Water Forum joins Big Sky Watershed Corps program

The Bitter Root Water Forum has been selected to host a watershed fieldworker with the inaugural Big Sky Watershed Corps program.

The Bitter Root Water Forum (BRWF) was accepted into the Big Sky Watershed Corps (BSWC) with support from the Bitterroot Conservation District.

“For a fraction of the typical cost, these non-profits will be able to add the functional equivalent of a high-skill, full-time employee to expand the scope, reach, and effectiveness of their organization,” according to the Montana Stream Team.

Ten lucky Montana non-profits were chosen to gain this valuable human resource at a reasonable cost. BSWC is a collaboration between the Montana Watershed Coordination Council, the Montana Association of Conservation Districts and the Montana Conservation Corps. The members will serve in AmeriCorps’ first natural resource based program for 10 months. The full-time position focuses on education and outreach, volunteer recruitment, watershed health and protection, and member development.

Corps members attended the Montana Association of Conservation Districts Conference in Helena recently. They successfully advertised the position to other possible beneficiaries for the following term in August and networked with experienced professionals across the state. They stand to represent skilled young professionals with fresh minds as Montana faces projected flood events and oil booms.

Kalena Gravina, the member stationed at BRWF, will be representing the Bitterroot Water Forum programs at several future state-wide events. She has experience with water resources in Hawaii, California, and Montana and recently moved to the Bitterroot Valley which she describes as, “the most beautiful watershed in the world.” In the next couple of months, she will be working with local educators and other organizations to identify opportunities for Bitterroot youngsters to learn about our precious water and its importance to every person in the valley. One idea that will be explored is creating a volunteer water quality monitoring program for the valley. Kalena will also be organizing a Pint Night event at the Bitterroot Brewery as well as other outreach and member development activities during her time in the Bitterroot.

Bitter Root Water Forum board member Dave Schultz says, “We are very fortunate to have been selected to host a Watershed Corps Member and doubly fortunate to have Kalena with her skills, experience, and passion for watershed education as our Corps Member. It is going to be an exciting year for the Bitter Root Water Forum.”

If you are interested in helping kids learn about watershed issues or have any questions you are encouraged to contact Kalena at k.o.gravina@gmail.com, 375-2272.

BRWF is a non-profit organization and local watershed group dedicated to preserving, enhancing and restoring the Bitterroot watershed through education and on the ground projects to ensure clean, abundant water for all. It was established in 1993 to investigate and discuss water issues in the Bitterroot watershed, more specifically, water quality and water quantity.