What a Montana Conservation District Is
Montana has 58 conservation districts. The Montana Association of Conservation Districts describes them on its website as local units of government, led and staffed by locals, that partner with private landowners to keep land and water healthy. The state's conservation district law book says the districts were created by the legislature in 1939, and the association's one-page summary describes their work as voluntary and tailored to local needs.
Who Runs Them and How They Are Funded
A non-paid board of supervisors, elected and appointed, governs each district, according to the law book. Districts can levy a tax on real property within their boundaries. The one-page summary says funding comes from local mill levies and state money, mainly the coal severance tax, along with project grants and other outside sources. It values volunteer contributions at over $5 million per year.
The statewide group, the Montana Association of Conservation Districts, was created in 1942 as a nonprofit. It supports districts through advocacy, programs and partnership building, and its office is in Helena.
What Districts Do
The services list varies by district, but the association and the state summary name these:
- Stream (310) permitting, which all 58 districts administer.
- Watershed planning and streambank restoration.
- Aquatic invasive species prevention, including boat check stations.
- Rangeland improvement funding, education and technical assistance, and noxious weed control.
- Pollinator habitat and soil health programs.
- Fuels reduction support, such as hand thinning and planned fire.
- Conservation education, including Envirothon, plus equipment rentals and voluntary soil conservation programs.
Districts also work with agencies such as DNRC, DEQ, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, NRCS and the Bureau of Land Management.
The 310 Permit
If you plan to work in or near a stream, the district is where you start. DNRC's stream permitting page says the Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act, known as the 310 Law, applies to private, nongovernmental individuals or entities that work in or near a stream. It covers any activity that physically alters or modifies the bed or banks of a perennially flowing stream.
- Contact your local conservation district for an application before starting work.
- After the district accepts the application, a team may inspect the site. The team includes a district representative, a Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologist and the applicant.
- The team makes recommendations, and the district board approves, modifies or denies the permit.
The board has 60 days from the date it accepts the application to act. Local rules apply and a fee may be required, so ask your district. The Joint Application form can be used for the 310 permit and other permits. For emergency work to protect life or property from an imminent threat such as flooding, submit a 310 Emergency Notice to the district within 15 days of acting. Violations can bring penalties, and an MSU Extension publication, Planning a Project On or Near a Stream or River, notes each day of unpermitted alteration counts as a separate cause of action.
Trees, Seed and Equipment
Many districts help landowners with practical tools. A DNRC training sheet on district rental equipment lists items districts commonly rent, including tree planters and fabric layers, range sprayers, no-till drills, broadcast seeders, manure spreaders, shallow-bury pipeline plows and post-pounders. Rental programs help landowners try conservation practices they might not afford otherwise. Rates, deposits and insurance rules are set by each district, so call first.
For seedlings, the state's Conservation Nursery sells trees, shrubs, grasses and other plants. Its annual sale takes orders from January through April for pickup or delivery the following spring, first come, first served, and it lists private landowners among its customers. Check whether your district handles orders or events locally.
Finding Your District
- The conservation district map shows boundaries.
- The directory lists contacts for each district.
- The Conservation Districts Bureau at DNRC, reachable at (406) 444-6667, can also point you to your district.
Practical Tips
- Call the district before any ditch, bank, culvert or bridge work near a live stream.
- Start the permit process early. The board has up to 60 days after accepting your application.
- Ask about equipment rentals before you buy a drill or sprayer you will use once.
- Attend a board meeting. Supervisors are local volunteers and they listen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many conservation districts are there in Montana?
There are 58, and all 58 administer 310 stream permits.
Do I need a permit to work on a seasonal creek?
The 310 Law applies to perennially flowing streams. If you are unsure whether yours qualifies, ask your district before you start.
What if a flood damages my bank and I need to act fast?
Submit a 310 Emergency Notice to your district within 15 days of acting.
Do districts regulate my land?
Their work is described as voluntary, with the 310 permit as the regulatory exception for stream work.
Montana Listings Covered by This Guide
- Montana Association of Conservation Districts Convention
Annual convention of Montana's conservation districts at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, December 1 to 3, 2026, with a pre-convention workshop on November 30 and an awards banquet.
- Beaverhead Conservation District
Local conservation district based in Dillon that works with landowners on soil, water, grazing and streambank questions in its part of Montana.
