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Above:WhitefishLake,Whitefish
MWCC Board of Directors
Welcometothe2018WatershedSymposium!Everyotheryearwehave thisuniqueopportunity tocometogether.Generally, participants come with a desire to connect,celebrateourwork,andshareideas.It’sthegoalofMWCCthat everyone leaves this week inspired. With newstrategiesformovingtheircommunitiesforward.
Thethemeofthisyear’sSymposiumwascraftedasaresultof the continuous observation that although Montanawatershedorganizationsdosomeofthemostinnovativeconservationandmeaningfulcommunitybuilding,sharingour successes isnotour strongsuit.While rollingupoursleevesforonthegroundprojectsisessential,watershedorganizations continue to struggle for capacity andultimately rely on increased community engagement forsustainability.WehopethatthisSymposiumisaforumforsharing communication strategies and tools that willenhanceyourworkanddemonstratethecollectiveimpactoflocallylednaturalresourcemanagementstatewide.
TheMWCCBoard of Directors and staff hope you enjoyyour Symposium and thank you for your ongoingcommitmenttotheMWCCnetwork.
Welcome,
ErinFarris-Olsen,ExecutiveDirector
ExecutiveDirector:ErinFarris-OlsenChair:EthanKunard,MadisonConservationDistrictSecretary:MichelleMcGree,MontanaFish,Wildlife,andParksAdamSigler,MSUExtensionSierraHarris,TheNatureConservancyAmySeaman,MontanaAudubonEmilyIsaacson,WipfliTorieHaraldson,GallatinLocalWaterQualityDistrictEricTrum,DEQBarbaraChillcott,DNRCCharlesDrimal,GreaterYellowstoneCoalitionJenniferDowning,BigHoleWatershedCommitteeLauraNowlin,MusselshellWatershedCoalition
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Program Guide Contents
Schedule 3 - 5
The Lodge - Floor Map 5
Getting Around Whitefish (Map) 6
Presentations, Wednesday Oct. 10 6 - 9
Presentations, Thursday Oct. 11 9 - 11
Field Trips, Thursday Oct. 11 11
Presentations, Friday Oct. 12 12 - 15
Big Sky Watershed Corps Members 16
Notes 17 - 18
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Symposium Schedule Tuesday, October 9 (Pre-Conference)
11:00am Registration12:00pm WatershedStorytelling:ExploringRivers,Harnessing
Technology,andBuildingCommunityPre-ConferencemadepossiblebyNationalGeographic,UniversityofNebraska,andMontanaWetlandCouncil
Wednesday, October 10 7:30am9:00am9:30am
10:30am11:00am12:00pm1:00pm
1:30pm2:00pm
RegistrationWelcomeandIntroductions(Ramsey)WatershedStories:AstatewidecampaignforsharingoursuccessanddemonstratingcollectiveimpactBreakPlenaryKeynoteSpeaker(Ramsey):SarahElkinsLunch(Ramsey)LunchtimeKeynote:JasonSmith,Governor'sOfficeofIndianAffairsBreak“MeetanExpert”Appointments(Regatta)
2:00pm
3:30pm4:00pm
5:30pm
ConcurrentSessions:A-HoningaRazor-SharpMessage(Ramsey)BenLong,ResourceMediaB-CommunicatingwithImpacttothePublicandMedia(Stumptown)BebeCrouse,TheNatureConservancyC-FromKumbayatoCultivatingChange:HowtoCommunicatetheMeaningandValueofGrassrootsCollaboration(Viking)PanelofResourceChampionsBreakConcurrentSessions:A-WinningwithWords:EffectiveCommunicationStrategy(Ramsey)BenLong,ResourceMediaB-StorytellingasaLeadershipTool(Stumptown)SarahElkins,ElkinsConsultingC-Shh!Don'tsay(ClimateChange)?(Viking)AdamPimley,SageCreekSolutionsMixandMingleTour
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Thursday, October 11
Friday, October 12
8:00am
9:00am9:00am9:15am
10:30am
12:00pm
6:30pm
7:30am8:30am8:30am
10:00am
