Fall Is here, and October has been a busy month for MMW with our attendance at multiple conferences, our funded groups wrapping up sampling events for the year, and supporting efforts to start a new and exciting program at FLBS to address pesticide pollution (more info coming soon!). This month, both the Montana Chapter of the American Water Resource Association (AWRA) conference and the Montana Lakes Conference took place. At the AWRA conference, we were able to speak with people from multiple agencies, conservation districts, and students where we learned about the efforts being made throughout the state that are keeping Montana’s waters some of the cleanest in the world. I (Jared) got the opportunity to speak at the AWRA conference about MMW’s role in supporting groups, along with the amazing work that those monitoring groups have been doing this year. Along with the AWRA conference, we were able to attend the Montana Lakes Conference and hear more about the work and studies being done on our lakes and how we can continue to protect them. I also had the opportunity to assist in some data collection with Kootenai Watershed Allies (KWA) where we traveled to over 30 sites along the Kootenai and Lake Koocanusa. This allowed me to have a more hands-on experience with collecting flow data and water sampling as well as the opportunity to learn more about KWA and all the efforts Rita and Johnny Adams are undertaking to protect their watershed. The data from there monitoring will also be used to help the USGS with their ongoing work in the Kootenai drainage.  More information about their work  can be found here on the USGS website. Lastly, we are getting prepared to announce a new program at FLBS to help expand monitoring efforts and address pesticide pollution in western Montana. Check back in November for an official announcement and launch of this program!