The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Conservation easements are one of the most powerful and effective tools available for the permanent conservation of private lands in the United States. They have been particularly useful in Montana where so much land is owned as private ranches. These multi-generation ranch families are dedicated stewards and  vital partners with the Conservancy in preserving a broad range of wildlife habitat.

A conservation easement is a voluntary, legally binding agreement that limits certain types of uses and development on a piece of property now and in the future. In Montana, easements protect wildlife habitat, at the same time helping families continue the ranching tradition and pass on their land to future generations.  

The first-ever conservation easement in Montana was donated to the Conservancy in 1976. In the year's since completion of this 1,800-acre easement in the Blackfoot Valley, the Conservancy has placed more than 300,000 acres under easement across the state. Here are some of the most recent.