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We climbed up Napa Point, approaching the tree line as the forest thinned, a few ambitious Doug firs and whitebark pines clinging onto the ridgeline. I was surprised to see a heavy layer of snow in May, and a bit perturbed, having not thought to bring my gaiters. I was participating in Swan Valley Connection's (SVC) Wildlife in the West program, taking nine credits on wildlife conservation and ecology. Today we were out with SVC's conservation director, Luke Lamar, to learn about the plight of...
A wetland in a valley with a swan swimming by would have looked pretty enticing for a westward settler on the heels of Lewis and Clark, and not just because it was beautiful scene. The habitat's maker could likely be guessed, and at the time, the real value seen in a wetland was in the beaver pelts it could offer, or, once the industrious rodents were removed, in the pasture it could promise. Although wetlands were buggy, fickle, and, well...wet, few homesteaders would have passed up a flat...
When we think of October, trick or treating, pumpkins and fall foliage come to mind. But at Missoula Electric Cooperative (MEC) and fellow cooperatives across the country, October is notable for another reason – National Cooperative Month! This is the time of year when cooperatives celebrate what makes us different and most importantly, the members and communities we serve! Cooperatives are different than other businesses. When the market fails to offer a product or service, or does so at a s...
Native westslope cutthroat and bull trout come to the Copper Creek tributary of the Blackfoot River for the cold, clean water. Copper Creek is especially attractive to spawning trout because groundwater wells up into the stream through gravel beds in many places. This groundwater permeates trout spawning nests (redds) and keeps their incubating eggs well oxygenated and free of silt. The great trout habitat in Copper Creek is probably why a westslope cutthroat wearing a Montana Fish, Wildlife...
The 2019 fire season has come to a close. There were 142 wildfires suppressed in west central Montana. In our communities, 2019 will be remembered as a welcome respite from wildfire smoke. Wildfire conditions in Idaho, Oregon and Washington were much like ours, so smoke wasn't drifting in from the west as it has in recent years. Even though there was a typical number of wildfire starts, live fuel moistures were high most of the summer due to intermittent wetting rains. Live fuel moistures in the...
Most of us have or will rent a residence at some point in our lives. It can be overwhelming dealing with finances, paperwork, documents, understanding your rights and what’s expected as a tenant. It’s just as important to know about your landlord’s responsibilities in maintaining your rental, handling documents, policies and communicating with their tenants. As a licensed property manager, I frequently get calls from tenants other than my own asking about their rights. They are concerned about living conditions, confused about security deposit...
As the season tapers into fall this month, we wrap up another beautiful Montana summer. While our gardens may be getting ready for their winter's rest, a little planning ahead this time of year can charm you with plentiful blooms next spring. With a small investment and a little work, fall planted bulbs offer beginner and Master Gardeners alike an abundance of early color and fragrance to welcome spring. Since bulbs are large and easy to handle, they are great for kids to plant, making this a...
OVANDO - The Blackfoot Challenge is pleased to announce the hiring of Seth Wilson as Executive Director. Wilson assumed the position full-time on Sept. 3, concluding the organization's eight-month national search. As the organization's first Wildlife Coordinator in 2001, Wilson brings with him a wealth of knowledge about the unique issues facing the Blackfoot watershed as well as an intimate understanding of the collaborative approach that has come to define the organization's success. "I am...
Immersing yourself in a beaver colony is something all outdoorsy people should experience. There are few habitats in Montana that more resemble a jungle than a good beaver colony. Explore one and you will find yourself in a maze of side channels and backwaters choked with thick vegetation and interspersed with open meadows, broad ponds and a seemingly endless variety of wildlife species. The abundance and diversity of wildlife is no coincidence; it results from the work of a "keystone species"...
If you've visited Nature Conservancy land in the Seeley-Swan area in the past few months, there's a good chance that you've run into Tayler Templin. An avid camper, hiker, angler and photographer, this 2019 University of Montana graduate is putting her skills to work as TNC's Recreation and Stewardship Intern. Tayler graduated in May with a degree in Parks, Tourism and Recreational Resources Management. Every day, Tayler is out on the ground making sure that everyone can enjoy and protect these...
As I further advance into elder years, I have more appreciation for this poem by Mary Oliver. "The Summer Day" Who made the world? Who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean-- the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down -- who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her...
SEELEY LAKE - Those of us who have chosen the Seeley Lake area as a place to visit or live have many reasons: the beauty of our mountains, solitude whenever we desire and neighbors who share our friendship and values. Part of what makes our area special is its grounding in the history of those who built our community. Unlike the Missoula, Blackfoot and Bitterroot Valleys, that had easier access by horse and wagon, the Seeley-Swan region took a special kind of determination. We are fortunate to be just a couple of generations removed from these...
For several years there has been an active dialogue regarding risks associated with recreation in wildlands and concern for the safety of people who choose to do so. Much of this discussion has been focused on interactions between grizzly bears and humans when running or mountain biking on trails. There is strong and expanding interest from the public in partaking in these activities (and many others) on the Flathead National Forest and other forested public lands. There are several proposed...
