2017 ANNUAL REPORT one million acres by the numbers 62 Most 854 easements The Land Reliance Total number 40, 064 in one year partners with private of easements Largest protected (2000) landowners to permanently property acreage

protect agricultural lands, g n i b

fish and wildlife habitat, m a L

Average

and open space. n h

property o J 1,2 21 acreage The immediate accomplishments of MLR’s m o c . Smallest conservation work are y h 1

p Cost in dollars to

a protected measured in miles of r g

o monitor one acre of

t property o

streambank preserved and h p property in 2017 acreage r e

t .2 9

acres of land protected. n e k

The lasting benefits of MLR’s work are the perpetuation of a lifestyle and 932,455 293 Total privately an economy that rely on Miles of blue- and enhanced public red-ribbon trout responsibly managed private acreage (MLR streams protected land and the increasingly acreage adjacent h t valuable Montana open to public lands) i m S

spaces that will continue y d n

to nourish the spirit of Median a R future generations. property 16 0 acreage 98,324 377,25 8,803 Most acres in one year (2007) Total ecosystem services value in dollars cproesnidnen et’sc ltetitner g the dots

IT IS NOT HARD TO IMAGINE for four percent of the total. That’s privately-owned working terrains of what some of Montana’s most special a big deal. farms, ranches, and forests. Often, places would have looked like without these people believe that the former the long-term and persistent effort The moment Phil signed the is more deserving of our conservation of The Montana Land Reliance easement papers was the culmination attention and resources. (MLR). Places like the Smith River of four decades of hard work, Canyon country could have been unwavering vision, and persistent But we have always known that asphalt and houses instead of grass, effort of the MLR Board, staff, and the protection and conservation trees, and grazers. thousands of supporters. We’ve of our working landscapes is as had setbacks, leaps forward, and important as the protection of In this year’s annual report, you’ll Montana’s future is tied to the land thousands of cups of coffee around our public lands. The success of weave your way through the sage and to the people who live on and kitchen tables. landscape-level conservation lies brush steppes and prairie plains manage it. MLR envisions a future in the critical intersection of public of to the high with enduring landscapes that keep When I started with MLR in 1979, and private land. mountains of the Greater Yellowstone Montana’s agricultural lands and as the Treasurer and Secretary of Ecosystem, from the banks of the communities healthy and flourishing the Board, I never imagined what we HELPING RANCHING AND iconic Smith River to the far corners over the generations. would accomplish. As I reflect on FARMING FAMILIES stay on the of northwest Montana, through the those decades and the organization’s land while protecting river valleys, ecological transition zones, through On August 5, 2017, rancher and recent milestone, I do so with watersheds, wildlife corridors, winter the public lands and working lands, MLR Board member, Phil Rostad, took immense gratitude for the people range, and breeding habitat for and through the minds of the people the stage in front of over 400 MLR and places that have gotten us here wildlife exponentially increases the who have chosen to protect their landowners and supporters at the and for the collaborative nature of value of public lands Montanans love land for future generations. Million Acre Celebration on the these efforts: voluntary participation, so much. The two go hand-in-hand. Hilger Ranch near the Gates of the shared goals, pooled resources, The report is a story of the big Mountains, took the pen, and to and a deep commitment to place. The distinct challenge and reward picture and of the tiny puzzle pieces raucous cheers from the audience, of MLR’s work is that each property, coming together. It is a story of signed a conservation easement on MLR HAS THRIVED and succeeded, ranch, farm, parcel of land, and collaboration and of deep affection his family’s Martinsdale ranch, even during lean years, because we family is different and every owner for and affirmation of Montana’s local pushing the total easement acreage understand the sacred connections has different goals for their property. communities, working landscapes, held by MLR over the million-acre between people and their places, and I’m blown away every day by the staff and the natural world. mark. The ranch that hosted the party between working landscapes and at MLR who understand and respect is itself a part of that million acres. public lands. We understand the the uniqueness of the places where It is a story of the past, of the present, power of relationships and trust. they work and the people they and of the future. One million acres. MLR has secured work with. the most easement acres out of any There are some who would look at It is a story of Montana. land trust in the state and out of Montana and see two classes of Such practical respect is the true 25,692,063 total acres conserved landscapes: the publicly-owned parks discipline of MLR’s efforts. –George Olsen nationwide, MLR is responsible and wilderness preserves, and the SINCE 1978 7 The Montana Land Reliance 2017

has worked with private – 1 – Ko oten landowners all across Montana Shoco Ranch * – 836 acres ai – 2 – to meet their conservation Mountain Hi Ranch ** – 2,370 acres goals, including the protection of – 3 – major watersheds critical to Rostad Property – 4,615 acres – 4 – agriculture and wildlife habitat. Arthun Property – 4,421 acres

– 5 – d a Lien Property – 92 acres e h t S a w 1,038,964 ACRES l – 6 – F a Craig Property II – 74 acres n of ecologically, agriculturally, and C – 7 – la rk historically important land, Brown Property – 62 acres F or ot and 1,728 miles of streambank – 8 – k Blackfo Schutz Property III – 628 acres are now protected under MLR’s 16 t

– 9 – o 854 conservation easements. o Hamilton Ranch – 1,454 acres r C r lar e k t F t o – 10 – i rk Bintz Property – 400 acres B Crop/Hay/Pasture – 11 – X Bar T Ranch – 160 acres 172,876 6 – – 12 – Bi Roberts L7 Ranch (North ) – 24,622 acres g H Range/Forest ole 866,088 – 13 – – Roberts L7 Ranch (South) – 4,796 acres Elk Habitat – 14 – Ritchey Property – 40 acres

552,2 10 d – 15 – a e – h Micks Ranches II – 3,093 acres r e v Wetlands a – 16 – e 42,362 King Property – 567 acres B – Greater Yellowstone 48,230 ACRES Ecosystem 295,435 – Northern Continental *Partners: Lewis & Clark County Open Space Program, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Divide Ecosystem Vital Ground, Montana Audubon Society 19,915 ** Partners: The Trust for Public Land, Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Lands Easement (ALE) Program

2 M ilk M arias

Teton

Mi ssouri S un 1 ECOSYSTEMS

h t i d Greater Yellowstone u J

S Northern Continental Divide m

i t h Northern Great Plains 12 Muss elshell tone 3 15 Yellows

10 13 n 8 so r n 2 fe o f s e i J d a

M 14 r 9 n e 4 r e d 5 o G u h g w a g o i n l 11 o P l B a T

t

i

n

Ru by

MLR EASEMENT EASEMENT DENSITY BY COUNTY

MAJOR WATERSHEDS 1–10,000 acres 10,001 –25,000 acres BLUE- AND RED-RIBBON 25,001 –50,000 acres TROUT STREAMS More than 50,000 acres

3 taking a wide view

“Like the sea there is something compelling about its distances and sweep. Nowhere except the sea is there quite the same subtlety of color, quite the same feeling of vastness .” – K. Ross Toole, Uncommon Land out east It was in this country around 1887 that Jarrod Broadus’s great-grandfather, Henry Bailey, homesteaded and began This is a land where the sky comes putting a ranch together. down the same distance all around, and those who live in it love it – “It’s an amazing valley. And this most of the time. particular part of this valley is even – K. Ross Toole, Uncommon Land more so. It’s home,” said Jarrod.

