Fergus
Conservation District
About
1. Protect and promote conservation of soil and water resources
2. Protect and promote the health, safety and general wellbeing of the people of Fergus County
3. Protect tax base
Formed in 1946, sitting in the middle of Montana, the Fergus Conservation District has worked hard to protect and conserve Fergus County’s soil and water resources.
For many years, the focus of Fergus CD has been in preserving, fixing, and maintaining the Blue-Ribbon Trout Stream, Big Spring Creek, and all its tributaries. The Big Spring Watershed Council was started by the CD to help secure funding for the many projects associated with stream restoration. Big Spring Creek Watershed Booklet.
Another project was the trail system throughout Lewistown. The CD received grants to help with the hiring of the Conservation Corp to start working on the trails.
Fire Mitigation was started in Fergus County with a grant from the BLM. This helps thin trees around home sites which is important as we have 4 mountain ranges within the Fergus Conservation District.
Montana’s conservation districts partner with private landowners to keep our land and water healthy for the next generation. Led and staffed by locals, conservation districts champion balanced conservation solutions for those that they serve.
Find your local Conservation District
Eastern Heath Snail
The Eastern Heath Snail is an Invasive Land Snail that has been found in Fergus County. The attached video shows what they can do to crops, please stop the spread and report them to the Fergus Conservation District.
Build & Paint a Rain Barrel Workshop
2025
Diverting rainwater from your roof into a Rain Barrel is not just a smart way to save on your water bill, it’s also a wonderful way to help our local Big Spring Creek Watershed. Rainwater is like nature is providing gallons and gallons of Free water! By using Rain Barrels, you are protecting Big Spring Creek Watershed from nonpoint source pollution and from surface runoff!
The Fergus Conservation District hosted another Build & Paint a Rain Barrel Workshop. It is a wonderful way to learn how rain barrels can protect our local watershed, save money on your water bill, and just have fun!
Thank you to barrel donations from Hi-Country Coca-Cola and rain barrel hardware from The Rain Barrel Depot.
There are still a few 30-gallon rain barrel kits available for sale. Contact Dona Stafford for more information 406-708-3001
Our Work
Tree Sales
Tree sales for Spring 2026 have begun. Lists are available for May 2026 delivery. Nursery’s sell out fast. If you’d like to get lists, call or email today. Bare root, bulk trees for shelterbelts and windbreaks.
Email ferguscd@macdnet.org or call Dona 406-708-3001.
The Fergus Conservation District, is accepting applications for the Hazardous Fuels Mitigation Cost-Share Grant Program through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Hazardous Fuels Mitigation Cost-Share Grant Program is a cooperative agreement between property owners and the Conservation District to help manage and mitigate dangerous fuel sources on land and property in the preventative stages for wildfire.
Through the cost-share grant program, property owners can complete and submit an application and enter into a voluntary agreement with their local conservation office. This agreement will determine what fuel sources need to be mitigated and how much acreage around your structures is eligible for the program.
Contact the Fergus Conservation District for an application 406-708-3001
Tree Planter and Fabric Layer Rental
Planning on planting several trees in a shelterbelt/windbreak? Rent our tree planter or fabric layer to make your job easier.
Email ferguscd@macdnet.org or call Dona 406-708-3001 for more information.
Projects
In 1961, a section of Big Spring Creek, south of Lewistown, had been straightened. This created a stream that was deeply gouged and fast running, not a great habitat for the native trout. In 2010, the Fergus Conservation District partnered with NRCS to put the stream back to a natural, meandering, state. Today, Big Spring Creek is a beautiful, trout-filled stream.
A beautifully done fix to a culvert that was no longer working.
May 20, 2023
Diverting rainwater from your roof into a Rain Barrel is not just a smart way to save on your water bill, it’s also a wonderful way to help our local Big Spring Creek Watershed. Rainwater is like nature is providing gallons and gallons of Free water! By using Rain Barrels, you are protecting Big Spring Creek Watershed from nonpoint source pollution and from surface runoff!
The Fergus Conservation District had a Build & Paint a Rain Barrel Workshop and it was a wonderful way to learn how rain barrels can protect our local watershed, save money on your water bill, and just have fun!
Thank you to barrel donations from Hi-Country Coca-Cola; paint donations by TruValue, Ace, Bloedorn, BlueSky, and private donors; and a grant from the Montana Association of Conservation Districts for Water Quality Education and Outreach from the Environmental Protection Act!
A Bigger Thank You to our volunteer, Tobie, from the Lewistown Art Center!!
A Big Thank You to CEMIST hosting this Eastern Heath Snail Meeting! And to Gary Adams and Dr. Jeff Littlefield for all the great information they provided. Interested in learning more, please contact Brent Smith with CEMIST.
On June 15th, 2023, t
he Fergus Conservation District put on a workshop to educate Realtors and Contractors on the important information they should pass along to owners of property on streams. Clint Smith, FWP, talked about the origin of the 310 Permit (yes, it started here in Fergus County), 404 Permits, along with pond building. Steven Hamilton, DNRC, discussed water rights. Pam Vosen, Fergus Flood Plain, talked about Flood Permits. Don Jenni was unable to make it but did provide information to share regarding irrigation ditches and their right of ways. Shannon Bonney, BLM, and Bruce Reid talked about Fire Mitigation programs. Brenda Mury, Fergus Weed Coordinator, not only discussed Noxious Weeds but she also brought some really neat examples of them!
Turnout was great and so much information was shared! Thank You to all the Presenters and all the attendees for making this workshop a Success!
Contact
General Contact Information
211 McKinley, Ste 3
Lewistown, MT 59457
Staff
Dona Sonnemaker Stafford
District Administrator
- Phone 406/708-3001
- Email ferguscd@macdnet.org
Board Members
Anna Morris
Chair Person, Lewistown Urban Supervisor
Nita Bronec
Co-Chair Person, Supervisor – Denton Area
Kevan Comes
Treasurer, Supervisor – South of Lewistown
Steve Hertel
Moore Urban Supervisor
Terry Econom
Supervisor – Winifred Area
LJ Olson
Supervisor – Grass Range Area
Thad Jenni
Supervisor – North Lewistown