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It’s painful to watch the national news. Partisan politics rule the day. The times when you made decisions by taking into account the best interests of your neighbor feel all but gone. We used to come together as one nation, indivisible and chart out a course that we all could agree on. We used to meet in the middle. And in rural Montana, we still do. We have all seen the magic that occurs when diverse interests and stakeholders put their differences aside and focus on their commonalities. That’s the real Montana - not Republicans, Democrats, L...
The effects of wildfires on plants will vary, depending upon fire intensity and specific plant characteristics. Many plant species will survive and reinitiate growth soon after a fire. However, the ability of desirable plants to reestablish, reseed and flourish in subsequent years can be impaired if noxious weeds are inadequately managed. Preventing weeds from spreading through seed dispersal is the most effective and least costly method of weed management. Survey burned areas to eradicate new weeds, concentrating on areas where weed...
A property that helped turn Montana's North Fork Flathead River Valley into a conservation stronghold is changing hands but remaining wild. The Vital Ground Foundation has teamed up with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and new landowners on a conservation easement protecting 142 acres of forestland and wildlife habitat known as Polebridge Palace. On the pine-strewn benches above the North Fork Flathead, the area will remain a haven for grizzly bears, Canada lynx and other sensitive wildlife, as wel...
Like many privately owned properties throughout Montana, the Thomas Hagerty homestead came into private ownership thanks to the Federal government which first surveyed the land, and later opened it up for homesteading. Hagerty, a single man, filed to homestead Sept. 29, 1915 on 160 acres in the Swan Valley. In 1920, a Forest Service inspector wrote that the southern area of this parcel consisted of a spruce swamp bordering Barber Creek which was practically level and covered with water "owing...
In the past decade, we have made significant progress in making the Seeley/Swan more resilient to the effects of wildfire. This has been accomplished by conducting fuel reduction treatments on hundreds of acres of private land, where cost-share funding has helped landowners reduce the risk of wildfire on their forested lands. Adjacent to these treatments and often outside the Wildland Urban Interface at higher elevations, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and the US...
REAL ESTATE TODAY What a difference a few years and even a few months make in real estate. In January, we talked about the fact that land sales would increase in 2017 due to lack of home inventory. That is certainly occurring, and land sales in Seeley Lake are brisk, especially on Double Arrow Ranch parcels priced under $50,000 as well as creekfront parcels. As land sales have increased, available home inventory has risen from 40 homes in January to 62 today. There is strong buyer demand for...
Food preservation opportunities abound! Most of us are willing to undergo the challenges of Montana's most frigid, snowy winter months just so that we may experience the pure joy of a productive tomato-laden, late summer and early fall. Since the beginning of time, climate, resources and availability have dictated our survival. The invention of various food preservation techniques, helped to guarantee the procreation of the species. Those who lived in frozen climates, dug into the ice to...
The US Forest Service is an agency that uses teams of resource specialists to plan and implement management actions on the nation’s national forest lands. This planning and implementation relies heavily on public involvement at all stages. Without knowing the agency’s administrative process, public involvement or comment on agency actions can likely be frustrating or confusing. Overall, the Forest Service uses a framework to conduct all its official actions that is to say that the process for agency projects and gathering public inf...
I didn’t write this as an expert on land management and wildlife issues, or as a representative of any organization. I did write it as someone with strong concerns about where society as it relates to those issues is headed, and as an area resident who would like to meet others for informal discussions about the issues presented. Maintaining Balance Many years ago I was a pre-law student at the University of Nevada. One of the requirements was a course in economics. During the first few days of the class, the professor and text tried to p...
With the recent discovery of aquatic invasive species (AIS) larvae in Montana’s waters, the pressure is on to protect this pristine resource which is so vital to recreation, tourism and the overall economy of our state. Last fall, AIS were detected in the Tiber Reservoir east of Shelby, while suspicious samples were drawn form the Canyon Ferry Reservoir, the Missouri River below Toston Dam and the Milk River. While zebra and quagga mussels have been present in waterways from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast, Montana has been fortunate up u...
The Double Arrow Ranch Land Owners Association (DARLOA) and the residents of Double Arrow Ranch (DAR) are committed to ensuring that the community of Seeley Lake—by any measure, a breathtaking piece of paradise where we live, recreate, create memories of the past and dreams of the future--remains as vibrant and beautiful as it is today for future generations to enjoy. Many of the residents of the DAR support local conservation, arts, philanthropy and recreational projects, initiative and activities. By way of example, we have DAR residents l...
Have you ever wondered why you feel so great after a swim in Rainey Lake, a walk to Morrell Falls or a bike ride around Seeley Lake? Is it the refreshing exercise? Is it the awe-inspiring scenery? Could it be the wonderful smells? Florence Williams, in her book “The Nature Fix” argues it is all of these and more. We are incredibly blessed in Seeley Lake. Two wilderness areas, abundant lakes and rivers, verdant forests and amazing trails surround us. There is no better place to experience “The Nature Fix.” Have you “lost track of time” whi...
