The Nature Conservancy in Montana and the US Forest Service completed a transaction last week that transfers 16,400 acres into the federal estate where it will be managed to fulfill several public land and public recreational needs. The transaction will: Secure and expand access to the east side of the Rattlesnake Wilderness and associated Rattlesnake National Recreation Area; connect developed recreation at Lake Placid Lake and the Clearwater River corridor, popular regional recreation areas; conserve public access to popular winter recreation areas that are key to the Seeley Lake economy; and secure habitat and migration routes for wildlife such as grizzly bears, lynx, bull trout and Westslope cutthroat trout. Dave Hanna/TNC photo