The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the US Forest Service, Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation, and the Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust collaborated on a $3 million project that led to the Forest Service acquiring 1,418 acres of new public land that will conserve wildlife habitat and provide public access.

     “The land will provide year-round and winter habitat for elk, as well as habitat for deer, bears, wolves, moose, mountain lions, ferruginous hawks, and a variety of grassland birds,” Mike Mueller, RMEF senior lands program manager, said in a Helena Independent Record article.

     The Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust used its new Assets for Conservation Program to fund the project.

     “It was a great opening act, and all of the partners are looking for the next opportunity,” MOLF Executive Director Mitch King said.

     From the article: 

     The U.S. Forest Service subsequently acquired the property from MFWCT with Land and Water Conservation Funding. At an elevation of 7,000 feet, the property consists of rolling mountains and mountain foothill habitat with a combination of timbered areas and mountain sagebrush and grassland habitat. The East Fork of Dry Creek, Turman Creek, Sand Creek, and Dahlman Gulch flow through the property and help valuable riparian areas and meadows.