In 1995, friends and neighbors gathered in a Helena living room to discuss protecting the forest and trails behind Montana’s Capitol. Inspired by their shared vision of a community with abundant open space and public access, they started Prickly Pear Land Trust, a grassroots conservation organization that focused on trails and open space in Helena’s South Hills.
We’ve grown with our community into a regional land trust dedicated to connecting land and people across four counties. Montanan’s population boom and skyrocketing land values place pressure on agriculture, rivers, wildlife, and trails. Landscape-level conservation projects are the best tool we have to protect the place we love forever. Thirty years after that first living room gathering, Prickly Pear Land Trust proudly announces completion of its 30th conservation easement.
The Elk Ridge conservation easement protects open space on the south side of Mount Ascension. The property owner was motivated to protect their property from subdivision after observing more than 30 species of wildlife. The property serves as critical habitat for the elk herd that migrates between the South Hills and the Boulder Mountains. Other notable species include mountain lions, fox, moose, mink, eagles, blue grouse, and rough grouse. The easement isn’t just good for wildlife – it also protects scenic views and open space valued by trail users and residents.
“For 30 years, PPLT has been dedicated to protecting Montana’s land, water, and way of life – forever. Each easement represents years of dialogue and partnership with private landowners, as well as the funders who support land protection,” says Mary Hollow, executive director of PPLT. “The outcomes for our community and future generations are permanent and invaluable – Mount Ascension, Mount Helena, and the South Hills trail system; the Spokane hills bench and the scenic backdrop of East Helena; five miles of Montana’s most beloved riverfront; historic Gehring ranch; critical farm and ranch protection along the Missouri River; and the first cultural and conservation easement in the state. At a time when a lot of conservation and recreation projects are stalled across the country, there’s never been a more critical moment for this work.”
Sarah Ryan is the Communications and Development Manager at PPLT.
