Accomplishments
In Sept of 2002 a public meeting was held to determine if there was enough local interest for a watershed group in Lolo. In less than a year LWG was formed and was already working along-side the public to preserve and learn about the watershed.
Now in 2015 LWG has plans to carry out several stream restoration projects along Lolo Creek. The scope of our work and our capacity to accomplish goals is expanding each year.
This year we hope to accomplish a lot and hope you can be a part of it too.
See Current Work for what we’ll be doing this year!
2015
Received $45,000 from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to work with conservation partners and private landowners to implement restoration practices that address non-point source pollution within the watershed.
Big Sky Watershed Corp member Brandon Veth joined our team to help implement our grant projects through outreach, education, volunteer facilitation, research, reporting and more!
2014
2013
Received US EPA approval for our Lolo Creek Watershed Restoration Plan, poising us for federal funding to complete restoration projects that benefit watershed health.
2012
2008
Accomplishments Fall 2007 – Spring 2008
2007
April 2007 Conducted Earth Day Service Project: Volunteers stenciled “Dump No Waste” on Lolo storm drains to educate residents and protect the aquifer; co-sponsored by the Missoula Water Quality District, Missoula County Public Works & Lolo Super Stop
May 2007 Hosted a Water Forum of panel presentations by various water agencies
Jan. 2007 Kicked off Noxious Weed campaign
2006
Dec. 2006 Conducted 2nd Lolo Creek Assessment Tour
Nov. 2006 Hosted 2nd Chili Feed/Silent Auction as a joint fundraiser with the WildWest Institute and the Lolo Community Club
Nov 2006 Conducted 1st Lolo Creek Landowner Assessment Tour, the first stage of mitigation to help four local residents address erosion problems on their properties; with support from Geum Consulting and Lolo National Forest
Aug. 2006 Updated mission statement (to current statement)
July 2006 Reviewed and commented on Lolo National Forest Management Plan
April 2006 Coordinated a re-vegetation workday at the Lolo NF’s Earl Tenant Recreation Site
April 2006 Hosted second Earth Day Fair at the Lolo Community Center
Jan. 2006 Published The Creeks of Lolo Creek: A Report on the Tributary Streams of Lolo Creek’s Watershed by John Zelazny
2005
Nov. 2005 Hosted a Chili-Feed/Silent Auction as a joint fundraiser with Lolo Days, Inc.
Aug. 2005 Conducted first demonstration project to enhance trout habitat (in partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the Lolo National Forest and the Trout Conservancy; funded by the MT Assn of Conservation District’s LEP program)
Aug 2005 Installed “Moose Crossing” signs on Hwy 12 near Lolo Hot Springs to minimize wildlife/vehicle collisions (in partnership with MT Dept of Transportation)
Aug 2005 Established a fund to pay for maintenance and repairs of fish screens installed on irrigation diversions: 40% of all LWG membership fees automatically go to the fund
June 2005 Hosted a Forest Restoration workshop: topics included the future of logging, forest restoration, re-vegetation considerations, ecological principles & techniques, and funding; included a field tour of potential road closure sites in upper Lolo Creek
April 2005 Hosted first Earth Day Fair at the Lolo Community Center
March 2005 LWG approved for incorporation as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
2004
July 2004 Hosted tour of trout habitat restoration sites on Lolo Creek near Woodman School
June 2004 Adopted membership fee structure
June 2004 Published the Lolo Creek Resource Assessment: A Report on the conditions, Status and Land Use History of the Lolo Creek Watershed by John Zelazny
May 2004 Adopted organizational ground rules and operating principles
2003
Sept. 2003 Formed first Steering Committee; Developed first mission statement
Aug. 2003 Conducted a Streamside Walk on Lolo Creek
April 2003 Hosted first Watershed Fair at Lolo Community Center for water agencies to share information and resources
March 2003 Formed first ad-hoc committee to establish workplan, set up organizational structure, and generate local involvement
2002
Sept. 2002 Held first public meeting (sponsored by Montana Trout) to see if there was enough local interest to establish a watershed group