Members selected for Fish Creek Collaborative planning group – Clark Fork Valley Press | Mineral Independent

 

Report on the Establishment of the Fish Creek Collaborative for Sustainable Development in Western Montana

Introduction: Aligning Regional Planning with Global Sustainability Goals

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has announced the formation of the Fish Creek Collaborative (FCC), a citizen advisory group established to guide the development of a multi-use trail system in the Fish Creek area. This initiative represents a significant step towards integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into regional land management. The project is strategically designed to advance SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by creating a framework that balances recreational access with environmental stewardship.

Mandate and Strategic Alignment with SDG 15: Life on Land

The primary mandate of the FCC is to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses development, management, and conservation priorities for the Fish Creek area, which encompasses the state park, wildlife management area, and adjacent lands. This task directly supports SDG 15, which calls for the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The collaborative will focus on ensuring that the development of a multi-use trail network for both motorized and non-motorized users does not compromise wildlife habitat, biodiversity, or the integrity of natural resources, thereby integrating ecosystem values into local planning as per Target 15.9.

Composition of the Collaborative: Fostering SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

In alignment with SDG 17, which promotes multi-stakeholder partnerships, the FCC is composed of individuals representing diverse recreational interests and geographic perspectives. This structure ensures that the planning process is built on the collective experience and knowledge of the community. The appointed members bring valuable expertise in trail usage and environmental stewardship, embodying the collaborative approach necessary for achieving sustainable development.

FCC Members:

• Paige Boyer, Stevensville
• Ken Brown, Missoula
• Ben Deeble, Missoula
• Jerry Hatcher, Saint Regis
• John Kittelson, Missoula
• Jim Merifield, Missoula
• Hayley Newman, Missoula
• John Stegmaier, Missoula
• Sharon Sweeney, Huson
• Jane Whetzel, Alberton

Inter-Agency Advisory Panel: Strengthening Institutional Partnerships

Further reinforcing the commitment to SDG 17, an Advisory Panel comprising agency staff, government representatives, and subject matter experts has been established. This panel will provide specialized technical and policy guidance to the FCC, ensuring that decisions are informed by scientific data and governmental frameworks.

Advisory Panel Members:

• Amy Helena and Sierra Farmer, Montana DNRC Representatives
• Christopher Gauger and Laura Johnson, U.S. Forest Service Representatives
• Denley Loge, State Legislature Representative
• Jody Loomis, State Parks and Recreation Board Representative
• Willy Peck, Mineral County Representative

Planning Process: Advancing SDG 11 – Inclusive and Sustainable Public Spaces

The FCC’s planning process is designed to be transparent and participatory, directly contributing to SDG 11, particularly Target 11.7, which aims to provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces. The process will include:

1. A comprehensive site visit to the Fish Creek area for detailed assessment.
2. A series of public workshops to engage stakeholders and gather community input.

This approach ensures that the resulting trail system serves the community while upholding principles of sustainability and conservation. The initiative is a practical implementation of the 2024 Fish Creek Recreation Strategy, which formally called for a site-level plan to enhance recreational access while conserving vital natural resources.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 15: Life on Land

• This goal is central to the article, which focuses on the management of terrestrial ecosystems. The text explicitly mentions the planning area includes a “state park, wildlife management area, fishing access sites, and other surrounding lands.” The primary objectives are “conserving wildlife habitat and natural resources” and ensuring a “balanced approach to recreation, conservation, and sustainable use,” which directly align with the principles of SDG 15.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article details the formation of a multi-stakeholder partnership to achieve its objectives. The “Fish Creek Collaborative (FCC) citizen advisory group” is a prime example. It brings together citizens with “diverse recreation interests,” state agencies like “Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks” and “Montana DNRC,” federal bodies like the “U.S. Forest Service,” and local government representatives from the “State Legislature” and “Mineral County.” This collaborative structure is the essence of SDG 17.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• While the setting is rural, the article connects to this goal through its focus on public spaces. The effort to develop a “plan for a multi-use trail system” and “enhance recreational access” directly relates to providing access to green and public spaces for community well-being and recreation.

Specific Targets Identified

Targets for SDG 15 (Life on Land)

1. Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. The article’s stated aim to “ensure a balanced approach to recreation, conservation, and sustainable use” for the Fish Creek area, which includes parks and wildlife management areas, is a direct reflection of this target.
2. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt the loss of biodiversity. The “Fish Creek Recreation Strategy” explicitly aims to enhance recreation while “conserving wildlife habitat and natural resources,” which supports this target.
3. Target 15.9: Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning. The entire initiative, from the “Fish Creek Recreation Strategy” to the formation of the FCC to guide the “development of a plan for a multi-use trail system,” is an exercise in integrating conservation and ecosystem values into local-level land use planning.

Target for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

1. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The creation of the “Fish Creek Collaborative (FCC)” and its associated “Advisory Panel” is a textbook implementation of this target. The article highlights how the group is composed of citizens, “agency staff, government representatives, and subject matter experts” to guide the planning process.

Target for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

1. Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces. The project’s goal is to develop a “site-level plan for a multi-use trail network serving both motorized and non-motorized users,” which directly addresses the provision of access to public recreational spaces.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

Indicators for SDG 15 Targets

• Implied Indicator: The development and finalization of the “Fish Creek Recreation Strategy” and the subsequent “plan for a multi-use trail system.” The existence of such a management and conservation plan serves as a key indicator of progress towards integrating sustainable use principles into local planning.

Indicators for SDG 17 Target

• Mentioned Indicator: The establishment and composition of the “Fish Creek Collaborative (FCC) citizen advisory group” and the “Advisory Panel.” The article lists the members and their affiliations, demonstrating a functioning multi-stakeholder partnership, which is an indicator for Target 17.17.

Indicators for SDG 11 Target

• Mentioned Indicator: The plan to “host public workshops to engage with stakeholders.” The number and inclusivity of these workshops can be used as an indicator to measure the progress towards creating accessible and inclusive public spaces through community engagement.
• Implied Indicator: The completion of the “site-level plan for a multi-use trail network.” This plan is a direct output and a measurable step towards enhancing recreational access.

Summary of Findings

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 15: Life on Land	15.1: Ensure sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. 15.5: Reduce degradation of natural habitats. 15.9: Integrate ecosystem values into local planning.	Implied: The finalized “Fish Creek Recreation Strategy” and the “plan for a multi-use trail system” as evidence of integrated conservation planning.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.17: Encourage and promote effective public and civil society partnerships.	Mentioned: The establishment and diverse composition of the “Fish Creek Collaborative (FCC)” and its “Advisory Panel.”
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.7: Provide universal access to green and public spaces.	Mentioned: The hosting of “public workshops to engage with stakeholders.” Implied: The completion of the “site-level plan for a multi-use trail network.”

Source: vp-mi.com