Many Thanks to the Firehole Ranch

Thanks to the good folks at the Firehole Ranch near West Yellowstone for collecting and contributing $1,039.09 for Travelers for Open Land in 2012. Great job, and thanks so much for your efforts to conserve open lands! http://www.fireholeranch.com/

Five Valleys Closes on Rock Creek Ranch

Five Valleys Land Trust closed 2012 with a bang. FVLT officially completed its purchase of the 201-acre Corra Ranch along Rock Creek at the confluence of the Clark Fork River. A Missoulian article here documents the complexity, expense and opportunities associated with the purchase as well as the conservation value of the property. 

TPL Working with Bozeman on Story Mill Property

The Trust for Public Land is working with the City of Bozeman to conserve the Story Mill, a historic property that could eventually be a premier city park. BOZEMAN CHRONICLE PHOTO http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/city/article_9219469e-4a64-11e2-a0c3-0019bb2963f4.html

TFOL Grant Deadline is Dec. 28

Land trusts are working on grant applications for 2012 Travelers for Open Land grants. Since 2009, TFOL has provided $60,000 and helped fund 14 different Montana land conservation projects. We're on track to contribute over an additional $100,000 to Montana land conservation in early 2013. Thanks to all the participants that make TFOL successful. 

Conservation Easements Are a Wise Investment in Future

A recent Bozeman Chronicle editorial endorses the Smith Ranch conservation easement as a "great thing." Travelers for Open Land helped fund this project. http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/opinions/article_67d1c262-38ad-11e2-8a24-0019bb2963f4.html

Bitter Root Land Trust Legacy

Bitter Root Land Trust celebrates 15 years of service to the community, landowners and the landscape. Photo of Melissa Maggio-Kassner, Bitter Root Land Trust's first-ever stewardship coordinator.  Read more about BRLT's service in the Ravalli Republic article. Perry Backus photo

Gallatin Valley Land Trust Guest Column Salutes Landowners

In her guest column in the Bozeman Chronicle, Kelly Pohl of Gallatin Valley Land Trust praises landowners and identifies private land conservation progress in Montana and the US. http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/opinions/article_c048ebf6-4086-11e2-b450-001a4bcf887a.html

TFOL 2012 Grant Applications Sent

Travelers for Open Land 2012 grant applications were recently sent to land trusts. TFOL grants will be awarded in early January 2013. It's exciting to see the impressive conservation work by Montana's land trusts, and it's also exciting that TFOL is having its best year ever.