AmeriCorps Helps Bolster Bitterroot Valley Nonprofits

AmeriCorps volunteers have really helped local natural resource nonprofits make a difference in the Bitterroot Valley.

Nominations Sought for Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame

Would you like to nominate someone for the prestigious Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame? Here's how.

A Statewide Sales Tax to Raise More Revenue From Tourism?

Tourism is a major economic force in Montana. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle recently opined Montana is losing out on added potential tourism tax revenue, and to remedy that situation Montana should create a statewide sales tax. Any thoughts?

James Taylor Sings Sweetly About Montana

James Taylor has seen fire and he's seen rain, and he also has a soft spot for Montana. Here's a YouTube clip of his new very nice song "Montana."

Zinke Voices LWCF Support in Washington Post Comments

Thanks to Congressman Zinke for his supportive LWCF comments in the Washington Post.

"In 1965, Congress established the Land and Water Conservation Fund to safeguard natural areas and water resources and to enhance recreational opportunities. In every county in all 50 states, the fund supports local and state parks, hiking trails, hunting and fishing access, community pools, ballparks and playgrounds...Congress has broken a lot of promises to future generations; let’s not make the Land and Water Conservation Fund another one."

Nominations Sought For Montana Neighbor Awards

The "Montana Neighbor Awards" recognize landowners who help make Montana a better place. The program is designed to salute landowners who are "great neighbors in the Montana tradition." Nominations are encouraged.

Grant Local Coffee for Great Local Land Conservation

Big Creek Coffee Roasters is celebrating its fifth anniversary by donating its Nov. 28 proceeds to a local land conservation organization, Bitter Root Land Trust.

Each year Big Creek Coffee Roasters has hosted a benefit for nonprofits. Recipients have included the Bitter Root Humane Association, the Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital Hospice Center and Haven House Food Bank.

“It’s a tradition we’re building here – to be thankful,” said Randy Lint, owner of Big Creek Coffee Roasters. “Bitter Root Land Trust is an organization I admire. Everybody who lives in the Bitterroot has made some sort of voluntary choice to make less money in order to live where they want to live and it is Bitter Root Land Trust’s mission to preserve a lot of the natural beauty that makes this place so attractive.” (Ravalli Republic Photo)

Land Trust Helping Expand City Park

Prickly Pear Land Trust is helping Helena expand Mount Ascension Natural Park. That's a good deal for bike riders, hikers, families and Helena's local economy. (Helena IR Photo)

Nat Geo Travel 90-Video Showcases Montana Splendor

Nat Geo Travel showcases the splendor of Montana in 90 seconds of video. It may take a long time to travel through Montana, but this video from Nat Geo Travel makes quick work of the Big Sky State.

The video highlights Montana's most scenic spots — and hopefully inspires a slower road trip of your own. This is really well done.

Winter Fun Awaits in Hyalite Canyon

Looking for some winter fun? Look at Hyalite Canyon. Here's a Great Falls Tribune slideshow on the Hyalite area.

Elk Foundation: $1 Billion in Conservation Efforts

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, based in Missoula, has surpassed $1 billion in nationwide open land conservation. Congratulations, RMEF!

Montana Works to Help Get Critters Across the Road

Why do wildlife cross the road? Vehicle collisions with animals nationwide cause almost 29,000 injuries and $1 billion in property damage a year. What if wildlife didn't have to cross roads? This Ravalli Republic article has some insights and answers.  

Shelby Mayor: LWCF Is Great for Montana

Shelby Mayor says LWCF is great for Montana. From his Billings Gazette guest column:

LWCF has an impressive track record in Montana and could do more if it were allowed to operate again. The program has already invested nearly $240 million to Montana alone in the past decade. That's a lot of jobs, parks, fishing access sites and wildlife habitat.


In my community of Shelby, five major community projects were able to see lift off because of LWCF funding. Our swimming pool, school sports complex, tennis courts, splash park and improvements to our local parks created quality of life amenities we all hold dear here in Montana. They also created jobs. In a community like ours where economic diversification is key, the stimulus LWCF provides ripples through the community.

The Story of YNP Grizzly 399

Interesting tale of Yellowstone's grizzly bears. Presentation on "Grizzlies of Pilgrim Creek" in Missoula on Monday, Nov. 16. 

The Connection Between Clark's Nutcrackers and Whitebark Pine

How nutcrackers help grow whitebark pine trees.

Travelers for Open Land Thanks Veterans

Thank you to Montana's and America's veterans.

Montana FWP Seeks to Conserve Flathead Lake Shoreline

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking to purchase 76 acres along the North Shore of Flathead Lake to protect waterfowl habitat and public access. The Flathead Beacon article reports a comment period on the proposal is open until Dec. 5.

Happy 126th Birthday Montana!

On this day in 1889 Montana became a state, and Montana's still an incredibly beautiful place, even at age 126. Check out these terrific photos from the Billings Gazette. (Alex Diekmann photo)

Montana Outdoor Groups Oppose Proposal to Gut LWCF

A Utah Congressman released his plan to modify the Land and Water Conservation Fund yesterday, and the proposal would severely undermine the LWCF's effectiveness for Montana. A group of outdoor and conservation organizations strongly oppose the proposal. The LWCF has been a dynamic conservation and recreation program for Montana.

Gallatin Valley Land Trust Trails/Mixer Nov. 12 in Bozeman

Help celebrate 25 years of conservation with Gallatin Valley Land Trust at MAP Brewing from 6:00-8:00pm on Nov. 12. Join GVLT for a build your own trail mix bar, beer, casual appetizers, photo booth, trail award, and insider information on upcoming trails projects.

John Fraley Keynotes Wilderness Event

Outdoorsman, author, and storyteller John Fraley will keynote the Voices of the Wilderness event Friday, Nov. 6, in Kalispell. Here's a photo of John fishing in the Bob Marshall.

Haskill Basin Comment Period Closes Nov. 22

The Haskill Basin Project near Whitefish conserves open land, maintains forest jobs, protects recreational access and Whitefish's water supply and more. Read the Missoulian article for more details. (Flathead Beacon photo)

Welcome to Montana Sign Adds to Ten Mile Creek Brewery Grand Opening

One of the ‘Welcome to Montana’ highway signs donated by Governor Bullock and the State of Montana to help fund Montana private land conservation is proudly displayed in Helena's newest brew pub, Ten Mile Creek Brewery. Ten Mile is located on the Helena Walking Mall in the same building as Prickly Pear Land Trust, the Montana Association of Land Trusts and Silverman Law Office. Joel Silverman (far right in photo) purchased the sign at PPLT’s Harvest Moon Banquet and loaned it to the Ten Mile crew for the pub’s recent grand opening. Ten Mile owners (left to right) Ethan Kohoutek, Riley Tubbs and Jordan Keltz join Joel in saluting the ‘Welcome’ sign with Ten Mile brews.

Montana Land Reliance Holding Two Agricultural Forums

The Montana Land Reliance has scheduled two upcoming agricultural forums. The Greater Yellowstone Agricultural Forum is set for Wednesday, Nov. 4, 8:00 AM, at The Gathering Place, 510 S. Main Street, Three Forks. For more information, or to RSVP, contact Kathryn Kelly at 406-579-5481.

The Flathead Agricultural Forum will be held on Nov. 10, 8:00 AM, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell. Contact Mark Schiltz at 406-837-2178 for more information or to RSVP.