MISSOULA — Oktoberfest may be over, but The Nature Conservancy and Kettlehouse Brewery have extended the season with the launch of the month-long OktoberForest in Montana. The campaign is making beer fans aware of the critical link between the health of America’s forests and beer’s main ingredient—water.
More than 90 percent of beer is water and more than 50 percent of America’s water comes from our forests.
Montana’s forests help shade streams, lakes and snow from evaporation and keep waters cool for fish; the forest floor helps filter sediment; and tree roots help hold soil together so it can store water like a sponge.
Recently more severe fires, drought and increased pest damage have threatened our forests. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that about half of its forested lands are in need of restoration in order to maintain natural benefits for people, water and wildlife.
In Montana more than 36 breweries are within 10 miles of a Forest Service watershed, 19 of which are either already impaired or at-risk to the worst effects of fire, pests and climate.
“Clean water is not only paramount to making great beer, it allows us amazing recreational opportunities in our own backyard,” said Zeb Harrington, Operations Manager for Kettlehouse. “We strive to match the quality of our beer to the quality of the Montana outdoor experience. Those are two of the primary reasons we located our new production facility on the banks of the Blackfoot River. Further, the sustainability of our brewery is something we put tremendous effort into so we can protect the resources that makes our business possible. Teaming up with The Nature Conservancy to promote OktoberForest was a great fit.”
The Nature Conservancy in Montana is helping to restore forests across the Crown of the Continent. Their purchase of more than 510,000 acres of former industrial timber land secures the future of forests for public access to work and play as well as for restoration and recovery.
“We know Montanans are proud of their beer,” says The Nature Conservancy’s Chris Bryant, “but they’re even prouder about the quality of our forests and rivers. Here in Western Montana, one of the main reasons the Conservancy is working to restore forests in places like our Clearwater-Blackfoot Project is to protect the waters on which both people and nature depend. We are thrilled to partner with Kettlehouse on the OktoberForest campaign,”
Everyone can participate in OktoberForest by visiting http://www.OktoberForest.org:
1. Take the quiz—how much do you know about forests, water, and beer?
2. Check out the map— how healthy are the forests around your favorite brewery?
3. Take the pledge—talk to your friends and favorite breweries about OktoberForest!
4. Post—your favorite forest and brewery photos to Twitter and Instagram at #OktoberForest
Five Forest Facts:
• The United States is home to the world’s oldest, tallest, and most massive trees.
• America’s forests generate more than $13 billion in income for businesses and communities.
• Our forests provide 1 million square miles of outdoor recreation space for families, campers, hikers, backpackers, hunters, and anglers.
• The nation’s nine worst fire years have all come since 2000 (cumulative records starting in 1960). Last year was our worst fire year with more than 10 million acres burned.
• Non-native pests have killed more than 150 million trees since 1990.
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