30th conservation easement protects open space on Mount Ascension
HELENA, Mont. — 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. Thirty years after that first living room meeting, 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 ruffed grouse. The easement isn’t just good for wildlife – it also protects scenic views and open space valued by trail users and residents. This easement does not allow public access in order to protect wildlife habitat and species.
“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 a private landowner and their family, 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 invaluable – Mount Ascension, Mount Helena, and the South Hills trail system; the Spokane hills bench and the scenic backdrop of East Helena; historic Gehring ranch; critical farm and ranch protection along the Missouri River; and the first cultural and conservation easement in the state. Conservation and recreation projects are stalled around the country, but in Montana, it’s truly now or never for this work.”
How does a land trust protect land forever?
Prickly Pear Land Trust uses conservation easements to protect open space, wildlife habitat, and working lands. A conservation easement is a legal private property agreement between a willing landowner and a qualified conservation organization designed to permanently prevent the land from being subdivided or developed and to make it available to wildlife and working farms and ranches.
Each conservation easement agreement is unique and tailored to the landowner’s needs and the land’s conservation values. Landowners who place a conservation easement on their property continue to own the land and operate their farms and ranches, and often, the agreement helps them pass land on to their heirs. PPLT now holds conservation easements in Lewis & Clark, Broadwater, Jefferson, Powell, and Meagher counties.
Contacts
Mary Hollow, Executive Director, Prickly Pear Land Trust
Travis Vincent, Lands Director, 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.
