Mission
Prickly Pear Land Trust connects people to the land, water, wildlife, and agricultural heritage of central Montana through conservation, recreation, and education.
Our Vision
We’re creating a healthy future for all Montanans by protecting the places where we work, play, and learn outdoors.
How We Work
We are rooted in community, dedicated to the land, and invested in the future.
We honor our heritage and strengthen our future by protecting land and water, forever.
Land conservation benefits our community by protecting the incredible outdoor heritage, recreation, wildlife, and agricultural legacy that defines Montana. We partner with landowners to ensure that wildlife, farming, and ranching have a place in our future.
Each land protection agreement is unique, tailored to meet the needs of the landowner and the special qualities of the land. These agreements transfer to all future landowners, meaning the land will remain open for generations to come.
Since 1995, we’ve protected more than 31,000 acres of private and public lands. Our stewardship staff meets with every landowner annually, acting as a partner and resource.
We create parks and trails for everyone in our community.
We are rooted in trails. In 1995, neighbors gathered in a Helena living room to talk about protecting the forest and trails behind the Montana Capitol from subdivision. They founded Prickly Pear Land Trust and protected Mt. Ascension and Mt. Helena and built the South Hills trail system.
In 2018, we opened Tenmile Creek Park in the Helena Valley. The 180-acre park features accessible trails, an off-leash dog area, and creek access. It’s popular with local residents as well as soldiers and veterans from neighboring Fort Harrison. We also own two public parks in East Helena – The Grove and Prickly Pear Park – and we will soon build a trail from Montana City to East Helena.
We inspire joy and connection through outdoor education and experiences.
Outdoor education builds community and connection around our vision of a healthy future for all Montanans. Our year-round education program features hands-on field experiences in ecology, biology, and natural history.
We are dedicated to growing the Happy Trails community through fun experiences, like block parties, Fireside Chats, trail nights, and the annual Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run. We greet everyone with a smile and find joy in service and celebration.
WHY OUR WORK MATTERS
Good News From Montana
Thirty years after its founding, Prickly Pear Land Trust marks its 30th conservation easement with Elk Ridge, protecting vital wildlife habitat and open space in the South Hills.
After nearly four decades, appraiser Tim Moore is retiring, leaving a lasting legacy of expertise and partnership that helped conserve roughly 10,000 acres with Prickly Pear Land Trust.
Pronghorn in the Helena area highlight the importance of open space and wildlife connectivity, with conservation efforts helping sustain healthy ecosystems and migration across the landscape.
Thirty years after its founding, Prickly Pear Land Trust marks its 30th conservation easement with Elk Ridge, protecting vital wildlife habitat and open space in the South Hills.
A paddleboarding journey along the Missouri River highlights how conservation easements protect vital habitat, working lands, and public access for future generations.
Helena native and lifelong Missouri River guide Bob Brent leaves a legacy of conservation, supporting the places he loved for future generations.
Thirty years after its founding, Prickly Pear Land Trust celebrates its 30th conservation easement, protecting vital wildlife habitat and open space.
This National Trails Day, 31 volunteers gathered at Prickly Pear Park to help bring a brand-new loop trail to life.
Our upcoming trail season will be the most uncertain in our 30 years of operation. We need volunteers to swing tools for our local trails and public lands.