The annual application period for the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program, a grant funding program administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, opened Sept. 1. The purpose of WHIP is to accomplish large-scale restoration of private and publicly owned high-priority wildlife habitats through noxious weed management. Grant expenditures are limited to herbicide, mechanical, biocontrol and

Attorney General Austin Knudsen and the Montana Highway Patrol are reminding motorists to follow all school bus and school zone traffic laws as students return to the classroom. By simply following the law and taking necessary precautions, motorists can help ensure Montana students get to and from school safely. “We can all do our part to ensure children get to and from school safely each

It’s important to continue to clean, drain and dry your boat and gear when you recreate on the water to prevent the potential spread of aquatic invasive species. So far this year, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and its partners have inspected more than 84,000 watercraft, 46 of which were mussel-fouled and 300 were found with aquatic weeds. FWP asks for the public’s help with AIS early detection.

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has been hosting a series of public meetings to gather ideas about local elk management issues and population objectives. On Sept. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m., staff will host a question- and-answer session via Zoom. To participate in the online session, register at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/ public-comment-opportunities/ elk-plan-scoping by noon Sept. 25.

If you believe in the Farmers Almanac’s predictions, you better start planning to buddle up for this winter’s weather. The Almanac’s website reads, “Shivery temperatures are predicted to rattle warm weather seekers in the Southeast and South Central states, but the real shivers might send people in the Great Lakes areas, Northeast and North Central regions hibernating. According to the

The Montana Department of Agriculture is facilitating pesticide disposal events in its Eastern District during the week of Sept. 19. Annual pesticide waste collection events have collected close to 750,000 pounds of pesticide waste from more than 1,800 participants since the program’s inception in 1994. Area Pesticide waste collection dates and locations include: •Tuesday, Sept.

Montana livestock-producer groups and two Republican elected officeholders have continued their pressure campaign to halt bison grazing on federal lands, asking the Bureau of Land Management to reconsider its recent approval of grazing leases in north-central Montana. In three separate appeals, the Montana Stockgrowers Association, Gov. Greg Gianforte and Attorney General Austin Knudsen asked

The College of Agriculture at Montana State University is accepting applications for a new leadership program focused on sustainable agriculture and agritourism. The Montana Agritourism Fellows Program: Developing Leaders to Advance Sustainable Agritourism is designed to establish and train leaders who will communicate and promote sustainable agriculture topics to farmers, ranchers, professionals