Swan Ecosystem Center

BEFORE fuels mitigation.

DURING fuels mitigation.

Pathfinders Clear Nature Trail in the Swan Valley

Click here for the June 28, 2007, Seeley-Swan Pathfinder article (PDF format)

Stewardship

Mission Mountains and Swan Range Program

SEC is working with the Forest Service, the Bob Marshall Foundation, and others to care for the Mission Mountains Wilderness and the Swan Range. Recreational managers maintain trails, clean campsites and provide information about Leave No Trace techniques and the Forest Service Food Storage Order that protects people and wildlife. SEC receives funding for this program from donations, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Recreation Trails Program, the National Forest Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service.

CURRENT TRAIL CONDITIONS

Forest Stewardship
The Swan Ecosystem Center Forest Stewardship Committee helps people plan and implement stewardship projects on public and private land. These projects are designed to sustain ecological processes and provide economic benefit to landowners and the community.

Fuels Mitigation Projects in the Swan Valley
Swan Ecosystem Center has been providing small grants to private landowners to help reduce the risk of wildfire to their property and improve forest health. These grants have originated from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Missoula and Lake counties and the National Forest Foundation/Home Depot Foundation. As of January, 2007 we had helped 16 landowners reduce fire risk near their homes. Several other landowners were able to treat their property without grant assistance, after determining the value of the merchantable timber on their property would offset the costs.

Several other contracts for fuels reduction and forest health projects have been awarded, and several other property owners have applied for funding. If you are interested in finding out more, contact Kathy Koors at the Swan Ecosystem Center or download and complete the application below.

SEC Hazardous Fuels Program Grant Application (PDF)

Multi-Party Monitoring - Holland Pierce Project

Swan Ecosystem Center conducted this survey in January 2007 to determine how well the Forest Service explained to the public the purposes and methods of the Holland Pierce Fuels Reduction and Forest Health timber sale in the Swan Valley. The survey was funded with a grant from the National Forest Foundation and the Home Depot Foundation.

Survey Results - April 26, 2007
(in PDF format)

Swan Ecosystem Center
6887 Hwy 83, USFS Condon Work Center, Condon, MT 59826

Office:	406.754.3137 or 406.754.3138
Fax:	406.754.2965
Email:	swanec@blackfoot.net