[{"_1":2,"_108":-5,"_109":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6226565,"mediaKeyId","3503941-2d2a56c023ced0813a8b595669778795","parentId",3503941,"title","Clearwater inspection station inspects thousands of boats annually to guard Missoula waters from invasive mussels","audioSeconds",191,"startMs",2109000,"endMs",2300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503941-2d2a56c023ced0813a8b595669778795&start=2109&end=2300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503941-2d2a56c023ced0813a8b595669778795/thumbnail_2109000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6226565/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Clearwater-inspection-station-inspects-thousands-of-boats-annually-to-guard-Missoula-waters-from-invasive-mussels","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226565-f60e5797db5a56e67e3094dad7d1cba7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157356&Signature=eB1kcPhoUY~DT6HSIPOijHv~ZDmikSoIPN~z89j7evjMRQmfUm1M4CezUqXeXoNAlPGO-wRaha5DROaKvL-NhMDAQmDy5kQvybw~f5K9fx9oIGktYLluD~dxcY6h5oLizLOzWJo19X2TAKPMxFyt0P69UtZl8MTRxjwSpe8I~pBsIGa~I1JmmFt6JFdcAmBsy8errId2STuS0sCGlXmZ7-V-QJ7W0uzdplIWCMeA5eB~oVZHEa4j4DT~WJBRz7DzO2Jp0c2lQKhjP9~owJvaQhjo5Hk603~~7GOvoAjLroLu1guCiDIPepowd4x2zz6enm31KD7kHeUb9Z6ZfauSUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Missoula, MT","date","2025-05-25T08:50:01.013Z","article","Missoula County Extension staff described the Clearwater watercraft inspection station and the county’s multi‑tiered approach to preventing aquatic invasive species, including inspections, monitoring and outreach.

The speaker said the program has inspected close to 30,000 boats annually at the Clearwater station since Extension began managing it in 2016 and that the statewide watercraft inspection program in Montana began at a minimal level around 2002 and ramped up about 2015. The speaker estimated roughly 60 “mussel foul” boats are caught each year at checkpoints entering Montana.

In addition to inspections, staff described survey and monitoring efforts that test water bodies for mussel larvae and sample aquatic plants so that detections can be pursued early for mitigation. Extension runs outreach including a webinar series on aquatic plant system management and partners with lakeshore homeowners, outfitters and volunteer networks to increase detection capacity.

The speaker emphasized Montana is currently free of zebra and quagga mussels, and described economic and ecological harms from established mussel populations elsewhere, citing clogged pipes, impacts to recreation and property values. The presentation was informational; no changes to inspection policy or funding were announced at the event.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Phlox Fest - ReWild Missoula","oneSentenceSummary","Extension staff described the Clearwater watercraft inspection station’s role in preventing zebra/quagga mussels, survey and monitoring work and a webinar series for aquatic plant management.","taxTitle","Missoula, Missoula County, Montana","taxId",4050,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226570,"Rocky Mountain Gardens and Extension outline native‑plant, Master Gardener and conservation outreach",0,2436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503941-2d2a56c023ced0813a8b595669778795&start=2436&end=2436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503941-2d2a56c023ced0813a8b595669778795/thumbnail_2436000.jpg","/articles/6226570/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Rocky-Mountain-Gardens-and-Extension-outline-nativeplant-Master-Gardener-and-conservation-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226570-dfaef30f4a0c6bf04274099aad91dcf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157356&Signature=hsurnOaPO6wdzmhrozzvnm1zvmpSywjYZlDqMHRwEDu0YTdyZTCKSS4mESURt4hZjOtimiq8xek-Pvn3l0UTdd27ePuTG9yVrzAUjC01o0-G~0OE-O4DkbkM0jW30~FYVIyBcdcwGH1F39N6DmnaBcTntIcaBDjc1pT8ZYEkBF~AW7tdiBLEa6tefRGiP3DIuVi5SVhZ6f4hZImDvxexSriUMLyaCFYwXutbBa2MwuDohieU0fqBrXx3~6GjGUf0gJRwwwJ2rTnaYfV~HWSCT-g1aezCQcUhuQIrek0rLKwVI6K8Qzln7DqTm3FgRh~99z40LQmMFOuQ4ZXpFXD3qQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff at Missoula’s Rocky Mountain Gardens and the county Conservation District described a suite of educational programs and community services focused on native plants, pollinators, volunteer training and land‑management assistance.

An Extension speaker said Rocky Mountain Gardens is a public botanical garden of about 2.75 acres that planted its first plants in fall 2023 and now offers roughly 20 demonstration areas ranging from native and pollinator beds to drought‑tolerant plantings. The garden’s spring workshops and a new “ReWild” program promote regionally appropriate native planting; the speaker said the Missoula phlox was chosen as a flagship native that is locally special and that three natural populations exist, two of them not publicly disclosed to protect the plants.

Extension staff described the Master Gardener volunteer program, noting about 300 Master Gardeners are enrolled statewide with roughly 50 active volunteers in Missoula County. The Master Gardener class is a 12‑week, three‑hour weekly training; volunteers contribute outreach such as farmers market booths, garlic trials and plant clinics. A horticulture walk‑in clinic was described as open weekdays for plant identification and soil testing referrals.

Conservation District staff explained that the district implements the state Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act (commonly called the 310 law) and reviews permit applications and complaints for work in streams and adjacent areas. The district also described pollinator seed projects, a no‑till drill rental for soil conservation, Bear Smart outreach about wildlife‑safe trash management and a River Ambassadors program that coordinates river‑use stewardship with partner organizations.