This time of year, native elderberries really stand out in Missoula County with their fragrant delicate flowers in full bloom. You might have seen them along roadsides, trails or maybe in your own backyard! Our native blue elderberry, Sambucus cerulea, grows in diverse habitats from mountains, hills, valleys, open woodlands and forests. However, riparian zones are among the favorite spots due to the preferred abundant soil moisture. These shrubs can grow to a height of about six to sixteen feet...
Noxious weeds have destructive impacts on Montana's landscape including displacing native plant species, increasing soil erosion and decreasing wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. Rangeland, pastureland, cropland, forests and wildlands comprise 92 million acres, or 98 percent of the total land area, in Montana. Both new and continued infestations of these non-native species not only reduce the productivity of cropland and rangeland, but infestations of noxious weeds also negatively...
A legendary advocate for wild country, 27-year-old Bob Marshall hiked an astounding 288 miles in eight days during the summer of 1928. Much of his arduous backcountry trip took place in the wilderness that would later bear his name. Over the years I have explored and hiked much of the area in the Mission Mountains that Bob Marshall visited during the final two days of his trip 91 years ago. I climbed most of the mountains he climbed and camped in the same area he camped. While Bob Marshall...
As summer is approaching the seasonal population influx around Seeley Lake begins. The campgrounds and outdoor activities will become much more active as the community wakes up. This increase in movement begins an increase in our highway traffic. Visitors unfamiliar with our scenic roads will not be as attentive toward driving, as people tend to look at surroundings rather than focusing on the road. Motor vehicle accidents happen. Should an accident occur please consider the following: • 911 should be called immediately and emergency crews w...
In New Delhi, India, the summer air is heavy with humidity while the stifling heat serves to wring every last bit of magic out of a gin and tonic, long on gin, but short-changed with precious ice. The smog can be oppressive, hanging over the ancient city like a bad dream. The constant racket of the rickshaws' (tuk-tuks) horns and bells can wear on the traveling soul, like fingernails dragging endlessly down a chalkboard. The sea of humanity seems to have no beginning, no end. Waves of people,...
12 SALES START ON PACE WITH 2018 RECORD YEAR The market continues to be strong and very consistent in sales and upward value trends in Seeley Lake and Condon. The local market is maintaining a great balance and generally is not tipped in favor of either buyers or sellers being at a negotiating advantage. Summer is generally the "selling season" and now through September is when a majority of the sales in the valley close. New home construction continues throughout the valley, a drive through t...
Each spring, there's a subset of grizzly bears that act like teenagers cut loose from home for the first time. With mother bears turning their attention to mating or younger cubs, the two- or three-year old sub-adults start getting ignored and kicked out. Parentless for the first time, these young grizzlies walk into a world of stimuli that they're still learning to interpret. It can be a dangerous time. It was two of those freewheeling subadult grizzlies that a boater recently filmed swimming...
Prior to John James Audubon's birth in 1785, not much was known about bird migration. Some people believed birds went underground in winter, hibernating like bears. Some thought waterfowl spent the winter under the ice. Others believed birds turned into other birds in winter. One silly scientist even suggested birds flew to the moon in autumn and returned in spring. In 1805, Audubon discovered a cave where eastern phoebes returned to nest each spring. He tied silver thread around the legs of...
With spring weather teasing us occasionally, I can't help but think what a difference a year makes! Missoula Electric Cooperative's (MEC's) 2019 winter maintenance season, which runs from November to April, was much different when compared to our 2018 season. While most rang in 2018 with loved ones, many of the dedicated employees at MEC were working tirelessly to restore power that was lost during a New Year's storm that wreaked havoc on the northern part of our system, including Seeley Lake....
A new annual invasive grass is on the horizon, literally. Just down the highway from the town of Seeley Lake, Ventenata dubia is taking hold along our roadways. Though Ventenata is newly arriving in our corner of the county, it is increasingly becoming widespread in the state of Montana. New populations are being identified every summer and current populations seem to be moving/growing at a rapid pace. Land managers around the West are reporting this invasive grass to be more challenging to...
The North Fork Blackfoot River is an iconic Montana River. Flowing through the heart of the Blackfoot Watershed, the North Fork is a stronghold for native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout owing to its crystal clear and ice-cold waters. Even if you don't cast a fly, you will find yourself mesmerized by the kaleidoscope of river rock framing the river bed. This river is not only important to trout, it is also very important to the landowners living nearby, many of whom are sixth generation...
In recent years, agencies and homeowners alike have raised the question "How can a fire adapted community benefit me?" It's not until we start asking around to other communities in the northwest do we actually have our eyes opened to the possibilities and the benefits we may reap if we could strive for a common goal. When dealing with the impacts of a wildfire, the best way to get through a wildfire event is to stick together as a community and support each other. What if we prepared earlier...
