Reaching Out with the Conservation Message

Employee: Matt Walker
Location: Great Falls, Montana
Employee Job Title: Area Biologist

Matt Walker exemplifies the purpose and passion of conservation in Montana. He started work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in 2005. In his short service, he has worked successfully with a variety of Montana folks and helped protect a variety of Montana critters.

Matt is the NRCS area biologist in Great Falls. He recently worked with the East Butte Hutterite Colony to assist them with enhancing wildlife habitat on their property. As a result of Matt’s technical service, the colony agreed to plant almost 60 acres of tall, dense, nesting cover and 900 shrubs for winter. The colony agreed to have 16 children assist with shrub planting as part of a Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) Youth Initiative. "One of the most rewarding things I’ve done was working with kids to plant shrubs for wildlife winter and foraging cover,” said Matt. “Hopefully this positive experience will make an impression lasting their lifetime."

Matt was also instrumental in leading the Montana Sage Grouse Habitat Enhancement Special initiative, a program offered through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). "I worked with interested ranchers to promote sage grouse habitat enhancement while improving their cattle grazing rotation," said Matt. "This opportunity to technically and financially assist producers will hopefully emphasize that wildlife and agricultural operations can be highly compatible and complimentary."

NRCS is proud to have dedicated employees like Matt to further the NRCS mission. "Matt is the consummate conservationist," said Phyllis Phillips, assistant state conservationist for field operations. "His informational campaigns within the area have been instrumental in the six-fold increase in interest in our agency's wildlife habitat programs such as WHIP and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) in the Great Falls area.

Matt Walker (right) helps children at the East Butte Hutterite Colony plant shrubs for nesting cover.

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Last Modified: 03/25/2008