Greetings, readers! This week in The Montana Conservationist: Louis Wertz of the Western Landowners Alliance…
The Montana Conservationist January 9
Greetings readers! I hope the new year finds you well, and anticipating the first edition of TMC for 2018. I can already tell that it’s going to be a great year for conservation. Here’s what’s up today:
- USDA reports that Montana’s snowpack is currently the best in the west. Fingers crossed the snow gods keep delivering!
- A new study by ARS in Montana reports that grazing in the year following wildfire does not harm grasses as much as previously thought, meaning the typical 2-3 year wait after a fire may be reduced.
- The East Rosebud Creek Wild & Scenic Rivers act has passed the Senate and now just needs House approval.
- Sage Grouse populations are set to decline in the coming years, but don’t panic! This is just the downswing in their typical decadal cycle, says Wyoming Fish & Game.
- Popular Science discusses the pros and cons of using genetic engineering to control invasive species.
- Congress failed to pass a supplemental $81 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Administration, meaning payments to local firefighting accounts may be delayed.
- A longterm study of cow pies is suggesting that climate change gasses may be causing less nutritious grasses.
- Wyoming is considering Montana’s opposition to elk feedlots, but they say it will take a decade or more to phase out the controversial practice.
- And NACD writes in about their Congressional activities in 2017, and looks ahead to priorities for 2018 (hint: it rhymes with Charm Grill).
All of that, plus the grants and events that make our world go round. Read today’s Montana Conservationist: TMC 2018-01-09