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
Ranching asks for strength, but also demands patience. You know how much of this work is unseen, unrecorded, and done simply because it needed to be.
In the Helena Valley, spring often arrives along the water. Snowdrifts recede from shaded banks, creeks swell with runoff, and willows begin to leaf out. Against the sound of moving water are the high, clear notes of migratory songbirds moving through the trees.
Since 2000, we’ve been gathering in the South Hills to kick up dust, chase personal bests, and celebrate the open lands that make Helena home. Whether you’re an alum who heard the first starting gun or a first-timer running for a cause, you’re part of the Happy Trails community.
This National Trails Day, 31 volunteers gathered at Prickly Pear Park to help bring a brand-new loop trail to life.
30th conservation easement protects open space on Mount Ascension HELENA, Mont. — In 1995, friends and neighbors gathered in a Helena …
This National Trails Day, 31 volunteers gathered at Prickly Pear Park to help bring a brand-new loop trail to life.
This National Trails Day, 31 volunteers gathered at Prickly Pear Park to help bring a brand-new loop trail to life.
This National Trails Day, 31 volunteers gathered at Prickly Pear Park to help bring a brand-new loop trail to life.
This National Trails Day, 31 volunteers gathered at Prickly Pear Park to help bring a brand-new loop trail to life.