Speakers emphasized hands‑on education, volunteer opportunities and partnerships with the Missoula Butterfly House and local conservation groups. No new ordinances, votes or funding allocations were announced during the presentations.","Extension staff described the Rocky Mountain Gardens, new public programs to promote native plants and pollinators, Master Gardener training and plant clinics, and local conservation district projects including the 310 permit review and Bear Smart outreach.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226575,"Missoula 4‑H leaders urge enrollment; program offers wide range of projects and camps",308,197000,505000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503941-2d2a56c023ced0813a8b595669778795&start=197&end=505","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503941-2d2a56c023ced0813a8b595669778795/thumbnail_197000.jpg","/articles/6226575/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-4H-leaders-urge-enrollment-program-offers-wide-range-of-projects-and-camps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226575-e70d6ee545b8c358349b8a2d1a179912/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157356&Signature=UH~iY2O2AIkkJulYnqFuF7xrHLNaYCy1SHB8dm9mAYJGEaqlJA2W46XUaQDFtragygdfzxPpLN6ZyOzeJf8cw1CC36cGS7WSiovskfjjx8VA7YQN3VsryM~0RqU3drFycODYSTjd8XwnUooK70aDUGPKmgly0kCdzjmPc9CQEmeL984-P4QIyaHr~TEhl3KEk53OlBMBRAPyLPJkKP0jQ0pJ3fe-zZO7dKRTwsABOk761Epi-ZpVKrIBXoA88ZFmENfgl1SjR4Ij0i1a3XsCc5fzdvM-H3~oMyv6AExEdL9NM4D4Frv5LYWNNJ6dMgqy4l2m6IirGvAcM1TWvIKNkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A representative for Missoula County 4‑H said the program offers more than animal projects and currently enrolls close to 500 youths in the county.

“We have over 200 projects and a handful of them are animals,” the speaker said, adding that projects include welding, cooking, sewing, woodworking and more. The program is administered under Montana State University Extension and the Montana 4‑H Foundation, the speaker said.

The speaker described camps, leadership programs and scholarships that require fundraising: “We offer different things like leadership camps, we have summer camp, we have a winter camp,” and said the program works to offset costs so more children can attend. She encouraged families to enroll online (search for Missoula County 4‑H) and noted options range from one project to as many as 13.

Age eligibility was described: the speaker said the program accepts participants ages 8 to 18, and runs a pre‑4‑H option called Clover Buds for ages 5 to 7 that allows younger children to take part in introductory activities.

The presentation was informational; no policy actions or funding allocations were proposed during the remarks.","Speakers described Missoula County 4‑H programming, enrollment size, project variety, age ranges and fundraising needs to support camps and leadership opportunities.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":78,"_43":101,"_45":101,"_47":102,"_49":103,"_51":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":106,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":107,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226580,"Missoula energy hub promotes efficiency, contractor training and 0‑waste fair support",616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503941-2d2a56c023ced0813a8b595669778795&start=616&end=616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503941-2d2a56c023ced0813a8b595669778795/thumbnail_616000.jpg","/articles/6226580/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-energy-hub-promotes-efficiency-contractor-training-and-0waste-fair-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226580-7c894538c636d0c662ee5b04b46ef53f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157356&Signature=ZW36sTQWtJeXh1CuMDhMbAmryzwW~g3K16WA9S35HK6oCkdnc7aVLE8KysGdK2f2n60Uae2yzy4hkCefcYVl~ygUu4Mi52l2JLU~qswq1t0UYn~O5c3646A3LFd0Z4TAQmKE-mFDUEyc4fjTIG3DFrCUyP1BafvcXhFLpSyFt0D219egFPhGemRpE8s5W8CXNtReWKOElvL0Ko-p7T-YCt1oGSF2Yd5K2XuWUKumpzDw~h-Y96zmPztj459VVeCywBZDYQjbP944jpkkcyx7cqCQZzKJ15OruBMnRIEGDtS4Hbt0AcRjOluFSVQOI51qWEk7Hxs-6QbACTuoHxQAXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A staff member at the Missoula Department of Ecology & Extension’s exploration center said the center is focusing on helping county residents make homes “more comfortable, more efficient, and, save cost” through energy‑efficiency and electrification programs.

The staff member said the hub provides educational events and one‑on‑one support to guide homeowners through upgrades and cited cumulative savings for participants. “I think the educational events and watching people go through a full series and come out the other end better equipped to make upgrades to their home,” the staff member said.

The center plans contractor trainings on best building practices for sustainability “coming up at the June,” the staff member said, and is recruiting volunteers for the county fair in August to help vendors reduce landfill waste. The speaker described work at past fairs on vendor contamination of recycling and compost streams and said the center will “help vendors understand what’s compostable” to move toward the fair’s goal of 100 percent zero waste.

Staff encouraged residents to visit the exploration center, sign up for individualized appointments on the center website, and attend events. The center offers tailored, one‑on‑one support and free services, the speaker said: “We are free and we are so happy to help.”

The presentation did not include formal votes or policy changes; it described programming, outreach and planned trainings. Details such as the exact size of the cited cumulative savings were offered informally by the speaker and are reported here as approximate.","Staff at Missoula’s exploration center described programs to help residents reduce home energy costs, upcoming contractor trainings in June and volunteer support for the county fair’s 0‑waste goal in August.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Clearwater inspection station inspects thousands of boats annually to guard Missoula waters from invasive mussels

Rocky Mountain Gardens and Extension outline native‑plant, Master Gardener and conservation outreach

Missoula 4‑H leaders urge enrollment; program offers wide range of projects and camps

Missoula energy hub promotes efficiency, contractor training and 0‑waste fair support