IT IS A LAND WHERE THE SKY It is a land of life, and its history is comes down the same distance all visible from the rock art left by Native around. If you say those words to Americans and some settlers on the someone born and raised in eastern sandstones. Pronghorn antelope graze Montana they will nod knowingly. And, the sagebrush throughout the year. if you say the words Rosebud Creek, Mule deer roam the hills alongside one eastern Montanans will know you are of the most impressive elk herds in all talking about a creek that starts in of Montana; their trails wind up the the hills near Kirby, Montana, then steep side hills and into the rugged winds and meanders quietly through mountains. colorful scoria hills past generational ranches with cows grazing in front Yes, there are mountains in eastern Pronghorn antelope of wind- and water-carved sandstone Montana. castles. Flowing north, the creek ends its journey when it joins with Ungulates, raptors of all kinds, upland the Yellowstone River. Rosebud Creek birds, amphibians, and reptiles live in is known to the Crow Indians as this semi-arid landscape. Even though Bichkapaashe or “Rosehip River” for the conditions can be harsh, the land the wild roses that grow prolifically also supports many types of plant along its bank. species, including yucca, skunk brush, sage, wild turnips, wild potatoes, and People from this area tell you that this chokecherry bushes, all uniquely is a land that gets in your blood; it is a adapted to the dry conditions. place that changes you more than you a n continued... a change it. t e m S n a s u D

5 travels quickly through the sandstones “A conservation easement, for my and the hills, illuminating the ancient family and I, was a no-brainer. And geology of the land, setting fire to the you want to keep it together to pass it epic sandstone formations. If you down to the next generation. We can watch closely, you can hear the ancient carry on our ranch. It’s the way that conversations between the water, the we can keep this ranch ground as wind, and the rock. And then, when ranch ground, and keep it in the family earth turns just enough to send the for maybe another 100 years, who last rays of light to , knows?” the stars reveal themselves. IN LATE JULY OF 1911 , Jarod’s Jarrod knows every sandstone on the grandmother, Margaret Bailey Broadus, place and can tell story after story only four years old at the time, got about his family’s history on the land. into a wagon with 16 others from her When Jarrod, his father Hugh, and family and neighboring ranches, and mother Evelyn, decided to put the left for Yellowstone National Park, y

k ranch into a conservation easement which had been established in 1872. s f o

g in 2010, and the second one in 2014, o n

o they had the history, and the future, Margaret writes about the trip in her B

s

i of their family and land in mind. memoir, Through The Rosebuds : x e l

A “My folks packed up the old cow, “I do think that it is a family tarpaulin tent, the camp stove, and commitment. We understand the mess box, about a month’s worth of IT’S ALSO GOOD RANCH struggles that Henry Bailey went in to supplies, all the kids and a number COUNTRY . Cow-calf operations putting it together and the struggles of other young people who wanted are common in the area and so are the next generations put in to keeping to go, loaded up the wagons and off longtime ranching families who can the damn thing, making sure that it we went.” tell you their family’s history in the stays a working ranch and in the area as quickly and easily as they family. And now, I guess you are driven, The roads were barely trails in those can tell you what the weather was you are damn sure that happens.” days, she recalled, and they spent a like the day before. week making their way to the Park. This big decision was one the family They rode past Little Bighorn National If you are on Rosebud Creek during the knew would help keep the ranch Monument, where the remains of the last light of the day, you’ll notice it together and in the family. Battle of the Little Bighorn were still

6 visible on the prairie. They continued through Billings, Livingston, Chico, and Gardiner.

She must have been struck by changes in the landscape, going from the grasslands and sagebrush steppe of the Montana prairie, following the mighty Yellowstone River, onto one of the highest, wildest, and most awesome alpine areas in all of North America. Ecological diversity could be considered a defining characteristic of Montana. But what didn’t change was the wide-open spaces.

What Margaret didn’t know at the time y k s

was that the place she came from and f o g the place she was going on that trip o n o

would be cornerstones in the long-term B

s i effort by The Montana Land Reliance x e l

(MLR) to help protect Montana’s A heritage: open lands and working farms and ranches. to put conservation easements, what Yellowstone Ecosystem, to the Broadus Ranch AT THE END OF 20 17, MLR had you’ll see is that they have protected Smith River Canyon country, to the near Lame Deer protected one million acres. For almost lands of consequence, places that, timberland of northwest Montana, four decades, MLR has focused on the if developed, would be irreparably MLR considers entire landscapes protection of farms and ranches and changed. Places that make Montana, and communities—buffering public working with people who want to keep Montana . land, protecting watersheds, and the land productive and open. keeping farm and ranch land open From the prairies and low mountains and productive. If you look at a map of Montana and of Rosebud Creek Valley in eastern the places in which MLR has been able Montana, through the Greater

7 in paradise “As Montana continues to evolve and MLR saw the writing on the wall grow, there are and will be inevitable decades ago and began working to pressures for development. I think the protect thousands of acres of land in Appearing unannounced, the moon – importance of these conservation this critical ecosystem. In the Gallatin Avoids a mountain’s jagged prongs – easements can’t be overstated,” Valley, 31,501 acres have been put And sweeps into the open sky – Like said Ken. into conservation easements and one who knows where she belongs. in the Paradise Valley, 21,684 acres – “Nocturne” by W.H. Auden Ken is right. Population growth in and are protected. around the GYE is presenting great ON THE WAY to Yellowstone National challenges to maintaining working “I think if you look up and down the Park, as Margaret Bailey and her family farms and ranches, and wildlife habitat. Paradise Valley, the Land Reliance has traveled south in their wagons up the According to a recent article published done, probably more than anyone else, y k

s Paradise Valley, they passed a piece in National Geographic Magazine , an amazing job of preserving the area, f o g

o of land now owned by Ken Wilson, private land tracts with no or few the riparian areas, and the migrations n o called the Eightmile Ranch. The land homes is declining in the region. of mammals. It’s such an important B

s i is considered part of the Greater The number of tracts with one home legacy,” said Ken. x e l

A Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), the per 40 acres increased by 328 percent wildest area in the Lower 48. from 1970 to 2010. The article also Ken has also completed a number of cited a 2013 study that found 30 projects to enhance the habitat values Protecting private land The region is one of the last remaining, percent of the GYE to be “developed,” of the property with prudent range increases space for large, nearly intact ecosystems, spanning and some wildlife migration pathways management and restoration of wildlife to roam. over 34,375 square miles in the northern believed to be imperiled. The article Eightmile Creek, an important riparian temperate zones, with Yellowstone predicted that, by 2020, between five habitat for many bird species. It runs National Park as its core. The ecosystem and 40 percent of the ecosystem’s through the property, eventually has every major species that existed most biologically rich habitats will flowing in to the Yellowstone River. before Europeans arrived: grizzly bear, undergo conversion from ranch and The pronghorn are back for the spring, wolves, bison, elk, pronghorn, deer, farmland to exurban development. a large herd of elk winters there, and moose, a diversity of bird species, and one or two packs of wolves use the other mammals, including wolverines, THE NEARBY GALLATIN VALLEY property at any given time. black-footed ferrets, Canada lynx, is one of the fastest growing semi-rural trumpeter swans, and sage grouse. areas in America. There is no denying Protecting private land from that growth is heavily impacting some development near and next to When Ken put the first pieces of his of the richest farmland and key wildlife public land increases space for ranch in a conservation easement with habitat for species synonymous with wildlife to roam. Private land is MLR in 1990, he had an appreciation the ecosystem. critical to maintaining the health for the changes that the region would of the GYE. soon experience.

