The Montana Conservationist October 31

Welcome to this week’s Montana Conservationist! It’s not a trick, it’s a treat. This week, we’ve got some not-so-spooky conservation news for you:

• Roundup rancher and frequenter of the conservation collaboration world Bill Milton has received an award from the Western Landowners Alliance for his commitment to stewardship. Congrats, Bill!
• An upcoming oil and gas lease auction in Wyoming has been postponed until early next year, following an Idaho court decision that questioned the pacing of the auction proceedings and potential impacts to everyone’s favorite porcupine-in-a-bird-costume, sage grouse.
• The Flathead Forest is proposing a 70,000 acre rehabilitation project in the Swan Valley. Prescribed burns, stream sediment reduction projects, and timber harvests are all in the proposed arsenal of tools.
• And in Missoula, a recent forestry tour brought together lumber companies, state and federal agencies, and local non-profits to show off how collaboration can reduce the risk of wildfire in a community.
• NACD’s President Brent Van Dyke has an op-ed in AgriPulse calling for a compromise on the Farm Bill. He says that both the House and Senate version of the bill have good aspects, and that it’s essential the two sides come together to pass a well rounded bill.
• An expired southeast Montana natural gas field is the first project in the state to be rehabilitated for sage grouse habitat, work that is being done to offset the impacts of a proposed 110 mile long CO2 pipeline.
• The Yellowstone Valley Audubon is starting a baling twine recycling project to keep the material out of the nests of osprey, who often take it home and then get entangled.
• A no-till champion is testing and proving that the popular conservation method can work even in fields with poorly drained soils, and he’s got great recommendations for how to start rehabbing tilled fields.
• Finally, SWCDM’s Ranching for Rivers program is open for applications. Please spread the word to landowners who may be interested in cost sharing for riparian fencing projects!

All of that, plus more upcoming events than you’ve got costumes for, in this week’s Montana Conservationist: TMC 2018-10-31