The Hub Conservation Area - Montanans 4 Safe Wildlife Passage

Helmville to FlintsSpeciesGeographic BoundaryThe Helmville to Flints linkage areaextends north-south from the northernextent of the Flint Creek Range, acrossthe southern end of the Garnet Rangeand the Robert E. Lee Mountains, endingin the Helena National Forest around thetown of Lincoln. The Clark Fork Riverruns through the southern part of thelinkage area; Nevada Creek runs throughthe central-northern part of the linkagearea. The heart of this linkage betweenthe Garnets and Flints is through the GoldCreek area.Importance of Linkage AreaThis linkage area serves to connectthe more isolated mountain rangesof the southwestern Hub region withthe Continental Divide and the large,continuous mountain complex of theScapegoat Wilderness.Mountain ranges connected in thislinkage: Central Garnets, Flint CreekRange, Boulder Mountains, and theScapegoat Wilderness Area and Robert E.Lee Mountains.Ecological SettingThe south end of this linkage extendsfrom the forested foothills of the FlintCreek Range across open grassland slopeswith stringers of cottonwood (Populusspp.) and willow (Salix spp.) riparianhabitat along perennial streams tributaryto the Clark Fork River. North of theClark Fork, habitat becomes a mix of drysagebrush/grasslands and scattered RockyMountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum),limber pine (Pinus flexilis) and Douglasfir(Pseudotsuga menziesii). Forest coverbecomes progressively denser in largerstands further to the north. The densityof forest cover, predominantly Douglas-fir108(Pseudotsuga menziesii) and lodgepole pine(Pinus contorta), is dependent on aspectand elevation in this area. South-facingslopes are more open with interspersedareas of big sagebrush (Artemisiatridentata) and grasslands whereas northfacingslopes and higher elevations arefairly densely forested. The linkageis bisected by Nevada Creek and theBlackfoot River with broad riparian zones ofthe Blackfoot River and Nevada Creek thatsupport a mix of black cottonwood (Populustrichocarpa) and willow (Salix spp.)communities, although some of this habitathas been converted to agricultural lands.Widespread and intensive timber harvesthas occurred throughout the linkageoften using a high density, road networkon distinct checkerboard land ownershippatterns. Few large intact forest patchesare available that have not been harvestedor roaded. The Blackfoot River valleybisects the linkage with Highway 200, amajor power line, the town of Lincoln andwidely dispersed residences and ranches.Agricultural pasture and hay lands arecommon around Lincoln. Highway 141passes through the Nevada Creek valley.Elevations in the linkage range from about4,200 feet along the Clark Fork River to9,000 feet north of Lincoln.WildlifeThis area currently functions as amovement corridor for grizzly bear,wolves, and lynx.Grizzly: This linkage area is veryimportant for grizzly bear movingsouthwest out of the Blackfoot RiverBasin towards the Garnets-Flint CreekRange. Nevada Lake and Nevada Creekfunction as specific movement corridorsfor bears; likewise, grizzly move throughHelmville and Ovando towards the