8 WHAT MAKES THE GYE UNIQUE is that large ungulate herds still use ancient migration pathways to move across the landscape between seasonal summer habitats in the mountains and their winter ranges. The routes used by elk, mule deer, and pronghorn are among the longest in North America. Migration routes have vanished almost everywhere else due to habitat fragmentation caused by human activities.

“Largely due to the Land Reliance, there are protected wildlife corridors throughout the Gallatin Range where there is an amazing amount of animal migration. Before civilization, they used to move freely and openly from where they spent the summer to where they spent the winter. Those migration patterns are still there. I’ve noticed it myself in terms of wildlife sightings, whether it is the elk or even the predators,” said Ken.

These migration routes can only remain viable in the future with the protection of private land and working farms and ranches. If private land is overtaken by housing developments and other human pressures, the wildlife migration corridors will be compromised irreparably. g n i

Shell Mountain near Livingston b m in the GYE a L

n h o J in the canyon paintings and drawings of clouds, handprints, and abstract designs. In this case, instead of carvings on If there is a western culture... I have sandstone, the art is on the Smith’s not escaped it. It has to have shaped steep limestone canyon walls and me. I may even have contributed to inside its large caves. The sheer it in minor ways, for culture is a volume of rock art surpasses that of pyramid to which each of us brings any other Montana river – there are a stone. over 70 rock art sites along a 50-mile Wallace Stegner, The American stretch of river. W– est as Living Space The Smith River is steeped in history ALMOST 100 MILES directly north and fish. People from all over the of the Paradise Valley, there is another country come to experience the blue- unique ecosystem not found anywhere ribbon trout stream. The river carries else in the Lower 48: the iconic Smith brown trout, rainbow trout, brook River, a 125-mile long stream whose trout, cutthroat trout, and burbot, headwaters are in the Little Belt and among many other species. People who Castle mountains. It flows through a are lucky enough to secure one of the remarkable limestone canyon along the limited Smith River floating permits west side of the Little Belts and can also see black bear, elk, and deer. empties into the , just They see hawks and eagles soaring downstream from the town of Ulm. above them. Floating the Smith is one The Smith River occupies another of the most sought-after recreational region of Montana where the threat of opportunities in the West. subdivision is high, like the Paradise Valley. On the Smith, almost 80 percent That’s how Ned and Linda Morgens, of the river is surrounded by private now landowners along the river, came land, and without the efforts of MLR, to love the Smith River country. the place would look a lot different from today. “In the late 80s I made it out to the Smith River and floated down it. I was

m Similar to the Rosebud Creek Valley, blown away by the spectacular beauty o c .

y there is ancient art on the rock walls of the canyon. Just blown away,” Ned h

p from as long ago as 3,000 B.C. – said. “I wanted to make sure I did my a r g

o part to make sure it stays that way for t o

h the next 100 years.”

p The Smith River is a r e

t blue-ribbon trout fishery. n e k

10 After some negotiations with a local “Private land protection is critical. rancher, Bob Gruel, Ned and Linda At the present, we seem to be purchased their first tract of land with dismantling some of our protected the promise to put a conservation lands and we need to make sure that easement on the property to ease these spaces stay open and working.” Gruel’s mind over the possibility of Ned continues, “I think, what can subdivision popping up on his ranch we do as private citizens? We can land. Two subdivisions had sprung put conservation easements on our up in the late 1960s, which alarmed property. We can make sure that our both recreationists and ranchers who kids and grandkids can still enjoy it worried that the Smith would turn without covering it with plastic houses. into an urbanized river corridor. We need these easements as tools to save .” m

Ned believes the Smith River Canyon o c . is one of the most unique river systems Just across the river from the y h a in the country. “Most of the land along Morgens’ property is Rod and Julie r g o t the Smith is private land. And the Pribyl’s ranch, which they put into o h p amazing thing is that a lot of people a conservation easement in 2009. e w o

have decided to put conservation Rod Pribyl’s grandfather homesteaded r n o easements on the land they have that the ranch in 1889. The Pribyl’s are t n e surrounds the Smith. I’m not sure what Wallace Stegner would call k there is another stretch of river with “stickers.” that much private land and has that much protected land on its banks. “Boomers ,” he said, “are those who preserve the ranch and have it be The river carries brown trout, Very few pieces of it are still vulnerable pillage and run, who want to make a a ranch instead of be developed rainbow trout (pictured), to development thanks to MLR.” killing and end up on Easy Street,” piecemeal and sold off.” brook trout, cutthroat trout, whereas stickers are “those who settle, and burbot, among many MLR HAS 16 EASEMENTS along and love the life they have made and Rod, Julie, and their three daughters other species. the Smith, protecting over 32,000 the place they have made it in.” have been deeply shaped by their acres and 69 miles of its banks. connection to the land. Julie speaks Ned believes his responsibility is to “We have a rich history here,” said of Charlie Russell sunsets, her keep his land the way it is for future Rod. “My dad was always very proud. commitment to keeping the ranch generations. He understands the We instilled that in our children. That in the family, and her affection for intimate connections between private is one of the reasons we got interested the land in every word. land and the public land, and the in conservation easements. One of the need to protect both. things we really wanted to do was to continued...

11

Wendell Berry, the farmer, poet, and we have and keeping this land in philosopher, argued that “stickers” agriculture instead of [it] being as Stegner called them, “are motivated developed. We want to leave it as good by affection, by such love for a place or better than we got it,” said Julie. and its life that they want to preserve it and remain in it.” The Pribyls’ ranch, just like the Morgens’ ranch across the river and Rod said, “You know, we are in the the Wilsons’ ranch in the Paradise foothills of the Little Belts. When you Valley, are adjacent to large tracts of drop over the top of what we call ‘the public land, providing a buffer zone Baldy,’ you look over that beautiful, and more open country for Montana’s beautiful, Smith River Canyon country, wildlife. Rod and Julie are also enrolled with all the trees and the river, and the in the Block Management Program canyon walls. And then when you look through Montana Fish, Wildlife and north, it’s all prairie. My father-in-law Parks. They believe strongly in always said you could see the Sweet community and giving back, allowing Grass Hills if you knew what you were others to experience the gifts they looking for. It is having the best of have been given. both worlds.” “It’s important to me that these areas IN A WORLD WHERE many are stay open and that the public has a looking for the next place to develop, chance to be there. Even if they don’t sell off, and get rich, Rod and Julie get anything hunting, but even just to envision a future where the Smith go up there and look out over the River remains how it has always been. Smith, it’s a blessing,” said Rod.

