An interesting and insightful “Looking Back” forest tour on the Seeley Lake and Swan Lake National Forest Ranger Districts was recently held in July. The event was very informative and reflective of the complexity and difficulty in satisfying the many desired conditions and services required in Seeley and Swan Valley forest landscapes. Topics of discussion varied widely but extensively addressed issues on forest health, forest biodiversity, wildfire, habitat for grizzly bears, Canada lynx, bull trout, and watershed health, just to name a few.
The field trip was sponsored by the Southwest Crown Collaborative (SWCC) and Montana Forest Collaborative Network, and led by Lolo National Forest Seeley Lake District Ranger, Quinn Carver, and Flathead National Forest Swan Lake District Ranger, Chris Dowling. With these dedicated and highly experienced people, the tour was rich in comprehensive knowledge and expertise conducting on the ground natural resource conservation projects. Tim Love, past Seeley Lake District Ranger, provided additional historical context.
Participants were given insightful perspectives from current and past National Forest specialists in wildlife, silviculture, forest health, resource planning and management decision makers. Input and discussion included insight and perspectives from experts from the SWCC participants.
The participants observed and reflected on the outcome of a project conducted 20 years ago, the Clearwater Stewardship project. Future planned projects were also visited including the Highway 83 project in the Seeley Lake District and the Rumbling Owl project in the Swan Lake District. Participants discussed these projects with consideration of growing concerns for ecosystem integrity, funding needs, recreation trends, changing dynamics in ecological function, changing social dynamics, conflicting values and economic drivers all required in forest managers’ decision making.
The participants enjoyed a pleasant lunch sponsored by the SWCC at the Holland Lake recreation site and participated in further discussions on the lessons learned. The result of the Looking Back tour left each participant with new knowledge, understanding, and greater admiration for the precious forest landscapes available to all to enjoy in the Seeley and Swan Valleys.
The topic of human activities entered virtually every project stop where issues of economic sustainability, recreation, private land home ownership, and escalating number of tourists visiting the forest yearly were discussed. Participants expressed awareness and concern on the impact of forest landscape management challenges in addressing ecological health in respect to growing human activity in the Crown of the Continent Ecoregion.
Additional proposed tours by the SWCC are planned for later this summer and fall to examine other proposed project sites. Contact the Clearwater Resource Council (CRC) office at 3166 MT Hwy 83, ste 202 in Seeley Lake to learn more about CRC and the SWCC partnership (www.crcmt.org). Consider joining these and other groups who are working to ensure healthy terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the Seeley and Swan Valleys for both present and future generations of people to enjoy.
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