2024 World Wetlands Day Festivities! 

“Discover the benefits of wetlands to human well-being.”

Join in celebrating the beauty and importance of wetlands.

Friday, February 2 & Saturday, February 3

World Wetlands Day (WWD) is celebrated each year on the 2nd of February to mark the protection of wetlands under the Ramsar Convention. Events to celebrate WWD are hosted worldwide, to gather wetland stakeholders to discuss wetland conservation under a global theme.  The global theme for this year’s celebration is Wetlands and Human Wellbeing, which will highlight the benefits of wetlands for water, food, biodiversity, climate, cultures and human livelihoods.

Join us for a fun-filled weekend of presentations, insightful panel discussions, wetland snowshoe tour and conversations around the campfire at Bozeman’s largest wetland.  Network with fellow wetland enthusiasts and gain valuable insights into the conservation efforts currently underway across the Gallatin and other Montana Watersheds.   This weekend is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of wetlands and experience Bozeman’s Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve, 

Join Sacajawea Audubon Society and partners to two days of festivities.   Engaging with our local experts as they share their knowledge, experiences, and local wetland projects.

Friday, February 2nd: Join our expert partners for a special program at the Museum of the Rockies at 6:00PM, featuring National Geographic photographer Ronan Donovan with the film ‘Beavers to the Rescue’, followed by a panel discussion with Jennifer Boyer (Commissioner, Gallatin County), Terry Cunningham (Mayor, City of Bozeman), Torrey Ritter (Wildlife Biologist, MTFWP), and Erik Anderson (Soil Scientist, USFS).

Saturday, February 3rd: Join us at the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve as we showcase this urban wetland with s’mores around the campfire and a snowshoe tour of Montana’s largest urban wetland in downtown Bozeman.

On Saturday, Feb 3rd, we will have a campfire gathering to celebrate our local urban wetland in Bozeman. Join us to sit around a fire with hot chocolate and s’mores at the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve, or bring your snowshoes and follow SAS board member Frank Marchak on a tour of parts of the wetland that are normally inaccessible.

Snowshoes will also be available to borrow.

Details about where to park and meet: (if you need handicap parking, please email wetlands@sacajaweaaudubon.org)

Where: Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve (located  ¼ mile off the public trail on Broadway and Mendenhall St.).  The gate to the lower wetlands will be open. Follow the signs.

Parking and Directions:

Bozeman Library 626 E Main St, Bozeman, MT Walk to the corner of Main and Broadway (at the light) After  crossing Main Street walk to the to the Clock Tower on Mendenhall St. and Broadway Ave. at the entrance of Village Downtown. As you face the clock, the public trail to the wetlands is on your right, just past the clock. Walk approximately two-tenths of a mile to the cleanup starting point. There will be signs on the trail.

Montana Ale Works parking lot.  Walk east through the parking lot to the Clock Tower on Mendenhall St. and Broadway Ave. at the entrance of Village Downtown. As you face the clock, the public trail to the wetlands is on your right, just past the clock. Walk approximately two-tenths of a mile to the wetland entrance. There will be signs on the trail.

Please RSVP to the snowshoe tour and send any questions to wetlands@sacajaweaaudubon.org.

 Join us in celebrating the beauty and importance of wetlands with the following organizations:

Sacajawea Audubon Society, Confluence Consulting, Gallatin Watershed Council, Trout Unlimited, Gallatin Valley Land Trust, Montana Freshwater Partners, Ducks Unlimited, Montana Land Reliance, Montana Outdoor Science School, Montana Watershed Coordination Council, City of Bozeman and the Gallatin Local Water Quality District 

Article, map, and graphics by Rich McEldowney

The primary source of hydrology at the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve is shallow groundwater contributions from the south and southeast. Preliminary investigations suggest that the groundwater expressed on the site originates from two sources—the East Gallatin River alluvial aquifer, and from the Gallatin Range, flowing under the Bozeman Fluviatile until it is intercepted by the East Gallatin River in this part of the valley (Hackett et al. 1960).

To better assess the site’s hydrologic conditions, groundwater elevations were measured in 2020 and 2021 at groundwater wells on the north parcel and in 2021 with piezometer devices on the south parcel (Figure 6, Appendix A). Data was collected at five piezometer devices between April and October 2021, and four groundwater wells between May 2020 and October 2021. Piezometers were installed on the south parcel instead of groundwater wells in order to better understand artesian pressures of the system, groundwater hydraulic gradients, and the aquifer’s ability to fill and maintain pond levels at design pool elevations through the growing season.