“For me, I look at this ranch or any The Morgens and the Pribyls recognize piece of land as something that we the value in keeping the Smith River have a commitment to care for, for the country open and working. With the period of time we are here and working help of MLR, they can keep their land it. Ownership passes. I feel a real preserved, in perpetuity. m o c commitment to taking care of what . y h p a r g o t o h p y u

g The iconic Smith River e y

e and its canyon h s i f

13 south of the border FIVE HOURS WEST of the Smith grew by 40 percent between the River Valley lies another iconic Montana 2000 and 2010 U.S. Censuses. ecosystem that is experiencing Flathead County is closing in on For humans to have a responsible development pressures like the 100,000 residents, and at a relationship to the world, they Paradise and Gallatin valleys. Kalispell, quick pace. must imagine their places in it. at the north end of the , By imagination we recognize is the fastest growing city in Montana. John Chase has seen the changes in with sympathy the fellow members, Its proximity to some of Montana’s the community. human and nonhuman, with greatest outdoors, such as Glacier whom we share our place. National Park, the Flathead Valley, and “It has changed really dramatically – Wendell Berry, It All Turns Whitefish, makes Kalispell an attractive in the last 20 years, and I worry. on Affection. place to live. Kalispell’s population There are lots of problems with the development of areas that are forested and in the urban-wildland interface. They should be left alone.”

John has the original homesteading papers issued for his mountain property that overlooks the Flathead Valley near Kalispell. His grandparents purchased the land from a man named John Lawson in 1910 for $550, four years after Lawson filed the paperwork .

Chase’s grandparents and his mom, who was only one-and-a-half years old at the time, came to America from Germany. They ended up in northwest Montana. John recalls the pride his grandfather had in owning the 160 acres of timberland. m o c . y h p a r

g Mission Valley o t o

h near Ronan p r e t n e k

14 cross his property to connect with trail systems on public land and parks. He has a photo album of young people working to construct a path on National Trails Day, when they built over a mile of trail on his land.

“I certainly favor the use of conservation easements because once you start hacking up property, it is Cow moose never going to be the same as it was. I can see the desirability of wanting to live in the woods, but the idea of “If you were an average person in all this development in areas you Germany, you didn’t own forest land. shouldn’t develop is just a darn He was extraordinarily proud of poor idea.” owning this property in America.” John continued, “My mom and her John serves on the Sun River siblings would hike up to it out of Watershed Group Executive Kalispell and spend time there. It Committee, the Missouri River was my grandfather’s pride and joy.” Conservation District Council, and is on the Montana Forest Stewardship John, just like the other private Foundation Board of Directors. landowners who have worked with He sees firsthand the impacts of MLR to establish conservation subdivisions and unchecked easements on their properties, has a development. deep commitment to place. He feels a responsibility to leave something “I want to leave something behind behind that people and wildlife can that is natural and that is getting more enjoy in the future. and more difficult these days. I want

to try to leave things a little better than g n i

JOHN SEES THE CONNECTIONS they have been. It’s been pretty badly b m between public land and the protection damaged in some areas. I hope a lot a L

of private land. He understands that to n

more people consider conservation h o protect one, you must protect the easements.” J other. He allowed a public trail to Swan River near Ferndale

15 forever montana strong rural communities – MLR takes a wide view, looks at the entire landscape, and then diligently and I’m in love with Montana. For other proactively works with landowners to states I have admiration, respect, meet their goals for their land and to recognition, even some affection. protect those spaces. But with Montana it is love. –John Steinbeck, Travels with The work of MLR is not abstract. It Charley: In Search of America deals with real people in real places. Each person may have different IT IS NO ACCIDENT that there are reasons and motivations for pursuing Backroad in still open spaces and working farms a conservation easement, but what central Montana and ranches in some of Montana’s binds them all together is a deep most iconic and unique landscapes. appreciation for their land. Facing page: To protect Montana’s heritage – Sweetgrass Hills open spaces for wildlife and people, They understand their connection with near Cleveland working farms and ranches, and necessary things: the dirt and the air, the past and the future, strong families and strong communities; the complex community of animals, plants, and people in between.

Rock Ringling, longtime MLR Managing Director, has been able to see the connections be built and strengthened over time.

“Our goal has always been to be a partner for Montana’s working farmers and ranchers, and private landowners to achieve their conservation goals,”

n said Rock, “We’ve always had the long o s d

l game in mind, and it has paid off. a

n Our success has greatly exceeded what o D we ever could have imagined, and we n n

y are humbled by our partners’ faith L y

in the organization.” s s a l K

d d o T

16

2017 conservation award david arthun

“I’m a steward. DAVID ARTHUN MET ME in Joliet “See over there,” David pointed off to Norway but didn’t meet until they I want to leave and I followed him a short distance the east, “there’s a nice view of the made it to Montana. to his ranch, where my border collie, Pryors.” Then he pointed to the north, this place better Lena, and I hopped into the ranch “you can see the Snowies on a clear day His grandfather worked for a sheep than I found it.” pickup. Winter storms kept delaying and Crazies,” then he nods to the south, outfit in Red Lodge and after buying –David Arthun our interview, but on this cold January “and of course the Beartooths.” out the owners, he homesteaded morning, the sun was bright, almost near Joliet in 1913. blinding, as it reflected off the new snow. We pulled off onto a little overlook and Wispy clouds formed and dissipated in stepped out of the truck. The wind was As we bumped around in the truck, a bright blue Montana sky. David wore blowing something fierce and we could David pointed to different landscape a stocking cap and sunglasses and barely hear each other. features on his place and his neighbors’ had a laugh that came easy and often. places, each with their own name He took me to one of the highest “So, I was sitting up here on Harris and history: Young’s Point, a famous accessible points on the ranch. Hill. Frank Harris was the original landmark for fur trappers; Oscar’s homesteader, you see.” David continued, Canyon, named after Oscar Bergamon; “so I was sitting here on the 31st of July White Horse Bench, “where the and watching the sunset and all the antelope are.” He laughs, showing me mountain ranges, the Crazies and the where he recently got stuck in the Absarokas, the Pryors, were just lit up.” snow trying to access his only well to do repairs. He looked around. “I just can’t believe how beautiful it is. And then I turned David has a deep familiarity of the land around to get in the truck and right and the local landscape. As he drove me over Silesia was the biggest moon I’ve around the ranch, bald eagles soared ever seen in my life and I thought, above the rocky outcrops. He told me ‘Boy, this isn’t a bad place.’” about the time that he saw a huge black bear disappear into the tall sagebrush. You can tell when people love their “One minute it was there, and then, land. And it is not hard to understand gone. I have no idea where he went.” why David’s grandparents settled in the foothills of the Beartooth On the other side of the road, he Mountains. They were both from pointed to an area where the bobcats like to hang out. As we passed over a

