetland education program around the IAWP.

 

Project Outcomes and Impacts

SAS’s BSWC member accomplished the following:

  • In partnership with the Gallatin Watershed Council, co-led weekly volunteer events, including trainings, weekly citizen science days, and restoration efforts.
  • Assisted in weed management education, including hosting terrestrial weed pulls and co-hosting biocontrol workshops.
  • Compiled and graphed new and existing citizen science data on ground water depth.
  • Created a spreadsheet to track the 20+ ongoing monitoring projects on the IAWP.
  • Helped create a Vegetation Management Plan for the IAWP.
  • Implemented the IAWP iNaturalist Project through a 2022 IAWP BioBlitz, showcasing 114 species of plant and wildlife utilizing this wetland to date.
  • Laid the groundwork for future water quality monitoring at the IAWP as a way to expand SAS’s study of the wetland’s ecological services.
  • Created a wetland-centered Queers in Conservation event as part of Pride Month in June. Eighteen people attended the event, learning about the IAWP and the importance of inclusion in the outdoors through a series of activities and games with prizes from local businesses.

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!