The Wilderness Society
Climate Change Challenge: human responses
Grant Award: $104,445; Year Awarded: 2014
Climate-induced hydrology changes that have led to reduced snowpack and earlier spring flood events are of particular concern in Western Montana’s Crown of the Continent ecosystem. In response to these impacts, this project will work to expand voluntary drought response measures and irrigation efficiency among private water rights owners and communicate the value of these programs to resource managers across the landscape. Improved water management will help to maintain critical flows in rivers and tributaries of the Blackfoot and Upper Clark Fork rivers, will improve water quality and stream functionality, and retain significantly more water for vulnerable aquatic species during periods of drought.