Forest Restoration

 

Watershed Restoration

The Lolo NF implements watershed restoration as part of regular project work – and sometimes as part of a dedicated watershed restoration effort to improve habitat and water quality. These projects have included work in the Blackfoot River, Lolo Creek, Ninemile Creek and Fish Creek drainages. The Clark Fork Coalition has highlighted some of these important larger scale watershed restoration efforts. Please click here to learn more about how water quality and habitat is being improved as groups work toward common goals.

Ninemile Creek Before During and After Construction

 

Southwest Crown of the Continent Collaborative Project

 

The Lolo National Forest is a member of the Southwest Crown of the Continent (SWCC) collaborative project, a long-term initiative to restore large landscapes, provide economic benefit and protect communities from large fires. This is being done across not only state and private boundaries – but also across National Forest boundaries. The Helena, Lolo and Flathead National Forests are all a part of the SWCC. Other partners in the SWCC include conservation groups like The Wilderness Society and timber industry groups like the Forest Business Network. The SWCC is a Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration project. 

Forest Service employees use electroshocking methods to collect fish population information in the Swan Valley. Fish data is used to develop and prioritize various road, stream and landscape restoration projects.

 

 

 

 

Montana Forest Restoration Committee (MFRC)

The Lolo National Forest is a member of MFRC though the Lolo Restoration Committee (LRC). The LRC meets regularly to review projects, discuss restoration needs, potential project proposals and in general seek common ground on public land restoration and economic opportunity. The larger MFRC membership includes members representing the Montana timber and wood products industry and local and national watershed and conservation groups. All group members have developed and agreed to the MFRC's 13 Restoration Principles.

 

 Lolo Restoration Committee On-the-Ground Projects

Partnership

The Lolo NF has over 65 Partnership Agreements with education and conservation groups, local and state governments, the University of Montana and other organizations that contribute to the Lolo National Forest’s land management objectives. These agreements serve a variety of purposes – but all contribute to the broad mission of the Forest Service. Many of these agreements are focussed on specific landscape restoration objectives for things like improving aquatic species or wildlife habitat on the Lolo National Forest -- or on lands adjacent to the Forest. These partnership groups include the Clearwater Resource Council, Northwest Connections, University of Montana, Trout Unlimited, Wildlands CPR, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. To learn more about partnership agreements and how they contribute to public land management visit the National Partnership Office.

Lincoln High School Wildlife Monitoring Field Trip - Video
Photos by: StarrettArtists.com

 

National Forest Foundation Helps with Burned Area Recovery

The National Forest Foundation contributed $30,000 to purchase seedlings for a tree planting project on the Plains-Thompson Falls Ranger District to help in burned area recovery. This important work will aid the long-term restoration of this area and contribute to the Lolo National Forest’s effort in maintaining a mix of species like ponderosa pine in a healthy, fire-dependent ecosystem. The Lolo typically plants about one thousand to two thousand acres each year. Additional acres are also naturally regenerated by prescribed burning. Video