Featured Event

Fit to fight has been a project of Bitterroot RC&D since 2009. This year's FIT TO FIGHT Alumni Triathletes challenge you not only to train your hardest and race your fastest, but to race to help them build the FIT TO FIGHT program. FIT TO FIGHT empowers cancer patients and survivors to improve their quality of life during and after cancer treatment through an eight week, physical therapist supervised, cost-free program of fitness, health and education at PEAK Health & Wellness Center. http://fittofightmt.org/events/

Can you meet the FIT TO FIGHT PEAK Tri Challenge?

TRIATHLETES - Meet to challenge by registering to fundraise at firstgiving.com

(FIT TO FIGHT fundraises under fiscal agent Bitter Root Resource Conservation & Development)

Current News

On April 26, 2012 the Bitter Root RC&D Board of Directors and staff met to discuss sustainability of the organization almost a year to the day after RC&D's across the nation suffered the loss of Natural Resources Conservation Service funds that had been in place since the inception of the RC&D congressionally mandated program in 1962. Now as a standalone nonprofit, the Bitter Root RC&D is addressing the funding shortfall through a variety of strategies.

While the organization has sustained a "hit", the Bitter Root RC&D is alive and carrying out community projects with the same level of quality service that it is nationally known for. "We have not missed a beat in services offered but we have to assess our future sustainability" says Becki Koon, Executive Director. "We have the challenging opportunity to move forward in addressing community needs with a new and unbridled paradigm."

Front row left to right: Katelyn Andersen holding youngest ever attendee-5-week old Callie, Michele Landquist, Janeen Curtis, Jessica Jenne, Becki Koon, Sue Sutherland, Colin Moon. Back row left to right: Pam Gouse, Greg Chilcott, Kelly Dillon, Roman Zylawy, Jerry Marks, Jim DeBree, Allen Bjergo, Roger Hearst, Steve Vogt.

Featured News

PRESS RELEASE

Bitter Root RC&D Sweeps Western Awards and Comes Home With New Western Regional RC&D Officers

The Bitter Root Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (RC&D) is pleased to announce their latest award winners.  At the 2012 Western Regional RC&D Association Conference held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Bitter Root RC&D received 3 regional awards.  The Western RC&D Association covers 10 states and 80 RC&D Councils.  The Bitter Root RC&D 2012 award winners are:

Angela (Angie) Zito has been Bookkeeper with the Bitter Root RC&D for 17 years and has dedicated her energy to making sure that the financial housekeeping was in order.  She has had a close working relationship with the Council Treasurer and has always attended quarterly council meetings to address questions or concerns that the board might have with the financial status; she has never failed to be able to provide answers to detailed inquiries even when she was away from the computer bookkeeping system.  She is responsible for grant tracking and financial reporting for multiple on-going projects, and she is able to meet deadlines and to treat the grantors with respect and efficiency.  With over 50 community projects in Mineral, Missoula and Ravalli Counties, this is no light duty.  Funding comes from a variety of collaborative partners through grants and project fiscal management.

Youth of the Year – Amanda Zito.
During the national campaign to get RC&Ds back on the federal funding table with a petition to get 5000 signatures, Amanda Zito took it upon herself to help with that national effort by creating a video that she used to market the benefit of RC&D across the country.  This video was shared across the National Association of RC&D Councils listserv and across school campuses as well as FaceBook, YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iocRN0Xs4Sk) and other social media.  It was her understanding on a personal level of the broad community benefit of Bitter Root RC&D that spurred her interest to help RC&Ds across the country.  Amanda gained an understanding of the various RC&D projects in her community through her own experience participating in RC&D projects and working as an RC&D intern in high school. 

Partner of the Year – NeigborWorks® Montana
The partnership between NeighborWorks® Montana and Montana RC&Ds developed in the late 1990s and has been a strong alliance since that time.  Maureen Rude, Director of Operations, stated that she works closely with RC&D councils in providing the training and support that creates viability for both organizations.  She works with RC&D Board Chairs, Executive Directors and Housing Counselors to make sure that the needs of all are met.  “I am very dedicated to the idea
that our partnership is what makes us stronger” said Maureen, “and I make sure that the RC&D is recognized in all media that we generate.”

NWMT works with local service partners throughout the state to provide homebuyer education, homeownership planning, foreclosure prevention, one-on-one housing counseling, loans for downpayment and closing costs, due-on-sale loans for “gap financing” and development of new owner-occupied homes.  Six out of the eight Montana RC&Ds have a service partner agreement with NWMT to provide First Time Homebuyer and Foreclosure Prevention education for reimbursement.  In Fiscal Year 2011, NeighborWorks® Montana allocated over $82,500 to their RC&D partners.

Western Regional Officers:
The Bitter Root RC&D was one of the first RC&D Councils established in the country.  The mission of the Bitter Root RC&D is to promote conscientious development of the area’s natural and human resources, while maintaining or improving the quality of those resources and the quality of life in Mineral, Missoula and Ravalli Counties, Montana.

As a result of this deep history, the Bitter Root RC&D is providing a strong leadership role at both the national and regional levels.  Pam Gouse, Council Secretary, has been named as the Montana State Association President.  There are 8 RC&D Councils in Montana.  In addition, at the Western RC&D Meeting, Pam was elected as the Western RC&D Secretary.

We are proud to announce that Sue Sutherland was elected as the Western RC&D President.  Sue is new to the Bitterroot Valley but has 15 years acting as RC&D Coordinator with RC&D Councils in Utah and Libby, Montana.  Sue is married to Kit Sutherland who was the former Bitter Root RC&D Coordinator and they reside in Corvallis.

RC&D helps people and organizations with community projects.  Bitter Root RC&D encourages local residents to volunteer and/or bring forward projects.

Contact us as 363-5450.