Wildlife Conservation - Youth Education
A healthy Preserve resident
A tributary to Hammond Creek
Scarlet paintbrush
Wildlife
One of the most important resources the Preserve possesses is its incredible wildlife populations. The Preserve boundary was specifically drawn in order to connect two separate sections of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness and to protect important wildlife corridors from future development. At the heart of our mission is protecting regional wildlife habitat as well as teaching others about wildlife conservation.
Range
Much of the Preserve's 4600 acres is open range and meadow land. These areas are not only important for native wildlife, but for cattle that graze on the property through an agreement with the neighboring ranch. We understand the importance of supporting working lands while also sustaining healthy habitats - and believe it's possible to do both at the same time. Plans for restoring decadent range using controlled burns are in development. We hope we can share our process as a demonstration project for local students and the greater community.
Water
Many important water resources are located in the Preserve, including alpine lakes and streams, Hammond Creek, and much of the South Fork of Jack Creek. Monitoring the health of these resources is important to the Foundation, so we have maintained a monitoring program for several years.
Weeds
Much of the area around and including the Preserve was logged in the past. Nearby property is being developed too. With these kinds of impacts, weed infestations are inevitable. In order to combat weeds on the property, the Jack Creek Preserve Foundation has worked with the WHE Bio-control of Weeds Project and Ennis High School teacher Mellissa Newman to plan a release knapweed root boring beetles on the Preserve. Innovative weed management is important to the Preserve and will continue in the future.
Forests
Healthy forests are critical for healthy ecosystems. Many forests in the northern Rocky Mountains are suffering from disease and insect infestations. The Jack Creek Preserve Foundation is cooperating with the Big Sky Natural Resource Committee - a group of local and regional nonprofits and agencies - to develop a regional forest stewardship plan to address forest health in the region. Stay tuned for new developments.