HELENA– Two groups and one individual will be honored with 2025 Montana Watershed and Wetland Stewardship Awards by the Montana Watershed Coordination Council (MWCC) and the Montana Wetland Council. The awards honor individuals or groups who embody excellence and commitment to watershed or wetland conservation, protection and restoration. Award recipients will be recognized at an awards ceremony by Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras on March 13, 2025, 5:00 PM at The Lobby at the Anchor G in Helena, Mont. The award ceremony is open to the public.
“The Watershed and Wetland Stewardship Award winners are making a real difference on the ground in Montana and have all demonstrated long-standing commitments to improve the health of Montana’s watersheds and wetlands,” said Aaron Clausen, World Wildlife Fund Sustainable Ranching Initiative Manager and Board Chair of the Montana Watershed Coordination Council. “Their leadership and commitment have built strong partnerships in each of their communities, bringing people together with a shared goal of protecting the land and water resources we all depend on.”
2025 Award Winners:
Constanza von der Pahlen
Gallatin Water Collaborative
Montana Beaver Working Group
Constanza von der Pahlen: Constanza, Critical Lands Program Director for the Flathead Lakers, has been with the organization since 2000. She has worked tirelessly for the conservation, protection, and restoration of the lands and waterbodies on the North Shore of Flathead Lake and along the Flathead River and its tributaries to the north. Her contributions include a variety of restoration projects and conservation easements, but her greatest asset has been coordinating and leveraging partnerships to achieve significant and long-lasting watershed benefits.
Gallatin Water Collaborative: The Gallatin Water Collaborative has been addressing pressing water resource needs in the Gallatin Valley since 2021. Made up of conservation organizations, government agencies, scientists, engineers, agricultural producers, recreationists, and developers, the organization unifies local efforts to protect, restore, and enhance water resources in the Lower Gallatin Watershed.
Montana Beaver Working Group: The Montana Beaver Working Group lives up to it mission: Connecting people and sharing resources to advance the beaver’s keystone role in watershed health. Initially started as an un-funded ad-hoc group, the Montana Beaver Working Group has developed under guidance from the National Wildlife Federation and the Clark Fork Coalition into a highly effective meeting ground and clearinghouse for beaver-related work. Their ability to connect, coordinate, and empower state and federal agencies, tribal resource management officers, private landowners, watershed groups, and the Montana Trappers Association has resulted in real progress for beaver-based restoration and sustainable beaver management in Montana.
The stewardship awards ceremony will be preceded by a social and networking hour with light appetizers and a cash bar. Members are the press are invited to attend. For more information, visit: https://www.mtwatersheds.org/inspire/watershed-stewardship-awards/
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Montana Department of Environmental Quality
