Traveling the State for Travelers for Open Land

In the next month, I will be heading out to visit the Travelers for Open Land participating businesses all over the state, places like Bitterroot River Bed and Breakfast. I'm looking forward to visiting with everyone about the program. See you on Thursday, Missoula, Stevensville, and Superior!
http://www.bitterrootriverbb.com/

Flathead Lakers Salute Montana TNC

The Flathead Lakers will present their annual Stewardship Award to the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Montana Nature Conservancy for their contribution to protecting the North Fork Flathead watershed from industrial coal mining and energy development. The presentation takes place July 30, 7:00 PM, at the Glacier Camp & Conference Center 4.5 miles south of Lakeside. 
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_b0f8997c-f4df-11e2-94e3-0019bb2963f4.html

Conservation Easements are Assets

Landowner: Conservation easements are an asset.
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/opinion/article_14762c00-f0f1-11e2-8515-0019bb2963f4.html
(Photo of Centennial Valley)

Gallatin Valley Land Trust Receives $2.8 Million Trail Grant

Congratulations to Gallatin Valley Land Trust on a huge grant to help extend the trail system in Bozeman:

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/environment/article_0436710e-f3d2-11e2-a6cd-0019bb2963f4.html?soc=0436710e-f3d2-11e2-a6cd-0019bb2963f4

 

TNC and Centennial Valley Landowners Featured in NPR Stories

NPR did a couple stories about The Nature Conservancy's work in the Centennial Valley working with landowners on sage grouse projects. The stories highlight how the efforts benefit sage grouse, other wildlife, the landscape and landowners.
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/montana/centennial-on-npr.xml

Senator Tester on the Value of Open Land

 

We couldn't have said it better ourselves, Senator Tester:

 

"... we don't often think of (our natural resources) as economic drivers, but they are. There are businesses that locate to Montana because of our mountains and our good fisheries and our hunting, and there are folks that move here and take a far less wage than they could somewhere else ... they'll move to Montana and work for less money because of the quality of life; and the outdoors is a big part of that quality of life."  

 -Senator Tester recently during a radio interview talking about the importance of the Crown of the Continent, and other community led initiatives to protect our public lands

Thanks, Magpie Guest House!

Thank you to Jeff and Kathy Ball of Magpie Guest House in Bozeman for sending in more donations they collected for Travelers for Open Land. They're tremendous supporters of the program and the ones who suggested TFOL window clings for everyone who donates!

LWCF Pays Off for Montana

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has had a positive impact on Montana. 

http://helenair.com/news/opinion/readers_alley/land-and-water-funds-essential-for-montana/article_17e03c4e-e43c-11e2-b168-0019bb2963f4.html

Gallatin Valley Land Trust "Has Earned the Community's Support"

Bozeman Daily Chronicle editorial: Gallatin Valley Land Trust applauded for helping Bozeman retain its character. 
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/opinions/editorials/article_2f69eaf4-e42d-11e2-9ec4-0019bb2963f4.html

Stoltze, TPL Team Up for Whitefish

Haskill Basin conservation easement project helps keep a timber company working, protects a city's water supply, and maintains recreation access for the community. Great job, Stoltze and TPL! Story and photo from the Flathead Beacon. http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/leaving_a_legacy_on_haskill_basin/34150/

Conservation Easements Conserve Sage Grouse Habitat

New report shows conservation easements are an excellent option to help conserve private land within core sage grouse habitat. http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20130628/NEWS01/306280036/Study-offers-sage-advice-grouse-Wyoming-report-says-protections-high-populations-will-reduce-declines