Accomplishments
Lolo Watershed Group Timeline & Accomplishments:
Sept. 2002 Held first public meeting (sponsored by Montana Trout) to see if there was enough local interest to establish a watershed group
March 2003 Formed first ad-hoc committee to establish workplan, set up organizational structure, and generate local involvement
April 2003 Hosted first Watershed Fair at Lolo Community Center for water agencies to share information and resources
Aug. 2003 Conducted a Streamside Walk on Lolo Creek
Sept. 2003 Formed first Steering Committee; Developed first mission statement
May 2004 Adopted organizational ground rules and operating principles
June 2004 Adopted membership fee structure
Published the Lolo Creek Resource Assessment:
A Report on the conditions, Status and Land Use History of the Lolo Creek Watershed by John Zelazny
July 2004 Hosted tour of trout habitat restoration sites on Lolo Creek near Woodman School
March 2005 LWG approved for incorporation as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
April 2005 Hosted first Earth Day Fair at the Lolo Community Center
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
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)
Installed “Moose Crossing” signs on Hwy 12 near Lolo Hot Springs to minimize wildlife/vehicle collisions (in partnership with MT Dept of Transportation)
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
Nov. 2005 Hosted a Chili-Feed/Silent Auction as a joint fundraiser with Lolo Days, Inc.
Jan. 2006 Published The Creeks of Lolo Creek: A Report on the Tributary Streams of Lolo Creek’s Watershed by John Zelazny
April 2006 Coordinated a re-vegetation workday at the Lolo NF’s Earl Tenant Recreation Site
Hosted second Earth Day Fair at the Lolo Community Center
July 2006 Reviewed and commented on Lolo National Forest Management Plan
Aug. 2006 Updated mission statement (to current statement)
Nov. 2006 Hosted 2nd Chili Feed/Silent Auction as a joint fundraiser with the WildWest Institute and the Lolo Community Club
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
Dec. 2006 Conducted 2nd Lolo Creek Assessment Tour
Jan. 2007 Kicked off Noxious Weed campaign
April 2007 Conducted Earth Day Service Project: Volunteers stenciled “Dump No Waste” onLolo stormdrains 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