The Montana Conservationist January 10, 2019

Welcome to 2019, TMC readers! We hope your holidays were joyous, and that you’re returning to your desks, tractors, or wherever, inspired and ready to make 2019 a big year for conservation! This week in TMC:

• As the 2019 legislative session convenes, MACD has begun posting updates on our legislative activities.
• National Geographic has a report on a trendy topic these days – how cows, and the rangeland they graze, can save the birds of the plains
• NRCS has a water supply outlook report on snow conditions across the state, and snowpack is looking hit and miss so far.
• As the government shutdown stretches into its third week, it is impacting farm bill implementation and payments to farmers. NRCS offices are still open – but only until next Friday.
• A stream project sponsored by Lewis and Clark Conservation District to restore a mile of Prickly Pear Creek was featured in the Helena Independent Record.
• Annual grasses Medusahead and Ventenata are becoming a problem in Montana. Capital Press has a story on one way to combat it.
• In Missouri, a study looked at how seeding rates affected species composition in pollinator plantings – an important consideration when mixing expensive wildflower seeds.
• Hemp, which was recently legalized in the Farm Bill, is poised to become a big industry in Montana. The Helena IR reports.
• Finally, Native American tribes are celebrating some important wins in the recent Farm Bill, thanks to coordinated lobbying.

All of that, plus myriad jobs, grants, events, and opportunities in the first edition of TMC for 2019: TMC 2019-01-10