PlenaryKeynoteSpeaker(Ramsey):TonyIncashola,CSKTTribalElderBreak“MeetanExpert”Appointments(Regatta)ConcurrentSessions:A-PartneringwithBeaverstoRestoreMontanaStreams(Ramsey)PanelleadbySarahBates,NationalWildlifeFederationB-TheRiseofInfographics:How&WhytoConveyYourStoryorMessageVisually(Stumptown)JamieEllis,MTDNRC C-TheABC’sofAIS(Viking)PanelleadbyLizLodman,MTFWPConcurrentSessions:A–OurCollectiveResponsibility:Communicatingontheneedforwatershedcapacity(Ramsey)PanelofexpertsB–VisualStorytellingInnovations(Stumptown)Panelofexperts C–RollingaLeadBallUphill(Viking)PanelleadbyMikeKoopal,WhitefishLakeInstituteFieldTrips(SackLunchProvided)FieldTrip1:EurekaFieldTrip2:WhitefishCocktailHourandSilentWatershedBasketsAuctionMusicbyCan’tHardlyPlayboysMorningYoga(Regatta)“MeetanExpert”Appointments(Regatta)ConcurrentSessions:A-ChangingtheFundraisingParadigm:CreativeStrategiestoIncreaseYourBottomLine(Ramsey)B–ThreePartPresentationSeries:FOAM:GuidesforConservation;ThompsonRiverWatershedRestorationPlan;H2OTools(Stumptown)C-BigSkyWatershedCorpsPresentations(Viking)ConcurrentSessions:A–CommunicatingTrueProgramCosts(Ramsey)B–ThreePartPresentationsSeries:MontanaDepartmentofAg.Mediation;CoalMineReclamation;Beaverhead“WatershedMoment”(Stumptown)
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11:30am
1:00pm
C-BigSkyWatershedCorpsPresentations(Viking)ConcurrentSessions:A–ThreePartPresentationSeries:Blackfeet“WaterisLife”andARMP;CSKTCommunications;LookingtoRe-Brand?(Ramsey)B–ThreePartPresentationSeries:NFWFOverview&Opportunities;RestorationProjects;UsingRoadsideSignsforProjectCommunication(Stumptown)C-BigSkyWatershedCorpsPresentations;MakingLifeEasier:ImprovedAccesstoRiverConditions(Viking)ClosingRemarks(Ramsey):JeffMow,SuperintendentofGlacierNationalPark
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake - Floorplan Map
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Getting Around Whitefish
Presentations, Wednesday Oct. 10 Plenary Keynote Presentation: Sarah Elkins Sarahisaspeaker,workshopfacilitatorandcoach,musicianandstoryteller.Sheworkswithleadership and sales teams to improve communication by creating environments thatencourageauthenticconnectionandcuriosity,usingstorytellingtechniquestohelppeoplefindpersonalstoriestoshare,andwaystosharethem.
Compelled to create space for people eager for personal and professional growth, SarahlaunchedtheNoLongerVirtual(NLV)events;limitedparticipation,twodayconferenceswiththetheme“connectingbeyondthekeyboard.”NLVwasincludedtwiceinthelistof“hiddengems”of“can’tmissconferencesforentrepreneurs”inForbesonline.
Herpodcast,YourStoriesDon’tDefineYou.HowYouTellThemWill,canbefoundoniTunes,Spotify,andmore.She’sanactivebloggeronLinkedInandonherwebsite.
SarahlivesinMontana,andenjoyshiking,fishing,andtraveling.Shelovestocookandhostguestsinher1890Victorianhome,nourishingandnurturingallwhovisit.
Last Chair Kitchen & Bar
The Firebrand Lounge
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake
Western Heritage Center
(5:30 pm, 10/24)
Bonsai Brewing Project
McGarry’s Roadhouse
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Watershed Stories Too often do watershed groups focus on the work that needs to be done and ignorecelebratingandsharingthegreatworkthathasalreadyhappened.Montanawatershedgroupsbring landownersandcommunitiestogethertofindinnovative,practicalsolutionstobebetternaturalresourcestewards.SoMWCChascreatedtheWatershedStoriescampaigntosharethe commitment and impact of these individuals andorganizationsontheirwatershedcommunities.