Depth to groundwater over the monitoring period for the north parcel is shown on Figure 2. Groundwater levels for the north parcel were generally highest in May and early June in 2020 and 2021, ranging from 5 to 32 inches below ground surface (Figure 2, on page 4) and declined throughout the summer and fall months.
Figure 2. 2020 and 2021 groundwater levels, measured at four groundwater wells within the IAWP north parcel.1

Figure 3 shows the piezometer monitoring results for the south parcel. In this parcel, water levels were relatively constant for all piezometers for the early part of the summer, and then dipped at the end of July/beginning of August. Water levels in piezometers 1 and 2 were much higher in late August through October 2021, ranging from 12 inches below to 21 inches above the ground surface. This increase is directly related to the occurrence of beaver on the site and their blocking of the outlet culvert. Water levels in piezometer 3 also increased slightly, and was also likely influenced by the beaver activity. Piezometers 4 and 5 occur further from the outlet culvert and appear to have recovered to their early summer levels once irrigation pumping stopped at the end of August/beginning of September.

Figure 3. 2021 groundwater and surface water levels, measured at five piezometer devices within the IAWP south parcel.2

Footnotes
<1> Wells were not continuously monitored. Lines connecting the dots are included to help show general trends in the groundwater data and are not intended to imply actual depths to groundwater.
<2> Piezometer devices were not continuously monitored. Lines connecting the dots are included to help show general trends in the groundwater/surface water data and are not intended to imply actual depths to groundwater.

Rich McEldowney is with Confluence Consulting, Inc., which is partnering with SAS to design the restoration and enhancement of the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve.

Spring migrants and summer residents are starting to return to the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve (IAWP). Large numbers of male Red-winged Blackbirds are back in force. A male Northern Harrier is making an appearance. Eight Sandhill Cranes have been spotted at the IAWP. Hopefully one or more pairs will utilize the area for nesting again this year. At any rate, birds are or will soon be making claims to nesting areas.

With the new construction project now taking place at Village Crossing, there is a resulting loss of what many people have long used as a place to exercise their dogs. So please be aware that on the IAWP, dogs must be on a leash and only allowed on the upper railroad berm and trestle.

Keep a lookout for the beavers that have built a lodge near the end of the historic railroad berm. We may soon be seeing young beavers. If so, these will be the first baby beavers seen from the berm since the wetland was drained back in 2009—even more reason to keep all dogs on leash and only on the railroad berm.

Since the beavers are active, our IAWP Busy Beavers have been out working on the beaver deceiver in further attempts to limit the extent the beavers are allowed to dam up the water at the base of the berm. If you are interested in learning about how beaver deceivers work, check out Bozemanwetlands.org for summer announcements. Sacajawea Audubon Society Board member Billy Burton will give a presentation on beaver deceivers at a yet-to-be-determined date—watch for an announcement.

Members of the Wetland Preservation Project met mid April to discuss the proposed Wetland Mitigation Bank at the IAWP with the Interagency Review Team. Construction of the ponds and berms at the IAWP cannot start until the wetland mitigation bank instrument has been finalized. Questions? Contact wetlands@sacajaweaaudubon.org

Wetlands Action for People and Nature

The goal of World Wetlands Day is to highlight the importance of actions to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands for human and planetary health.We hope that everyone will take action and to invest financial, human and political capital in order to save the world’s wetlands from disappearing altogether — and to restore those we have already lost.

We hope to encourage our community to Value, Manage, Restore, and of course — Love — Wetlands:

Value wetlands for the multiple benefits and nature-based solutions they provide for human well-being and a healthy planet.
Manage wetlands wisely and use them sustainably so we can conserve them and maintain the health of these critically important ecosystems.
Restore lost and degraded wetlands to revive the rich biodiversity and life found in these life-sustaining ecosystems.

Learn more about world wetlands day at https://www.worldwetlandsday.org

Wednesday, 2/2, 12:00pm: Join us for a virtual tour of the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve followed by a Q&A with the IAWP Design Committee and Partnering Organizations Ducks Unlimited, Montana Freshwater Partners, Gallatin Watershed Council, Trout Unlimited and Confluence, Inc. Register Now https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4567896189514473743

DATE CHANGE DUE TO FRIGID WEATHER – Friday 2/4, 4:30 – 6:30pm: Bring a mug and a chair, and join us at the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve for some hot cocoa and a small cozy fire as we celebrate the purchase of the last 7 acres, and all of the progress we have made on IAWP so far!

More details about where to park and meet

Where: Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve (located  ¼ mile off the public trail on Broadway and Mendenhall St.)

Parking and Directions:  

Bozeman Library 626 E Main St, Bozeman, MT Walk to the corner of Main and Broadway (at the light) After  crossing Main Street walk to the to the Clock Tower on Mendenhall St. and Broadway Ave. at the entrance of Village Downtown. As you face the clock, the public trail to the wetlands is on your right, just past the clock. Walk approximately two-tenths of a mile to the cleanup starting point. There will be signs on the trail.

