HELENA, Mont. — Located just six miles west of Helena behind Fort Harrison, a vital piece of the Helena area’s natural landscape is permanently protected. Double L Family Land partnered with Prickly Pear Land Trust and Montana National Guard to purchase and conserve the 198-acre War Eagle Hill property.
War Eagle Hill features pristine native grasslands, vibrant riparian habitat, and old-growth forest ecosystems. Protecting this landscape secures critical winter range and movement corridors for iconic Montana wildlife, including elk, moose, pronghorn, and bears.
“We treasure many memories made with family and friends on this land from time spent exploring its topographical and ecological diversity. These experiences were a gift that only time spent outdoors can cultivate,” says Laurie Cox, representative of Double L Family Land. “We are thrilled that this land will be available for people to enjoy. Collaborating with PPLT was a perfect way to do right by the land, ensuring that it is protected from development and included in a master plan of open spaces for the benefit of our ecosystems.”
The property is a valuable addition to a growing conservation neighborhood east of the Continental Divide. It adjoins Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and is located near public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the State of Montana, as well as existing PPLT easements and parks. In addition to its ecological value, the project preserves open space near Fort Harrison and guarantees public access through the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Block Management Program, ensuring generations of hunters can access wildlife habitat in the National Forest.
“For 31 years, PPLT’s strength has come from dedicated private landowners and visionary community partners who recognize that Montana’s open spaces are worth protecting forever,” says Mary Hollow, executive director of Prickly Pear Land Trust. “By partnering with Double L Family Land and the National Guard, we are securing a wildlife gateway to the Continental Divide, supporting military readiness at Fort Harrison, and keeping public hunting access intact for central Montanans.”
The project was made possible through funding from the U.S. Military’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program, supported by the Montana National Guard, alongside a generous contribution of land value from Double L Family Land. By conserving open space around military installations, the REPI Program helps prevent development encroachment, supporting both local ecosystem health and military readiness. Additional project partners include Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
Contacts
Mary Hollow, Executive Director, Prickly Pear Land Trust
Travis Vincent, Lands Director, Prickly Pear Land Trust
Devin Doskey, Public Affairs Officer, Montana National Guard
Sarah Ryan, Communications Manager, Prickly Pear Land Trust
Media Kit
Media kit available on request.
About Prickly Pear Land Trust
Prickly Pear Land Trust connects people to the land, water, wildlife, and agricultural heritage of central Montana through conservation, recreation, and education. We’re creating a healthy future for all Montanans by protecting the places where we work, play, and learn outdoors.
