Just what we need, a new invasive weed to look out for . . .
The latest “Wanted” poster in western Montana isn’t for a person, but rather, a plant.
Authorities from three counties and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are asking people to be on the lookout for medusahead.
The invasive weed has been detected in the north Valley Creek area of the Flathead Indian Reservation. It is capable of drastically reducing the livestock carrying capacity of rangeland.
As expected, there won’t be any money for dust abatement on the North Fork Road this year.
If you happen to be in Canada next week, you can find out more about the recent “bioblitz” at a series of talks offered around British Columbia. Here’s the announcement, courtesy of the Flathead River Valley web site . . .
Birds, bats, bugs… oh my! Come hear about the exciting biodiversity recently discovered in BC’s Flathead River Valley and how you can help save it forever. Speakers include Royal BC Museum’s Claudia Copley and Melissa Frey among others.
January 21st @ Science World In Vancouver – 7PM
January 22nd @ College of the Rockies Lecture Theatre in Cranbrook – 7PM
January 23rd @ The Arts Station in Fernie – 7PM
January 24th @ Canmore Collegiate – 7PM
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is looking for public comment on the latest State Wildlife Action Plan revision by February 9. Here’s the press release . . .
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on an update to the state’s comprehensive conservation plan for more than 100 of the state’s fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
Initially completed in 2006, the recent revision of Montana’s Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strategy was led by FWP, working closely with team members from other state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations.
“The team’s planning efforts included regular public updates and participation opportunities. Public input continues to be an important part of wrapping up Montana’s State Wildlife Action Plan for the next 10 year-cycle,” said Deb O’Neill, FWP’s fish and wildlife plan coordinator in Helena.
In 2000, federal legislation created the State Wildlife Grant program intended to fund conservation programs for all fish and wildlife, including species not pursued by hunters and anglers. Montana has since been awarded $12.7 million in SWG funds for conservation programs ranging from prairie fish surveys and loon research to trumpeter swan and grizzly bear conservation.
To continue to participate in the federal grant program states must revise their plans every 10 years.
“Montana’s update contains the latest and best information available on the status of species and habitats in the greatest need of conservation, which will help to better direct Montana’s conservation and management efforts through 2024,” O’Neill said.
Comments on the State Wildlife Action Plan are due Feb. 9 by 5 p.m. For more information and to comment, visit FWP online at fwp.mt.gov choose State Wildlife Action Plan.
Glacier Park is offering snowshoe excursions each Saturday through March 22 . . .
Here’s a cool – double meaning intended – idea for getting some fresh air during the coming cabin fever months.
Why not strap on a pair of snowshoes and head off into the winter wonderland that is Glacier National Park?
Four times a weekend beginning Saturday, park rangers will lead two-hour snowshoe excursions from the Apgar Visitor Center.
Here’s an interesting article about a study of carnivores in a burn area in the Bitterroot National Forest. They even turned up a wolverine . . .
There was no way of knowing what kind of critters might venture through the charred trees left last year in the wake of a wildfire in Soldier Creek.
“The ground was basically dust,” said Bitterroot National Forest biologist Andrea Shortsleeve.
Far up in the head of the West Fork drainage not far from Devil Creek, a team of Bitterroot National Forest researchers led by the biologist decided to set a photographic trap in an effort to see what might show up.
Here’s an interesting article on a wolverine researcher who splits her time between the U.S. and Mongolia . . .
She was told not to get her hopes up, that some people had worked on wolverine studies for 20 years and never seen one of the creatures in the wild.
So Rebecca Watters wasn’t expecting much on the backpacking trip into Montana’s Absaroka Mountains six years ago — a scouting trip seeking signs of wolverines.
While washing dinner dishes near a stream she heard her trip leader, wildlife biologist Jason Wilmot, screaming at his dog. “Dusty! No!” he yelled. Watters couldn’t imagine what was happening, but her senses went on high alert. The Absarokas, after all, are grizzly and black bear country. As it turned out, Wilmot’s pup was on a collision course with a curious wolverine that had wandered over to investigate the campers along the talus slope.
This turned up on the Flathead National Forest web site. It sounds pretty interesting . . .
The Flathead Community of Resource Educators (CORE), a network of individuals and organizations working together to increase awareness and understanding about the natural, historical and cultural resources of the Flathead Region, is celebrating Winter Trails Day on Saturday, January 11 with several free outdoor activities.
These free activities are a great way to enjoy the outdoors in winter and discover the fitness and social benefits of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in Northwest Montana. All activities are suitable for beginners and families. Be prepared with warm clothing and wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots.
The Endangered Species Act turns 40 on December 28. Here’s a pretty good review of its history and current status . . .
Last Thursday, a bald eagle devoured a goldeneye duck on the ice beside Brennan’s Wave, just downstream of Missoula’s Higgins Avenue Bridge.
Such a sight was inconceivable 40 years ago, when the nation’s mascot was disappearing from its skies and just 12 breeding pairs were known in Montana. The bald eagle was one of the “charismatic megafauna” that helped pass the Endangered Species Act, which soon had more than 1,200 plants and animals under its protection.
Glacier National Park wants to continue work on removing non-native lake trout from its waterways. Comments on the proposal are due by January 24 . . .
Glacier National Park is home to approximately one-third of the nation’s bull trout population that lives in natural, undammed lake systems.
That gives the park a critical role in regional bull trout recovery and long-term conservation, according to Glacier management assistant Denise Germann.
To that end, proposals to continue lake trout suppression on Quartz Lake and start lake trout removal on Logging Lake are now available for public review and comment.
Comments on the environmental assessment are due Jan. 22.
For more information on the Glacier Park lake trout suppression project, including online comments, see: http://www.parkplanning.nps.gov/LoggingQuartz