"Vital" Ground Conserved Near Mount Ellis

The Vital Ground Foundation and a landowner team up to conserve some "vital" wildlife habitat near Mount Ellis. http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/landowner-protects-grizzly-habitat-in-ninemile-valley/article_3d8b9b9c-7b58-57ad-90d0-db05bf7ca186.html

Five Valleys Land Trust Carries On Missoula Open Land Tradition

Thanks to Five Valleys Land Trust, the open land "tradition" in the Missoula area continues. 
http://missoulian.com/news/local/rattlesnake-land-trust-passes-legacy-responsibility-to-five-valleys/article_4d667e86-3a78-5405-b409-f86376cc33b5.html

Prickly Pear Land Trust Completes York Gulch Project

Prickly Pear Land Trust and partners complete popular project in the York Gulch area. http://helenair.com/news/local/helena-national-forest-grows-by-acres-near-york/article_7fa1ec90-4154-572b-bd07-32bbf7ac6df9.html

Congress Protects the Rocky Mountain Front and North Fork of the Flathead

A "tip of the hat" to historic congressional legislation conserving Montana public lands. 
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/outdoors/2014/12/18/tester-walsh-celebrate-passage-front-protections/20602213/

Prickly Pear Land Trust Featured in National Magazine

Read how a Montana land trust - Prickly Pear Land Trust in Helena - measures success. PPLT is included in a national magazine named Saving Land about the way land trusts gauge progress. http://www.landtrustalliance.org/about/saving-land/winter-2015/measuring-success

Gallatin Valley Land Trust Helps Provide Christmas Trees to Low-Income Families

Gallatin Valley Land Trust teamed up with the Bozeman Human Resource Development Council to provide Christmas trees to low-income families in the area.
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/dailyfeatures/trees-harvested-for-conservation-turned-to-holiday-donations/article_ac3a68d2-8261-11e4-9331-5fc876e139a0.html?utm_medium=desktop&utm_source=block_937344&utm_campaign=blox

New Access Bridge Underway at Steve Powell Park

Progress made on Steve Powell Park in Hamilton toward a 2015 grand opening. Great community project that Travelers for Open Land helped fund.
http://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_1368a12c-831b-11e4-9d80-bfe6af7fb978.html

County Commission Approves Herron Park Acquisition

The Flathead County Commission approved the completion of the Foys to Blacktail Trails and Herron Park acquisition, which is good news for area hikers, cyclists and equestrian enthusiasts. The Conservation Fund was helpful in this project. http://flatheadbeacon.com/2014/12/14/final-land-purchase-herron-park-approved/

Coming July 2015: Montana Open Land Month

July 2015 will be formally and broadly recognized as Montana Open Land Month. Thanks to Governor Bullock for endorsing the recognition of open land and for encouraging Montanans to join in Montana Open Land Month activities. Open Land Month will be a celebration of the benefits our open lands bring to our economy, our quality of life and our landscape. Stay tuned for more information, including ways for organizations and individuals to partner and participate in Montana Open Land Month planning and implementation.

Cooperation Can Help Advance Natural Resource Management Solutions

Cooperation among diverse interests can produce natural resource management solutions.
http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/collaboration-study-says-montana-conservation-industry-groups-make-progress/article_91880f92-699a-58ee-92f7-5459c3ef54c9.html

Flathead Land Trust Conserves Bird Habitat

Bird habitat in Flathead protected by landowners and Flathead Land Trust. 
http://flatheadbeacon.com/2014/12/09/landowners-help-flathead-land-trust-protect-bird-habitat/

Conservation Easements Help Protect Gallatin Area Ag Land and Rivers

Three Gallatin Valley conservation easements will conserve open land and rivers, and help retain the rural character of the areas. Travelers for Open Land helps fund efforts like these.  http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/environment/three-new-conservation-easements-protect-gallatin-valley-rivers/article_bc90a6dc-7b4b-11e4-893b-9b7678092d08.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=exact_target&utm_campaign=newsletter

Agriculture Is Vital to Places Like Gallatin County

Never underestimate the importance of agriculture to places like Gallatin County. 
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/opinions/editorials/editorial-bozeman-s-ag-heritage-continues-to-flourish/article_e0c1203c-778a-11e4-8d5e-93c0f44d8fb1.html

Thanks to Firehole Ranch and Knight Foundation

Thanks to the Firehole Ranch in West Yellowstone and the Knight Foundation in Big Sky for your end-of-the year contributions to Travelers for Open Land. Your support is appreciated! http://www.fireholeranch.com