It’s all systems go for Bitter Root Land Trust’s second community barn dance on Saturday, June 30, at the Lazy Burnt Fork Ranch near Stevensville. Last year, to help commemorate BRLT’s 20th anniversary, the land trust threw a barn dance that drew around 300 people, and everyone had so much fun they decided to do it again. The Ravalli Republic featured the event in a June 24 article. And the Lazy Burnt Fork Ranch is an ideal spot for the event. “I definitely support the work of the Bitter Root Land Trust,“ Lazy Burnt Fork Ranch owner Steve Peckinpaugh said in the article. “They work really hard to custom fit easements to fit the needs of landowners… I think it’s nice to be able to have the venue on an easement where people can see for themselves why it’s important to protect these lands.”
2018 News
Gianforte Cosponsors LWCF Legislation
Montana Congressman Greg Gianforte is the newest cosponsor of HR 502, legislation that would make the Land and Water Conservation Fund permanent. The LWCF will expire at the end of September until Congress reauthorizes the program.
Missoula Moving Toward November Open Space and Parks Ballot Measures
Elected officials within the city of Missoula and Missoula County are working toward possible November 2018 ballot measures that would provide funds for new open space conservation and (for city residents) funds for parks maintenance. The efforts include a $15 million open space bond for the county and a $500,000 mill levy in the city only for ongoing parks maintenance. Key city commission vote coming up on Monday, June 25.
Montana Senators Daines and Tester Rally for LWCF
Major thanks to Montana Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines for participating in the Land and Water Conservation Fund event today in DC. The LWCF is among the nation’s and Montana’s top conservation programs. The clock is ticking on program reauthorization.
Major Fundraising Event Nets $125,000 for Pine Street Woods
Kaniksu Land Trust hosted an event to benefit its Pine Street Woods project on May 31 and raised about $125,000 for the project. KLT has now raised over 85 percent of the funds needed for the land trust’s signature community conservation project in Sandpoint.
Gallatin Valley Land Trust Summer Trails Challenge Ends June 22
As of the morning of June 18, the Gallatin Valley Land Trust Summer Trails Challenge has logged 53,321 miles, toward its 66,000 mile goal. The Summer Trails Challenge is scheduled to end on June 22.
Montana TNC Hires New Sagebrush Conservation Coordinator
The Nature Conservancy in Montana and southwest Montana conservation partners have hired Sean Claffey as a new Southwest Montana Conservation Coordinator to work on sage grouse and sagebrush conservation issues.
RMEF Will Serve on US Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council
Blake Henning, chief conservation officer for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, has accepted an invitation to serve on the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council. Established on January 9, 2018, the group is tasked with providing the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture with advice about the establishment and implementation of existing and proposed policies and authorities regarding wildlife and habitat conservation.
Prickly Pear Land Trust Works to Restore Sevenmile Creek
Prickly Pear Land Trust is working to improve streamflows, restore native vegetation, improve wildlife habitat and prevent erosion on its Sevenmile Creek property. The 350-acre property, located near the northwest corner of Helena, is part of PPLT’s Peaks to Creeks Initiative and is the home of over 100 different species of birds. PPLT acquired the property knowing significant stream and streambank restoration was required.
The Path Less Instagrammed
The Nature Conservancy offers some thoughts about social media and our interactions with the outdoors.