Blog
Blackfoot Drought Committee Prepares for a Low Water Summer Amid Changes in Water Rights
JULY 1, 2025 — Despite a marked improvement in snowpack this winter compared to last, the Blackfoot River is already experiencing severe low flows heading into the summer ahead. This
Trumpeting Success
by Elaine Caton, Blackfoot Challenge Bird Program Coordinator In early April I counted 26 trumpeter wwans feeding and resting in this small ranch pond near Ovando. They included a swan
Wildflowers or Weeds?
Just as not all unwanted plants are noxious weeds, not all noxious weeds appear to be problematic exotics. Some invasive plants may be considered pleasant in appearance with brightly colored
Final Report on Community Recreation Meetings Released
In the fall of 2024, the Blackfoot Challenge hosted a series of community meetings around the watershed, gathering feedback about outdoor recreation trends and impacts to the region. Six local
Recreation Committee Shares Report on Community Meetings
Seeley Lake hosted one of six local meetings to gather community input on recreation impacts. by Jennifer Schoonen, Blackfoot Challenge Communications Director In the fall of 2024, the Blackfoot Challenge
Listening for the Songs of Spring
American Bittern (photo credit: ©Luke Seitz, Macaulay Library, Cornell Lab of Ornithology) by Elaine Caton, Blackfoot Challenge Bird Program Coordinator The first time each year that I hear the three
Snow Water Equivalent and Our Future
Potomac School students learn how to measure snow water equivalent. by Alyssa Daniels, Blackfoot Challenge Education Program Coordinator As the recent warm weather causes the snow to melt in the
The Songs of Winter
Snow Bunting by Elaine Caton, Blackfoot Challenge Bird Program Coordinator The Blackfoot in winter is generally a quiet place, not just in levels of sound but also activity. Many animals
Celebrating Our 2024 Accomplishments
From virtual fencing to drought management, 2024 was a year of innovations and challenges that kept Blackfoot Challenge staff, partners and community members busy. Partnerships reaped many impactful conservation accomplishments,
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