HELENA, Mont. — Prickly Pear Land Trust (PPLT) received a $15,000 Blue Impact grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana to support access to outdoor spaces and physical activity through the Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run (DFMI) and Education Program.
“Outdoor education builds more than knowledge; it builds confidence, curiosity, and healthy habits,” said Mary Hollow, executive director of Prickly Pear Land Trust. “With the Blue Impact grant, we’re able to reach more students and provide meaningful, hands-on experiences that make the outdoors accessible to everyone.”
PPLT’s year-round Education Program offers hands-on learning opportunities in Helena and East Helena, helping students connect with nature while building healthy habits early in life. The program ensures outdoor learning is accessible by removing common barriers to access, such as cost and transportation, so students of all ages and abilities can participate. Additionally, PPLT’s Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run encourages healthy, active lifestyles while raising support for Helena’s trail system.
“At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy, active life,” said Lisa Kelley, president of BCBSMT. “By supporting Prickly Pear Land Trust, we are helping to remove barriers and open doors to outdoor experiences for more Montana kids and families. We are proud to partner with organizations like PPLT that are making a real difference in the health and well-being of our communities.”
BCBSMT’s Blue Impact grant initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to invest in and collaborate with community organizations that offer sustainable, measurable programs that address the social and economic factors impacting health and wellness in our state. PPLT’s commitment to increasing access to outdoor spaces and physical activity aligns with the vision of Blue Impact to improve health outcomes in communities across Montana.
Contacts
Mary Hollow, Executive Director, Prickly Pear Land Trust
Sarah Ryan, PPLT Communications Manager, Prickly Pear Land Trust
Media Kit
Media kit available on request.
About Prickly Pear Land Trust
Prickly Pear Land Trust inspires connections to the landscapes, water, wildlife, recreation, and agricultural heritage of west-central Montana through conservation, now and for future generations.
