As the west faces growing drought conditions, producers are finding innovative ways to utilize livestock as means to conserve water. Montana State University was recently highlighted in a Time magazine article titled, “Farmers Are Using Wool To Save Water in…
The Madison Valley is home to rolling hills scattered with agricultural land, surrounded by mountains that often glean snowy peaks. Streams run through the landscape like veins, providing life to crucial wildlife and fields alike. Our natural resources hold a…
As the mornings get chilly, and stands of aspens begin to glean yellow leaves, I am reminded that fall is just around the corner for the Madison Valley. This a wonderful time of year to be hiking and foraging for…
A heat wave has hit Southwest Montana in recent weeks. With near-record high temperatures blanketing our Valley, it is essential to find ways to keep cool. While we can beat the heat by enjoying recreational fun at the streams or…
As the streams calm from the snowmelt-initiated spring runoff, some private well owners may have noticed changes in their water. The high flows that sometimes result in flooding or other infrastructure damage can carry contaminants from surface waters into our…
Spring has sprung, and plants are blooming throughout the Valley. While we are excited to see the emergence of our native flowers and grasses, such as purple prairie clover and lewis flax, the presence of noxious and invasive weeds threatens…
As summer approaches, the Madison Conservation District is looking forward to getting back in the field and out on the water. The Madison Watershed is a complex and interconnected system, and the tributaries play an important role in maintaining ecosystem…
As Spring creeps up, I look forward to enjoying the picturesque waters and shorelines throughout the Madison Valley, however a threat looms nearby. A couple of unruly mollusks, zebra, and quagga mussels, have made their way out west. What are…
The western landscape is quite different than it was in the 1800’s for several reasons, however an event with arguably the most significant impact is the near elimination of the beaver. The once plentiful beaver population diminished to near extinction…
The Madison Conservation District (MCD) is excited to welcome Maia Schweikert as their Big Sky Watershed Corps (BSWC) member for the 2024 year. Maia hails from the foothills of Elkin, North Carolina, along the Blue Ridge Mountains. She grew up…