y creek where he used to swim as a child, k s f David Arthun’s ranch provides he began to tell me the reasons he o g o good habitat for upland birds like decided to put the 4,421-acre ranch n o B

the ring-neck pheasant (right). into a conservation easement. s i x e l A

18 “You know, I want a lot of people to be and FWP. Block management helps the game a bit better and I get paid able to enjoy this land. It was always landowners manage hunting activities a bit too, which is nice.” that way. My folks would have never and provides the public with free subdivided this place.” hunting access to private land, and STEWARD OF THE LAND sometimes to adjacent or isolated David pointed in the direction of a public lands. David’s father enrolled David also started using cover crops fairly new subdivision that was built in the program and David continues to help build organic material in his near his ranch. “If you break up the tradition today. soil and restore some cropland that the land, you break up the wildlife was being overrun by weeds. corridors, their winter range, the Dan Vermillion, an MLR Board member migratory routes, everything. If you and also a FWP Commissioner, “I met a farmer from North Dakota break up the corridors for the wildlife, nominated David for the 2017 MLR who started doing this no-till cover your footprint is much greater than Conservation Award, saying, “the crop stuff 20 years ago. He told me “Dad always said that we don’t own the 20 or 30 acres, your influence on Arthuns have been a shining light in one time they got 13 inches of rain in that land. We are just stewards, so wildlife and habitat extends way the Block Management Program. two days. He said he went out and that’s what I am, I’m a steward. beyond that and it’s all negative.” Dave is a landowner who is invested in some of his neighbors had standing I want to leave this place better than community and people. As a hunter, water for two weeks and some fields I found it, and my dad left it in pretty David wanted the peace of mind of and a Fish and Wildlife Commissioner, were washed out. He went out in his darn good shape.” knowing that once he was gone, the it is heartening to know that The fields two days later and he could walk land would stay the way his family Montana Land Reliance is there to across them because he had so much I asked David how he felt when the wanted it to be: unbroken, open, and work with a family operation to organic material, none of the water staff at MLR told him he’d won the working. I asked him about how he accomplish long-term protection had run off. The land took it all in. 2017 Conservation Award. Hand on found MLR. He said it was probably for the private land.” That’s what I’m going for here.” the wheel, slowly driving back to my through working with Montana Fish, car on the gravel road, he looked out Wildlife and Parks (FWP). He turned When talking about the hunters able We drove by the fields David has the window over the area where he to me, “MLR does really good work, to access his land, David’s voice is planted with cover crops. This saw the black bear disappear and at don’t they?” filled with pride for what his family has conversation lasted awhile since my the ridgeline where the bobcats hang been able to offer. He pointed to the family is doing the same on our farm. out. He said, “Kinda surprised. Yeah, A FAMILY HISTORY OF ridgeline on his place where upland We trade stories and he invited me I was surprised.” After a long pause GIVING BACK bird hunters like to go. “Lots of people back out in the spring to take photos he continued, “God tends the earth get to enjoy the land. That’s a positive and check out how his cover crop is every day and it’s best for us to try to David’s family’s philosophy has thing. We’ve got lots of mule deer, doing. He showed me where the minimize our interference. There will always involved allowing the public to some white tail, some antelope, apiarist, or, as David called him, the be lots and lots of people. Long after enjoy their land, specifically through and lots of birds. If this was ever bee man from Columbus, keeps his I’m gone, others will be able to enjoy Montana’s Block Management developed, only a few would get to bee boxes. Those bees help pollinate it. It’s the least I could do.” Program, which is a cooperative enjoy it instead of the many. It’s a his cover crops. program between private landowners good program. FWP gets to manage

19 201 7 william f. long conservation award carol & don roberts

“Golden eagles, bald eagles, behavior, and what they need to thrive. blue heron rookery on the north place ferruginous hawks, Swainson’s hawk, “The birds accept you much more and how those herons find ample peregrine falcon, sharp tail grouse, readily when you are on horseback. sustenance in the large frog population. owls of all kinds, blue herons, greater You can be on the sandstone cliffs They also have swift fox on their ranch, sage grouse, western tanager, blue and these birds will coast by, totally an animal that almost went extinct birds, wood peckers….” ignoring you. You can hear the wind before biologists found some success moving over and under their feathers. in reintroducing the species in the This list was just a small snippet of It’s fascinating.” northern Great Plains. the answer Don Roberts gave me when I asked him about the different bird Don and Carol Roberts’ two Montana “We saw a swift fox at the south ranch. species that he and his wife Carol see ranches provide over 29,418 acres of I had to do a double take. That face on their two eastern Montana ranches, spectacular bird habitat in eastern is so different and they are so small. y k s

f one south of Hysham and the other Montana. They made the decision to At one time they were very common. o g

o near Ingomar. After he finishes a put the properties in a conservation It’s nice to see them coming back.” n o seemingly endless list of birds I ask easement with The Montana Land B

s i him, “What is your favorite bird?” Reliance (MLR) to protect those wide- Don and Carol’s goals are clear and x e l

A He didn’t hesitate. “Well, I guess my open spaces that birds and all the forward-thinking. They want to favorite bird, well I admire the prairie other prairie wildlife need to survive. maintain the natural prairie, to run a falcons and their abilities. And the successful, sustainable, and natural western tanager is amazing, and the That commitment to place and the cow-calf operation, and to protect “To do a conservation blue bird and its feathers. Did you protection of crucial bird habitat is why the land. They saw a conservation easement, for me, is know that the blue color comes from the Roberts are the 2017 recipients of easement as a tool to help them the structure of its feathers?” The Montana Land Reliance’s William do just that. helping to ensure that F. Long Conservation Award; an award there is still this open The western tanager came up many given to landowners who have worked A LIFETIME OF GIVING BACK land for the animals times in our conversation so I looked it to permanently protect significant for their habitat.” up after the interview. And yes, it is a bird habitat. Carol, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, striking bird. People described looking laughed recalling her first impression –Don Roberts at the male as if one were looking at a Carol and Don told me about the land: of the wide-open prairies of eastern flame: a bright orange-red head, a the creeks and coulees; the huge Montana. “I grew up with cardinals, brilliant yellow body, and coal black sandstone rock formations; the natural blue jays, chickadees, and I always wings, back, and tail. springs; and the brilliant green of the loved that, having nature around me. prairie in the spring. And the frogs, When I moved out here with Don, The different species of eastern they said, you wouldn’t believe how there were very few trees. I was,” Montana birds is a topic close to the many frogs come out when the weather she turns to her husband and smiles, Roberts’ hearts: their beauty, their starts to warm up. They talked of the “distraught.”

