In 2000, artist Kimberly Wurster restored 1 Montana mining property for wildlife and trout. 20 years later, it supported elk breeding grounds and trout spawning habitat

A Montana mining property was the focus of a habitat restoration project listed on artist Kimberly Wurster’s Artists for Conservation profile, with the work spanning two decades.

The project, titled “Reclamation of Montana Mining Property,” ran from January 8, 2000, to November 8, 2020. Its stated purpose was “Restoring habitat.” The property was located on Dry Cottonwood Creek in Deer Lodge County, Montana.

Montana Mining Property Reclaimed for Wildlife

According to Artists for Conservation, the mining property was restored and reclaimed for its resident wildlife population, including elk breeding grounds.


The project also involved developing spawning habitat for native West Slope Cutthroat Trout.

The conservation listing identifies the site and describes the restoration work in terms of its benefits for resident wildlife and native trout.

Kimberly Wurster’s Conservation Project in Montana

The reclamation project is listed on Wurster’s profile with Artists for Conservation.

The documented project location was Dry Cottonwood Creek in Deer Lodge County. The conservation listing identifies the property as a Montana mining site and gives the project period as January 8, 2000, through November 8, 2020.

The project description specifically identifies resident wildlife, elk breeding grounds and native West Slope Cutthroat Trout spawning habitat.

Elk Breeding Grounds Were Part of the Restoration

One of the wildlife-related elements specifically mentioned in the project description is elk breeding habitat.

Artists for Conservation says the reclaimed property was restored for its resident wildlife population, including elk breeding grounds.

The description does not characterize these as a separate habitat project. Instead, elk breeding grounds are identified as part of the wildlife supported by the reclaimed property.

Spawning Habitat Developed for Native Trout

The project also addressed habitat for native fish.

According to the Artists for Conservation listing, spawning habitat was developed for native West Slope Cutthroat Trout.

The species is specifically named in the project description, making it possible to identify the trout involved rather than referring generally to fish habitat.

A Restoration Project Spanning 2000 to 2020

The project began on January 8, 2000, and concluded on November 8, 2020.

Across that period, the Montana mining property was restored and reclaimed for resident wildlife. The documented project description specifically mentions elk breeding grounds and spawning habitat developed for native West Slope Cutthroat Trout.

The Artists for Conservation listing provides the location, dates and stated conservation purpose of the project, offering a record of the two-decade effort to restore the Montana mining property.

FAQs

1. Who is Kimberly Wurster?

Kimberly Wurster is an artist whose Artists for Conservation profile includes the Montana mining property reclamation project.

2. Where was the Montana mining property?

It was located on Dry Cottonwood Creek in Deer Lodge County, Montana.