Blog
Blackfoot Recreation Program Gains Momentum
By Marley Held-Wilson, Recreation Program Coordinator One of the guiding principles of the Blackfoot Challenge is to respond to community needs. Post pandemic, with rising community concerns about recreation impacts
Blackfoot Drought Committee Urges Public Cooperation in Drought Response This Summer
Ahead of what is shaping up to be an extremely low water year for the Blackfoot and other Western Montana rivers, the Blackfoot Drought Committee is urging the public’s cooperation
Old Salt Co-op Featured on Montana Public Radio
Recently, Montana Public Radio featured Helena’s Old Salt Co-op and their latest venture — a new restaurant called The Union. The story spotlights the unique model of Old Salt —
Cross-boundary Prescribed Fire Creates a Win-Win for Private & Public Lands
By The Mannix Family Large landscapes hold a multitude of values that often seem to be conflicting and can be managed by many different entities across a patchwork of man-made
Celebrating 2023 Accomplishments
By Blackfoot Challenge staff Last year marked the Blackfoot Challenge’s 30th anniversary as an organized, community-driven conservation organization. All of you who support and take part in our work are
Avian Flu Becomes a Concern for Trumpeter Swans
Despite a normal snowpack, the Blackfoot River experienced low water levels for much of the summer.
Wrap-up of 2023 Drought Response season
Despite a normal snowpack, the Blackfoot River experienced low water levels for much of the summer.
Ranching in the spotlight at Youth Field Day
Blackfoot Valley schools enjoyed learning about sustainable ranching and land stewardship during the Challenge’s 2023 Youth Field Day.
A Swan Success Story
2022 turned out to be a banner year for trumpeter swans in the Blackfoot watershed.
Navigating Waters Beyond the Blackfoot: The Transferability of the Collaborative Conservation Model
A Research Report Prepared by R. Patrick Bixler
Unleashing the Potential of Collaborative Governance Arrangements: Getting to Robust Durability in the Blackfoot Valley
Journal of Sustainable Development, by Edward P. Weber
Blackfoot Watershed Conservation Map
Downloadable map of ownership and conservation lands in the Blackfoot Watershed
Journey through the Blackfoot
Lewis’ return trip and The Road to the Buffalo
Updated travel brochure traces Lewis’ Blackfoot route
In July of 1806, a band of newcomers arrived in what is now Western Montana from the west. Captain Meriwether Lewis and his party ofnine men split from Captain William
Tracking Rare Carnivores
Hear from Luke Lamar of Swan Valley Connections, who helps lead a collaborative project to monitor populations of rare forest carnivores like Canada lynx, wolverines, fishers, and more. SVC and
Celebrating 2022 Outcomes
By Blackfoot Challenge staff Hard to believe it’s already two months into 2023. We don’t want to let too much of this year roll by without recognizing all of our
22 Years of Conserving Water & Making Pie
For 22 years, the Blackfoot Challenge has coordinated a voluntary drought resopnse plan that has created a culture of shared giving in the face of water shortages.
First Water Supply Report of 2023 posted
As of January 1, the Blackfoot has received 95% of its normal precipitation and snowpack according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) SNOTEL network. This is up slightly compared
Prepping for Pile Burning
This fall, partners throughout the Blackfoot Valley have been quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) working hard to restore fire on the land.
BCCA Council seeking applicants for 2023-2025 term
2023 BCCA COUNCIL MEMBER APPLICATION INFORMATIONClosing Date: November 30, 2022 The Blackfoot Community Conservation Area (BCCA) Council is responsible for managing, on behalf of the community, the 5,609-acre Core area
Where There’s Smoke …
This fall, partners throughout the Blackfoot Valley have been quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) working hard to restore fire on the land.
Partnerscapes & Blackfoot Challenge: Together Again
“Partnerscapes is both honored and extremely appreciative to have the chance to come back to where it all started … “
Seeley Swan High School Discovery Days
Story and photo by Jean Pocha, Pathfinder staff. OVANDO – With the sound of wolves yipping and woodpeckers hammering away, the SSHS Discovery Days began in Mollett Park on the
Pesticides and Pollinators
By Karen Laitala, Vegetation Coordinator Though we live dramatically different lifestyles, my oldest sister who resides in a subdivision in a north Texas city and I, the Montana “country living”
Honoring the conservation legacy of George Hirschenberger
The Blackfoot Challenge lost a great friend, ardent conservationist, and longtime board member with the recent passing of George Hirschenberger. An active participant in the Challenge for more than 30
On Horseback in Bear Country
Interview with Jack Rich of Rich’s Montana Guest Ranch Interview by Seth Wilson The following is excerpted from Carnivore Damage Prevention News, Issue 24. The complete edition is available online
Bears visiting the classroom
Story and photo by Jean Pocha, Pathfinder staff. OVANDO – “There’s three kinds of bears in Montana, black, brown and very, very brown,” chimed a young student at the Ovando
From weeds and wetlands to fences and flickers: Blackfoot Watershed Stewardship Guide now available!
The Blackfoot Challenge is excited to announce the completion of the Blackfoot Watershed Stewardship Guide, a 36-page handbook full of information and resources on land and water stewardship for Blackfoot
Regenerative Ranching in the Blackfoot: An Evening with the Mannix Family Ranch
The Mannix Family has lived and ranched in the Blackfoot watershed’s Helmville Valley for five (going on six) generations. Join us for an evening with members of the Mannix Family
Winter Drought Resilience Webinar Series
This winter, please join us for a series of Webinars on Drought Resiliency in Ranching. It is no secret that 2021 was a devastating drought across the state of Montana.
49th Annual Powell County Livestock Seminar this Saturday
Featuring a discussion on electric fence and drive-over mats by Blackfoot Challenge Board Chair Jim Stone and Wildlife Coordinator Eric Graham. The event is free and concludes with a social
Annual Soil Health Tour showcases emerging approaches to enhancing Blackfoot agricultural soils
Every fall, members of the Blackfoot Challenge’s Soil Health Work Group gather to tour area ranches implementing new and innovative approaches to improving soil health. The Work Group, established in