The Blackfoot Challenge Inc

“Board of directors are generally emailed a copy of the Form 990 prior to submission to review and ask questions.”

“Any potential conflicts of interests are disclosed to the board and recorded in the minutes. The interested director abstains from voting on the matter.”

“Regarding compensation, the board seeks out comparable compensation information where it is available for comparable jobs and contacts national organizations for positions such as program coordinators.”

“Governing documents and financial statements are made available to the public upon request.”

“ROUNDING = -$1”

“The organization is increasingly focused on diversifying income streams to carry out our mission. In 2023, 21% of income came from Private Foundations; 13% from Corporations; 7% from Individuals; and 4% from Events, Tours, and Specialty License Plates. Another 43% of income is derived from State and Federal Agreements, much of which is used as cost-share in landowner-initiated conservation projects. (In 2023, investments was unchanged at 13%.)BLACKFOOT COMMUNITY CONSERVATION AREA:Implemented 60 acres of forest treatments in the Larch Unit to improve stand resilience.Received a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) EQIP contract as part of the North Ovando Fuel Reduction Targeted Implementation Plan for 270 acres along the north boundary of the BCCA Core. Developed a detailed forestry prescription, aiming to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires while enhancing wildlife habitat.Coordinated with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on future cross-boundary forest management/habitat projects.Controlled invasive weeds on road systems, forest treatment areas, and native prairies through integrated approaches across 150 acres including biological controls, chemical application, and hand-pulling. Hosted multiple volunteer days with university and hunter groups (more than 80 volunteers) to remove old fences and pull noxious weeds. Projects improved conditions and saved thousands of dollars. Hosted multiple presentations on and about the BCCA to visiting groups including local schools, university, and international groups. Provided year-round public access on 5,600 acres, including hiking trails, 8-week motorized use season, and hunting via the Block Management Program.Maintained and expanded 3-mile hiking trail system.Completed road improvements and opened a seasonal, cross-boundary motorized loop in 2023 in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Implemented the NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program completing multiple conservation enhancements, including wildlife friendly fencing, forest treatments, noxious weed control, and vegetation monitoring. Installed two beaver dam analogs as a demonstration to enhance wetland habitat, reconnect flood plain, and improve late season stock water. EDUCATION:Provided hands-on, investigative outdoor snowpack science experiences to students at Lincoln, Helmville, and Ovando schools.Coordinated forestry lessons for students at Sunset School.Presented on collaborative stewardship to Helena High School students.Delivered bear education activities to youth fishing camp attendees at North Fork Crossing Lodge.Provided aquatic ecology activities with students from Seeley Lake Elementary and the Montana Outdoor Science Academy.Hosted more than 100 middle school students from five watershed schools during our annual Youth Field Day on the Rolling Stone Ranch near Ovando. Blackfoot Challenge staff along with local ranchers provided hands-on activities about ranching and stewardship that met science standards and made learning fun.Alongside multiple program staff, planned, coordinated, and directed weeklong field course on collaborative conservation and natural resource science for students from Shattuck-St. Marys School in Minnesota.Used the drone to document BCCA larch thinning project, biochar application on ranch lands, and prescribed fire on the Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA.FORESTRY:Facilitated 169 acres of prescribed burning on private lands and supported public partner burns across more than 1,400 acres.Completed 378 acres of forest thinning to improve forest health and reduce fire risk.Conducted six outreach / education tours or events throughout the Blackfoot to showcase prescribed fire effects and efforts.Hosted the Annual Fire Learning Network workshop for dozens of agency and NGO partners who work in fire-prone landscapes.LAND STEWARDSHIP:Partnered with NRCS on the development of the new fuel reduction initiative. The proposal was”

“WILDLIFEEmployed Elk Hunt Coordinator to work with hunters on hunting opportunities and scheduled hunts on participating ranches during the elk hunt shoulder seasons.Conducted winter surveys in the Southwest Crown of the Continent for lynx, wolverine, wolves, mountain lions, marten and bobcat.Installed 6 new electric fences and 9 new drive-over electric mat systems (added to 21 existing mats) to deter grizzly bears from home sites and prevent bears from getting into conflict. Also provided fence materials to protect 3 bee yards,1 chicken coop, 1 goat pen and 1 hobby farm.Removed 330 carcasses from Blackfoot-area ranches to reduce attractants for bears and wolves. Expanded the program to two communities outside the watershed. Since 2003, we have had more than 120 participating ranches and landowners, and more than 11,200 carcasses have been moved to the composting site Hosted interactive Be Bear Aware programs at five watershed schools; hosted a training for staff at an area guest ranch; presented a livestock guard dog workshop to share how dogs may be used to prevent conflicts with bears and wolves.Provided a team of staff and board to consult with Colorado wildlife managers and landowners as they consider conflict management tools for reintroduced wolves. Completed a film about the Blackfoot Challenge Wildlife Program, showcasing the carnivore conflict reduction tools that have been used in the Blackfoot watershed.Employed 2 range riders to monitor livestock and wolf/grizzly movement across 72,000 acres to prevent conflicts.Provided 15 bear-resistant garbage bins to area residents and helped purchase another 35 bins with state and federal partners to support Seeley Lakes Clearwater Bear Smart efforts.Assisted with a new bear-aware opportunity at the Old Salt Festival, helping educate hundreds of guests on containing attractants and ensuring no conflicts with bears. Collected grizzly bear hair samples throughout the watershed in partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to support research efforts.”