Land Trust News

Enjoy this recent Montana Nature Conservancy news!

Last week, our TNC Montana chapter completed the ~4,640-acre Jackson Ranches conservation easement in the Upper Big Hole Valley! 

The property supports a diverse mosaic of sagebrush grassland, wet meadow, dense riparian willow bottoms, aspen, spruce and lodgepole forest, and wild hay meadows. The ranch supports an equally diverse array of fish and wildlife. The easement protects over 4 miles of the upper Big Hole River and over 5 miles of tributary creeks – all critical for Arctic grayling spawning and rearing.

A big heartfelt thank you to our awesome team and the many funders/partners that made this kind of permanent conservation achievement possible, and another huge thank you to the Jackson Family for trusting TNC and choosing to protect their property forever!

The Bonner County Daily Bee recently reported that Kaniksu Land Trust is making significant progress toward a community outdoor recreation project that would open up a historic ski and sled hill at Sandpoint.

From the article:

Now, thanks to supporters of the Kaniksu Land Trust who have the 48-parcel under contract, the land trust will have time to fundraise toward purchase of the property.

“This is such a win for our community, we are so grateful for the support of our partners. What we have needed all along the way is time and having the property under contract and secure now gives us that,” Katie Cox, KLT executive director, said. “The work ahead of us is going to take the entire community. We know that together, we can do it.”

Set along Pine Street Loop, the 48-acre parcel includes forest, meadows, a large pond, and structures associated with a historic homestead. The most notable feature is the large hill that has served as a community recreation site for a half century.

Prickly Pear Land Trust is proposing to work with the Juedeman family and the Lewis and Clark County Open Land Program to conserve nearly 4,000 acres of open land along an iconic stretch of the Missouri River near Craig.

“When our parents first became stewards of the land we call the Canyon Cattle Ranch, houses were few and far between, and working ranches were the norm. Since then there has been a tremendous amount of development near Craig, and our ranch is one of the last remnants of the largely wild places of our youth,” the family said in a statement. “Our family is united in wanting to see that this wildlife- and vista-rich landscape remains undisturbed by development, and stays the paradise we first laid eyes on 50 years ago.”

The Nature Conservancy, with key partners…the NRCS (2018 Farm Bill ALE Program), and Montana Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program…have closed a 3,400-acre conservation easement in southwest Montana that maintains agricultural production and conserves wildlife habitat.

“I am deeply grateful for the trust and patience of Roger and Carrie Peters, whose commitment to Montana’s ranching heritage and love for this corner of Montana carried them through the easement process. Such tenacity and values are instrumental in keeping Montana wild and working,” said Jim Berkey, TNC High Divide Headwaters Director.

The Blackfoot Challenge sponsored a recent webinar titled “Regenerative Ranching in the Blackfoot: An Evening with the Mannix Family Ranch.” The forum allowed three Mannix ranch family members—Dave, Bryan and Erica—to discuss some of the conservation practices and production innovations implemented over the years on the ranch.

A recent Montana Association of Land Trusts newsletter featured a Profile in Montana Conservation article about Pat Bousliman, MALT’s incoming new executive director. The article is on page three of the newsletter.

2-21-2022 Update

From The Vital Ground Foundation website:

A grizzly bear dubbed “Lingenpolter” by local biologists caught the attention of many in Montana and elsewhere last year. Using a GPS tracker, biologists watched as the young male bear repeatedly attempted and failed to cross Interstate 90. They followed Lingenpolter’s movements in an area between Missoula and Butte, watching as he traveled for miles alongside the interstate and tried to cross it an estimated 46 times from fall of 2020 to spring of 2021.

Lingenpolter’s story illustrates an issue facing many animals in Montana and beyond: highways, interstates and other major roadways fragment habitats, causing isolation as well as vehicle collisions that are often fatal.

Wildlife crossing infrastructure offers a solution.

See the full article for more information.

     The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has teamed up with the BLM and a conservation-minded landowner to do what RMEF does best: Conserve wildlife habitat and enhance public access. 

     Using the Land and Water Conservation Fund Emergency Inholding Program, RMEF and the BLM worked to secure a 40-acre Big Hole area inholding, which enhances public access to 1,600 acres of public land.

     “No matter the size, every piece of elk habitat counts,” said Kyle Weaver, president and CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

     “The Johnson Creek acquisition will maintain important habitat connectivity for wildlife and improve public land access for recreationists,” added Lindsey Babcock, Butte field manager of BLM’s Western Montana District.

PHOTO: The RMEF and BLM teamed up with landowners to acquire a parcel about 10 miles northwest of Wise River that is important winter range for elk, mule deer and moose. RMEF Photo