The Yellowstone River Conservation Districts Council (YRCDC) is comprised of eleven member districts along the main stem of the Yellowstone River. Our purpose is to provide local leadership, assistance, and guidance for the wise use and conservation of the Yellowstone River’s natural resources. This purpose is founded on three fundamental precepts:
1) The need for scientific information on which to base management decisions.
2) The need for broad-based local, regional, and national input.
3) The need for technical and financial assistance to address sustainable use issues on the Yellowstone River.
Yellowstone River Conservation District Council Meeting Notice – October 16th – Billings Montana
The Yellowstone River Conservation District Council will meet in Billings on Friday Morning; October 16th the Montana FWP Region 5 headquarters conference room located at 2300 Lake Elmo Drive. Meeting Details and Agenda will be posted the first week of October. For more information, please call: 406-930-0594
Woody Invasive Working Group River Tour – Protecting Montana’s Rivers Through Collaboration and Education.
On July 16, 2026, the Woody Invasives Working Group (WIWG) hosted its first annual River Tour in Billings, celebrating three years of collaboration toward a coordinated statewide response to woody invasive species. More than just a field tour, the event highlighted what can be accomplished when agencies, conservation organizations, and local partners work toward a…
May 28th – YRCDC Meeting in Miles City – Zoom Link and Agenda
Meeting Agenda - YRCDC Memo Header - May 28th, 2026 YRCDC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: YRCDC Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98640293989?pwd=Xr0LjbiePEOU0O5FZxTpOmICE8xu34.1 Meeting chat link https://zoom.us/launch/jc/98640293989 Meeting ID: 986 4029 3989 Passcode: 331077 --- One tap mobile +12532158782,,98640293989#,,,,*331077# US (Tacoma) +13462487799,,98640293989#,,,,*331077# US (Houston)
Woody Invasive Task Force
Montana’s rivers, rangelands, and working landscapes are increasingly threatened by woody invasive species like common buckthorn, Russian olive, and saltcedar. These aggressive plants disrupt ecosystems, reduce water availability, damage infrastructure, and limit agricultural productivity—creating real ecological and economic challenges across the state.
This statewide management plan brings together landowners, agencies, and conservation partners to tackle the issue at scale. It outlines science-based strategies for prevention, treatment, and long-term control, while emphasizing collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and sustained funding.
By aligning efforts across jurisdictions and focusing on early detection, coordinated management, and education, this work aims to restore Montana’s riparian systems and protect the productivity, resilience, and beauty of its landscapes for generations to come.
In 2024, Yellowstone River Conservation District Council helped to create a Woody Invasive Task Force with multiple conservation partners. The picture below is a link to the Woody Invasive Task Force Management plan.
Our work with woody invasives
If you’re interested in receiving updates about YRCDC’s meetings and activities, please let us know by emailing Dan at yellowrockriver@gmail.com.
About the Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River stretches over 670 miles and is the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states. Originating in Yellowstone National Park, it drains 70,000 square miles of land before it joins the Missouri River northeast of Sidney, Montana. In addition to an abundance of fish and wildlife, the Yellowstone River supports a wide variety of agricultural, domestic, industrial, and recreational uses.