Big Horn County

In the early 1930's, along with the greatest depression this nation ever

experienced, came an qually unparalleled ecological disaster known as

the Dust Bowl. Following a severe and sustained drought in the Great

Plains, the region's soil began to erode and blow away; creating huge

black dust storms that blotted out the sun and swallowed the

countryside. On Capitol Hill, Congress unanimously passed legislation

declaring soil and water conservation a national policy and priority. In 1937,

President Roosevelt wrote the governors of all the states recommending

legislation that would allow local landowners to form soil conservations.

The first conservation districts were formed in Sheridan and Wibaux Counties

in 1939 and today, most land in Montana is within a boundary of our 58

conservation districts.

Today, conservation districts promote education, incentive-based and

voluntary approaches to conservation. They serve as non-regulatory,

trusted, local partners helping people care for natural resources.

Conservation districts may:

 + Rent out a wide array of equipment for conservation practices to land users.

Equipment may include tree planters, fabric layers, weed sprayers, weed

badgers, conservation tillage drills, grass seeders, and tree chippers;

+ Create and maintain interpretive trails and pollinator gardens;

+ Lead and work on local and regional river basin or watershed issues;

+ Educate urban homeowners on small acreage management;

+ Manage projects throughout the state

+ Lead, sponsor or promote workshops throughout the state

Ladies Day on the Range - Photo: Carter County Conservation District