MMW funds a number of water quality monitoring groups dedicated to improving the health of streams and lakes in Montana. Each organization MMW funds has specific goals and objectives for water quality monitoring and conservation. The Big Hole River Foundation focuses on monitoring the Big Hole River and its associated tributaries. By monitoring in this region, the group will contribute to providing long-term data that can impact management and policy decisions in the state. BHRF is passionate about protecting the river from environmental degradation related to nutrient pollution and warming temperatures. Not only does the group carry out meaningful water quality monitoring samples and work in conservation, but they also emphasize the importance of community outreach and education. The Big Hole River Foundation had quite the year in 2021, the first year they were funded by MMW. The group shared that “MMW support in both lab analysis & technical expertise has been critical for sustaining and growing our project. Thanks to this partnership we were able to add two new sampling sites in the upper Big Hole River, including at the headwaters. We now monitor nutrients & sediment at 10 sites along 150 miles of river." Partnerships between organizations like MMW and BHRF build stronger monitoring programs and communities. The work being done by BHRF is not only of the utmost importance today but also for the future of water quality and conservation in Big Sky Country. MMW is proud to highlight the Big Hole River Foundation for its work in the 2021 season and to be funding them again for sampling in 2022. Browse the Big Hole River Foundation website for more information and check out our BHRF and MMW story map on our website.