An expert understanding of geology, an acute awareness of the impacts of development, and a desire to bring everyone to the table to consider the question “What are we doing to the river collectively?” are what keep MRCDC member John Chase actively involved in Council issues. John first joined the Council in January 2006, following in the footsteps of MRCDC founding member Dale Marxer. John immediately took on the important task of tracking the Council’s financial reports, grants, and contract obligations. The Council depends on John’s attention to detail and his timely review of financial documents to accurately represent the Council’s finances to our fiscal agent, the Cascade County CD Board.

John’s passion for the River’s Edge Trail in Great Falls and his appreciation for the important link it provides “city” folks to the Missouri River led to a cooperative project between the Council and the Cascade County CD where five interpretive signs were placed along the trail. The signs educate people on the importance of riparian areas, the threat of noxious weeds, the history of the area, and the many bird species that rely on rivers and riparian areas.

John is also an avid photographer and captures most Council activities on film. His photos have been used extensively in Council publications. He has also been instrumental in reviewing and choosing photos for the Council’s display boards.

Although John retired from teaching Earth Science in the Great Falls school district, he has never stopped educating people on the unique geology of Montana and our precious land and water resources. He attends nearly all of the Cascade County CD’s 310 inspections; participates in the CD’s annual “Ag Days” workshop for area 4th-grade students; was instrumental in the set-up of the Council’s “Native Waters” display; and works with local legislators and legislative delegates to ensure the area’s conservation needs are adequately represented at the Legislature.

Additional CD-sponsored groups that John is instrumental in are the Whitmore Ravine Task Force and the Sun River Watershed Heritage Group. Keeping up with all of the technical and bureaucratic paperwork generated in conjunction with the Whitmore Ravine project has not been an easy task, but it’s one that John has never shied away from. His diligence has helped keep the Cascade County CD’s voice at the forefront of discussions regarding the Whitmore Ravine. Additionally, John has volunteered untold hours of his photography and display board construction skills to help build a historical display of the Sun River Watershed. The display will be used as the foundation for discussing and eventually implementing grassroots-led land use planning throughout the Sun River watershed.

One of John’s goals, through the Council, is to implement solid, sound land use planning and riparian area protection along the Missouri River, especially in the area surrounding Great Falls. The alarming rate of subdivision approval and construction along the Missouri River keep John asking the tough questions and working toward local, common sense conservation.

Thank you John, for your years of service to conservation in Cascade County and especially for your work with the Council!