Thanks, El Western!

A big thank-you to John and Kris Hauck of El Western Cabins & Lodges in Ennis for their generous donation to Travelers for Open Land. They add a line on each guest's invoice asking if they'd like to donate to the program. Thanks for your ongoing support, John and Kris!

www.elwestern.com

TFOL Helps Conserve Agricultural Lands in the Bitterroot and Mission Valleys

The Missoulian also ran a guest column on the benefits of Travelers for Open Land to the Mission and Bitterroot valleys, where TFOL was able to help keep agricultural lands in production:
http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/travelers-works-for-landscape-future-of-state/article_8c7d6b88-9c68-11e2-9790-001a4bcf887a.html

TFOL Awards $88,000 to Montana Land Trusts

Travelers for Open Land enjoyed its best year ever in 2012 and last week awarded $88,000 to fund six Montana private land conservation projects. Since it was launched in 2009, Travelers for Open Land has awarded $148,365 to help fund 20 land conservation projects throughout Montana.

 

“We had a very impressive group of grant applications this year, and were pleased to fully fund all six applications,” said Mike Scholz, founder of Travelers for Open Land, owner of Buck’s T-4 Lodge and a hospitality industry leader. “The projects we helped fund showcase excellent examples of Montana land conservation efforts and included wetlands protection, enhanced recreational access opportunities, conservation of historic and traditional working ranches, lakeshore protection at Flathead Lake, wildlife habitat protection and more.”

 

Here is a brief summary of the six projects approved for funding by the Travelers for Open Land Advisory Committee:

 

The Nature Conservancy of Helena received $20,000 to help fund a 580-acre conservation easement project in the Big Hole Valley. The project conserves a working ranch that includes a stream corridor containing arctic grayling.

 

Prickly Pear Land Trust received $18,365 to help fund a conservation easement and additional recreational access as part of the 266-acre Aspen Trails proposal in the North Helena Valley. The project enjoys significant local support, protects a wetland area and has several partners cooperating on the project.

 

Five Valleys Land Trust in Missoula will receive $15,000 to help fund a 2,278-acre conservation easement in the Mission Valley on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The project conserves an important wildlife corridor, valuable soils and a traditional working ranch.                             

PHOTO BY CATHERINE WALTERS

 

Gallatin Valley Land Trust in Bozeman will receive $15,000 to help fund a hiking trail and conservation easement project near Big Sky. The project features a large number of private and public partners and would expand outdoor recreational opportunities in Big Sky. 

 

The Bitter Root Land Trust in Hamilton will receive $10,000 to help fund a conservation easement on a historic 1,080-acre ranch in the Bitterroot Valley. The project protects existing recreational access, enjoys local support and has a connection to noted Montana artist Charlie Russell. 

 

Flathead Land Trust in Kalispell will receive a $10,000 grant to help fund a 190-acre conservation easement on the North Shore of Flathead Lake. The project features protection of wetlands and waterfowl habitat and is part of the Flathead’s River to Lake Initiative.  

 

“Travelers for Open Land has come a long way since we launched the program in 2009,” said Stuart Doggett of the Montana Lodging and Hospitality Association. “The Montana tourism industry had a very good year in 2012 and one of the key goals of the TFOL program is to recognize the value of open lands to the Montana tourism industry and also recognize the value of the tourism industry to Montana’s economy.”

 

“Open land is an economic asset to Montana, and Travelers for Open Land is starting to make some meaningful contributions to our landscape, our economy and quality of life,” said Glenn Marx of the Montana Association of Land Trusts.

 

When visitors stay or shop at a business property participating in Travelers for Open Land, they’re asked to make a small donation in support of the program. Over 30 business properties collected more than $100,000 and contributed those as donations in 2012. These funds came from hotels, dude ranches, bed and breakfasts, outfitters with lodging, fly fishing shops, rafting companies and other tourism-related properties and businesses as well as a generous donation from the Rapier Family Foundation of Big Sky. The funds are awarded as grants to land trusts through a competitive grant program.

Thanks to Magpie Guest House

Thanks to the Magpie Guest House in Bozeman for collecting contributions to Travelers for Open Land. Every little bit helps! http://www.magpiegh.com/

Coincidence?

