Title
Restoration of the Sleven’s Island Riparian Area at Fort Missoula, Montana
Abstract
The riparian forest community of Sleven’s Island at Fort Missoula, Montana is heavily disturbed due to exotic vegetation invasions, drastic alterations in the hydrological processes, and large amounts of debris deposited by the United States Army. In a joint venture with the Integrated Pest Management Program at the University of Montana (UM), the Montana Natural History Center (MNHC) has recently initiated efforts to restore the island. The MNHC is a non-profit organization affiliated with the UM Division of Biological Sciences and focuses on environmental education. They involve school children, University students, and community members in the restoration efforts through service learning projects. In doing so, their objective is to increase awareness of basic ecological concepts as well as present the importance of restoration projects. Currently, area school children assist with native plant cultivation and conduct field trips to the island. In addition, UM interns conduct vegetation surveys, remove exotic weeds, and lead the school groups. The overall goal of the project is to restore the structure, functional integrity, and resilience of a typical riparian system of West Central Montana. Eventually, Sleven’s Island will serve as an accurate example of an indigenous riparian ecosystem for educational and recreational purposes.
Start Date
14-4-2000 12:00 AM
End Date
14-4-2000 12:00 AM
Document Type
Poster
Restoration of the Sleven’s Island Riparian Area at Fort Missoula, Montana
The riparian forest community of Sleven’s Island at Fort Missoula, Montana is heavily disturbed due to exotic vegetation invasions, drastic alterations in the hydrological processes, and large amounts of debris deposited by the United States Army. In a joint venture with the Integrated Pest Management Program at the University of Montana (UM), the Montana Natural History Center (MNHC) has recently initiated efforts to restore the island. The MNHC is a non-profit organization affiliated with the UM Division of Biological Sciences and focuses on environmental education. They involve school children, University students, and community members in the restoration efforts through service learning projects. In doing so, their objective is to increase awareness of basic ecological concepts as well as present the importance of restoration projects. Currently, area school children assist with native plant cultivation and conduct field trips to the island. In addition, UM interns conduct vegetation surveys, remove exotic weeds, and lead the school groups. The overall goal of the project is to restore the structure, functional integrity, and resilience of a typical riparian system of West Central Montana. Eventually, Sleven’s Island will serve as an accurate example of an indigenous riparian ecosystem for educational and recreational purposes.