Montana DNRC

Montana DNRC The Montana DNRC helps ensure land & water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. The Montana Dept.

of Natural Resources and Conservation:

Manages more than 5.2 million acres of School Trust Lands. Activities such as timber harvesting, grazing and agricultural leasing, recreation, and oil and natural gas production on these lands generate millions of dollars for public education. Administers laws governing the appropriation and use of Montana’s groundwater and surface water. Manages 24 state-ow

ned dams and 250 miles of irrigation canals. Provides technical assistance to 110 county floodplain management programs, and regulates construction, operation and maintenance of Montana’s dams. Provides leadership and coordination for Montana’s wildfire services, including wildfire training, prevention and preparedness, and safe, aggressive suppression activities. Supports urban and community forestry programs; enforces Montana’s forest practices laws and rules; provides financial aid to projects that promote sustainable management of forests. Operates a nursery to produce and distribute seedlings for conservation plantings to private landowners, state, federal and tribal landowners, and other conservation organizations. Provides financial and technical support to Montana’s 58 Conservation Districts. Awards grants and loans for projects that improve, protect or reclaim natural resources. Provides financial management of Montana’s Water Pollution Control State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan programs.

Do you know your native Montana grasses?
06/20/2026

Do you know your native Montana grasses?

New Fire Start 🔥🔥 DNRC ProtectionLocation: Mount Helena, Helena, MTSize: 0.25 acresCause: UnknownResources: 2 DNRC engin...
06/15/2026

New Fire Start 🔥🔥 DNRC Protection
Location: Mount Helena, Helena, MT
Size: 0.25 acres
Cause: Unknown
Resources: 2 DNRC engines, 1 DNRC helicopter, 1 City of Helena UTV.
Fire is creeping in light timber and grass. Residents please stay out of the area.

Rangelands are a vast, connected habitat for native pollinators and insects. The diversity of wildflowers and flowering ...
06/15/2026

Rangelands are a vast, connected habitat for native pollinators and insects. The diversity of wildflowers and flowering shrubs found on rangelands provide valuable pollen and nectar, as well as nesting places for native bees, many species of which are solitary and use small patches of bare ground or hollow- or pithy-stemmed wildflowers and grasses for nesting sites. 🌺🦋

As Montana’s largest ecosystem type, rangelands pack a BIG punch. Along with scenic beauty, well-managed rangelands prov...
06/10/2026

As Montana’s largest ecosystem type, rangelands pack a BIG punch. Along with scenic beauty, well-managed rangelands provide many benefits, or ecosystem services, like diverse wildlife habitat, improved soil health and water quality, nutrient cycling, and reduced erosion. Filtration of rainwater and runoff provide help to protect human property from flooding and improve wildlife habitat, leading to potentially better hunting, fishing, and aesthetics.

A few weeks ago, DNRC’s dam safety program recognized National Dam Safety Awareness Day. Today is a reminder of both th...
06/08/2026

A few weeks ago, DNRC’s dam safety program recognized National Dam Safety Awareness Day. Today is a reminder of both the benefits and risks associated with dams.

In June 1964, a severe rain-on-snow event triggered one of the worst natural disasters in state history. On June 8, Swift and Two Medicine Dams failed along the Rocky Mountain Front. Swift Dam’s failure claimed 19 lives, nearly all on the Blackfeet Reservation. Warnings ahead of the Two Medicine Dam failure allowed evacuations before the breach arrival, but widespread flooding led to nine additional deaths not directly related to the dam failure. The 1964 floods were the last time a Montana dam failure resulted in the loss of human life.

Dam failures across the country in the 1970s highlighted the risks and led to stronger oversight. These lessons continue to shape how Montana manages dam safety today, including the passage of the Montana Dam Safety Act of 1985. The Act recognizes both the benefits of dams and the need to manage their risks, ensuring they are built and maintained to protect public safety.

Today, DNRC regulates nearly 3,000 dams across the state and issues permits for over 100 high-hazard dams–those where failure could result in loss of life. The program focuses on strong relationships with dam owners and engineers, clear owner responsibility and liability, and ongoing education for dam owners and engineers.
Photo: DNRC flyover

Landowners in eastern Montana are making history by forming one of Montana’s first landowner-driven Prescribed Burn Asso...
06/08/2026

Landowners in eastern Montana are making history by forming one of Montana’s first landowner-driven Prescribed Burn Associations, or PBA.

PBAs are local, member-based groups that aim to make prescribed burning more accessible for private landowners. PBAs often host trainings for landowners, secure funding through grants, purchase shared equipment, and apply a neighbors-helping-neighbors approach to putting good fire on the ground. While PBAs exist in many other states, the Yellowstone Country PBA will be eastern Montana’s first.

During the last few months, landowners from Custer, Garfield, Powder River, and Rosebud counties have made significant progress to get started. With facilitation support from MSU Extension, the group has drafted bylaws and is currently awaiting nonprofit status from the State of Montana. Once approved, the PBA will conduct a membership drive to invite more eastern Montana landowners into the group.

“We see there’s a need for prescribed fire support for landowners, and a PBA will have value in eastern Montana,” said Erik Peterson, a member of the Formation Committee Board who has been utilizing fire on his property in Custer County for 20 years. “Everyone involved has been very ambitious, so the sky’s the limit.”

DNRC and other governmental and non-governmental stakeholders have provided support by coordinating resources, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and assisting with project implementation.

📸 Photo courtesy of Ella Langer, Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator for the Hamilton Unit, from the 2025 Blackfoot TREX

The Montana DNRC has completed its annual Wildland Fire Academy in Dillion. The academy hosted students at the Universit...
06/04/2026

The Montana DNRC has completed its annual Wildland Fire Academy in Dillion. The academy hosted students at the University of Montana Western campus and offered the following classes:

Basic Wildland Firefighter (S-130)
Advanced Wildland Firefighter (S-131)
Single Resource Crew Boss and Engine Boss (S-230, S-231)
Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290)
Followship to Leadership (L-280)

The fire academy successfully taught over 200 students, primarily from the Montana DNRC, but also students from local government departments, federal agencies, and the National Guard.

The DNRC would like to extend a thank you to the University of Montana Western staff and the DNRC team members that helped make this academy a success.

Join us in celebrating Montana Rangeland Appreciation Month (MRAM)! The 68th Montana Legislature dedicated the month of ...
06/01/2026

Join us in celebrating Montana Rangeland Appreciation Month (MRAM)!
The 68th Montana Legislature dedicated the month of June to rangelands with the goal of raising public awareness about the importance of rangelands, the ecosystem services they provide, and actions we can all take to preserve and protect these lands that encompass 70% or 68 million acres of Montana! Stay tuned in June to learn how rangelands positively impact water, wildlife, pollinators, livestock, the economy and more!

05/27/2026

🔥📅 Throughout the month of May, we’re sharing a Wildfire Tip of the Week for Wildfire Awareness Month. This week, we’re highlighting how you can take action and prevent human-caused wildfires in Montana by properly securing trailer chains.

If you’re looking to learn more, your partners at the DNRC can help.
👉 Visit MTFIREINFO.ORG for more information on how you can do to prevent human-caused wildfires.

Watershed stewardship for the win!
05/27/2026

Watershed stewardship for the win!

Address

1601 N. Park Avenue
Helena, MT
59601

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14064442074

Website

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