Garfield County Conservation District

10/22/2026

🌳🌲I will be sharing this weekly, so get used to seeing it! 🌳🌲

📲📞📨Reach out to Macy Bliss with any questions or interest in purchasing trees, we also have tree lists and everything you would need to know about them here at the office for FREE to grab!

🌳 Garfield County residents......it’s time to plan for trees! 🌲

Tree order forms are available through the Garfield County Conservation District! Ordering early gives you a better chance of getting the varieties and taller trees you’re hoping for. Whether you’re adding a windbreak, creating shade, or planting for future generations, now is a great time to start planning! 🌱

Trees do so much more than make our landscapes beautiful. They help reduce wind and soil erosion, provide shelter for livestock, and offer food and habitat for wildlife. Choosing trees suited to our local climate and soil, and giving young trees consistent watering and protection....helps them get a strong start.

📍 Pick up an order form at 307 Main Street, Jordan, MT 59337
💻 Find forms online at https://www.garfieldcountyconservationdistrict.org/gccd-trees
☎️ Questions? Contact Macy Bliss at 406-557-2740, ext. 100

Let’s grow something wonderful together! 💚

🌳 “Plant a little hope today, and watch it grow into tomorrow’s shade.”

10/21/2026

🌿 WE’RE LOOKING FOR GARFIELD COUNTY RESIDENTS THAT WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE GARFIELD COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 🌾

The Garfield County Conservation District is seeking TWO individuals to serve on our Board of Supervisors!
🌾 One Rural Supervisor
🏡 One Urban Supervisor

Our Board of Supervisors plays an important role in guiding conservation efforts throughout Garfield County. From supporting local agricultural producers and promoting responsible land stewardship to providing educational opportunities and protecting our natural resources, our board helps make a lasting difference in the community we call home.
What does being a supervisor involve?
🌱 Helping guide conservation programs and projects throughout Garfield County.
🌱 Providing input and making decisions that benefit our land, water, agriculture, and community.
🌱 Attending board meetings and participating in district discussions.
🌱 Working alongside fellow supervisors, local landowners, and conservation partners.
🌱 Being a voice for the future of conservation in Garfield County.

You don’t have to be an expert in conservation to make a difference! We are looking for individuals who care about our community, are willing to learn, and want to play an active role in keeping Garfield County a wonderful place to live, work, and raise future generations. Whether you come from an agricultural background or simply have a passion for your community and its natural resources, your perspective matters!

💚 Strong communities and healthy landscapes start with people who care.

If you are interested in serving or would like to learn more about these opportunities, please contact the Garfield County Conservation District office Administrator Macy Bliss at 1-406-557-27470 x100 or if you want to talk to a board member about their experience reach out and she will get you in contact with them!

10/20/2026

📰🌾 HOT OFF THE PRESS! 🌾📰
🔰Use the link at the very bottom of this post to take you directly to the newsletter!🔰

Our latest Garfield County Conservation District Newsletter is coming out TODAY! 🎉 We’ve been busy here at the District, and we are so excited to share what we’ve been up to!
Inside, you’ll find updates on our conservation programs, upcoming events, educational opportunities, things that have happened over the last 5-ish months, and all the exciting things happening right here in Garfield County! 🌳💧🌱 Whether you’re a producer, landowner, or community member, there’s a little something for everyone! 💚 Our goal is to keep our community informed, involved, and connected to conservation!

Grab a cup of coffee ☕, take a few minutes, and catch up on what’s happening at YOUR local Conservation District!

GARFIELD COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT NEWSLETTER The Garfield Grazer If you are wanting to be on the email chain or address list to receive a Newsletter; please reach out to the office at the number or email below. It is Free of Charge to have one sent your way; to learn all things about your Conser...

10/20/2026

📆Happening next week!
We hope to see you there! 😁

🐄🐎🐑 Join us for our Winter Livestock Series!

The Garfield County Conservation District and Garfield County Montana Extension Office invite you to an educational afternoon focused on caring for cattle, horses, and sheep as we head into winter.

📅 October 29, 2026
📍 County Meeting Room in Jordan, MT
⏰ 2:00–4:00 p.m.

We are so excited to have Baylie Rodenbaugh and welcome Brent Roder for this Winter Livestock Series!

Topics include:
• 2:00–2:30 p.m.: Horse Maintenance with Baylie Rodenbaugh
• 2:30–3:00 p.m.: Calving Preparation and Nutritional Considerations with Baylie Rodenbaugh
• 3:00–4:00 p.m.: Feed and Nutrition for Livestock During a Drought, plus Sheep Healthcare and Management with Brent Roeder, Sheep and Wool Extension Specialist

Come learn, ask questions, and gather practical information for your livestock operation!

📞 Questions? Contact Macy Bliss at 406-557-2740, ext. 100, or Teo Sinks at 406-557-2770.

We hope to see you there!