Lunchtime Keynote: Jason Smith, Gov. Office of Indian Affairs
Wednesday First Session Honing A Razor-Sharp Message Acompellingandconsistentmessageisacriticalcomponentforanysuccessfulcampaignororganization. Yet our messages must compete against a fire hose of information thatbombardouraudiencesdaily.Thisworkshopexamineswhatisamessage,andwhatmakesmessages effective.We breakmessages down to their core components: values, threat,solutionandask.We take technical,wonky issues and craft them intomessages that aretechnicallysoundandaccurate,butalsospeaktotheheartfirst,andtheheadsecond.Astimeallows,wemaybreak intosmallgroupsanddevelopmessageforspecific,realworldissues.
BenLong,ResourceMedia
From Kumbaya to Cultivating Change: How to communicate the meaning and value of grassroots collaborationStateandfederalagencieshaveidentifiedthecriticalneedforlocalsupportinimplementingstateorregionalconservationpolicies.Buthowdowe,asagencypersonnelcommunicatethatvaluewithinouragenciesandfurthermore,developprogramsthatprovidethesupportneededtogroupsontheground.Heardirectlyfromourchampionsabouttheobstaclesaswell as the opportunities for state, federal, and local government employees to supportcommunity-basedcollaboration.
KeriBilbo,NaturalResourceConservationServiceTimDavis,MontanaDEQDillonTabbish,MontanaFWP
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Cut Through the Noise: Communicate with Impact to the Public and MediaYoudon’tputyourkidstobedwithaPowerPoint.Tellingthestory of your work in anengaging and inspiringway isthe key to understanding,support and good media. Italsodistinguishesyoufromtherest of the pack. In thisworkshop, you’ll learnwhatagoodstory isandhowtotell itwell.We’lldiscusshowtotailoryourmessagetodifferentaudiencesandmakemediaworkforyou.You’ll learnhowanewsroomworksandhowtohelpreportersgetyourstoryright.We’lldiscusssomeofthetricksofthetrade,howtocraftaneffectivenewsreleaseandhowtoaceaninterview.Thethingsyoulearnwillbeusefulbothwithmedia and in any public communications youmake,whether to donors or thepublic.
BebeCrouse,TheNatureConservancy
Wednesday Second Session Winning with Words: Effective Communication Strategy Peoplecommunicateformanyreasons:self-expression,art,education,marketingtonameafew.ButStrategicCommunication isallaboutachievingagoal,be it intheballotbox,thepolicyarena,orthemarketplace.Thisworkshopoutlinesa12-stepchecklistofquestionsthateverycampaignneedstoanswertospeakouteffectivelyandadvocateforanykindofchange.Keytopicsincludeidentifyingwhois(andasimportantwhoisnot)thetargetaudience,whattoolsandtacticsarebesttoreachthataudience,whatkindofimageryandanecdoteswillnotonlyinformthataudience,butinspireit.Astimeallows,wemaybreakintosmallgroupsanddevelopsomeroughsketchesofstrategiccommunicationplansononeortworeal-worldcampaigns. BenLong,ResourceMedia
Storytelling as a Leadership Tool Buildingon thekeynote, this session isdesigned todigdeeper into the typesofpersonalstories to share, depending on the audience and the intention of the conversation. Thissessionwillalsofocusontrainingparticipantstodrawoutthestoriesofthepeoplearoundthem,creatingcloserconnectionsandimprovingcommunication.
SarahElkins,ElkinsConsulting
Shh! Don’t Say (Climate Change)? Withthe2017releaseoftheMontanaClimateAssessmentanddecadesofdatabringingtothe forefront the real impacts of climate changes on our watersheds, community-basednaturalresourcemanagerscanfindthemselvesstuckinanuncomfortablesituation.“Climate
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change”canbeatoxicphrase,stoppinganotherwiseproductiveconversationinitstracks.Thisworkshopwillengageyouandyourwatershedcolleaguesinadialogueaboutthebiggestelephant in the room. Thewordswe choose in these situations canbe powerful tools infinding the balance that moves our work and communities forward. We often have tocreativelytiptoearoundthepoliticsthatcandivideourcommunitiesandkeepthefocusonoursharedcommitmenttoeffectivenaturalresourcemanagement.Together,we’lldevelopstrategiesandnarrativestohelpasweengageintheseneeded,butsometimeschallengingconversations.
