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Gallatin County

MT DNRC Funds to MSU Extension to Further Innovative Learning Opportunities

Published: 2020
By Dominique Woodham
Gallatin County Natural Resources Extension Agent Dominique Woodham has been involved with the Fire Adapted Montana Learning Network since its inception in 2019. In 2020, she was awarded $14,000 from the Montana Department of Natural Resources to begin work on two projects that will wrap up by early 2021 related to extending wildfire education and outreach materials to Montanans. The first project, begun in 2020, was the Wildfire Lessons Learned for Agricultural and Rural Communities Project. Woodham visited with agricultural producers, Extension agents, and other rural community members to hear and document their experiences in relation to wildfire. Stories were shared in person, over the phone and via email from people in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. Participant stories will continue to be collected through the end of the year, with photo booklets containing the stories made available by the spring of 2021. The booklets will be available at various MSU Extension county and reservation offices, as well various USDA Service Centers across the state. The second project planned is the creation of a “How Montana Prepares for Wildfire” coloring book. The book will touch on wildfire preparedness, response and recovery as it relates to various locations across western and eastern Montana. The illustrations will be new, original drawings created by Woodham. Upon completion, the coloring book will be available online for printing or purchase through MSU Extension Publications.
Often times, wildfire risk reduction work improves forest health as well as improves scenic views for landowners.