10/14/2026

Your District Administrator will be out of office Tomorrow October 15th and Friday October 16th

📞📨You are more then welcome to call 1.406.557.2740 x 100 and leave a message or send an email to [email protected] and she will get back to you on Monday; October 19th! 📞📨

Thank you for understanding and have a great week! 😆

10/14/2026

10/13/2026

AIS Update: September 2026:

Prevention / Watercraft Inspection:
🔰Over 114,000 watercraft have been inspected so far this season. (117,000 inspections this time last year)
🔰31 Mussel Fouled Watercraft have been intercepted so far this year (37 this time last year). Over 600 intercepted transporting weeds this season. The most recent interceptions include:
9/24: The Anacona station intercepted a wooden boat that was commercially transported from Sioux Falls, South Dakota heading to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Aquatic vegetation containing multiple mussels was found on the motor. The boat was only out of the water for 6 days. Inspectors conducted a decontamination, locked the boat to the trailer and Idaho was contacted for follow-up. Photos attached.
9/30: The Anaconda station intercepted a ski boat coming from Gull Lake, MN heading for Big Fork, MT. The boat was purchased from a private seller in MN and was out of the water for 3 days. Mussels were found on plant material attached to the boat. Inspectors conducted a decontamination, the boat was locked to the trailer and FWP staff will conduct a follow up inspection to ensure all mussels are removed from the vessel.
🔰2026 station location and dates of operation can be found here: https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/aquatic-invasive-species/watercraft-inspection-stations
🔰Inspection data from the 2026 season is posted on the Watercraft Inspection Dashboard (updated weekly): https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e7e5c01c253741bb88af3a963940c92d


Early Detection:
🔰Over 2,500 AIS early detection samples have been processed this season with NO evidence of invasive mussels detected. Over 250 eDNA samples have also been analyzed with No evidence of invasive mussel DNA.
🔰Follow-up surveys in September found no Eurasian watermilfoil at eradication projects in Nilan Reservoir (Augusta). Late season surveys at Beaver Lake (Whitefish) removed several milfoil plants. Surveys and eradication effots will continue in 2027.
🔰New AIS detections this year include:
Freshwater jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbii) in Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Freshwater Jellyfish
🔰Fall is a great time to get out and survey for AIS. Low water levels provide a great opportunity to find new AIS populations. If a suspected AIS is found, take a photo, grab a specimen, and report it to FWP by calling 406-444-2440 or online HERE
Support for species identification and reporting can be found through the Montana Heritage Program HERE.
🔰If you are interested in hosting an AIS identification / early detection training / workshop, please reach out to Craig McLane for more information ([email protected])


Western Regional Panel of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Taskforce:
🔰Western Regional Panel annual meeting occurred September 23-25 in Sacramento, CA (https://westernregionalpanel.org/annual-meeting/). See attached golden mussel photos from the Stockton area
🔰Best in the West AIS Awards: See attached
Be sure to congratulate all award recipients, especially awardees from Montana including:
Best in the West: Sara Ricklefs, Invasive Species Action Network
Western AIS Leader: Leah Elwell, Conservation Collaborations LLC

Upcoming Events:
🔰November 3rd: Annual AIS Partner Meeting. Montana Wild, Helena, MT. Draft agenda attached. RSVP if you plan to attend in-person to [email protected]. A virtual option will be available through the link on the agenda.
🔰November 4th-5th: Montana Invasive Species Council Summit, Montana Heritage Center. Helena, MT. https://invasivespecies.mt.gov/misc/summit
🔰January 19th- 20th: Columbia Basin Team for Aquatic Invasive Species meeting, Boise, ID. Save the Date.


In The News:
🔰Holding the line against AIS in Montana
🔰Idaho wraps up another quagga mussel treatment in the Snake River
🔰Citizen science helps detect bryozoans in Idaho
🔰Boat quarantines required due to expansion of golden mussels
🔰The Western Regional Panel visits Stockton to observe golden mussel impacts (photos attached)
🔰One boat, one lake to keep zebra mussels out of Madge Lake, Saskatchewan
🔰Starry stonewort expands in Minnesota
🔰Lionfish Extermination Corps

Thomas Woolf | Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau Chief
Fisheries Division
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Office: (406) 444-1230 | Cell: (406) 438-5305

The Montana Invasive Species Council (MISC) hosts a biennial Summit to convene agencies, tribal nations, private landowners, industry, academia, nonprofit partners, policymakers and other stakeholders to address invasive species issues. The 2026 Summit will look back at the last 10 years of programm...

10/13/2026

🌿 Honoring Years of Dedication, Leadership, and Service! 🌿

Some people leave a lasting impact not through grand gestures, but through years of showing up, lending a helping hand, sharing their knowledge, and genuinely caring about the community they serve. Today, we want to take a moment to recognize two very special individuals who have done just that. ❤️

👏 Calvin Thomas – 5 Years of Service

👏 Dean Rogge – 25 Years of Service

Being a Conservation District Supervisor is more than attending meetings and making decisions. It is about having a passion for the land, supporting local producers, protecting our natural resources, and working toward a better future for the generations who will come after us.

Calvin and Dean, your time, commitment, wisdom, and willingness to serve have not gone unnoticed. The countless hours you have dedicated, the conversations you’ve had, and the decisions you’ve helped make have all played a part in shaping our District into what it is today.

Dean, 25 years is an incredible milestone, and a true testament to your dedication and love for conservation and this community. Calvin, your five years of service have been equally appreciated, and we are grateful for the commitment and perspective you bring to our board.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU! ❤️

Thank you for believing in the mission of conservation, for giving your time so generously, and most importantly, for caring about the future of Garfield County.

🌱 The greatest legacy we can leave is not just the land we care for, but the difference we make for those who will care for it next.

Please join us in giving Calvin and Dean a BIG THANK YOU for their incredible years of service! 👏💚

-Garfield County Conservation District Administrator and Board of Supervisors

10/12/2026