AdamPimley
Presentations, Thursday Oct. 11 Plenary Keynote Presentation: Tony Incashola Antoine“Tony”IncasholaSr.isaTribalElderoftheConfederatedSalishandKootenaiTribesofMontanaandtheDirectoroftheSalish-Pend-d’OreileeCultureCommitteeforwhichhehasbeenservingonfor43years.Hisserviceonthecommitteestartedin1975whenJohnnyArleeaskedTonytoworkwithhimonpreservingtheSalishCulture.Tonyhasalwayslivedatraditionalwayoflifethathelearnedwhilegrowingupwithhisgrandparents,sohewaswellqualifiedforthetask.Tony’sdesiretopreservehisculturecomesfromracismheenduredasa child on the Flathead Reservation and decided to make his life pursuit to give futuregenerationsprideinwhotheyareaspeople.TheCommitteehadproducedover1200audiointerviews,100movies,lessons,presentations,andotherfootageofelderswhichisoneofthemostcomprehensiveandextensivetribalcollectioninthenation.Theyarealsoworkingon a multi-volume book set that is written by tribal members from their first- handperspectiveandwrittenconcurrentlyinEnglishandSalish.Tony’sworkhasearnedhimtheHeritageKeeperAwardfromtheMontanaHistoricalSociety.
Thursday First Session Partnering with Beavers to Restore Montana Streams Learn how diverse, local organizationsare partnering with our nativeecosystem engineer the beaver toincrease water quality and quantity,increase aquatic habitat andbiodiversity, and help rural and urbancommunities increase water securityandbuildgreater resiliency to climate change. Speakers includeChristineBrissette (TroutUnlimited)andTedDodge(WatershedRestorationCoalitionoftheUpperClarkFork),withadditional experts on hand for questions and discussion. Participants will have access toonlineresourcesandhandoutsatthesession.
SarahBates,NationalWildlifeFederationPaulParson,TroutUnlimitedTedDodge,WatershedRestorationCoalition
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The Rise of Infographics: How & Why to Convey Your Story or Message Visually Withtheever-increasingriseincreationanddependenceontechnology,weneedtochangethewaywepresentinformationtogainandretainattention.Inthissession,wewilldelveintowhycommunicatingvisuallyworksandthenexpandintothedifferentwaystoachieveourgoals.Morespecifically,wewilltouchonsometricksforWord&PowerPoint,segueintoInfographics and theirbenefits, and lastlymoveon toexploreESRI StoryMapswith localexamplesfromMadisonCD,BigSkyWatershedCorpsmembers,and
JamieEllis,DNRC
Teaching the ABCs of AIS ThethreatofaquaticinvasivespeciestoMontana’swaterresourcesisadevastatingproblemwith long-term impacts. Talking toa first-graderabout invasivemussels is vastlydifferentthan visiting with an adult – or is it? Stopping the introduction or spread of AIS meanschangingthebehaviorofallwaterusers.Panelistswillsharethedifferenttacticstheyareusing to reach audiences of different ages, backgrounds and interests. Learn about theresourcesyoucanuseinyourcommunity.
LizLodman,MTFWPTenleeAtchison,CascadeCDLeahElwell,InvasiveSpeciesActionNetworkHeidiSedivy,WatershedEducationNetworkKateWilson,MTDNRCandUC3
Thursday Second Session Our Collective Responsibility: Communicating the need for watershed coordination capacity Understanding the sources of the state grant resources thatweutilize to do ourwork isessentialtoourprogress.Panelistswillprovideanoverviewofcurrentstatenaturalresourcegrantfunding,includingsourcesandstructureofrevenueandtherelativesustainabilityofthose resources. Watershed activities vary across a wide spectrum of communicationstrategieswithdirectandindirectpolicyimplications.Panelistswilldiscusswhyitiscriticaltounderstandandcommunicatetheimpactoftheseresourcestoyourcommunityanddecisionmakers, including tactics for communicating with legislators and other natural resourcedecisionmakers.
Panelists:MarkBostrum,DNRCCARDDJeffTiberi,formerExecutiveDirectorandPolicyAdvisorfortheMontanaAssociationofConservationDistrictsDaveFern,StateofMontanaLegislature,HouseDistrict5Representative
Visual Storytelling Innovations Theageoftechnologyisuponusanditistimetotellourstoriesthroughnewmedia.Thisseriesofpresentationswillexplorehowdrones,GIS,andvideocancommunicateyourworktoabroaderaudience.
