1. Flathead River Steward Pilot Program & Big Sky Watershed Corps Program 1

2. Working with landowners along the Flathead River to protect and restore our Flathead River and Lake natural heritage – excellent water quality, outstanding scenic and recreational values, prime farm soils, and abundant fish and wildlife for people to enjoy and benefit from, today and tomorrow. Flathead River to Lake Initiative 2

3. Conservation projects Over 5,000 acres protected River to Lake Initiative restoration projects About 3 miles of riparian areas restored 3

4. Restoration challenges Lower 19 miles: -60% agricultural lands have least forest cover -Significant river bank erosion – no known solution & limited funding 4

5. Restoration opportunities Work with farmers to restore riparian buffers Work with BPA-funded conservation easement holders to protect and restore riparian buffers 5

6. Dan Siderius riparian restoration, 2008 BPA, NRCS and landowner 6

7. Rusby Seabaugh riparian restoration, 2008 Landowner, MFWP, Flathead Lakers, IWJV 7

8. Diamond B Ranch Flathead River 2011 BPA, NRCS and landowner 8

9. Needs Improve follow up with landowners on past & current projects to ensure success. Improve project maintenance. Monitor projects, evaluate success. Egan Slough, 2008 NRCS, FWP, Flathead Lakers, landowner 9

10. Increase partners capacity to plan and implement restoration projects, including partner coordination. Increase outreach to landowners to encourage riparian restoration and stewardship, including assisting landowners with funding applications. Needs 10

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13. Flathead River Steward The Big Sky Watershed Corps Program Kirstin Gruver, River Steward, helps plan and implement Diamond B Ranch restoration project. River Steward helps Flathead River to Lake Initiative partners increase capacity to plan and implement riparian restoration projects. 13

14. Diamond B Ranch Louden farms Foys Bend FCA Restoration projects 14

15. Diamond B Ranch restoration project Project maintenance: weed weed mow mow water water remove plant cages remove plant cages check weed mat, fences check weed mat, fences check plants for insect or mold infestation check plants for insect or mold infestation Restoration projects maintained 15

16. Restoration projects monitored Data collected: plant growth plant growth plant mortality plant mortality rodent damage rodent damage deer browsing deer browsing deer fencing deer fencing grass competition grass competition Foys Bend Fisheries Conservation Area restoration project 16

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18. Funders 18