420 Barrett Street, Dillon, MT 59725 | 406-683-3802 - Big Horn Conservation District
Hardin conservation district, a locally governed Montana body offering landowners help with natural resource projects, 310 permits and conservation planning.
205 13th Street West, Hardin, MT 59034 | 406-629-3229 - Big Sandy Conservation District
Conservation district office in Big Sandy, run by a locally elected board that assists farmers and ranchers with erosion, irrigation and range stewardship.
232 First Street North, PO Box 218, Big Sandy, MT 59520 | 406-378-2298 - Bitterroot Conservation District
Montana conservation district headquartered in Hamilton, part of the state network that supports private land stewardship and water quality efforts.
1709 North First Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 | 406-361-6181 - Blaine Conservation District
Local conservation district based in Chinook that works with landowners on soil, water, grazing and streambank questions in its part of Montana.
228 Ohio Street, PO Box 189, Chinook, MT 59523 | 406-357-2320 - Broadwater Conservation District
Townsend conservation district, a locally governed Montana body offering landowners help with natural resource projects, 310 permits and conservation planning.
415 South Front Street, Townsend, MT 59644 | 406-521-3016 - Carbon Conservation District
Conservation district office in Joliet, run by a locally elected board that assists farmers and ranchers with erosion, irrigation and range stewardship.
606 West Front Ave, PO Box 510, Joliet, MT 59041 | 406-962-3641 - Carter Conservation District
Montana conservation district headquartered in Ekalaka, part of the state network that supports private land stewardship and water quality efforts.
308 S. Mormon Avenue, PO Box 313, Ekalaka, MT 59324 | 406-775-6355 - Cascade Conservation District
Local conservation district based in Great Falls that works with landowners on soil, water, grazing and streambank questions in its part of Montana.
600 6th St NW, Suite 1, Great Falls, MT 59404 | 406-866-0020 - Chouteau Conservation District
Fort Benton conservation district, a locally governed Montana body offering landowners help with natural resource projects, 310 permits and conservation planning.
1210 25th Street, PO Box 309, Fort Benton, MT 59442 | 406-622-5401 - Custer Conservation District
Conservation district office in Miles City, run by a locally elected board that assists farmers and ranchers with erosion, irrigation and range stewardship.
3120 Valley Drive East, Miles City, MT 59301 | 406-232-7905 - Daniels Conservation District
Montana conservation district headquartered in Scobey, part of the state network that supports private land stewardship and water quality efforts.
PO Box 605, Scobey, MT 59263 | 406-487-5366 - Dawson Conservation District
Local conservation district based in Glendive that works with landowners on soil, water, grazing and streambank questions in its part of Montana.
102 Fir Street, Glendive, MT 59330 | 406-377-5566 - Deer Lodge Valley Conservation District
Deer Lodge conservation district, a locally governed Montana body offering landowners help with natural resource projects, 310 permits and conservation planning.
1002 Hollenback Lane, Suite C, Deer Lodge, MT 59722 | 406-415-4043 - Eastern Sanders Conservation District
Conservation district office in Plains, run by a locally elected board that assists farmers and ranchers with erosion, irrigation and range stewardship.
7487 MT Highway 200, PO Box 217, Plains, MT 59859 | 406-830-8687 - Fergus Conservation District
Montana conservation district headquartered in Lewistown, part of the state network that supports private land stewardship and water quality efforts.
211 McKinley, Suite 3, Lewistown, MT 59457 | 406-708-3001 - Flathead Conservation District
Local conservation district based in Kalispell that works with landowners on soil, water, grazing and streambank questions in its part of Montana.
133 Interstate Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901 | 406-752-4220 - Gallatin Conservation District
Manhattan conservation district, a locally governed Montana body offering landowners help with natural resource projects, 310 permits and conservation planning.
120 S 5th St, Ste B104, PO Box 569, Manhattan, MT 59741 | 406-282-4350 - Garfield Conservation District
Conservation district office in Jordan, run by a locally elected board that assists farmers and ranchers with erosion, irrigation and range stewardship.
307 Main Street, PO Box 369, Jordan, MT 59337 - Glacier Conservation District
Montana conservation district headquartered in Cut Bank, part of the state network that supports private land stewardship and water quality efforts.
