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Private Landowner Cost-Share Funding
Swan Ecosystem Center's cost-share funds to assist private landowners with forest health and fuels reduction projects are currently committed. However SEC's forest stewards continue to provide technical assistance to individuals interested in obtaining land management recommendations and developing conservation plans for their properties. SEC has established a waiting list of landowners interested in being notified if additional funding is secured for on-the-ground implementation assistance. For more on SEC's forest stewardship services or to inquire about adding your name to the waiting list, please contact SEC at (406) 754-3137.

MCH bubble capsule stapled to a tree

Deterring Douglas-fir Beetle
For several years in a row, Swan Ecosystem Center has been able to provide Swan Valley residents with Douglas-fir pheromone "bubble caps" at a reduced cost. The bubble caps are attached to trees in late April or early May to deter the Douglas-fir beetle. The pheromones may also deter spruce beetles.

In early February, we placed the 2010 order for about 4,500 capsules, on behalf of over 50 people who asked to be on the list. If you missed the order, you can look up the Beetleblock MCH product on the Internet at www.semiochemical.com. If you have questions please contact SEC at (406) 754-3137.

Stands from Douglas-fir beetle infestation
Adult Douglas-fir beetle and eggs in gallery	Characteristic pattern of Douglas-fir beetle egg and larval tunnels

For more information on tree insects and diseases, visit the Douglas-fir beetle page of our Tree Insects and Diseases segment in the Forest Stewardship Handbook.

Swan Valley Stewardship Handbook
Over the next several months we will be providing segments of an online handbook designed to help Swan Valley landowners care for their forestlands. The Noxious Weeds segment was created with the assistance of the Missoula County Weed District. The Tree Insects and Diseases installment was created with assistance from the U.S. Forest Service and MT DNRC. Our third installment, Soils was created with the assistance of the National Network of Forest Practitioners.

Good Neighbor Handbook
Your neighbors, some a part of the Missoula County Open Lands Citizens Advisory Committee, have created The Good Neighbor Handbook filled with information for rural landowners in Missoula County. These free handbooks are available at Swan Ecosystem Center or CLICK HERE or on the image (right) to download a PDF (4 MBs).

Sustainable Forestry Storytelling

Swan Ecosystem Center and the National Network of Forest Practitioners (NNFP) are creating a series of web stories about sustainable forestry and rural livelihoods in the Swan Valley. Leslie Horner and Pradeep Edussyria, NNFP, were in the Swan Valley in late October interviewing, video-taping and photographing landowners for the series. The project is funded by an Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Innovations Grant. For more information visit the NNFP blog.