Chapter 5: Sensitive Areas in this Special Place - Wildlife Habitat

Sharing a Home with Wildlife

From the blue herons seen winging their way between the Gallatin’s streams in the late afternoon, to the bald eagles that seek the seclusion of the Valley’s tall cottonwoods for nesting, many species find homes along the Gallatin’s waters. The cover of vegetation growing next to streams is crucial for many animals as homes or as corridors for migration. While large tracts of public lands exist in the Gallatin, most of our native animals spend little or only a part of their lives in the forests that generally make up these public lands. In turn, most wildlife that live in the lowlands depend on habitats provided by water. The habitats that wildlife depend on can be degraded and literally lost forever by our land and water uses.

Wetlands and riparian areas are important habitat for wildlife. (Photo by Brent Houston.)

Riparian, floodplain, and wetland habitats are all the more critical for species that are faring poorly, sometimes as a direct result of degradation or loss of these habitats. For example, most of the 13 species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act in Montana use rivers, wetlands or floodplains as habitat, as do several of the 8 species that are candidates for listing under the act in Montana. Neotropical migrants are songbirds like warblers, vireos, thrushes and some predatory birds. These birds nest in Montana but winter in the tropics. Of the 144 species classified as neotropical migrants in Montana, 88 percent use riparian areas for nesting or feeding. Some of these birds are declining in numbers, possibly as a result of habitat loss. Protection under the Endangered Species Act has been sought for the Yellowstone cutthroat trout and the Westside cutthroat trout, two Montana natives with surviving populations in the high-elevation streams of the Gallatin.

With so many species affected by changes to intact, functional riparian and wetland habitats, careful stewardship of these areas has never been more important. Over time, loss of vegetation due to development practices or fragmentation of vegetation patterns by the intrusion of development into wetlands, stream corridors and floodplains can affect how animals use these areas. Stream channel alterations, such as riprap, can affect fish populations. Cumulative residential development can restrict animal movement, breaking habitats into pieces too small to be of use for many animals. It also can interrupt cover, feeding, rearing young and migration. In turn, building in the riparian zone creates new conflicts with existing riparian residents such as deer, bear, moose, raccoon and beaver. These animals may regard expensive landscaping as simply an interesting meal. Ultimately, the conflicts result in fewer animals, a poorer environment and lower quality of life for both humans and animals.

You can improve your property’s benefits for wildlife by:

• siting your home to avoid disturbing wildlife corridors, wetlands and riparian areas;
• controlling pets so they do not attract or disturb wildlife;
• maintaining and planting native vegetation and allowing riparian vegetation to recover;
• working with neighbors to create spaces for wildlife at the edges of your property;
• checking with your local Conservation District, NRCS, MFWP, or the USFWS before making any alterations to streams on your property.

Whirling Disease

This disease, caused by a tiny parasite, is devastating Montana’s renowned fisheries. Currently, the Gallatin is free of disease. You can help prevent the spread of whirling disease to the Gallatin by:

• Cleaning mud and aquatic plants from your gear and boat and draining water and drying your equipment between fishing trips.
• Never transporting fish from one body of water to another.
• Never disposing of fish parts or entrails in any body of water.

Photo: Barry Nehring

Information

Craighead, C. 1997. “Who Ate the Backyard? Living With Wildlife on Private Land.” Grand Teton Natural History Association, Jackson, WY

Resources

USFWS, Partners for Wildlife Program (Private Lands Program) - funds projects that create, enhance or restore wetlands and provides technical assistance to private landowners
(406) 761-5450

NRCS, Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) - provides technical, cost-share and education assistance for private landowners and wetland protection
587-6929

Ducks Unlimited - provides funds to state agencies to restore, enhance and create wetlands
(406) 458-5794

MFWP, Future Fisheries Improvement Program - funds stream corridor improvements, including fencing and bank stabilization; Water Leasing Program - authorizes MFWP to lease existing rights to improve streamflow (MCA 85-2-436); Habitat Montana Program -supports habitat acquisition, conservation easements funded through hunting and fishing license fees (MCA 87-1-241)
(406) 444-2449

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