Bitterroot Water Forum Plans Busy April

The Bitterroot Water Forum is starting off the spring season with opportunities for you to help clean a scenic part of Highway 93 and also to learn some "Water-wise" tips for your garden or lawn.

the group has been working at helping keep the Bitterroot River healthy with streamside plantings and other activities that keep trash out of Ravalli County's main waterway, plus their conferences that help educate the public about our streams and rivers.

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This month, the first project will be along US 93 south of Hamilton and up the East Fork of the Bitterroot River. As they said in a news release, you can help keep the highway clear of trash on April 23rd that otherwise would end up in the river. By the way, their annual summer river cleanup finds tons of trash in the waters. So everything you can do to help really does make a difference! The April 23 cleanup will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Become water-wise with native plants in a two-day session

At the end of the month, the Forum has teamed up with Great Bear Native Plants and O'Hara Commons for a two-day "Water-Wise Landscape" workshop at the Commons on the 100 block of south 4th in Hamilton. You'll learn about adding native, drought-tolerant plants to your lawn or garden. The $50 registration will also include access to a curated selection of Great Bear Native Plants for sale (and scholarships are available).

April 29, the benefits and planting tips will be presented from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., including how to pick your plants, how to prepare the site and the "wise" way to water the plants.

April 30 will be the "hands-on" planting day to put those lessons "into the ground" with a planting demonstration and installation of a water-wise garden at the O'Hara Commons.

This is the month that Katie will be leaving the forum (after 6 great years) and they'll have a little farewell party for her April 16 at Bitter Root Brewery from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. You can also meet the new Community Engagement Coordinator, Alex Ocanas. She's excited to join the organization. Find out more at the Bitterroot Water Forum website or drop by their office on the 100 block of South 2nd street in downtown Hamilton.