2024-08-06T19:11:10-07:00 2023-12-31 461211349 Linked Accounting LLP 612 N Kays Dr Ste 150 Kaysville UT 84037 990 2023-01-01 810488863 BLACKFOOT CHALLENGE INC BLAC 4067933900 PO BOX 103 OVANDO MT 59854 Seth Wilson Executive Dir. 2024-08-06 true true BRIAN E VAN CAMP CPA MTAX P00650012 3852622310 2023 2024-08-08 14:25:15Z Seth Wilson PO BOX 103 OVANDO MT 59854 2271096 false X WWW.BLACKFOOTCHALLENGE.ORG X 1993 MT The mission of The Blackfoot Challenge is to coordinate efforts that will conserve and enhance the natural resources and rural way of life in the Blackfoot Watershed for present and future generations. 22 22 18 200 0 2257094 2134808 0 54398 118740 42526 -3464 2354018 2250084 0 0 748737 917082 0 306714 886384 1063669 1635121 1980751 718897 269333 5146751 5739574 145818 246898 5000933 5492676 X The mission of The Blackfoot Challenge is to coordinate efforts that will conserve and enhance the natural resources and rural way of life in the Blackfoot Watershed for present and future generations. false false 1275768 Formed in 1993, the mission of the Blackfoot Challenge is "to coordinate efforts that conserve and enhance the natural resources and rural way of life in the Blackfoot watershed for present and future generations." Our success is rooted in our approach. Through a community-based and collaborative process, we bring people together to identify shared values around community needs, we facilitate respectful conversations and information sharing, and we build partnerships based in trust. The results are homegrown conservation solutions that stand the test of time.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O 1275768 true true false false false false false false false true true false false true false true true false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 41 0 false 18 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 22 22 false false false false false false false false false false false true true true true true true true false false X LYNN JOB 4067933900 PO BOX 103 OVANDO MT 59854 Seth Wilson Executive Dir. 40.00 0.00 X 100546 0 0 Jim Stone Chairman 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Randy Gazda Vice Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Jennifer Williamson Treasurer 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Denny Iverson Secretary 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 David Mannix Board Member 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Randy Arnold Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Patti Barlett Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Chris Bryant Board Member 0.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Stoney Burke Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Bill Cyr Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Amy Groen Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Karl Hausmann Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jason Jewett Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Todd Johnson Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Patrick Kane Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Leigh Kelley Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Frank Maus Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jack Mulcare Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Mike O'Herron Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Magee Payne Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Robert Ray Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Ryan Thompson Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 100546 1 false false false Evergreen Forest Management LLC PO Box 146 Ovando MT 59854 Forest Mastication 141040 1 1059219 1075589 2134808 0 118740 118740 0 0 0 0 17548 21012 -3464 0 0 0 2250084 118740 X 0 0 0 0 100546 62214 21180 17152 0 654324 405292 137831 111201 0 89385 55332 18843 15210 72827 45101 15342 12384 0 2922 2922 12504 12504 0 0 10885 10245 640 746603 456489 160533 129581 1305 808 275 222 3669 2272 773 624 14852 9197 3129 2526 0 11608 7189 2445 1974 30289 18758 6381 5150 0 11267 6977 2374 1916 0 0 0 9404 5824 3580 PROJECT COSTS 126203 126203 MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES 29528 13653 12302 3573 SUPPLIES 12576 9927 2649 EQUIPMENT EXPENSE 9779 6056 2060 1663 30275 18805 7932 3538 1980751 1275768 398269 306714 108339 69433 1190756 1607336 0 200392 241306 0 0 0 0 0 1891284 1891284 1891284 427002 467744 0 0 0 1328978 1462471 5146751 5739574 145818 246898 145818 246898 X 4677014 4860186 323919 632490 5000933 5492676 5146751 5739574 X 269333 201399 21012 -1 X false true X true false X 1201808 1612114 1603003 2257094 2134808 8808827 0 0 1201808 1612114 1603003 2257094 2134808 8808827 707720 8101107 39490 34077 39110 54398 118740 285815 0 610 20 630 9095272 0.89070 0.92840 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1328978 192708 9196 1512490 1602227 -264088 9161 1328978 1423150 188864 9787 1602227 1216255 214882 7987 1423150 1055302 197078 7441 1244939 false false false 1891284 1891284 1891284 Endowment 1462471 1462471 X 2461640 201399 21012 222411 2239229 10855 10855 2250084 1969896 1969896 10855 10855 1980751 Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund. The Stewardship Endowment Fund is designated by the Board for the purpose of providing funds for the perpetual care of the Challenge as designed by the Board.The Blackfoot Community Conservation Area (BCCA) Endowment Fund is designated by the Board for the purpose of providing funds for the benefit of the Blackfoot Community Conservation Area. Part X : FIN48 Footnote Blackfoot is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of theInternal Revenue Code. Accordingly, the increase in net assets is generally not subject to taxation. Blackfoot is required to file a Return of Organization Exempt form Income Tax Return (Form 990) annually. No provision for income tax has been recorded in the financial statements because management believes there was no unrelated business income. Part XI, Line 2d: Other revenue amounts included in F/S but not included on form 990 Fundraising Expenses $21012 false Annual Fundraiser 17548 17548 21012 17548 17548 21012 21012 -3464 Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b Board of directors are generally emailed a copy of the Form 990 prior to submission to review and ask questions. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c Any potential conflicts of interests are disclosed to the board and recorded in the minutes. The interested director abstains from voting on the matter. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a Regarding compensation, the board seeks out comparable compensation information where it is available for comparable jobs and contacts national organizations for positions such as program coordinators. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 Governing documents and financial statements are made available to the public upon request. Form 990, Part XI, Line 9 ROUNDING = -$1 FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A - PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS The organization is increasingly focused on diversifying income streams to carry out our mission. In 2023, 21% of income came from Private Foundations; 13% from Corporations; 7% from Individuals; and 4% from Events, Tours, and Specialty License Plates. Another 43% of income is derived from State and Federal Agreements, much of which is used as cost-share in landowner-initiated conservation projects. (In 2023, investments was unchanged at 13%.)BLACKFOOT COMMUNITY CONSERVATION AREA:Implemented 60 acres of forest treatments in the Larch Unit to improve stand resilience.Received a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) EQIP contract as part of the North Ovando Fuel Reduction Targeted Implementation Plan for 270 acres along the north boundary of the BCCA Core. Developed a detailed forestry prescription, aiming to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires while enhancing wildlife habitat.Coordinated with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on future cross-boundary forest management/habitat projects.Controlled invasive weeds on road systems, forest treatment areas, and native prairies through integrated approaches across 150 acres including biological controls, chemical application, and hand-pulling. Hosted multiple volunteer days with university and hunter groups (more than 80 volunteers) to remove old fences and pull noxious weeds. Projects improved conditions and saved thousands of dollars. Hosted multiple presentations on and about the BCCA to visiting groups including local schools, university, and international groups. Provided year-round public access on 5,600 acres, including hiking trails, 8-week motorized use season, and hunting via the Block Management Program.Maintained and expanded 3-mile hiking trail system.Completed road improvements and opened a seasonal, cross-boundary motorized loop in 2023 in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Implemented the NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program completing multiple conservation enhancements, including wildlife friendly fencing, forest treatments, noxious weed control, and vegetation monitoring. Installed two beaver dam analogs as a demonstration to enhance wetland habitat, reconnect flood plain, and improve late season stock water. EDUCATION:Provided hands-on, investigative outdoor snowpack science experiences to students at Lincoln, Helmville, and Ovando schools.Coordinated forestry lessons for students at Sunset School.Presented on collaborative stewardship to Helena High School students.Delivered bear education activities to youth fishing camp attendees at North Fork Crossing Lodge.Provided aquatic ecology activities with students from Seeley Lake Elementary and the Montana Outdoor Science Academy.Hosted more than 100 middle school students from five watershed schools during our annual Youth Field Day on the Rolling Stone Ranch near Ovando. Blackfoot Challenge staff along with local ranchers provided hands-on activities about ranching and stewardship that met science standards and made learning fun.Alongside multiple program staff, planned, coordinated, and directed weeklong field course on collaborative conservation and natural resource science for students from Shattuck-St. Marys School in Minnesota.Used the drone to document BCCA larch thinning project, biochar application on ranch lands, and prescribed fire on the Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA.FORESTRY:Facilitated 169 acres of prescribed burning on private lands and supported public partner burns across more than 1,400 acres.Completed 378 acres of forest thinning to improve forest health and reduce fire risk.Conducted six outreach / education tours or events throughout the Blackfoot to showcase prescribed fire effects and efforts.Hosted the Annual Fire Learning Network workshop for dozens of agency and NGO partners who work in fire-prone landscapes.LAND STEWARDSHIP:Partnered with NRCS on the development of the new fuel reduction initiative. The proposal was funded early in the year, with a goal to reduce fuel loads on over 1,000 acres of private land to mitigate catastrophic wildfires and increase forest resiliency. Conducted landowner outreach to increase awareness and participation in the program. Three contracts were funded in the first year, totaling about 500 acres. Completed project on Kleinschmidt Creek including riparian fencing, stock water gap, and off-stream stock water in preparation for implementing an innovative grazing management system. Assisted Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited (BBCTU), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and landowners with the development of grazing management plan for the Nevada Creek stream restoration project, including more than 2 miles of riparian fencing and two stock water gaps. Continued to implement Cottonwood Creek riparian grazing management plan with landowner and lessee. Assisting with planning off-stream stock water in 2024. Together with The Nature Conservancy, coordinated the application of biochar on private agricultural lands (including 5 plots, soil