The Montana Land Reliance has received funding and county commission approval to finalize a 230-acre conservation easement near Manhattan that is in a 15,000-acre conservation easement neighborhood.
From the Bozeman Daily Chronicle article:
The county commissioners agreed to put $409,377 from the Open Lands Program toward the Casey Farm project conservation easement. The project has been in the works since 2020, when the Open Lands Board initially approved the funding.
The easement will protect the land from subdivision, and ensure that agricultural activity — like growing wheat, alfalfa and providing grazing pasture for cattle — will continue uninterrupted by future development.
An abundance of wildlife inhabits the property, according to documents submitted to the Gallatin County Commission.
White tail, mule deer, moose and elk traverse the property. Several species of bird can be found there, including 10 bird species of concern — like bald and golden eagles. The land is also designated as a bat roosting area, and supports around five bat species of concern