Who We Are
The WRC is an energetic, landowner-led organization with big-picture goals and a science-based approach.
What We Do
We work with agricultural producers, landowners, community members, and diverse partners to protect our rural heritage and natural resources for present and future generations. We provide technical and financial support, and strategically develop and implement conservation and restoration projects that benefit landowners along with the valley's water, land, fish and wildlife.
Why We Do It
We believe it is our responsibility as landowners and community members to ensure that we preserve our way of life in this valley, and leave it a better place than we found it.
The WRC is an energetic, landowner-led organization with big-picture goals and a science-based approach.
What We Do
We work with agricultural producers, landowners, community members, and diverse partners to protect our rural heritage and natural resources for present and future generations. We provide technical and financial support, and strategically develop and implement conservation and restoration projects that benefit landowners along with the valley's water, land, fish and wildlife.
Why We Do It
We believe it is our responsibility as landowners and community members to ensure that we preserve our way of life in this valley, and leave it a better place than we found it.
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Our Story
The WRC was formed in 1999 to work with private landowners on projects that conserve and restore the resources in the Upper Clark Fork Watershed in western Montana. The watershed stretches from Butte to Garrison, encompassing the uppermost 120 miles of the Clark Fork River, as well as the valley's many creeks, forests, ranchlands, and people.
We focus on preserving the large, intact landscapes that support this region's agricultural way of life, and that provide critical habitat for western Montana's world-class fish and wildlife.
We help landowners put in place practices and projects that improve their agricultural operations as well as the valuable water and land near their home. Our projects leverage multiple funding resource because we partner with state and federal agencies, local conservation districts, and nonprofits. Some examples of our projects include:
We focus on preserving the large, intact landscapes that support this region's agricultural way of life, and that provide critical habitat for western Montana's world-class fish and wildlife.
We help landowners put in place practices and projects that improve their agricultural operations as well as the valuable water and land near their home. Our projects leverage multiple funding resource because we partner with state and federal agencies, local conservation districts, and nonprofits. Some examples of our projects include:
- East Valley Watershed Project (2003-2006): 16 off-stream stockwater pipelines installed, several corrals moved, and monitoring setup for 7 large ranches.
- Upper Clark Fork River Tributaries TMDL (2007-2010): determined the health of all tributaries in our watershed, as well as cataloged sources of impairment.
- East Deer Lodge Forest Stewardship Project (2008-2011): developed a collorative plan to sustainably harvest timber and restore streams on 40,000 acres of U.S. Forest Service lands.
- Integrated Watershed Restoration Projects (2011 to present): installed new stockwater pipelines and tanks, fish-friendly irrigation diversions, water conservation/irrigation upgrades, riparian enhancements, and much more.
Our Approach
- Honor the people who live in the watershed
- Fiscal responsibility
- Partnering, collaboration & outreach
- Clear priorities & targeted projects
- Sound scientific assessment, planning & design
- Adaptive management & project monitoring
Our Objectives
- Assess local and regional natural resources to implement projects and practices that preserve and improve the resources in our watershed.
- Restore water quality, quantity, grazing lands, riparian habitat, soil health, and fish and wildlife habitat.
- Promote sustainable and efficient use of water, timber, land, and other natural resources.
- Protect and maintain open spaces and our regional heritage.
- Monitor the impacts of completed projects.
- Provide information and support for landowners in the watershed.
For more information on WRC's priorities, read the Watershed Restoration Plan for the Upper Clark Fork River Coalition
Help us preserve the rural heritage and natural resources in the Upper Clark Fork:
Help us preserve the rural heritage and natural resources in the Upper Clark Fork: