The road that used to go around the south end of Tupper's Lake was turned into a foot path during the Revive and Thrive work party Sunday, July 24. This will reduce the amount of sediment loading and erosion that was going into the lake. There are parking areas at either end of the trail.
Volunteers helped install a "beaver deceiver" at the outlet of Tupper's Lake. This will allow the beaver to still attempt to build their dam, however they won't be able to plug the culvert. The Nature Conservancy will also be able to regulate the water levels in the lake using the mechanism at the end of the culvert.
Attendees had the opportunity to visit with several local organizations and non-profit conservation organizations. Many of them had games for the children.
SEELEY LAKE – More than 50 volunteers gathered at Tupper's Lake Sunday, July 24 for the second annual Revive and Thrive event hosted by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Following their work putting in a trail around the lake, installing a beaver deceiver and helping with general clean up, they were treated to a catered lunch and celebration with the rest of the community.
The Tupper's Lake restoration project was a small part of the restoration work being done as a part of the Clearwater-Blackfoot Project, 117,152 acres of land acquired in the Blackfoot Valley from Plum Creek in October, 2014.
TNC obtained the land use license from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to install a foot path across 1,200 feet of State Trust Lands on the north end of the lake. They also were given approval by the Missoula County Commissioners to alter the rights of the old road along the south lakeshore and turn it into a trail.
Volunteers from the Kettlehouse Brewing Company in Bonner, Mont., Montana Conservation Corps, DNRC Clearwater Unit firefighters, Placid Lake landowners and members of the community helped build the trail around the lake. There is less than 150 feet left to be built that will be completed by a youth camp this summer.
"The DNRC and Missoula County have been awesome to work with," said TNC's Western Montana Land Protection Director Chris Bryant. "We got a lot of work done."
Missoula County Commissioner Cola Rowley attended the event.
"I'm grateful to work with people who recognize the value of what we have before it's gone and are working hard and strategically to protect and enhance it," said Rowley. "The TNC's acquisition of Plum Creek land, in this recreation and resource rich area helps, achieve the goals of the Seeley Lake Use Plan, benefits residents, opens recreation opportunities which attracts visitors and boosts the economy. By restoring the riparian area around this lake, water quality will be maintained and improved benefiting wildlife, fisheries and those who rely on this watershed."
During the celebration, attendees enjoyed a lunch catered by Balsamroot Catering from Potomac. There were also several organizations that had activities for children to learn more about wetlands and animals of the area.
"The Blackfoot Challenge and The Nature Conservancy have had a relationship for the past 15 years in the Blackfoot watershed as Plum Creek has sold land. We've been able to drive future ownership through a community driven process," said Blackfoot Challenge Outreach Coordinator Sara Schmidt. "The Blackfoot Challenge is excited to be helping coordinate community participation and understanding what the Clearwater Blackfoot Project is and help direct what future public and private conservation ownership looks like."
The Blackfoot Challenge and TNC will be hosting more community discussions in August to help identify specific places people care about in regards to public use, wildlife and conservation. There will be a meeting in Bonner Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. with location to be announced. Wednesday, Aug. 10 there will be a meeting at 6 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Community Hall followed by a meeting at Lubrecht Thursday, Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend to learn more about what has been done and share their thoughts on what they would like to see TNC be working on in the future.
Reader Comments(0)