The Montana Conservationist July 19

Greetings TMC readers! We’re back from our little summer break, and my goodness you were busy while we were gone! This issue is chock full of news about the stupendous work the conservation community has been doing.

• First up, the Missoulian featured a great article about Lake County CD’s efforts to encourage pollinator plantings. Featuring a neck-high field of wildflowers
• Then, On Pasture featured an article about Madison CD’s work with Janet Endecott on her ranch, and the surprising benefits of improving fish habitat
• In less good news, several Eastern Montana counties have been declared primary natural disaster areas as this rainless summer takes its toll
• But on the other hand, new research is looking into how prescribed burns on Northern native prairie can benefit forage
• A Butte teen has initiated (and gotten funding!) for a project to remind residents to protect Silver Bow Creek
• Montana Stockgrowers suggests that ranchers should consider filing on “exempt” water rights, per DNRC’s recent letter
• And the recent earthquake in Lincoln set off 1,500 smaller aftershocks, plus increased flow in at least two springs.

All of that, and the finer details, in this week’s Montana Conservationist: TMC 2017-07-19