Prickly Pear Land Trust executive director Mary Hollow will be in Washington, DC, to receive a 2019 Army Community Partnership Award at a ceremony on Dec. 5, 2019, in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon. Prickly Pear is one of ten national award winners, all selected for “exceptional community partnerships that have improved readiness, driven modernization and contributed to reform initiatives throughout the Army.”
Prickly Pear worked extensively with the Montana Army National Guard and Fort Harrison on the Peaks to Creeks Project, which includes the Tenmile Creek Park and trails project.
The Army’s press ceremony awards announcement reads: The Montana Army National Guard (MTARNG) and the Prickly Pear Land Trust will be recognized for their “Peaks to Creeks” initiative, which allowed MTARNG to reduce encroachment threats to Fort Harrison while creating public access to 558 acres along the banks of the Ten Mile Creek and Seven Mile Creek waterways. The partnership has also added 72 acres of open space to the Mount Helena City Park, creating new public access to recreational opportunities.
The Tenmile Creek Park and trails project is a nationally recognized community conservation project that provides gentle and wide trails for broad access, connects Tenmile Creek with Spring Meadow State Park, offers great nature learning opportunities and involved several supportive funders and partners to complete. The 2019 Army Community Partnership Award is more recognition of Prickly Pear’s efforts and accomplishments.