MayaDaurio,MTStateLibrary;RyanRichardson,RiverDesignGroup;BritaOlsen,LowerClarkForkWatershedGroup
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Rolling a Lead Ball Uphill: Building Local Partnerships through CommunicationWhilethewatershedapproachrequiresnaturalresourcemanagementconsiderationstobe“peak-to-peakandeverythinginbetween,”county,cityandotherjurisdictionalboundariescomplicateourregulatoryschemesandcoordinationpotential.Thispanelwillgeneratesomeideasonhowwatershedorganizationscanworkwithcityandcountygovernmentsonsharedvaluesandinterests.TheWhitefishcommunityservesasanexampleofworkingtogethertoimplementconservationandwaterinfrastructure-bestpracticesandstakeholderengagement.
Panelists:MikeKoopal,WhitefishLakeInstituteCraigWorkman,WhitefishPublicWorksDirectorEdLieser,LionMountainHOAboardmemberBillBarron,LakeCountyCommissionerandPresident,MontanaAssociationofCounties
Thursday Afternoon: Field Trips Whitefish Area Tour During this field trip, you will learn about a number of seemingly disparate watershedprotectioninitiativesintheWhitefisharea.However,youwillgainanunderstandingoftheinterconnectedness of these initiatives through innovative collaborative partnershipsdesigned to deliver ecosystem services and foster the next generation of watershedstewards.
Eureka Area Tour Thisfieldtripwillincludestopsatthreeactivestream/riverrestorationprojectslocatedonprivate property. Each project represents significant collaboration between agency, non-profit,andprivatepartners.Theseprojectswillbeanopportunityforlandownerstodiscusswhytheyinvestedtimeandtheirownmoneytomaketheseprojectshappen.
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Presentations, Friday Oct. 12 Friday First Session
Changing the Fundraising Paradigm - Creative Strategies to Increase Your Bottom Line Hear about how the Whitefish community has cultivated local coalitions that not onlyadvanceconservationbutalsogeneratecreativerevenuestreamswithinthewatershed.
MikeKoopal,TheWhitefishLakeInstituteBrianAverill,OwnerofTheLodgeatWhitefishLakeLindaEng-Grady,ExecutiveDirectoroftheWhitefishCommunityFoundationMarkDucharme,GeneralManagerofXanterra–GlacierNationalParkLodges
Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana- Guides for Conservation Fishingguidesliketocallthemselvesstewardsoftheresource,butaretheyreallydoingthat?The2016Yellowstonefishkillandsubsequentriverclosuremadecleartheimportanceofthestewardship role of guides and outfitters. Since 2016,members of the Fishing OutfittersAssociationofMontana(FOAM)havebeenworkingona"GuidesforConservation"initiativeto increase watershed education within the industry and assist in building healthyrelationshipswithneighboring communities, landmanagers, andotherMontanabusinesssectors.HeardirectlyfromFOAMonhowtheiroutreachisprogressingaswellaslessonsandstrategiesforengagingrecreationalandoutfittinginterestsinyourcommunity.
BrantOswald Thompson River Watershed Restoration PlanLower Clark Fork Watershed Group will share their recent experience developing theThompson RiverWatershed Restoration Plan. Through theirwatershed planning process,they were able to maintain engagement from partners in the drainage to produce adocumentthatreflectsprioritiesofdiversestakeholders.Thispresentationwillsummarizethewatershedplanningprocessanddiscusshowapproachestostakeholderengagementcansetpartnersupforsuccessfulwatershedrestorationplanimplementation.
BritaOlson&SamanthaTappenbeck
H2o Tools: Comprehensive Water ManagementH2OToolsisacomprehensivewatermanagementtoolaswellasaplatformforcollaborationandeducation.Itisaprototypeinformationsystemdesignedtobringtogetherwaterexpertsandotherkeystakeholderstomakeinformedandfar-reachingdecisionsregardingwateruse.The platform can provide intuitive visuals that combine many layers of data acrossgeographic, political, economic, census, andwatershed boundaries. This can help peopleunderstandwaterinthenaturalworldandinformdecision-makingonissuessuchaswateravailabilityanduse.
