Blackfoot Challenge

06/18/2026

Biochar pioneer Kelpie Wilson recently shared her knowledge and expertise in the Blackfoot -- demonstrating the "ring of fire" biochar kiln she invented. The Blackfoot Challenge has been experimenting with the application of biochar on agricultural fields to improve soil health in recent years -- and is considering how this process could be used for converting slash from local forestry projects to a beneficial bioproduct.

06/17/2026

Blackfoot Challenge electric fence crew is hard at work in Helmville this week -- making sure the bears stay away from the Old Salt Festival grounds. Come see us this weekend at the festival! Old Salt Festival

06/16/2026

A big crew showed up for our volunteer w**d pull at the Russ Gates Fishing Access Site last Saturday. Thanks to all these dedicated w**d warriors! If you missed it, don't worry -- we'll offer you another shot at taking on the spurge and knapw**d on August 15! **ds

06/15/2026

Did you know that the wetlands created by beavers provide habitat for more than 80% of Montana's wildlife species? Yep -- and these waddling furballs can be pretty charismatic too. Last week, we hosted Huckleberry the Beaver from Animal Wonders to teach us a little about beaver biology and behavior, alongside Torrey Ritter from Montana FWP to share how valuable beaver activity is to watershed health and resilience. Animal Wonders Inc.

06/13/2026

We recently gave our local school students a little challenge -- create visual art that highlights something special about the Blackfoot watershed in your eyes. We're amazed with the variety of images and talent among our youth! Our first-place winners -- all pictured here -- will have their art turned into stickers for us to share. Many thanks to the teachers and students at Lincoln, Helmville, Ovando, Seeley Lake and Potomac schools!

06/10/2026

Get your gloves on! It's time for our first Russ Gates w**d pull of the season. Join us Saturday, June 13, at 9:00 am at the Russ Gates river access site to pull together in the battle against leafy spurge and other invaders. We'll have drinks and snacks to keep you fueled. Contact [email protected] if you have questions.

06/08/2026

EAGER to learn a little something about these watershed engineers? Join us for a deep dive into the world of beavers and their role in watersheds featuring Montana FWP's small mammal expert Torrey Ritter and the one and only Huckleberry the Beaver from Animal Wonders. This community event will take place Friday, June 12, at the Helmville Community Hall starting at 3 pm. Photo ©Lea Frye.

06/05/2026

Birds tell us a lot about habitat health, but it would take an army of trained birders to regularly survey bird life across the 1.5-million-acre Blackfoot watershed. So this year we're launching some new technology -- automated recording units -- that will record bird songs and calls (similar to how a trail camera snaps wildlife images). Down the road, computer software will translate the songs recorded and tell us what bird species were present. Ultimately this data over time will reveal how land management and stewardship is supporting bird life and biodiversity.

06/03/2026

Come visit our table tonight for a chance to learn more and win some fun prizes!

Join us at Missoula’s Trails, Rivers & Forests Expo this Wednesday, June 3! This FREE outdoor fair at Trail Head River Sports starts at 5pm until 9, hosted by Wild Montana and American Rivers.

Come hang with MEIC and your other favorite local outdoor organizations and businesses doing incredible work to protect and maintain access to Missoula’s trails, rivers, and forests. Enjoy live music from The Pack Strings, hands-on activities like river safety games, wildlife tracking, and more!

Hope to see you there!

More details here: https://wildmontana.org/event/trails-rivers-forests-expo-2026/