Bozeman Group Studies Value of Trails

What is the value of a local trails system? Quite a lot. http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/economy/headwaters-economics-study-summarizes-research-on-trail-system-value/article_8de0197e-4c36-5ff7-98e6-1c3dc63b2ae6.html

Flathead Land Trust Helps Celebrate Fishing Pond Expansion

Flathead Land Trust and project partners will be celebrating the expansion of the Pine Grove Pond Family Fishing Access Site on April 11. The expansion nearly doubles the size of the fishing area, and free hot dogs and lemonade will be part of the celebration. Call FLT at 752-8293 or email flt@bigsky.net for more details.

Land Trust, Local Landowners and Partners Conserve Small Wetlands

Prickly Pear Land Trust, landowners, and a group of partners helped conserve a small wetland home to 111 different species of birds.
http://helenair.com/news/local/little-wetlands-get-a-big-boost-charles-van-hook-city/article_b73ce67a-1a6c-5a2c-9dfa-38e04718c676.html

Don't Fence Me In Trail Run Coming Up May 9

Helena's Don't Fence Me In Trail Run is set for May 9. Registration is open now. The race is sponsored by Prickly Pear Land Trust. http://pricklypearlt.org/dont-fence-me-in-trail-run/

Great Day in Montana's Capitol

Great day in the Montana Capitol yesterday with Land Trust Day in the Capitol. Here's a photo of Montana Association of Land Trusts members meeting with House Minority Leader Chuck Hunter on the House floor. Thanks to all who participated in the event, thanks to the 250 or so folks who joined us for lunch in the Capitol rotunda, thanks to Prickly Pear Land Trust for organizing the lunch, and thanks to Governor Steve Bullock, Sen. Fred Thomas and Rep. Hunter for visiting with the land trust community. PHOTO (left to right) Mike Muller (RMEF), Paul Travis (FLT), Gary Wolfe (Vital Ground), Andrea Silverman (PPLT), House Minority Leader Chuck Hunter, Penelope Pierce (GVLT), Grant Kier (FVLT), Rock Ringling (MLR), and Gavin Ricklefs (BRLT).

Former Whitefish Mayor Supports Haskill Basin Proposal

Former Whitefish Mayor Mike Jenson is supporting the Haskill Basin proposal. From his letter to the editor: There are ancillary benefits to this ballot measure to be sure. Some of these are property tax relief, recreation, viewshed, wildlife habitat, as well as continued timber jobs through FH Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. I do not want to make light of these – they are very important. Make no mistake however: the overriding issue before us is water. This is our opportunity to permanently protect our water source in Haskill Basin.
http://flatheadbeacon.com/…/former-mayor-endorses-haskill-…/

We Do Trails and Conservation

Gallatin Valley Land Trust encourages you to Take a Deep Breath. Watch their new video here.
http://www.gvlt.org/gvlt-launches-take-a-deep-breath-video/

Great Showing in Montana Capitol on National Ag Day

Great showing yesterday in the Montana Capitol for National Ag Day. Montana's farmers and ranchers are great land stewards.
http://helenair.com/…/article_0b98807e-1c7b-5b31-b2ad-7e591…

March 23 is Land Trust Day in the Capitol

March 23 is Land Trust Day in the Capitol during Montana's legislative session. The land trust and landowner participants will be greeted by Sen. Fred Thomas, meet with House Minority Leader Chuck Hunter, visit with Governor Bullock, host a luncheon in the Capitol rotunda and visit with legislators. Thanks to all who are participating.

What is Nature Worth? Studies Help Show Value

What's the local economic value of the Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Missouri River? At least $120 million annually. http://billingsgazette.com/…/article_74aa154f-12ed-5be6-a88…

Land Trust and Trail Ambassadors Improve Bozeman Trails

Trail "Ambassadors" and Gallatin Valley Land Trust are helping make the Bozeman trails an even better experience. http://billingsgazette.com/…/article_56a5a277-838d-5da6-838…

Why I Conserved My East Gallatin Ranch

A well-written guest column in the Bozeman Chronicle explains why a Gallatin Valley couple conserved their ranch. Mark Kehke writes, "we feel we are being good stewards of this land and at the same time leaving a legacy not only for our grandchildren, but for the citizens of the Gallatin Valley and all Montanans." http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/…/article_96afeb4d-e60…

Zinke Supports LWCF

Thanks to Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke for signing on to a letter of support for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The LWCF has helped fund a broad array of natural resource, recreational and land management benefits in Montana.

Flathead Land Trust "Stories From the Land" Video

Check out Flathead Land Trust's new Stories From the Land video. Nicely done. You can view the video at https://vimeo.com/120717474.

Montana Congressional Delegation Supports Conservation Tax Incentives

Thanks to all three members of the Montana Congressional Delegation for supporting the conservation tax incentives. Montana is the first state this year of have entire delegation in support of agricultural and conservation tax incentives. http://www.landtrustalliance.org/…/the-enhanced-easement-in…

Senator Tester Supports Permanent LWCF Reauthorization

Thanks to Senator Jon Tester for supporting permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.  http://helenair.com/…/article_1b5bb1dc-05a9-51b4-b57c-23ebe…

RMEF's Bugle Magazine Editor Stayed "Committed to the Mission"

Jan Brocci, editor of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's Bugle magazine, helped a generation of students and outdoor writers and was "committed to the mission."
http://helenair.com/…/article_ef0caf72-4e96-5f6c-8606-44436…

Bitter Root Land Trust Seeks Funding for Historic Sula Basin Conservation Easement

Great work on a great project by Bitter Root Land Trust to work with landowners and other project partners to conserve agricultural lands, wildlife habitat, riparian areas, recreational access and more. Outstanding! 
http://ravallirepublic.com/…/article_c2db968a-bf90-11e4-b41…