Groups we've funded

Clark Fork Coalition

The Clark Fork Coalition is a 23-year old coalition working to protect and restore the Clark Fork watershed in western Montana and northern Idaho. The coalition was instrumental in advocating for the removal of the Milltown Dam and its reservoir's contaminated mining wastes and the $250 million mining pollution cleanup and restoration of the upper Clark Fork River. CFC is a recognized and respected advocate for land and water use policies that implement and expand watershed protection and restoration in Montana.

Clark Fork Coalition was a Brainerd Foundation grantee from 2001 to 2012.

Visit the website »

Clark Fork Coalition logo

Clark Fork Coalition Photo gallery

Lower Clark Fork River Photo courtesy of Clark Fork Coalition.

Photo courtesy of the Clark Fork Coalition.

Blue Copper Butterfly in the Clark Fork Watershed of western Montana and northern Idaho, where a coalition of stakeholders successfully advocated for the removal of the Milltown Dam. Photo courtesy of the Clark Fork Coalition.

Photo courtesy of the Clark Fork Coalition.

Photo courtesy of the Clark Fork Coalition.

Photo courtesy of Clark Fork Coalition.

Clark Fork Coalition Grant history

2012

$3,000 - To hire facilitation expertise for a strategic planning process. Opportunity fund

2011

$20,000 - To initiate a ClimateWise community-based planning process in Missoula County. Place-based conservation

2010

$30,000 - To protect and reconnect large landscapes in the Bitterroot and Upper Clark Fork watersheds of western Montana. Place-based conservation

2010

$2,500 - To develop a media and communications plan to help reframe their role as a restoration resource and voice for the river. Opportunity fund

2009

$40,000 - To protect critical rivers and riparian corridors in the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem. Place-based conservation

2008

$40,000 - To protect critical rivers and riparian corridors in and around Montana’s Missoula County. Place-based conservation

2008

$3,000 - To convene a summit of public officials, river advocates and water users to re-envision how water is used in the changing climate of the Northern Rockies. Opportunity fund

2007

$50,000 - To promote streamside protection of freshwater resources and fish and wildlife habitat in riparian corridors within Montana's Missoula County. Place-based conservation

2005

$25,000 - For general support, with an emphasis on building backing within the Deer Lodge Valley community for restoration and stewardship of the upper Clark Fork River. Place-based conservation

2004

$25,000 - For general support, including an upgrade of the organization's computer system. Place-based conservation

2003

$25,000 - To clean up toxic mining wastes, complete a successful campaign to remove an aging, mining-era dam on the Clark Fork River, and challenge permits for the proposed Rock Creek Mine. Place-based conservation

2002

$25,000 - To clean up toxic mining wastes and advocate for removal of an aging, mining-era dam on the Clark Fork River while challenging the permits for the proposed Rock Creek Mine and building organizational capacity. Place-based conservation

2001

$20,000 - To clean up toxic mining wastes and advocate for removal of an aging, mining-era dam on the Clark Fork River while preventing new mines from further polluting the river basin's waters. Place-based conservation