Glacier County borders Canada in northwestern Montana. Most of the land in the county lies within the Blackfeet Reservation, with private land along the county’s eastern edge and Glacier National Park along its western edge. The eastern part of Glacier County is a complex of rolling, hilly, and nearly level plains. The southern part is plains intercepted by the steep valley wall of Cut Bank Creek, Birch Creek, and Two Medicine River, all of which have their headwaters on the high mountain slopes that form the western boundary of the area. Westward from the plains along the Canadian border, the topography is broken by high plateaus dissected by the headwater streams of the Milk River. The mean annual precipitation ranges from 10-20 inches, elevation ranges from 3000 to 6000 feet, and the growing season is 60 to 110 days.
Native rangeland plants, introduced forage species, and crops are grown throughout the area. Livestock and wildlife also coexist in the area. Typical perennial crops are alfalfa or sainfoin for seed or hay production. Annual crops are winter wheat, spring wheat, barley, peas, lentils, camelina, canola, and some flax. Commercial and registered cattle herds are abundant with a few sheep producers. NRCS offices, located in Cut Bank and Browning, offer voluntary technical and financial assistance to private landowners interested in natural resource conservation based on a focused approach using long range planning with local input.
Current Financial Assistance Opportunities for Landowners in Glacier County
- Migratory Bird Resurgence Initiative
- Two Medicine Nip the Knapweed Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP)
- Save Our Soils Great Falls Area TIP
In addition to these local projects, producers may also apply for statewide programs such as the Conservation Stewardship Program, national Environmental Quality Incentives Program initiatives, and conservation easement programs. For more information on these and other programs, see State Programs and Initiatives on the NRCS Montana webpage.
Additional Information
Montana Local Working Groups
Every year, county Conservation Districts and the NRCS host local working group meetings where farmers, landowners, conservation partners, and other stakeholders in the community discuss the natural resource needs for the county. Based on this feedback, NRCS updates the county’s long-range plan and develops new Targeted Implementation Plans to address those resource concerns.
Montana Focused Conservation
In Montana, NRCS uses a “Focused Conservation” strategy to guide its EQIP investments. Montana Focused Conservation begins with goals identified in local-level Long Range Plans. Based on those plans, NRCS develops Targeted Implementation Plans (TIPs) to guide on-the-ground implementation.
Learn MoreWhat's Available in My Montana County?
Current local financial assistance opportunities in Montana, listed by county. In addition to the local opportunities, producers may also apply for statewide and national programs.
Learn MoreMontana Programs and Application Dates
Program applications are accepted on a continual basis, however, NRCS establishes application ranking dates for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. Applications received after the ranking date will be automatically deferred to the next funding period.
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