Is it coincidence that Travelers for Open Land was created in Gallatin County, the healthiest county in Montana? I think not. http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/health/article_bc22bbfc-7ed9-11e1-9433-0019bb2963f4.html

Thanks to Blackfoot River Brewing Company

Thanks to the folks at Blackfoot River Brewing Company - and everyone who joined us on March 26 - the Montana Association of Land Trusts raised $549, one pint at a time. We had a great time and it was a fun night. Join Prickly Pear Land Trust on April 16 at Blackfoot Brewing!

Thanks to the Missoula BW Grant Creek Inn

Thanks to the Best Western Grant Creek Inn in Missoula for its participation in Travelers for Open Land. The Grant Creek Inn staff was kind enough to listen to a "pep talk" on Travelers for Open Land today. One of TFOL's new signs will also be displayed at the Grant Creek Inn's breakfast area. Here's a photo of the front desk staff and the new sign. Thanks for your support!

Reminder: Hoist a Pint for MALT on March 26

Don't forget: On Monday, March 26, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM one dollar from every pint sold at the Blackfoot River Brewing Company in Helena will be donated to the Montana Association of Land Trusts. Thanks to Blackfoot Brewing. Blackfoot Brewing is located at 66 South Park Avenue. See you on March 26!

March 26 is MALT Night at Blackfoot Brewing

Come on down to the Blackfoot River Brewing Company at 5:00 PM on Monday, March 26 and have a pint...one dollar from every pint sold will be donated to the Montana Association of Land Trusts. Thanks to Blackfoot River Brewing for the support.

Montana is a Popular Place

A study shows Montana is among the nation's most popular states. Lots of reasons for that, including our landscape. http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/editorial/gazette-opinion/gazette-opinion-popularity-poll-those-who-know-montana-like-it/article_485a7e91-1036-5325-a9ab-2f9f65acd9b3.html

Travelers Help Fund Hamilton Community Park Project

Great article in the Ravalli Republic about a conservation project Travelers for Open Land is helping fund. This is an exciting project for the community of Hamilton. http://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_2239c1b2-5e9e-11e1-a743-0019bb2963f4.html

Travelers Grant Help Conserve Flathead Wetlands

The Travelers for Open Land grant to Flathead Land Trust received some recognition in the Kalispell Daily Interlake. The grant will help fund work to conserve wetlands and waterfowl habitat. http://dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_333aaa26-59f3-11e1-9b54-0019bb2963f4.html

Helena IR Gives Thumbs Up to Travelers for Open Land

Nice article in the Helena IR about the benefits of Travelers for Open Land and the projects the Travelers program has helped fund. This is a photo of the Milburn project near Helena.

TFOL Awards $35,000 for Land Conservation Grants

Congratulations to the seven Montana Association of Land Trusts members that will share $35,000 in Travelers for Open Land grants. Thank you to the participating businesses and all the people who donated to make the grants possible! More info to follow.

Phasmid Rentals Supports TFOL

Thanks to Will Casella and Phasmid Rentals in Bozeman for their participation in and financial support of Travelers for Open Land. Check Phasmid out athttp://www.phasmidrentals.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=83

Thanks to Jakes Horses

Thanks to Jake and Katie Grimm of Jakes Horses in Big Sky for their recent contribution to Travelers for Open Land. We appreciate Jakes Horses and their guests for their support of the TFOL program and for their commitment to Montana open lands. http://www.jakeshorses.com/

Thanks to the Grant Creek Inn in Missoula

Thanks to the staff, management and guests at the Best Western Grant Creek Inn in Missoula for donating and collecting $492 for Travelers for Open Land. We appreciate your commitment to the Travelers for Open Land program!

An Impressive Story of Family and Place

An amazing story of family and place published in the Ravalli Republic. The Severson family and their Bitterroot Valley ranch tell an impressive and remarkable tale. Travelers for Open Land is proud of have helped fund this project. http://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_eca290a0-3cd4-11e1-b6a6-001871e3ce6c.html

Big Sky Country

Montana launches new winter tourism program. http://mtstandard.com/news/state-and-regional/montana-launches-winter-tourism-campaign/article_26e5b1f3-dae4-555a-96c2-ecb768d771c0.html

Thanks to Corner Store in Whitehall

Thanks to Tim Mulligan, owner of The Corner Store in Whitehall, and thanks to Corner Store contributors for your donations to Travelers for Open Land. Every little bit helps!