1 Third Street NE, Cut Bank, MT 59427 | 406-873-5752 - Granite Conservation District
Local conservation district based in Philipsburg that works with landowners on soil, water, grazing and streambank questions in its part of Montana.
105 South Holland, PO Box 926, Philipsburg, MT 59858 - Green Mountain Conservation District
Trout Creek conservation district, a locally governed Montana body offering landowners help with natural resource projects, 310 permits and conservation planning.
PO Box 1329, Trout Creek, MT 59874 | 406-827-4833 - Hill Conservation District
Conservation district office in Havre, run by a locally elected board that assists farmers and ranchers with erosion, irrigation and range stewardship.
206 25th Avenue West, Suite 1, Havre, MT 59501 | 406-265-6792 - Jefferson Valley Conservation District
Montana conservation district headquartered in Whitehall, part of the state network that supports private land stewardship and water quality efforts.
PO Box 890, USDA Building, Whitehall, MT 59759 | 406-287-7875 - Judith Basin Conservation District
Local conservation district based in Stanford that works with landowners on soil, water, grazing and streambank questions in its part of Montana.
121 Central Avenue, Stanford, MT 59479 | 406-566-2311 - Lake Conservation District
Ronan conservation district, a locally governed Montana body offering landowners help with natural resource projects, 310 permits and conservation planning.
64352 US Highway 93, Ronan, MT 59864 | 406-676-2811 - Lewis and Clark Conservation District
Conservation district office in Helena, run by a locally elected board that assists farmers and ranchers with erosion, irrigation and range stewardship.
790 Colleen Street, Helena, MT 59601 | 406-389-3895 - Liberty Conservation District
Montana conservation district headquartered in Chester, part of the state network that supports private land stewardship and water quality efforts.
18 Main Street, PO Box 669, Chester, MT 59522 | 406-759-5778 - Lincoln Conservation District
Local conservation district based in Eureka that works with landowners on soil, water, grazing and streambank questions in its part of Montana.
66121 Highway 37, Eureka, MT 59917 | 406-297-2233 - Little Beaver Conservation District
Baker conservation district, a locally governed Montana body offering landowners help with natural resource projects, 310 permits and conservation planning.
141 South 4th Street West, PO Box 917, Baker, MT 59313 | 406-778-2217 - Lower Musselshell Conservation District
Conservation district office in Roundup, run by a locally elected board that assists farmers and ranchers with erosion, irrigation and range stewardship.
747 Main Street, PO Box 160, Roundup, MT 59072 | 406-323-2103 - Madison Conservation District
Montana conservation district headquartered in Ennis, part of the state network that supports private land stewardship and water quality efforts.
222 Main Street, PO Box 606, Ennis, MT 59729 | 406-682-3181 - McCone Conservation District
Local conservation district based in Circle that works with landowners on soil, water, grazing and streambank questions in its part of Montana.
106 10th Street, Circle, MT 59215 | 406-485-2744 - Meagher Conservation District
White Sulphur Springs conservation district, a locally governed Montana body offering landowners help with natural resource projects, 310 permits and conservation planning.
4147 US Highway 12 W, PO Box 589, White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645 | 406-547-3633 - Mile High Conservation District
Conservation district office in Whitehall, run by a locally elected board that assists farmers and ranchers with erosion, irrigation and range stewardship.
PO Box 890, USDA Building, Whitehall, MT 59759 | 406-287-7875 - Mineral Conservation District
Montana conservation district headquartered in Superior, part of the state network that supports private land stewardship and water quality efforts.
PO Box 174, Superior, MT 59872 | 406-822-3452 - Missoula Conservation District
Local conservation district based in Missoula that works with landowners on soil, water, grazing and streambank questions in its part of Montana.
1075 South Avenue West, Missoula, MT 59801 | 406-303-3427 - North Powell Conservation District
Deer Lodge conservation district, a locally governed Montana body offering landowners help with natural resource projects, 310 permits and conservation planning in the northern part of Powell County.
1002 Hollenback Lane, Suite C, Deer Lodge, MT 59722 | 406-415-4043 - Park Conservation District
Conservation district office in Livingston, run by a locally elected board that assists farmers and ranchers with erosion, irrigation and range stewardship.
5242 Highway 89 South, Livingston, MT 59047 | 406-946-3007
Plus 19 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Montana directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.