Volunteers plant trees for Arbor Day

As part of ongoing conservation efforts, Lower Clark Fork Watershed Group (LCFWG) and a handful of volunteers spent their Arbor Day planting western white pines in the floodplain near the confluence of the East Fork River and the mainstem of Bull River. The goal for the 11 volunteers that day was to get 100 blister rust resistant white pines planted. "This project is near and dear to me as it's been a huge undertaking of the LCFWG and my career to support and maintain planting along the mainstem and East Fork Bull River over the last two decades," said Brita Olson, LCFWG coordinator.

Olson says the confluence of the East Fork Bull River and the mainstem Bull River, where the tree plantings took place, is also the confluence of many overlapping conservation priorities. "This site is adjacent to the Kootenai National Forest and Cabinet Mountain wilderness and is protected by conservation easement," she said. "Coupled with conservation easements on upstream private land, the entire East Fork Bull River drainage is forest land or private land protected in perpetuity by conservation easements held by Kaniksu Land Trust."

The coordinator says Kaniksu Land Trust, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and other entities hold quite a few easements in the Bull River valley. "Collectively, this is a special place, not just for the dramatically beautiful scenery from valley wall to valley way, but also for the long-lasting protections that this critical landscape will have in the future," Olson stated. "Historically, much of the valley bottoms in the Bull River were cleared and modified for subsistence agriculture, logging operations and the improvements required by the Homesteading Act. The river was straightened, trees were cleared and pasture grasses were introduced. Now, many areas along the river are recovering, as there is little ongoing agriculture in the Bull River and most landowners value their properties most for their natural beauty."

Much of LCFWG's work focuses on streamside areas and creating healthy and diverse riparian habitats. The east side of the Bull River is designated as critical bull trout habitat, which Olson says, provides significant impetus for ongoing stewardship of streamside areas in the future. "However, fish in the river are not the only species that benefit from streamside vegetation," she said. "Most species of wildlife in Montana rely on streamside areas for at least some part of their lifecycle or habitat needs."

Volunteers under the guidance of LCFWG met at Bull River Guard Station before setting out on a short hike to the water. "The event was great," Olson said. "We got all 100 trees planted and caged to protect from browse. It was beautiful weather and a great day to plant trees."