SharonBrodie
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Friday Second Session MT Department of Agriculture MediationThispresentationwillintroducetheMontanaDepartmentofAgricultureMediationprogram.TheDepartmentofAg is theUSDACertifiedAgMediationprogram for the statewith sixtrained mediators available to offer alternative dispute resolution services connected toagriculture.Mediationoffersavenuefordisputingpartiestoworkwithamediatortofindmutuallybeneficialwaystoresolveconflict.Mediationoffersacost-effectivealternativetolitigation and, unlike other forms of dispute resolution, is uniquely designed to preserverelationships. Montana Department of Ag will mediate any agriculture related disputeincluding, farm transition, agricultural water, neighbor/neighbor, ag credit and estateplanning.
JimAuer
Coal Mine Reclamation in MontanaSince1971,theMontanaOpenCutandStripMineReclamationAct(MSUMRA)hasguidedregulation of coalmining throughout the state from initial prospecting to the final bondreleasestages.Today,theMontanaDepartmentofEnvironmentalQualityusesMSUMRAandotherregulationtoworkwithoperatorstowardreclamationandwaterqualitycommitments.Communication, collaboration, and the willingness to try new reclamation processes hasfostered an effective working relationship between the DEQ coal section, coal mineoperators, and landowners. This presentation will highlight efforts to improve publiccommunicationsonreclamation,post-minelanduse,andwaterresourceimpactsfromtheiraward-winningprojects.
JonStaldine
Behind the Scenes: The Beaverhead Watershed Committee’s “Watershed Moment”Effectivelyandefficientlycommunicatingthecharacteristicsandcultureofyourwatershedisachallengeineverygrantapplicationandpartnerconversation.WiththehelpofSWCAandMWCC,andBeaverheadWatershedCommitteetackledthischallengeinauniquewayandproducedacommunicationproductthatcanbeusedtoengagepartnersnearandfar.HearabouttheBeaverheadWatershedCommittee's"WatershedMoment,"discussthechallengesandopportunitiesthatwereencountered,andgetsomeideasonhowtocommunicateaboutyourwatershedinanewway.
EmilyGeery,VanessaHastings,JamieCottom,ZachOwen,ErinFarris-Olsen
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Friday Third Session Blackfeet ARMP and Water is Life The Blackfeet Agricultural ResourceManagement Plan (ARMP)Water teampresents on the work that they havedone in the past year. These projectsinclude planning for implementation ofthe Blackfeet Water Compact and theextensive education outreach event"Water is Life",which taught Browningyouth about water and ecosystemmanagementfromaholisticstandpoint,engaging them in lessons arising fromTraditionalEcologicalKnowledge(TEK)andWesternScience.
DawnFalcon&GrahamGaither
CSKT Communications The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Water Compact is a significant water policy andmanagementinitiativerequiringsupportat local,state,andfederal levels.Communicationstrategiesnecessitatebreakingdownthecomplexityofcompactedwaterrightsaswellasappealingtoadiversityofstakeholdersandaudiences.Learnaboutthecompactitselfaswellas themessaging thathasbeenand continues tobepartof advancing the compactnowbeforeCongress.
RyanRusche
Looking to Re-Brand? And we don’t mean a blazing hot ironWhatisa"brand"andhowimportantisbrandingtoday?Hearfromcommunicationexpertsregarding the role of branding in organizational communication, including some helpfulpointers onwhat your organization should consider in taking on the task of re branding.MontanaFish,Wildlife,andPark’s“TheOutsideinUsAll”campaignandMWCC’sWatershedFundarecasestudiesforrebrandingconsiderationsandstrategies.
DillonTabish&VivacaCroswer
NFWF Overview & Opportunities WhileNational Fish andWildlife Foundation has historically fundedprojects in theRockyMountainregion,in2015theyestablishedanewRegionalOfficeinDenver,CO.Theyhavesincestartedre-organizingsomecurrentprogramsandprioritiesandestablishingnewones.ThispresentationwillcoverNFWFprioritiesinMontanabyhighlightingsomeoftheprojectthathavebeensupportedinthepastaswellasdiscussstrategicopportunitiesforthefuture.