The Nature Conservancy (TNC), along with our partners at the Blackfoot Challenge and Five Valleys Land Trust, invite members of the community to celebrate restoration and land protection with our third-annual "Revive and Thrive" event on Sunday, July 23. It's a chance for people to lend a hand sprucing up a favorite, or even not so well known, spot on TNC's Clearwater Blackfoot Project land. This year we'll be working on a new loop trail at the headwaters of Fawn Creek, not far from Seeley...
Montana's Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are plants or animals that are non-native to Montana ecosystems, meaning they do not have natural diseases or predators to keep them in check. If introduced, their populations explode damaging the ecosystem they have invaded, impacting Montana's economic, environmental and/or human health. Anyone who works or plays in and around water can unknowingly transport AIS and once established, complete eradication is usually impossible or prohibitively...
SEELEY LAKE - I love my job! As the Outdoor Education Program Coordinator at Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE), I get to work with kids of all ages and develop programs for them that require reaching out to local folks and outside organizations to help provide engaging, hands-on, academically rich content. I'm still amazed and inspired by the generosity and willingness of people to drop everything and lend a hand for the sake of the kids. Seeley Lake Elementary's Outdoor Program has been fortunate...
SEELEY LAKE - Happy spring! Thanks to the Pathfinder for allowing me this opportunity to provide an update on what’s happening on the Seeley Lake Ranger District. I want to provide what I hope is valuable information as you plan your summer activities whether you are working or recreating as year-round or seasonal residents or Forest visitors. Upcoming road work this summer will improve road-driving conditions and also provide some resource protection for local streams. Planned work includes road blading, road surface improvement, basic d...
The 2017 Montana State Legislative session generated a lot of coverage from both local and national media on bicycles using our state roadways. Much of this press shone a negative spotlight on our state: HB-267, the Safe Passing Bill, which would have required drivers to provide cyclists a minimum of three feet when passing was defeated in the Senate with Senate President Scott Sales garnering national headlines for his disparaging comments about cyclists. Senator Sales generated even more controversy when he attached an amendment to SB-363, a...
SEELEY LAKE - New for Placid and Salmon Lake State Parks are campsites designed for a growing number of users, hike and bike campsites. Montana Department of Commerce provided construction funding to Montana State Parks for the creation and enhancement of "hike & bike campsites" at four state parks. The parks chosen were selected based upon the current popular corridors of bicycle traffic and intended to support the growing trend of bicycle tourism in western Montana. Those campers who have...
by Elaine Caton (Swan Program Coordinator), Karen Laitala (Weed Coordinator), Zoe Leake (Intern), Sara Schmidt (Outreach Coordinator) and Jennifer Schoonen (Water Steward) Staying On Top of Invasives – The New and the Old This coming Monday, the Blackfoot Challenge and Powell County Weed District will host an update on invasive weed control strategies at the Ovando School Gym. Karen Laitala, Weed Coordinator for both groups, says she is pulling the event together in response to landowner i...
SEELEY LAKE - And the Seeley Lake real estate market is heating up! You would think the snow and extreme cold of this past winter would cool the real estate market off but not so far this spring! There has been a steady stream of buyers for months. Buyer demand has stayed strong throughout the winter season this year and the supply of homes for sale is not keeping up. This is great news for sellers! There are currently 39 active homes listed on the MLS in Seeley Lake. However, the homes available for sale may not meet the needs of the buyers...
It's hard to find anyone who is unaware of the invasive mussel problem in Montana. The positive finding of invasive mussels in Tiber Reservoir is resulting in significant effects on recreational boating across the state. As we are approaching ice-off and a new boating season, we need to be aware of and prepared for this 'new normal'. Following an open comment period, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved several rules related to boating in Montana in an effort to prevent overland...
This year marks Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited's (BBCTU) 30th Anniversary. It's hard to believe it was back in 1987 when BBCTU held their first meeting initiated by a group of thoughtful landowners who were concerned about the state of the Blackfoot River. They had noticed a major decline in the fishery and for those of you familiar with the amount of focus this watershed receives these days, you may find it hard to believe that during those years, no biologists were out collecting...
As the seemingly endless winter snows begin to turn to rain and our valley snowmelt begins to fill our streams and wetlands, it finally appears that spring is here. A winter like this one is an uncommon event, maybe occurring once every 10 to 20 years. For some of the wildlife in the Blackfoot watershed these events can be life giving times of plenty. For others, it can be a struggle to survive with many losing the battle. The winners tend to be those species with adaptations for deep snows and...
Connectivity-it's a hot buzzword when it comes to wildlife. But what does it really mean? At The Vital Ground Foundation, connectivity shapes our organizational vision. A dozen years ago, when the foundation moved from Utah to Montana and became a working land trust focused on grizzly bear recovery, it was connectivity that drew us quickly to the Swan Valley. "We don't need to save thousands and thousands of acres," explains biologist and Vital Ground trustee Douglas Chadwick. "We just need to...
Open burning is officially underway for the 2017 spring season. It's important for you to know the local burning seasons and what you can burn. With the exception of small cooking or recreational fires, every fire ignited in Missoula County, including those on public lands, require a Burn Permit. If you want to burn yard waste (leaves, grass, branches) or manage vegetation (agriculture or forested property), you can burn outdoors in the spring with a General Outdoor Burn Permit available March...
