Gallatin Valley Land Trust Salutes Community Trails

Gallatin Valley Land Trust celebrated its fifth annual "Longest Day of Trails" event in Bozeman on June 24 to highlight the 60 miles of trails in Bozemans impressive community trail system. Read more about the event in a Bozeman Chronicle article. http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/article_c8e5002c-9ec2-11e0-98dc-001cc4c002e0.html

Working Ranches, Vacations and Open Lands

Interesting article in the Bozeman Chronicle about vacations at working Montana ranches. The concept really ties together the combination of open land and Montana tourism. http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/lifestyles/article_674f2d16-9c5a-11e0-a96e-001cc4c03286.html

Longest Day of Trails on June 24

Longest Day of Trails coming up Friday, June 24, in Bozeman. The event is sponsored by Gallatin Valley Land Trust and kicks off at 5:00 AM at the Montana Ale Works. Check it out. http://www.gvlt.org/get-involved/events.

Flyover Helps Promote Collaborative Forest Proposal

The Blackfoot Challenge is one of the leaders of a collaborative forest project in the Blackfoot, Swan and Clearwater areas that seeks to improve forest health, help the economy and boost outdoor recreation.http://helenair.com/news/article_3b10a3a4-996e-11e0-8b61-001cc4c002e0.html

Landowner Workshop Goes Well in Lewistown

Thanks to all the landowners who attended the conservation easement workshop in Lewistown yesterday. It has been flooding (sandbags all around Lewistown) and we appreciate the landowners who made the effort to participate in the workshop. Thanks also to the presenters and to Darren Crawford of the MSU Fergus County Extension office for his assistance. Thanks especially to Ed Levert, chairman of the Montana Forest Stewardship Foundation (pictured), for making the trip from Libby to present at the workshop.

Skiers and Riders for Open Land Photo

Here's a photo of Taylor Middleton (right), general manager of Big Sky Resort, presenting Mike Scholz a $1,500 check from the Skiers and Riders for Open Land at Big Sky event. Thanks to Taylor, Big Sky and to Mike.

Big Sky Resort Presents $1,500 to TFOL

Thanks to Big Sky Resort for spearheading Skiers and Riders for Open Land, and thanks to the Lone Peak Lookout for covering the $1,500 check presentation in Big Sky. http://www.lonepeaklookout.com/news/article_b0166994-9217-11e0-9959-001cc4c002e0.html

Land Trusts Honor Mike Scholz

The Montana Association of Land Trusts met June 7 at Buck's T-4 Lodge in Big Sky and honored Mike Scholz for his continuing leadership in Travelers for Open Land. Land trusts presented Mike with two historical books about the Gallatin Valley and downhill skiing in Montana, and gave him a standing ovation for his efforts to "conserve Montana's natural horizons." Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to Mike.

National Trails Day Events

Great weather and good turnouts for the National Trails Day events in Montana on Saturday, June 4. Lots of snow down low, too. Prickly Pear Land Trust and Gallatin Valley Land Trust are highlighted in this newspaper article. http://helenair.com/news/article_dcac3cf6-8e69-11e0-854b-001cc4c002e0.html

June 4 is National Trails day

Saturday, June 4, is National Trails Day. Check with your local land trust or other local organizations for activities and projects and get out there and enjoy our soggy Montana springtime weather. http://www.americanhiking.org/NTD.aspx

Forest Restoration Collaborative Receives Funds

The Southwest Crown Collaborative forest restoration project will receive federal funding for logging, road repair and removal, fuels reduction and habitat restoration work. The project is supported by forest products industry groups and several other groups, including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and the Blackfoot Challenge.http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_bcceccea-8ccb-11e0-890b-001cc4c03286.html