Radiating Buck

Jessica Agner took this fabulous photo in the Jefferson Valley. The buck's antlers seem to be radiating the setting sun's rays through the shadows. See more Montana Open Land Month photos at the website's photo gallery.

Fun Things To Do In Montana

The best things in life are free, especially in Montana. The Treasure State is one big outdoor playground, and much of it won’t cost you a dime to explore. There are also a few free attractions in every town – you just have to know where to look. These 13 local activities won’t cost you more than a little gas in your car and a few hours of your time.

Good Morning From Montana

Another great Montana day. Photo by Kevin League Photography

Winter in Yellowstone: Wildlife galore

The Billings Gazette photo essay shows the diversity and abundance of Yellowstone National Park's winter wildlife. And the wildlife is accessible by simply driving between Gardiner and Cooke City.

The Sky's the Limit for Prickly Pear Land Trust

Prickly Pear Land Trust is 20 years old and growing bigger and better. Helena Independent Record article documents PPLT's importance to the area and includes a slide show of PPLT over the years.

Haskill Basin Project is a "Remarkable Achievement"

     The Haskill Basin project is finalized. Tremendous effort with tremendous results, and congratulations to everyone involved.
     “This is truly a remarkable achievement and a win-win for everyone,” said Dick Dolan of The Trust for Public Land. “Almost 5 square miles of beautiful forestland will be preserved forever in the backyard of Whitefish, and remain part of the vital local timber economy.”
     Chuck Roady, vice president of Stoltze, said the company has long wanted to formalize an agreement with the City of Whitefish to protect the municipal watershed, intakes, and water system located on its private forest lands, but the means to do so remained out of reach.
     “The Haskill Basin conservation easement was the perfect tool to accomplish this project,” Roady said. “The Stoltze family will still retain the ownership of the land and the management of their timberlands, while providing permanent recreational access, water for the City of Whitefish, and a continuous supply of wood to their local milling facility.”

Montana Oddities

There might be a few things about Montana you didn't know. For instance, these people better be married.

More Tourists and More Customers in 2015

Montana survey shows more tourists and more customers in 2015. The Missoulian reported that approximately 11.7 million nonresident travelers visited Montana in 2015 and spent nearly $3.6 billion here, according to preliminary estimates by the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana. While the number of visitors increased by 8 percent over 2014, the total amount spent by those travelers decreased nearly 8 percent, mainly due to lower fuel costs and the plummeting value of the Canadian dollar.

Tourism directly supports more than 37,000 jobs, and supports 52,750 jobs total, in the Treasure State. Nonresidents contributed more than $208 million in state and local taxes last year.

More Protection for the North Shore of Flathead Lake

More open land conservation on Flathead Lake's North Shore.

Alex Diekmann and His Haskill Basin Legacy

Alex Diekmann's (right) legacy in the Flathead is incredibly impressive and tremendously appreciated.

Bozeman TOP Benefits Community

Bozeman trails and open spaces are major community assets.

Travelers for Open Land Helps Conserve Darrow Property

Nice article about Travelers for Open Land grant helping conserve Darrow property near Bigfork.

Enjoying River's Edge Trail in Great Falls

One of the great things about Great Falls is River's Edge Trail.

Make Tracks for Trials Set for Feb. 28

Check out Gallatin Valley Land Trust's Make Tracks for Trails, coming up Feb. 28. It's a fun, family event that includes the 21st Annual GVLT Ski-A-Thon.

Conservation Cooperation in the Bitterroot

"Awesome news" for Bitterroot Valley open land conservation.

Travelers for Open Land Helps Fund Bitterroot Valley Conservation

Travelers for Open Land has awarded a 2015 grant to Bitter Root Land Trust help fund a 467-acre conservation easement near Corvallis in Ravalli County. The ranch is adjacent to the Calf Creek Wildlife Management Area and provides exceptional wildlife habitat for a range of species, including songbirds and large predators.

Travelers for Open Land Awards Grant to Help Fund Canyon Creek Conservation

Travelers for Open Land has awarded a 2015 grant to Prickly Pear Land Trust to help fund a 3,000-acre conservation easement in the Canyon Creek area near Helena. The property has public access managed by FWP, has been in the same homestead family for generations, provides important habitat for a diverse array of wildlife, and the easement would help conserve riparian areas on two Helena Valley creeks.

Travelers for Open Land Awards Grant to Conserve Gallatin Valley Farm and Wildlife Habitat

Travelers for Open Land awarded a 2015 grant to Gallatin Valley Land Trust to help fund a 960-acre conservation easement on a farm near the Bridger Mountain foothills. Over 98 percent of the farm has soils designated as important, and the property also provides elk winter range habitat, plus contains wetlands and riparian areas associated with the East Gallatin River.

Travelers for Open Land Awards Grant for Madison Valley Conservation

Travelers for Open Land awarded The Montana Land Reliance a grant to help fund a 120-acre Madison Valley conservation easement. The property is comprised of wetlands, wildlife habitat and agricultural lands, that include Madison River and O’Dell Spring Creek frontage. Great example of voluntary land conservation to benefit agriculture, wildlife habitat, riparian areas and more. 

Travelers for Open Land Helps Fund Flathead Valley Conservation

Travelers for Open Land awarded $18,000 in 2015 to help fund Montana private land conservation efforts. One of those projects is two conservation easements totaling 671 acres on the well-known Darrow family properties near Bigfork. The projects feature conservation of the Swims Creek riparian area, wildlife winter range, forested habitat, private working agricultural lands, open land conservation, and scenic views, including prominent ridgelines and hilltops.