Wetland Stewardship Awards
2011 Winners:
Gordon Cattle Company
Henry Gordon and his daughter, Trisha of the Gordon Cattle Company in northern Blaine County exemplify ranchers practicing solid land stewardship and a deep commitment to conservation. Twenty years ago, they began restoring shallow wetland habitats resulting in about 100 acres of wetland creation or restoration. They place a conservation easement on 15,000 acres of deeded lands that consists predominately of native grassland, shrub land, and wetland habitat in spite of increasing pressures to convert native range to cropland. In addition, they instituted a rest-rotation grazing system and developed alternative water resources on about 40,000 acres of rangeland to help minimize impacts on wetland/riparian areas and improve nesting cover for upland birds and waterfowl. The Gordon Cattle Company's commitment has ensured that a large contiguous block of grasslands with important wetland habitat will remain for future generations. Their conservation accomplishments are of landscape proportions.
Flathead River to Lake Initiative
The Flathead River to Lake Initiative is recognized for outstanding achievement in building a diverse partnership and working with private landowners to protect and restore critical wetlands and riparian habitat along the Flathead River and at the North Shore of Flathead Lake. Since 2000, the partnership has protected over 5,000 acres of critical lands, including 1,200 wetland acres, and restored over 5,000 feet of river banks. One recent highlight is the Louden family conservation project. Eight family members voluntarily conserved 1,088 acres on seven parcels that stretch along 3.7 miles of the Flathead River, including Church Slough, an important oxbow lake. R2L partners Marilyn Wood, Executive Director, Flathead Land Trust, and Gael Bissell, wildlife biologist, MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks were key to the success of this project. R2L partners bring various strengths, skills, and resources to the initiative to achieve common goals, including protecting clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, productive farm lands, recreational opportunities, and scenic beauty.
2009 Winners:
Jim and Cindy Kittredge, Bird Creek Ranch near Cascade Montana
The Kittredge's have shown an extraordinary level of commitment and stewardship on the Bird Creek Ranch. They worked with multiple partners to install 8 miles of riparian fencing, restored 118 acres of wetlands, and completed conservation easements covering the entire 2,293 acre ranch including over 300 acres of wetlands. Jim and Cindy also have a strong interest in education youth and showcasing a stewardship ethic for other working landowners. They have continued a valued tradition of allowing public hunting. In addition, the Kittredge's have encouraged scientific monitoring; demonstrating a truly comprehensive approach to wetland and riparian restoration and conservation.
Tim Griffiths, NRCS Bozeman Area Biologist
Tim Griffiths has a keen ability to work with private landowners on wetland conservation in Southwestern Montana. He has completed 11 wetland restoration projects with 4 additional projects in progress involving over 51,000 feet of streams and 807 acres of adjacent wetlands. Within NRCS he developed the use of technical service providers to expedite stream and wetland project implementation. Tim has also worked with two school districts to involve students in the long term monitoring of restored aquatic systems. Tim's passion for wildlife and wildlife habitat is evident in his work and approach to partnerships and resulting restoration success.
- Award Brochure
- Award Certificates
- Press Release
- Photos
2007 Winners:
Jim Stone, Rolling Stone Ranch, Ovando Montana
Jim Stone and his family are recognized for their long history of extensive wetland and watershed restoration beginning in 1992 and continuing through today. Jim has restored over 375 acres of wetland, enhanced 135 acres, and restored more than 2 miles of streams on their ranch. The Rolling Stone Ranch has placed more than 2,400 acres into perpetual conservation easement, remover seven fish barriers, integrated weed management on 2,400 acres, and enhanced grazing systems on more than 2,200 acres oft he ranch. The Rolling Stone Ranch is a model of private land stewardship.
Gary Sullivan, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Dave Carr, The Nature Conservancy
Gary Sullivan and Dave Carr are jointly recognized for their vital role in a partnership between a federal agency and a conservation group which has resulted in protection of over 2,500 acres of wetlands along the Rocky Mountain Front. Due to their dedication, passion and creativity, millions of dollars were raised to purchase over 60,000 acres of perpetual conservation easements. Gary and Dave believe strongly that private landowners and communities must have a voice in natural resource decisions. This commitment to public outreach has generated widespread support for wetland and landscape conservation along the Rocky Mountain Front.
2005 Winners:
Laszlo Family, Granger Ranches, Madison Valley near Ennis Montana
This fifth-generation Montana cattle ranching family is working with public and private partners including: the Montana Wetlands Legacy, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, PPL Montana, Trust for Public Land, Montana Land Reliance, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to restore and permanently protect part of the O'Dell Creek Headwaters Wetlands, one of the largest, most ecologically valuable wetland complexes in southwest Montana. The 900-acre partially drained wetland and surrounding riparian and upland area is some of the highest quality riparian and wetland habitat in the entire Madison River floodplain. This Wetland Stewardship Award honors the Laszlo Family for their vision and commitment to restore and protect this vital piece of Montana's heritage.
Tom Hinz, Montana Wetlands Legacy Coordinator
May 2005 marks the five-year anniversary of the creation of the Montana Wetlands Legacy, a voluntary, incentive-based partnership dedicated to conserving Montana's wetland, riparian areas, and associated uplands. Legacy Partners include private landowners, local and statewide land trust organizations, watershed groups, local, state tribal, and federal governments, and non-profit organizations committed to helping the Legacy achieve its goals. In 2000, the Legacy partnership set a five-year goal to protect 250,000 acres of these important habitats. This Wetland Stewardship Award honors Tom Hinz as the Legacy Coordinator and recognizes the valuable contribution and success of Legacy Partners for achieving their shared goal.
- Award Brochure
- Press Release
- Photos
2003 Winners:
Larry Weeks, Volunteer working with Smurfitt-Stone Container Restoration
Larry Weeks, a retired Smurfitt-Stone Container employee, volunteered to partner with the company to manage and restore corporation land along the Clark Fork River. His work since 1998 has restored a 40 acre wetland and protected several reaches of the Clark Fork River. These restoration and management efforts have improved wildlife habitat in an area facing increased development and habitat degradation.
Gordon Stockstad, Resources Bureau Chief, Montana Department of Transportation
Gordon Stockstad in his role as MDT Bureau Chief has gone beyond the minimum Clean Water Act requirements regulating dredging and filling of wetlands. He was responsible for leading the innovative wetland mitigation program for the MDT. Gordon embraced cooperative and collaborative approaches to wetland and stream protection during his career and we offer congratulation on his upcoming retirement.
2000 Winners:
Mary Bradshaw, H2-O Ranch, Helmville Montana
Mary Bradshaw has been a key landowner in Blackfoot Watershed protection. She demonstrated her commitment by restoring and enhancing over 50 wetlands totaling over 200 acres when she acquired theH2-O Ranch. These wetland basins provide habitat for migratory birds that traverse 2 continents and over 20 countries. She then took two remarkable stewardship steps; donating a conservation easement on the ranch to the Montana Land Reliance and donating the H2-O Ranch to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This gift ensures that this unique wetland rich area is preserved in perpetuity.
Brian Maiorano, Missoula County Floodplain Administrator
Brian Maiorano received an EPA Wetland Program Development grant to design and implement a study to evaluate stream stabilization impacts in Missoula County. The study showed that 25% of stream miles surveyed had been artificially stabilized by riprap. Based on that research, Brain proposed and drafted amendments to the 1975 County floodplain regulations to include riparian protection provisions. He shepherded those amendments through to adoption by the Missoula County Commissioners an shared his experience with other working on floodplain management and wetland protection state-wide.