SethGallagher
PhotoCredit:ChrisJ.Carter
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Restoration Projects: Where are they? Where are we? EachyeartheCleanWaterAct319andFutureFisheriesgrantprogramsprovidefundingtoreducepollutionandrestorefishhabitatinrivers,streams,andlakes.Sharingsuccessstoriesand lessons learned are essential forimproving the effectiveness of futureprojects. Communication about thesimilaritiesanddifferencesoflongtermproject evaluation results among grantprograms can lead to new insights,increase the scope of lessons learnedand informationsharing,andshed lighton approaches for achieving mutualgoals.
HannahRiedl&MichelleMcGree
Roadside SignsLincolnConservationDistrictisworkingwithpartnerstoimplementaninnovativeeducationandoutreachapproachinconjunctionwitharestorationprojectonMudCreeknearEureka,Montana.Projectincludesalmost5,000feetofrestoredchanneland5acresoffloodplaintoimprovewaterqualityandfishhabitatatthesiteofaformersawmill.Aneducationaldisplaysignplacedatahigh-profilesiteprovidesresidentsandvisitorstoEurekaandLincolnCountywithbackgroundontheprojectandanopportunitytoparticipateinmonitoringbyuploadingphotos using a designated photopoint andQR code.Using crowdsourcedmonitoring,wehopetospark interest inrestorationandencourageotherresidentsalongMudCreekandwithintheKootenaiRiverBasintodotheirpartinconservingnaturalresources.
SamTappenbeck&BeckyLihme
Making Life Easier: Improved Access to River Conditions Current environmental conditions data collected by gages and stations (e.g., discharge,temperature,snowpack),andupdatedrestrictionstofishingandotherrecreationalactivitiesresideonnumerousagencywebsites.Tomakelifealittleeasierforwatershedgroupsintheirdroughtmanagementactivitiesandforriver/wateruserssuchasrecreationistsandranchers,partnersaredevelopingaweb-basedtoolthatwilldisplayreal-timeinformationconsumedfromseveralagencywebsites.BuildingupontheBigHoleWatershedCommittee’s(BHWC)innovative river conditions tool, we are working with watershed coordinators within theUpperMissouriHeadwaters (UMH) todevelopa similar toolwith additional features andfunctionality.
MaryMcFadzen
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Big Sky Watershed Corps Member Presentations:
BrandiBergreen:MissoulaConservationDistrict&MissoulaWeedDistrict,[email protected]
MaggieBurnham:CrownManagersPartnership,[email protected]
AbbyCutting-Smith:LoloNationalForestandLoloWatershedGroup,[email protected]
AngelaDavis:MontanaConservationCorps,[email protected]
KierraDavis:MontanaWatershedCoordinationCouncilandClarkForkandKootenaiRiverBasinsCouncil,[email protected]
ShannonFilbey:NRCSBridgerPlantMaterialsCenter,[email protected]
GrahamGaither:BlackfeetTribe,[email protected]
CaseyGallagher:MilkRiverWatershedAlliance,[email protected]
LiamGoolic:MontanaAquaticResourcesServices,[email protected]
AndrewHorvath:MusselshellWatershedCoalition,MissouriRiverConservationDistrictsCouncil&PetroleumCountyConservationDistrict,[email protected]:WildlifeConservationSociety,[email protected]
AaronKolb:YellowstoneRiverConservationDistrictCouncil,[email protected]
AndrewC.Kretschmer:Richland&SheridanCountyConservationOffices
MitchLassa:OneMontana/MSUExtension,[email protected]
JacobLeVitus:TheCenterforLargeLandscapeConservation,[email protected]
ClaudiaMacfarlane:RubyValleyCD,[email protected]
ColinMcClure:MusselshellWatershedCoalition,MissouriRiverConservationDistrictsCouncil&PetroleumCountyConservationDistrict,[email protected]
TaylorMudford:FriendsoftheMissouriBreaks,[email protected]
JackMurray:GallatinRiverTaskForceLaurenOdom:LakeCountyCD,[email protected]
MichellePond:GallatinLocalWaterQualityDistrictandtheGallatinCity-CountyHealthDepartment,[email protected]
ValerieStacey:LewisandClarkWaterQualityProtectionDistrict,[email protected]
RileyStiltjes:MontanaTroutUnlimited&UnitedStatesForest
SamanthaStrable:FriendsoftheMissouriBreaks,[email protected]
PaulTran:ClarkForkWatershedEducationProgram,[email protected]
AissaWise:BitterRootWaterForum,[email protected]
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Notes
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Notes