testing, biochar/compost transportation, and mixing/spreading by landowners). Coordinated the Biochar Steering Group and used a budget surplus toward purchase, haul, and application of additional biochar for 2024. Together with NRCS and USFWS, continued to plan and coordinate conifer encroachment removal projects in the Helmville area to conserve grassland/sage habitat and rangeland, benefiting rare native bird species. Conducted a joint RFP with private and federal partners resulting in completion of conifer removal across more than 1,000 acres. Assisted BBCTU with maintenance and landowner communications for 8 fish screens to mitigate fish entrainment in irrigation ditches.Presented information on soil health to Partnerscapes conference tour group, reaching over 150 participants from around the nation. Gave presentations to University of Montana wildlife biology class on conifer encroachment, University of Idaho range management class on grazing management, and Drummond students on stream restoration.TRUMPETER SWANS & NATIVE BIRDS:Wrote blog on avian flu in relation to trumpeter swans and other species.Monitored trumpeter swan nests in watershed and Brewers sparrow numbers in Helmville-area conifer encroachment project sites.Engaged 10 watershed residents in our community science program monitoring populations of long-billed curlews and common loons. Presented to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Migratory Birds & Science Programs tour.Contributed column on trumpeter swan recovery success for Pathfinder newspaper.Provided raptor education lessons to students at Bonner and Helmville schools.VEGETATION:Offered integrated noxious weed management recommendations to landowners including native and exotic plant identification, herbicide application products and rates, biological control with insects, and appropriate reseeding practices.Hosted two weed pulls at the Russell Gates Fishing Access Site for the 25th year.Completed Wildlife Habitat Improvement (WHIP) grant with noxious weed treatments on the BCCA, including spot spray herbicide applications on 271 acres and biological control with insects on 135 acres.Applied for a continuation of the WHIP grant to revisit treated areas and initiate noxious weed treatment on new areas within the BCCA core.Covered approximately 95 miles of the Blackfoot River Corridor Vegetation Management Area in Powell and Missoula counties and treated almost 40 acres of noxious weeds through a Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund Grant. Met with landowners in the Nevada Creek Vegetation Management Area and applied for a Noxious Weed Trust Fund cost-share grant for the 2024 field season. Assisted in native plant and noxious weed education, weed pulling, and reseeding workshops on the BCCA during student field days.WATER:Continued to build shared understanding, vision, and capacity to address river recreation pressures in the watershed through a stakeholder group.Added capacity to the recreation discussion by bringing on a volunteer recreation coordinator and partnering with the University of Montanas Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management department to collect information for identified data gaps. Completed the 14th year of our irrigation scheduling program, providing weekly irrigation information, tips, drought strategies, and soil health concerns to over 100 irrigators throughout the watershed.Continued in our 4th year of a soil moisture monitoring program with 17 locations where irrigators track daily soil moisture information, manage their irrigation accordingly, and test different irrigation or cropping strategies.Coordinated and supported partner efforts to collect the second year of data on two hydrologic studies in the watershed one on the Blackfoot River and one in the Nevada Creek drainage.Worked with multiple partners and landowners to monitor stream flow and collect assessment data on three tributary streams in order to inform rest FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A - PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WILDLIFEEmployed Elk Hunt Coordinator to work with hunters on hunting opportunities and scheduled hunts on participating ranches during the elk hunt shoulder seasons.Conducted winter surveys in the Southwest Crown of the Continent for lynx, wolverine, wolves, mountain lions, marten and bobcat.Installed 6 new electric fences and 9 new drive-over electric mat systems (added to 21 existing mats) to deter grizzly bears from home sites and prevent bears from getting into conflict. Also provided fence materials to protect 3 bee yards,1 chicken coop, 1 goat pen and 1 hobby farm.Removed 330 carcasses from Blackfoot-area ranches to reduce attractants for bears and wolves. Expanded the program to two communities outside the watershed. Since 2003, we have had more than 120 participating ranches and landowners, and more than 11,200 carcasses have been moved to the composting site Hosted interactive Be Bear Aware programs at five watershed schools; hosted a training for staff at an area guest ranch; presented a livestock guard dog workshop to share how dogs may be used to prevent conflicts with bears and wolves.Provided a team of staff and board to consult with Colorado wildlife managers and landowners as they consider conflict management tools for reintroduced wolves. Completed a film about the Blackfoot Challenge Wildlife Program, showcasing the carnivore conflict reduction tools that have been used in the Blackfoot watershed.Employed 2 range riders to monitor livestock and wolf/grizzly movement across 72,000 acres to prevent conflicts.Provided 15 bear-resistant garbage bins to area residents and helped purchase another 35 bins with state and federal partners to support Seeley Lakes Clearwater Bear Smart efforts.Assisted with a new bear-aware opportunity at the Old Salt Festival, helping educate hundreds of guests on containing attractants and ensuring no conflicts with bears. Collected grizzly bear hair samples throughout the watershed in partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to support research efforts.