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Proper Functioning Condition (PFC)Montana Training Sessions2008 Session DatesCheck with a Montana Riparian Training Cadre member to schedule a meeting or to check for updates. Additional sessions may be scheduled throughout the year. July 8, 9 and 10: Willow Ecology and Riparian Restoration Field
Workshops and Monitoring. Kyle Tackett (406) 683-3803, e-mail:
Kyle Tackett, Who Should Attend?Private landowners, ranchers, state or federal agency employees, and others who are involved with or interested in the values and functions associated with riparian areas and in learning some basic ways of determining their condition. Montana Riparian Training Cadre - What Is It?The Montana Riparian Training Cadre, an interagency, interdisciplinary team, invites private landowners, state/federal/county employees, or other interested individuals to attend a 2-dayProper Functioning Condition (PFC) session on assessing riparian/wetland condition. A primary objective of this training is to develop a common vocabulary and understanding of riparian areas among people who work on the land. The session usually includes one day in a classroom setting and one day visiting streams in the field, but can be customized to fit the need. There is no tuition, but space is limited. Class sizes are kept low (maximum of 30) to facilitate meaningful interaction. Benefits to ParticipantsAfter attending this workshop, you will have a better understanding of the functions and values associated with riparian/wetland areas. Participants will learn methods for assessing the condition of riparian/wetland sites on their land, and where to go for assistance in improving or restoring sites, if necessary. The assessment method is straightforward and involves completing a checklist with 17 yes/no questions. Enrollment InformationThere is no tuition required to attend these workshops. If you would like to register to attend or find out more about the workshop, please contact the local coordinator. To schedule a PFC session in your area, please contact one of the Montana Riparian Training Cadre members. What Are Riparian-Wetland Areas?Riparian and wetland areas occur along water courses or waterbodies. They are different from the adjacent lands because of the unique soil and vegetation characteristics that are strongly influenced by free or unbound water in the soil. Riparian ecosystems occupy the transitional area between the upland and water ecosystems. Typical examples would include floodplains, streambanks, and lake shores. These are some of the most productive resources found on public and private lands, comprising less than two percent of the western landscape, yet highly prized by communities for their recreation, fish and wildlife, water supply, cultural, and historic values as well as for their economic values which stem from use in livestock production, timber harvest, and mineral extraction. Proper Functioning Condition (PFC)PFC is a qualitative method for assessing the condition of riparian-wetland areas. PFC describes both the assessment process and the on-the ground condition of a riparian-wetland area. PFC evaluates how well the physical processes are functioning through use of a checklist. This approach is a component of the Creeks and Communities strategy initiated by the USDI Bureau of Land Management, and USDA Forest Service, in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Creeks and Communities is based on the goal of bringing communities of people together to use a common vocabulary and understanding to evaluate the health and restoration needs of riparian-wetland areas. If you encounter any problems with the files provided on this page, please contact Technical Resources at 406-587-6822. This information is available in
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format. For best results, save the document to your computer before opening and
printing. Last Modified: 08/19/2008 |
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