Montana Stories

Gifts of Conservation

Conserving Montana for the next generation

The Nature Conservancy ended 2012 with three superb additions to conservation in Montana -- a total of 23,641 acres within the lush Swan Valley, the sweeping Northern Prairie, and the sagebrush of Southwest Montana. We're grateful to our partners, supporters, and staff who made these tremendous contributions possible.

Here are the details on our latest successes.
carroll splashOnly the occasional fence post gives a sign of human activity on the Carroll Ranch on Montana's Northern Prairie. (c)Bebe Crouse
Carroll Easement

Declining grassland birds, pronghorn, and swift fox are among the animals being protected by a new, 7,004 acre easement on the Carroll property on Montana’s Northern Prairie. The easement adjoins one of Montana’s largest proposed prairie wilderness areas. Learn more

steel creek 215The Steel Creek Ranch offers superb habitat for the diversity of wildlife in Montana's Big Hole Valley. (c)Jim Berkey
Steel Creek Ranch

These 2,013 acres encompass a mosaic of habitat that supports a stunning diversity of wildlife ranging from moose and wolves to Greater Sage-grouse and Arctic grayling. On the ranch, sagebrush steppe is interspersed with wetlands and freshwater streams. Learn more

swan 215Wetlands are one of the most valuable natural assets of the Swan River State Forest in Montana. (c)Maria Mantas
Swan River State Forest

The Swan River State Forest expanded by 14,624 acres with the Conservancy’s sale of the land to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. The land is covered by a conservation easement, held by the state department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, assuring its permanent protection from development. Learn more

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Photo Special Features TabLion in Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa. © Kenneth K. Coe

Close Encounters with Nature

Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories

Arden OConnor 215x143Arden O’Connor. © Lajla LeBlanc

Nature Matters

Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos

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Make Your Gift!
You can help us continue our conservation success with a contribution to The Nature Conservancy in Montana. Donate