20 Don grew up in Billings so he was “We are in a situation where if these used to big open areas, which he particular chunks of land that we cherishes on their ranches. “It gets in own are not protected, a lot of other your blood,” he said. Don, now retired, things would fall by the wayside in was an oral surgeon in Billings for the area because these are central over 40 years and Carol managed his pieces. They are lands with unique office while raising three daughters, characteristics and irreplaceable now grown. They purchased the resources.” ranches in the early 2000s. As an example, he pointed to the The couple values the long rides they golden eagle. take together on horseback. “It’s no surprise,” says Carol. “I like to be down “They need these areas where they can in the coulees and have the rocks and be expansive. You just have to look at feel the rocks and trees around me. their flight patterns. Those birds need Don prefers to be out on top of the space, they need a support system. property’s high points, looking out. We were able to protect that for them e u

Right after we bought the places, Don and we’re proud of that.” g a e and I were down there for a weekend L

n i

and we were exploring and went on Both Carol and Don have spent a v e top of a hill and looked out and I had lifetime giving back to the community. K this sense that really people shouldn’t In 2017, Carol was named one of the Western Tanager own this land. That we should be Billings Gazette’s 20 Exceptional stewards of it. To do a conservation Women. She works with La Leche easement, for me, is helping to ensure League, an international group that “You know,” Don says, “Montana still Carol agreed, “The land that we have that there is still this open land for the advocates for and educates people can be a place for people and wildlife is very central to preserving the animals for their habitat.” about the benefits of breastfeeding. and big open spaces. We still have that wildlife in that area. All aspects of it. She was the co-leader of the fund drive chance to protect what makes this And I’ve always admired the people Don, who served in the Montana for Family Promise and helped raise state great and our heritage. We are who had the generosity and foresight Legislature and is actively involved in more than $600,000 for their new leaving spaces so that our wildlife can to protect places like Central Park in Montana Audubon was instrumental in building on Billings’ south side. roam, can adapt, and thrive. We’ve New York City, our National Parks, the creation of the Audubon Center tried to be farsighted about trying to our public lands.” on the south side of Billings. He has When I ask Don and Carol about preserve the natural environment. a wide and long view of the future what they hope they are leaving for Once you change it, it is very hard of land conservation in Montana and Montana and future generations they to go back.” what needs to be done to protect are quiet for a moment. our heritage.

21 forever montana society

The Forever Montana Society exists to honor those who have left a lasting legacy of conservation, and to inspire others to do the same.

With perpetuity in mind, the Forever MLR will always respect your Montana Society is open to all wishes should you want to remain consenting MLR easement donors anonymous, but encourages you to and to those who have provided contact MLR to inform us of your for MLR’s mission in their overall plans. MLR wants to thank you financial and estate plans, sustaining personally, offer our confidential agricultural lands, fish and wildlife assistance should you have any habitat, and open space for questions about gift and estate generations to come. planning, and ensure your wishes are properly documented and This year, we give thanks to our first understood. Forever Montana Society inductees. This list recognizes those who have If you would like to be recognized as agreed to be listed as Forever a member, or would be interested in Montana Society members. Joining learning more about planned giving, the Forever Montana Society is as please call the Helena office, or easy as contacting MLR’s staff to complete the form located on MLR’s inform us of your intentions. website (mtlandreliance.org).

Tim & Trish Bartz Jim & Kay Guyette Kim & Jeff Montag Joanne & Billy Berghold Barry & Eleanor Hall Gerald J. & Maryellen Navratil Richard Blanchet Paul Hegness Joe L. & Debby L. Perry Steve & Gretchen Burke Judith Hutchins Steven B. Pfeiffer Sam & Tracey Byrne Dennis & Kitty Kellogg R.V. Ranch Co. Wayne Chamberlin Francis J. Kelly, M.D., Rock Ringling & Bobbi Uecker Suzanne Conlon & Deloris L. Kelly Jane R. Roth Jeanne Connell Kathryn Kelly Chester Schmidt, M.D. John & Cheryl Dale Joe Kerkvliet, PhD Jeffrey H. Schutz & Family Christian & Michelle Dietrich Bob Kiesling Michael & Carol Smith Eliza Frazer & Barry Hood Karen & Ken Kress Kris Spanjian & Ray Gilbertson Lee A. Freeman, Jr. Karen Bates Kress Terry Talcott

Dave & Priscilla French Andrew, Jr. & Paulette Laszlo Jim & Valerie Anne Taylor g n i

Monte & Jeanna Giese William Legg Kendrick R. Wilson, III b

Paul & Sally Gingras David & Alexia Leuschen & Ann Jackson m a L David & Alena Goeddel William A. Mills n h o J

22 family of friends

The Montana Land Reliance thanks the individuals and organizations that have contributed to its success during the past year. MLR also extends thanks to those who have asked to remain anonymous.

EASEMENT DONORS Barton, Drake & Kathy A. Lloyd Broadbent, William S. & Camille W. Arthun, David Philip Bartoszek, Ray Brown, Fitzhugh L. Bintz, Gary L. Bartz, Timothy J. & Patricia R. Bryan, Pamela R. & William L. Brown, David R. Battin, Sharlot B. Bucklin, Linda Hale Craig, William A. Baucus, John F. & Nina Bucy, Moriah Don & Janemarie King Family Baumler, Jill Bumpus, Bruce H. & Laura A. Lien, Raymond G. & Dr. Robert F. Mannisto Burke, Kathleen L. Micks Ranches, LLC Beattie, Richard & Diana Burke, Stephen B. & Gretchen H. Mountain Hi Ranch, Inc. Becker, Sean Butts, Jake Pierce, Sheryl M. Beevers, Kelly Byrne, Sam & Tracey Ritchey, David A. & Beverlie Sue Bell, Amber & Madison Byers, Michele S. Roberts L7 Ranch Bell, Ronald S. & Kelly M. Cahilly, Jason G. Rostad & Rostad, Inc. Bennington, James L. Callan, Patrick J. & Barbara G. Shilo Partners & Josephine K. Callander, Charles L. & Melanie C. Shortridge, Sally Berg, Ken & Tammy Calnan, Cory SRI Ranch Holdings, LLC Berg, Rick & Gayle Campbell, Catherine S. X Bar T Ranch, LLC Berghold, Joanne & William D. Campbell, Sara Bernhardt, George A. & Anne Carciere, Andrew M. & Carol Taylor INDIVIDUALS Bessenyey, Kristina Cardello, Frank P. & Rita Abbott, Jr., Francis H. & Frances M. Bibler, Carol & Jim Watson Carlson, George A. & Frances I. Abernethy, Samuel F. Binger, James M. & Patricia S. Carpenter, Edmund M. & Mary L. Adams, Barrett Bintz, Dr. Gary L. Carroll, Don G. & Traute N. Parrie Adkins, Thaddeus Bird, Ralph Carron, John C. & Traci L. Telander Aitken, Gary Bissell, Gail & Richard D. Mace Carron, Reid & Rebecca L. Rom Allen, Barry & Linda Bjergo, Allen & Jacqueline Carton, John L. Alter, Michael J. & Ellen Sachs Blokker, Dominique Casolara, Corrine Anagnostopoulos, Madelaine Reece Bodenhamer, Hans Chamberlin, Dr. S. Wayne Anderson, James “Jim Bill” Bohannon, Brooke Chappell, Donald E. & Deborah Bowman, Carolyn L. Chase, John A. Anderson, Sue & R. J. “Chip” Bostic, Seth Chenoweth, Joe & Lorrie Andrews, Prudence Jane Loren & Jill Bough Family Claiborn, Barbara & Stephen Angiolillo, Bruce D. & Carol Boyer, Christopher F. & Jennifer Clapp, David & Connie Aspevig, Clyde Boyette, Van R. & Susan H. Clarke, Henry & Carol Guzman-Aspevig Bradley, Dorothy Clarke, Michael & Christine Atkinson, Michael P. & Melissa P. Braxton, III, V.P. “Terry” Clarke, Sara Newman & James “Jim” Avis, Gregory M. & Anne R. Breaux, Leslie J. William R. & Katharine M. Closs Bailey, Carolyn E. “Peggy” Brenneman, Clifford & Shirley Family Baker, George D. Brescia, Joseph A. Cole, David C. & Constance M. Barker, Brian F. & Sally L. Brill, Jr., J. Marty Collins, III, William F. Barsness, John Brim, Michael & Arlyne Collins, Jr., John & Anne Brim, Patrick C. & Sue A. Colton, Shane D. & Gina McIntyre Brittan, Jr., Gordon G. Colvin, Kim & Vanessa S. M. Anaconda Range continued...

