April 14th-CMR NWR Community Working Group Meeting in Winnett

The Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (CMR NWR) Community Working Group will meet on April 14^th in Winnett at the Methodist Church, 114 W. Millsap St from 10:00AM to 3:00PM. Join us as we prioritize projects for the group in 2016. Noreen Walsh, Regional Direction of the US FWS, will provide an overview of the Fish and Wildlife Service mission, focus, and current projects. Lunch is available for $10.00. The public is encouraged to attend and provide input as the group seeks to influence the vitality and sustainability of the 6-county region surrounding the CMR NWR. For more information, call Rachel Frost 406-454-0056 or visit CM-Russell-NWR-Community-Working-Group on Facebook.

Congratulations! Petroleum County Producers Win Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) honored conservation leaders at an awards banquet during the 2016 NACD Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada.

Lee McDaniel, NACD president, left, and Jason Weller, NRCS chief, right, present Larry “Skip” and Diane Ahlgren of Winnett, Mont., with the Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award.

The NACD/NRCS Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award was presented by Jason Weller, chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Lee McDaniel, NACD president, to Larry “Skip” Ahlgren and Diane Ahlgren of Winnett, Mont. The Ahlgrens were recognized for their superior service to the conservation community and commitment to promoting and leading conservation on private lands. Diane serves on the Rangeland Resources Executive Committee for the Montana Department of Natural Resources. Larry serves as secretary/treasurer for the Grass Range Grazing District, as one of the directors of the Williams Coulee Grazing District, and on the board of directors for the Montana Association of State Grazing Districts. The Ahlgrens ranch and produce cattle on their land in eastern Montana.

NACD/NRCS Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award recognizes outstanding conservation leadership at the state and local level. The award is named after Olin Sims, former NACD president and rancher from McFadden, Wyo., who had many years of distinguished volunteer service to conservation at the state and national level.