The Powder River Conservation District works to promote education, rangeland and soil health, improve and maintain water resources, land reclamation, and human and economic resources within their local community.  

Educational outreach is important for local landowners as well for students within the district.  The Powder River Conservation District works with local students to educate them on tree identification, explore wildlife ecology, and the complexity of soil ecosystems in an effort to generate interest and understanding in the next generation of land stewards.  Farmers and ranchers benefit from conservation education by learning how to preserve their lands and prevent rangeland erosion and degradation.  This is accomplished through trainings and partnership with our local Natural Resources and Conservation Services (NRCS) department, Montana Extension Service office, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Farm Service Agency (FSA) office, and many others.

The majority of the land within the Powder River Conservation District is rangeland, so its preservation and maintenance is extremely important; not only to maintain and increase livestock production for local ranchers, but to create sustainable ecosystems that will carry on in the future. This is accomplished through identification and control of invasive weed species, prevention of wind and water erosion, and conservation practices. 

Protecting water resources not only falls on local farmers and ranchers trying to irrigate or utilize livestock water, but on recreationists often traveling through the area.  The Powder River Conservation District hosts a Watercraft Inspection Station throughout the months of April through September in an effort prevent the transportation and introduction of aquatic invasive species into Montana’s waterways. This is accomplished through the inspection and, if necessary, decontamination of any watercraft traveling through our district. Agricultural water use is monitored through permitting and water reservation programs to ensure fair and consistent use of the available water.

Many resources are available to ensure the success of local conservation; through marketing tangible resources, such as trees, landscape fabric, land ownership maps, and other items for education and management directives. By offering these services and working with local landowners to improve their lands through conservation practices, the Powder River Conservation District enables its community to grow and thrive.