23 MORE FAMILY OF FRIENDS

Combs, C. Bruce & Deidre B. Friend, Robert B. & Michelle Hibbard, Chase & Emily Stonington Kuhn, Jr., Walter & Nancy Meyer, Neil & Dixie Peck, Charles Conlon, Judge Suzanne B. Fritz, Charlie Hibbard, Tyrrell & Mary Kulina, Thomas P. & Meri Stevens Meyer, Stanley F. & Yuryra Guzman Robles Connell, Jeanne C. Gaffke, Mike Highland, James A. Kurtz, Willis & Caroline Lupfer Miller, John W. & Debra K. Perkins, David D. Cooley, David E. & Jody Galvin, Christopher B. & Cynthia B. Hilger, Deon Ladd, Eric Miller, Lin & Megan & Nancy MacKinnon Cote, David M. Garfield, Kayla Hobbs, Matthew B. Lalani, Sal Miller, Susan Peterson, Gerald R. Coulter, J. Jay Garlick, Lawrence & Pamela Hoffman, Mark R. & Mary N. Lang, Roger & Lisa Lenard Millet, Wendy Pfeiffer, Steven B. Cowles, Jr., R. Reynolds & Evelyn C. Sam Gary, Jr. Family Hohenlohe, Christian C. & Nora R. Lang, Sr., Roger A. & Sue J. Mills, William A. & Elizabeth M. & Kristin Reagan Pfeiffer Cox, Jack & Joyce Gaulding, Rodger D. Holland, Noel J. & Yvonne Larsen, Lisa A. & Raymond Flaherty Minton, Dwight C. Phelps, Chris & Peggy Hollow-Phelps Coxe, Tench & Simone Gettelman, Michael & Barbara Holtz, Thomas L. & Kristin H. Laszlo, Jr., Andrew & Paulette Mitchell, D. Brent & Kathryn L. Phillips, Leland H. & Sheila M. Cremer, Mary Ellen (Mimi) Gillam, Con & Daphne Huisenger, Peter R. Laszlo, Jeff Mitchell, Douglas & Julie Phillips, Mary E. & Kathleen Tracy Cunningham, Julian Gilleon, R. Tom & Laurie S. Hulet, Elliot J. Leander, Peter & Tana Mitts, Robin Phinney, Ben & Barbara Dale, John S. & Cheryl L. Gimbel, Donald B. Hurd, MD, Robert N. & Carol L. Leavengood, Larry Moksnes, Stephen & Billie Pierce, Marc & Sherrie Dallas, Sandra Faye Glynn, Martin W. & Lavonne Glenn Hutchins Family Ledger, Mark T. & Ann A. Montag, Jeffrey M. & Kim H. Pierrepont, Jay & Lisa Dana, Andrew C. & Susan W. Gobbs, Richard L. Hutchins, Judith Legg, William M. Montague, Chris & Paige Darden Ploder, Steven E. & Lisa A. Dana, Emma Joy & Susan Gecho Gobbs Hutten, Jeff & Tamera Leuschen, David M. & Alexia Morgan, Lance & Gloria Borger Plummer, Jeremy Dana, John L. & Margo Goeddel, David V. & Alena Z. Hutton, William T. & Lynda Levin, Michele Morgens, Edwin & Linda Poett, III, Henry W. & Cynthia S. Deiss, Ron & Joann M. Jackson Goldberg, Frederick Jacobs, Doris Levitan, Matthew Moses, Karen Povich, Maurice R. & Connie Chung DeLalio, Marilyn & Carolyn Lakewold Jacobs, Roger Levy, Paul Mott, Maryanne Proops, Jay D. & Mary K. Delano, Lyman & Diana P. Gonthier, Pierre A. & Paula A. James, Hamilton “Tony” & Amie Lindbergh, Land M. Mowry, Rebecca Quinn, Jane & Bill Deveny, Tom W. Goodwin, J. Barton & Elizabeth F. James, Pietro N. & Lynn A. Lipsick, Joseph & Laurel Muir, Dr. Angus & Barbara Raible, Joe & Barbara DeYoung, James W. & Penelope W. Gordon, Richard & Cheryl Watkins Johnson, Gary J. Livezey, Dale Munson, David W. & Kathleen Rasker, Jodi & Raymond Dickinson, III, Joshua C. & Sarah Gouaux, James E. Johnson, Greg E. Locker, Robert A. & Judith S. Mutascio, Paul & Jill Gotschalk Rasmuson, Judy A. Dickinson, Julie & Elizabeth A. Oleson Johnson, Leonard & Patricia Loeb, Jeff Nassetta, Paul C. Rasmussen, Robert S. Dietrich, Christian & Michelle Graham, Robert H. & Laurel White Johnston, Robert A. Loeb, Joseph Natwick, James R. & Fern A. Rauner, Bruce V. & Diana Mendley Dietrich, Garrett W. & Carolyn Gray, Randall H. Jones, Michael C. & Mary Frances London, Mimi Nehal, Dr. Kishwer S. Reed, Glenn W. & Barbara W. Dolack, Monte Green, Thomas & Robin Jones, Tom & Alvira Long, William & Billie Miller & Dr. Adrian Fisher Reed, Keith & Lisa Dorn, Joseph W. Gregory, Huson R. & Edith L. Jovick, Robert L. & Stacey MacDowell, Rosalie Nelson, Davilyn L. Reed, Thomas Dykstra, Curt Gregovich, Barbara Joys, David & Sandra Maclay, Helena S. & John W. Larson Nicholson, Alan & Nancy Rehmann, Wilbur W. Eaves, Hayden Grew, Linda Ballard Judd, Robert H. & Kathryn L. Kelly Maggio-Kassner, Melissa Nicholson, Steven L. Reynolds, Kathleen Eder, Sr., Bert P. & Jo Ann Griswold Smith Estate, Jane Kalimian, Albert K. & Manda Manning, Doug Nickels, III, Matthew J. & Karen & Bill Schranberg Effertz, Sarah Grusin, David & Nancy E. Newton Karp, Ronald M. & Robin Marsh, Michelle Nolan, Greg Reynolds, Michael & Sara Stalnaker Eisert, Morris L. & Kristi Guckenberg, David S. & June Kaufman, Kenneth & Barbara F. Martin, Clarissa Nordberg, E. Wayne & Janet Mavec Retzler, Christopher J. & Karen H. Ellis, Charles Guthrie, Carol W. Keeling, Louise B. Martin, Sandy & Anne Norton, Douglas L. & Linda C. Richards, S. F. & Bruce William Emery, Bob & Dana James M. Guyette Family Keenan, IV, John H. Matelich, George E. Norton, Marshall L. Ringling, Rick Engebretson, Mark F. & Carol M. H. Guynn, Peter C. & Carolyn C. & Terese A. Byhre Mather, Jr., Lee W. Nutt, William J. & Deborah S. Roark, Carol Lee Engebretson, Peter Gwilliam, Scott L. & Jennifer B. Keith, III, Robert J. & Marisa Bueno Mathews, Craig & Jacquelyn O’Connor, Roy & Susan Robbins, Gary L. & Cheryl J. Epple, Andrew C. & Paulette J. Hadden, David Kelley, Scott & Amy May, Karen A. O’Steen, John & Judi Roe, Sandra B. Epstein, Stuart Haensly, Thomas & Sharon Kelly, Francis J. & Deloris L. McClellan, Patrick Offenkrantz, Fred Rogala, Elijah & Evie Erwin, William A. Hall, C. Barrows & Eleanor L. Kelly, Margaret McComas, Parker & Ursula Ogden, Jr., William F. & Elinor K. Rogala, Kira Estrada, Dr. Heather Hamburg, Scott & Anna Zon Kemp, Lawrence G. & Patricia F. McCurdy, Brian Ohman, Christopher C. Rogers, Noyes Farris, Signe Haring, Jr., William F. Kempff, Jonathan & Janet McDermott, Edward T. & Emily Q. & Tamara J. Uecker Rokita, Rusty B. & Deborah A. Fay, Greg & Carol McSweeney Kennon, Aaron J. & Annika R. McDowell, Ann Olsen, George S. & Ellen Vogelsang Romatowski, Peter J. Fay, Sarah Harris, Jerrold B. & Bobette J. Kerkvliet, Joe & Cassandra McDowell, John H. Opitz, Josh & Elizabeth & Suzanne Bonner Fearon, Robert Scott & Jennifer J. Harris, Lou Ann Kidd, Barron Ulmer McDowell, Whitney Oresman, Stephen B. Roos, Kathie M. & Neal W. Blossom Feffer, David & Judy Hart, William F. & Elizabeth Kiesling, Bob McGlynn, Pat Ossorio, Jr., Frederic E. & Stacy M. Rosenthal, Edward S. & Nancy G. Fisher, Richard & Joanne Hauth, Donald K. King, Deborah Van Dyke McGrail, Thomas Owen, David L. & Kathryn J. Ross, Sarane H. Fitzgerald, Paul Hawks, Bob & Jane King, Jr., Donald A. & Janemarie McIvor, William C. Packard, Julie Rostad, Phil & Joan Flood, James C. Hayes, George & Cathy Kingman, III, Joseph R. McLane, Linda Harper Paine, Jr., Peter S. Roth, Jane Foster, Timothy E. & Ellen P. Haynes, Reta K. Kingsley, Anna-Lisa & P. Andrews Paoli, David R. & Monica Conrad Rotticci, Edward Fowler, Tana & Donald Hazen, Judy Klein, Cissy McLoughlin, Heidemarie Parker, Michael L. & Ann Royer, Amy & Fritz Frater, Hugh & Kirsten Feldman Heaney, Dr. William & Vivian Klein, Peter D. & Anne F. Ashbaugh & David L. Genter Parks, Stephen E. & Judith D. Rubin, Robert E. & Judith O. Frazer, Eliza H. & Barry G. Hood Heminway, Hilary S. Klockman, Jane D. McManus, Sandra J. Patrican, Brian Ruedisili, Robert D. Frazer Lowe, Barbara Heminway, Jr., John H. & Kathryn Knell, Charles A. & Marcia S. McManus, Sherri Patterson, Thomas A. & Kristi Rusmore, Barbara Freeman, Jr., Lee A. Herman, Sidney N. & Margaret D. Knudsen, Kathy L. McNeil, Edward W. Patterson, William R. & Donna & Michael S. Clark Freeman, Crispin, Clark, & Cassidy Herndon, Carl & Bert Konigsberg, Jan & Christy Medler, Diane Paul, Ronald N. Ryan, William B. F. Freeman, William H. Heupel, Justin Kowalski, Gerald J. & Margaret Merritt, John B. Paulek, Mark & Jeanne Hamilton Safranek, Rob & Kim & Elizabeth Joyce Heyneman, Susan S. Kress, Kenneth A. & Karen B. Messina, James Peabody, Robert L. & Laura S. Sandve, Nikki

