FCD Outdoor Education Center & Demonstration Garden: 2021 Update

The Flathead Conservation District Outdoor Education Center & Demonstration Garden is a learning space that is centrally located in Flathead County, just outside of the Flathead Conservation District office and USDA Service Center. It is open to the public as a place to gather and view a variety of conservation practices.

The “Demonstration Garden” began as a vacant lot less than an acre in size that was overgrown with noxious weeds. In 2019, it was adopted by the Flathead Conservation District to create a hands-on space for students and landowners. Grading and hardscaping created many of the features that define the layout, including paths, parking, the outdoor classroom, a dry creek bed, and rain gardens. Since then, Flathead Conservation District has installed and maintained various conservation practices.

Ongoing work in the Demonstration Garden is a balance between maintenance, improvement, and functionality. Maintenance such as weed control, mowing, mulching, and irrigating are necessary during the growing and shoulder seasons to preserve the ecological integrity and functionality of the installed practices. New practices are installed, and previously installed practices are modified or improved upon each year.

In 2021, a hedgerow of lilacs was installed to help define the space and to create a visual and physical barrier between the parking lot and the garden. A brassica cover crop was seeded in late spring to help break compaction, armor, and improve organic matter content in the soil and prevent weeds. Native and conservation ornamentals seedlings were planted and connected to the drip irrigation system. Noxious weeds were treated using chemical herbicide in consultation with the Flathead County Weed Department in order to optimize treatment effectiveness and remain in compliance with the law.

The following practices are currently installed in the Demonstration Garden:

• Windbreak and hedgerow
• Rain gardens
• Pollinator gardens
• Cover crops
• Native and conservation species plantings
• Lawn alternatives

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Ongoing maintenance tasks also demonstrate a variety of conservation practices:

• Mulching for weed control, water conservation, and soil health
• Weed control using various approaches: hand-pulling, mowing, solarization, and chemical herbicides
• Automated and weather-responsive drip irrigation for water conservation

Each year is a learning experience as the site grows and changes over time and as we discover what does and does not work. We are able to provide this information to landowners and offer an opportunity to view practices and examples on the ground. Informational signs are installed throughout the Demonstration Garden describing various practices and their benefits.

As the risks associated with indoor meetings remain an issue during the pandemic, we invite you to visit the Outdoor Education Center & Demonstration Garden on a self-guided tour to learn about valuable conservation practices here in Flathead County. Be sure to stay tuned for future volunteer and educational opportunities!

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