The blackfoot challenge, located in western montana, is a nonprofit watershed group working within the blackfoot river watershed

The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $300,000 Project Grant to The Blackfoot Challenge, a non-profit organization in Ovando, Montana, under the Cooperative Watershed Management Program (CFDA 15.554). The grant will support the organization's efforts to update their existing watershed-wide restoration plan and complete design work on several high priority restoration projects. These projects aim to improve habitat conditions for culturally important, imperiled native fish species while also increasing the sustainability of agricultural economies within the Blackfoot River watershed. The Blackfoot Challenge represents a diverse group of stakeholders, including ranchers, conservation organizations, government agencies, tribal representatives, and recreation interests, who are working collaboratively to balance environmental stewardship with sustainable land use practices in the region. The grant award will fund activities from September 2024 through December 2027.

In 1992, the blackfoot river was listed as one of the 10 most endangered rivers in the united states due to a century of unsustainable land-use practices including mining, over grazing, and timber harvest. Development increased recreational use, and the spread of noxious weeds were also beginning to impact the overall health of the river. Today, the legacy of many of these issues lingers, however, the approach to addressing these concerns has changed dramatically. From ranchers to fishing outfitters, the diverse stakeholders who share a stake in the watershed are working to balance their water needs with each other. The group will update their existing watershed-wide restoration plan and complete design work on several high priority restoration projects that will improve habitat conditions for culturally important, imperiled native fish while increasing the sustainability of agricultural economies. The group represents ranchers, conservation organizations, state, and federal natural resource agencies, community leaders, tribal representatives, recreation interests, and other diverse stakeholders.