The Montana Legacy Project - Conservation of Forest Lands in Western Montana

Abstract

The Montana Legacy Project implements an agreement between Plum Creek Timber Company and a partnership between The Nature Conservancy of Montana and The Trust for Public Land for the acquisition of 312,000 ac of Plum Creek lands in western Montana. The goals of the project include: protection of the area's clean water and abundant fish and wildlife habitat, maintenance of forests in productive timber management, and promotion of public access for fishing, hiking hunting and other outdoor recreation. The project includes several areas where Plum Creek lands are in a checkerboard ownership pattern with public lands. The potential conversion of these lands to subdivision and development could significantly fragment wildlife habitat, interrupt movement corridors, restrict traditional public recreational access, and increase the costs of wildfire protection and the provision of local services. This project is the result of collaboration by many individuals and organizations from across the state. Business leaders, sportsmen, elected officials, federal and state agencies, conservationists, citizen groups and others are working together to conserve the important resource values within this project area.