Hutterite Colony, NRCS Work Together to Benefit Wildlife

By Matt Walker and Dawn Wickum

The East Butte Colony, working cooperatively with NRCS, is actively enhancing wildlife habitat on their property north of Chester, Mont. They augmented a coulee with a large reservoir on the upper end by enhancing habitat for both upland and wetland wildlife. Specifically, they have planted 900 shrubs consisting of a mixture of nanking cherry, common chokecherry, silver buffaloberry, pekin cotoneaster, and wild rose. Additionally, they will plant 59 acres of tall grasses and legumes that will serve as nesting, broodrearing, and winter cover for a variety of wildlife.

The project idea surfaced after their wildlife habitat determination for the Conservation Security Program (CSP) revealed they were limited in wildlife cover. Having never realized they were deficient in this resource area, the colony was interested in creating better habitat. After a site review and discussion, the colony considered the possibility of utilizing the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) to financially help provide assistance in establishing this habitat. Furthermore, they wanted to incorporate the colony children to help with the shrub establishment through the WHIP Youth for Wildlife initiative.

After ranking, the colony was selected for WHIP 2006 funding and they implemented the project through Youth for Wildlife on May 31 of this year. Sixteen children and several adults lent a hand to the project. NRCS provided an educational demonstration as well as onsite guidance.

The morning began with a brief discussion of wildlife, habitat needs, why better habitat was needed, and which wildlife species would benefit. Then, the real work began.

Fortunately, the colony had access to several pieces of equipment to facilitate the habitat establishment. The process went like this: a front-end loader was used for shrub site preparation by scalping the area of vegetation. Three power augers were used to bore holes for the shrubs. The children planted the shrubs, and a crew of adults followed to lay fabric. A second front-end loader carried rock to each site and the rock was placed to secure the fabric. Finally a water truck came to hydrate each newly planted shrub. The whole process moved like clock work.

An area that has been completed. The vegetation was removed, shrubs were planted, and weed barrier fabric was laid down and secured with rocks.

While this project helped the colony meet their CSP needs and helped wildlife with their cover needs, it was the children that truly benefited from the experience. They carefully tucked each shrub in place and raced ahead for the rights to plant the next one. They were all smiles while learning some common plant identification to boot. Many were asking if they could plant more shrubs tomorrow!

Hutterite children plant shrubs.

On the project, Jake Hofer commented, “On behalf of East Butte Colony, I would like to thank NRCS for their technical and hands on assistance as well as providing cost share on the habitat installation through the WHIP. While initially we took this step to enhance our operation for the CSP, we now recognize and are happy for the benefits a planting like this will have for wildlife.”

Group of Hutterite adults and children that worked on the project as well as the NRCS conservationists that provided technical assistance for the project.

Last Modified: 06/26/07