Living Near Streams:

A Continuing Education Course through Montana Board of Realty Regulation

REGISTER ONLINE

What: A workshop on the ecology of streams, wetlands, and floodplains, including field trips to subdivisions with riparian areas.  Topics include: avoiding flood risk, property damage, and water pollution; navigating regulations for riparian areas, water quality, and floodplains; stream-friendly landscaping and livestock maintenance; and resources for restoring and managing streamside property.

When and Where: Friday, September 24, 10am-3pm at the Doubletree Hotel, with field trips to streamside subdivisions in the afternoon

Credits: 4.0 approved by Board of Realty Regulation

Cost: $50.00 (includes field trips and lunch)

Sponsors: Clark Fork Coalition, Geum Environmental Consulting, WGM Group, Missoula County Water Quality District

Registration: Register online or call 406-542-0539, ext. 213.

Stream Care Shorts: An animated look at riverside living

Around western Montana, we're pretty fond of our rivers.  In fact, sometimes we might get just a little too close to them. And what happens beside a river makes a big difference to what's going on beneath the surface.  Building too close to the river's edge can harm fish and wildlife, and even damage our property.  Luckily, a little care goes a long way.  Check out our Stream Care Shorts to learn a few simple ways to make a big difference ...

Or, visit the Coalition's YouTube page for all three shorts

Stream Care Shorts Slide Design: Nadia Mujalli, nadjective.blogspot.com

Stream Care Shorts Sound Design and Production: Damon Ristau, Firewater Film Company, www.firewaterfilmcompany.com

Other Resources:

	Protecting Clean Water: The Coalition's second edition of its Stream Care Guide, released in 2009, outlines the benefits of good stream stewardship, including: increased property value, erosion prevention, avoidance of flood loss, preserved water quality, and improved habitat for birds, fish, and wildlife.
	Montana Lake Book: The Montana Lake Book targets homeowners and recreationists in an effort to educate lake users how to best preserve and protect Montana's unique lake ecosystems.  Aquatic invasive species, pollution, and drought can take a toll on the quality of our lakes-- and this important guide outlines proactive measures we can take to prevent problems and reduce our impact.
	WaterSmart Montana: Can you name the hardest working streamside plants?  Dogwoods, willows, cottonwoods, and alders are more than just pretty trees.  They're also bank stabilizers and water filtration systems.  Learn more at watersmartmt.com about amazing plants along your stream, along with other ways you can be water smart in western Montana.

Riparian Buffers, Aquatic Habitat, and Trout Populations (Ecology and Society) Case study from the Nature Conservancy.

Channel Migration Zone Maps: See how they work in the Yellowstone River basin's 12 counties!

Missoulian article: Take me to the river: Float trip focuses on issues surrounding streamside protection

"Setbacks Facts" Informational Brochure by the Clark Fork Coalition

"How to Grow?" Setbacks article from Winter 2007 Currents by the Clark Fork Coalition

"Why Setbacks?" Setbacks article from Spring 2008 Currents by the Clark Fork Coalition

"Lessons in Flooding" Setbacks article from Summer 2008 Currents by the Clark Fork Coalition

Montana Audubon: Series on Scientific Recommendations on the Size of Vegetated Buffers

Governor's Task Fork for Riparian Protection

NewWest.Net Article: The Skinny on Streamside Setbacks (2.25.08)

University of Wisconsin: Analysis of Zoning to Protect Lakefront Amenities (21 pp.)

Cleveland State University: Hedonic Analysis of Riparian/Wetland Setbacks (43 pp.)

Ravalli County Streamside Setback Committee

Montana Watercourse: “Montana’s Ground Water: A citizen’s guide to understanding and protecting ground water."