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 he 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.”

“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.”

“Our 2024 program accomplishments include:BLACKFOOT COMMUNITY CONSERVATION AREA Implemented 240 acres of forest mechanical treatments to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve stand resilience. Worked with Blackfoot Challenge Forestry & Prescribed Fire Coordinator and University of Montana to initiate prescribed burn plans for 5 management units. Controlled invasive weeds on road systems, forest treatment areas, and native prairies through integrated approaches across 100 acres including biological controls, chemical application, and hand-pulling. Hosted multiple events with university and volunteer groups to pull noxious weeds, remove old fence wire, and maintain beaver dam analogs. Participated in educational programs on the BCCA with area school groups, reaching more than 80 students. Maintained the 3-mile hiking/skiing trail system including annual mowing/grooming. Administered and maintained the new seasonal, cross-boundary motorized loop 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. Maintained two beaver dam analogs as a demonstration to enhance wetland habitat, reconnect flood plain, and improve late season stock water. Installed additional off-stream stock tank to reduce pressure on riparian area and support the rotational grazing system. EDUCATION Provided live raptor program at Lincoln School. Led two field trips with Seeley Lake Elementary School Outdoor Program to learn about and observe trumpeter swans and common loons. Provided hands-on lessons on aquatic macroinvertebrates for students from two schools at Montana Outdoor Science Academy. Led field trips on stream ecology for students from Helmville and Lincoln schools. Delivered radio telemetry lessons to Ovando School students. Presented on collaborative conservation and wildlife conflict reduction methods to visiting Helena High School class. Offered bear awareness events for students at multiple watershed schools. Offered noxious weed education to students at Helmville and Sunset schools. Implemented a full day of education activities about water and fire for more than 120 students, teachers, and parents from six watershed schools at the DNRC Clearwater Unit for the annual Youth Field Day. Hosted a week-long field course for five students and two teachers from Shattuck St. Marys School, including field-based learning about collaborative conservation. FORESTRY Facilitated 600+ acres of prescribed burning on state and private lands and supported federal partner burns across another 600+ acres. Completed 589 acres of forest thinning to improve forest health and reduce fire risk. Conducted 14 outreach / education tours or events throughout the Blackfoot to showcase prescribed fire effects and efforts. Helped form the new Montana Prescribed Fire Council (hosted by Montana DNRC). Participated in a two-week prescribed fire Training Exchange (TREX) in Nebraska. Began planning a Blackfoot Valley TREX for spring of 2025 for prescribed fire field training and experience. LAND STEWARDSHIP Conducted multiple property assessments and landowner meetings associated with NRCS stewardship programs resulting in greater awareness and participation. Completed over 500 acres of private lands forest treatments under multiple to mitigate catastrophic wildfires and increase forest resiliency. Developed private lands grazing and riparian management plans for multiple stream protection projects. Completed Biochar Demonstration Project including the transfer of over 500 tons of biochar to 6 ranches, application and monitoring of outcomes. Coordinated Blackfoot Soil Health Work Group to share knowledge on bale grazing, cover crops, no-till seeding, and high stock density/short duration”

“WILDLIFE Employed an Elk Hunt Coordinator to work with hunters on hunting opportunities and scheduled hunts on participating ranches during elk hunt shoulder seasons. Conducted winter track surveys in the Southwest Crown of the Continent for lynx, wolverine, wolves, mountain lion, marten, bobcat and late/early season grizzly bears. Launched a pilot project using virtual fencing to manage livestock grazing on public lands pastures, facilitating better management of livestock locations, reducing the need for hard fencing across wildlife habitats, and keeping livestock away from areas of potential conflicts with predators. Installed 7 new high priority electric fences and 12 new electric drive-over mats to deter grizzly bears from home sites and calving yards to prevent bears from getting into conflict. Also provided fence materials to protect 3 bee yards,1 chicken yard, 1 sheep night pen and 1 hobby farm compound. Removed 263 livestock carcasses from Blackfoot ranches and 338 livestock carcasses from outside the Blackfoot-area ranches to reduce attractants for bears and wolves. Hosted interactive Bear Aware programs at 4 watershed schools and hosted an annual training for staff at an area guest ranch. Provided a team of staff and board to consult with Colorado wildlife managers and landowners as they consider conflict management tools for reintroduced wolves. Provided 4 seasonal range riders to monitor livestock and wolf/grizzly bear/mountain lion activity across 72,000 acres. Provided 25 bear-resistant garbage cans to watershed residents; and placed 8 additional bear-resistant garbage cans and 3 garbage dumpster enclosures throughout 5 communities to continue to support Bear Smart efforts. Set up and maintained turbo fladry at 2 ranches during calving season to prevent conflicts with wolves. Handed out more than 100 cans of free bear spray and provided more than 50 cans of training/inert bear spray to watershed residents, ranchers, recreationists and hunters. Assisted Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks with grizzly bear management and research.”