nature conservancy montana  crown continent rocky mountain front legacy where we work lynx  grizzly

 

 

 

 

nature conservancy montana  crown continent rocky mountain front legacy lynx  grizzly The Nature Conservancy in Montana and our partners have conserved nearly a million acres in four major regions, using an extraordinary community- based approach.

A Big Vision

Crown of the Continent
Wildness characterizes the Crown. All the plants and animals that thrilled Lewis and Clark more than two centuries ago still exist here. Our goal is to ensure they endure for the centuries still ahead.

Southwest Montana 
This mosaic of rich and unusual habitats, including the vast Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, offers vital range and migration routes for wildlife that defines the Northern Rockies.

Northern Montana Prairies
One-half of Eastern Montana holds perhaps the largest and most significant native grassland communities remaining in the Northern Great Plains.

The Yellowstone River
The The Yellowstone River has no major dams, but does have obstructions that threaten endangered pallid sturgeon. The Nature Conservancy is helping re-open the river to these rare fish. 

Sharpening the Focus

Within the four broad regions, our conservation, stewardship and science is carried out through our enormously successful community-based programs.

The Montana Legacy Project
The Nature Conservancy's Montana Legacy Project preserves the jewel in the Crown of the Continent.

The Rocky Mountain Front
An overview of Montana's Rocky Mountain Front and the Nature Conservancy's conservation strategy and successes.

The Centennial Valley
The Centennial Valley is a remote ranching valley in southwestern Montana and one of the most important routes for wildlife migrations from Yellowstone to the Northern Rockies.

The Matador Ranch
On the Matador Ranch on the northeastern plains of Montana, ranchers are working with the Conservancy on a new concept that involves the exchange of forage for conservation practices. It's called grassbanking.

Big Hole Valley
The Big Hole Valley is the highest and widest mountain valley of southwestern Montana, defined by one of the few free-flowing rivers left in the west and a world-renowned fishery.

The Blackfoot Valley
This famous river valley has given rise to pioneering partnerships that have set the standard for successful community-based conservation.

Pine Butte Guest Ranch
The ranch serves as a premiere conservation center, a model for sustainability and a perfect retreat and base for reconnecting with nature.

Our Preserves

Nature Conservancy preserves protect unique natural wonders and provide laboratories to advance conservation science.

Preserve - Pine Butte Swamp
The Nature Conservancy continues an ambitious project to protect Montana's Pine Butte Swamp: the largest wetland complex along the Rocky Mountain Front and the grizzly bear's last stronghold on the plains.

Preserve - Comertown Pothole Prairie
In the far northeastern corner of Montana, there is a rolling landscape of native grasses and shallow “pothole” lakes that was formed over 10,000 years ago by the great continental glaciers.

Preserve - Centennial Sandhills
The Centennial Sandhills preserve conserves a very rare natural community, that thrives on disturbance.

Preserve - Swan River Oxbow
The Swan River flows through a beautiful valley and this preserve sets aside a treasured part in its heart.

Preserve - Lindbergh Lake Pines
Lindbergh Lake Pines is a 40-acre preserve of venerable old-growh ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and western larch.