Montana Ale Works parking lot.  Walk east through the parking lot to the Clock Tower on Mendenhall St. and Broadway Ave. at the entrance of Village Downtown. As you face the clock, the public trail to the wetlands is on your right, just past the clock. Walk approximately two-tenths of a mile to the cleanup starting point. There will be signs on the trail.

From SAS President Chris Nixon

We set the bars high, and you helped us jump over every hurdle. As a result, Sacajawea Audubon Society (SAS) purchased the last seven-acre parcel of property, bringing the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve (IAWP) to almost 40 acres. The KENDEDA Fund gave a challenge grant, which required SAS to raise $4.5 million by the end of 2021. We came close enough—the $1 million award was issued to SAS in December. In addition, a $2.5 million planned gift from Ileana Indreland and Mike Delaney means the future of the wetlands is secure. The IAWP Busy Beavers program took off and is now in full swing, getting us well over the bar of establishing a team of volunteers to care for the preserve.

So, after decades of wishful thinking and dreams that SAS would not let die, those dreams are being realized. What was known as the East Main wetland, an area always under threat of destruction, will now be preserved/restored/rehabilitated/enhanced. Call it what you may, the area will remain a wetland. Now designated as the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve, it will be there for future generations to enjoy. It will serve as an environmental study area, an educational resource, and a place to experience the intricate beauty of a wetland—all within the city limits of Bozeman.

Beavers are already back, doing what beavers do by creating dams. Several duck species (in addition to Mallards) returned for the first time in many years this past fall to grace the wetland. Those attending weekly bird walks witnessed interesting interactions such as when a Northern Harrier plucked a Red-winged Blackbird out of the air.

Next fall or winter we will begin construction on ponds and berms. We’ll also take the final steps toward establishing a mitigation bank at the IAWP site. You’ll be called on for your opinion on what signage we should have and what educational opportunities you would like to see offered. Ultimately Bozeman will finally have a long dreamed of nature center at the IAWP—once all fundraising goals are met. So there is more to be done and we hope that you choose to be part of it through your gifts, volunteering, and simply showing up to enjoy!

Despite the challenges we all experienced during these past two and a half very difficult years, generosity has been demonstrated, hope has been realized, and numerous other environmental organizations have partnered with SAS to help make this place of wonder the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve. Thank you!

Loreene Reed photo

SCOUTS BUILD & INSTALL BENCHES
We encourage folks to come to the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve (IAWP) to enjoy and learn the wonders that this urban wetland holds. Now, with the help of Eagle Scout candidate Justin Moss and his Troop 0636, you are able to sit and view the wetland wildlife along the berm trail. Three benches have been erected alongside the Milwaukee Railroad Berm Trail and two more will be installed after restoration and enhancement construction. Each bench will have an engraved sign representing one of the wetland birds seen at the IAWP (Wilson’s Snipe, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Harrier, Sandhill Crane, and Wood Duck).

To earn the rank of Eagle, a Life Scout must complete a meaningful service project to benefit his community while learning leadership skills. Sacajawea Audubon Society is honored to have been selected by Justin to sponsor his project.

Justin would like to thank his Troop 0636 members: Justin M, Bailey K, Aidan B, Liam B, Amelia B, Jack N, Sam N, Dalton K, Eli C, Tessa C, Nick H, and the support of all the parents that made everything possible. He also thanks Kenyon Noble for donating all the supplies for this Eagle Scout project.

ABOVE: Eagle Scout Troop 0636 poses next to one of three benches they installed along the IAWP Milwaukee Railroad Berm Trail. Photo by Loreene Reid.

BUSY BEAVER UPDATE
The IAWP Busy Beavers ended the season with 41 active members and engaged in multiple restoration efforts. At the Preserve, groundwater was monitored weekly throughout the season, multiple cleanups were held, and invasive weeds were eradicated to encourage native plant growth. The IAWP Busy Beavers extended their efforts to the rest of the Lower Gallatin Watershed, as trees were planted along Matthew Bird Creek, various tributaries and trails were combed for trash, and reaches of Kelly Creek were prepared for an upcoming beaver mimicry project. In return, three educational workshops were held to provide volunteers with knowledge on our Valley’s vital resources and biodiversity.

Free educational workshops and trainings will resume again in 2022—keep an eye out for upcoming event dates! To join and to stay up to date on all upcoming events, visit gallatinwatershed.com/volunteer.

Questions? Contact Loreene at loreener5@gmail.com or Heather at bswc@gallatinwatershedcouncil.org