2022 BLM Low-Tech Riverscape Restoration Workshop

BLM Workshop

Sponsored by:

This workshop was held August 9–11, 2022 as a combination of field and classroom instruction, hosted by the BLM Miles City Field Office.

Overview

This workshop was coordinated by BLM’s Alden Shallcross, the Montana/Dakotas Aquatic Habitat Management Program lead, with support from the BLM Montana/Dakotas, Utah State University’s Restoration Consortium, and Joe Wheaton’s ET-AL Lab.

Content drew on over 20 prior LTPBR workshops and online modules developed in 2020 for NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife.

👉 Teaching While Doing — workshop story (PDF)

Workshop Description

This workshop introduced BLM staff and partners to low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) principles for streams and riparian areas, including simple structures like Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) and Post-Assisted Log Structures (PALS). Participants gained skills in planning, design, and implementation phases, supported by the published Design Manual.

Instruction combined lectures, discussions, hands-on classroom exercises, and field construction projects on Pumpkin Creek.

Audience

Target audience: Montana–Dakota BLM staff and their conservation partners working on riverscapes.

When taught in the field, participation is typically capped to about 45, primarily BLM staff and key partners, to build local technical capacity across each state.

Agenda

Days 1 & 2 — Classroom

Day 1 (9 AM–5 PM)

Introduction to LTPBR
Underlying Science & Case Studies
Local field trip
Dinner and social at 6:30 PM

Day 2 (9 AM–5 PM)

Planning Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration
Designing Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration

Location: Eastern Montana Fairgrounds Event Center

Day 1 — Evening Dinner & Story

Location: Riverside Park, Miles City

Dinner catered by Christina Stuart & Company, sponsored by Anabranch Solutions
Dutch oven dinner starts ~6:45 PM
Story from rancher Jay Wilde at 7:00 PM
Wrap-up between 8:30–9:00 PM

Day 3 — Pumpkin Creek

7:30 AM–3:00 PM

Implementing LTPBR — field construction

👉 Learn more about Pumpkin Creek

Course Materials

Modules

Workshop Textbooks

Mandatory Texts
Free digital versions available:

Printed copies:

Instruction Team

Workshop Team

Stephen N. Bennett
Ecologist, Adjunct Professor
Joseph Wheaton
Professor of Riverscapes

Virtual Resources Team

Mark Beardsley
Ecologist
Nicolaas Bouwes
Aquatic Ecologist, Adjunct Professor
Ben Goldfarb
Author, Environmental Journalist, Beaver Believer
Jeremy Maestas
Ecologist
Scott Shahveridan
Fluvial Geomorphologist
Colin Thorne
Professor of Physical Geography
Nick Weber
Fish Ecologist

Logistics

Registration

Free, by invitation only (registration now closed). Contact Alden Shallcross for more details.

Lodging

Book before July 1, 2022 to secure discounted rate at Miles City Hotel & Suites. Group rate: $129 per night. Call 406-234-1000 and mention “BLM Workshop.”

Other lodging options: search hotels

Field Gear

Come prepared for weather extremes — anything from hot sun to snow. Recommended:

Chest waders and wading boots
Outdoor layers (gloves, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, spare dry clothes)
No open-toed shoes on Day 3
Work-appropriate clothing

PPE (gloves, glasses, hard hats, ear protection) will be provided.

Meals

Day 1 (classroom)

Morning coffee and snacks
Lunch from Boog’s BBQ
Dinner catered at Riverside Park

Day 2 (classroom)

Morning coffee and snacks
Lunch from Boog’s BBQ
Dinner on your own

Day 3 (field)

Bag lunch and snacks provided
Bring your own water bottle

Gluten-free options available. Other dietary needs should plan separately.

Emergency Preparedness

Cell reception is generally available. First aid kits and certified responders will be on site.

Closest ER: Holy Rosary Healthcare
2600 Wilson St, Miles City, MT 59301
406-233-2600