24 Santa, John L. & Carol M. Tingle, Gene A. & Patricia F. FOUNDATIONS, Intermountain Opera Pleiades Foundation Sweetwater Travel Company Satterthwaite, Frank & Janet Tolliver, Judith A. COMPANIES, AND Robert Wood Johnson PMD Ranch Tapeats Fund Savage, John Torgrimson, Christine ORGANIZATIONS 1962 Charitable Trust The Pocket Foundation Terra Western Associates Schiltz, Donald & Sharon Torrion, Jessica 1111 Foundation The Kirk Kellogg Foundation Point of Rocks Ranch, LLC John & Carry Thacher Family Fund Schmidt, Gregory M. Townsend, Jerry AGL Foundation Kelly Ranch Premier Intermountain Properties Tordik Wildlife Foundation Schmidt, Joan Tubbs, John E. Amazonsmile Foundation J. C. Kennedy Foundation, Inc. Quilting in the Country The Treacy Foundation Schmidt, Jr., Dr. Chester W. & Stephanie Ambrose Tubbs American Public Land Exchange Margot Kiser Charitable Fund Rahr Foundation Trust for Public Land Scholz, Michael R. & Andrea Tuck, Jared Arrowhead Reclamation Knight Foundation, Inc. Rainbow River Ranch Two Fishies, LLC Schulein, Dr. Mark Tureck, Anastasia M. B Bar Ranch L & K Real Estate Ranch Resources Under Canvas & Dr. Genevieve Reid & Michael T. Menahan W. H. Bass, Inc. Land Trust Alliance RDO Equipment Co. USDA – Natural Resources Schutz, Jeffrey & Charlotte Caldwell Tureck, Judy & Hugo Bibler Resource Company Lechner & Stauffer, Inc. Real World Design Conservation Service Seale, John Henry B. & Katherine Twedt, Margaret A. Big Sky Events, LLC Lew Franck Family Fund Riversage Development, Inc. The Vital Ground Foundation Seeburg, Noel Uecker, Jodi Big Sky Resort Lewis & Clark Expeditions, Inc. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Matthew A. & Susan B. Weatherbie Shearer, Cindy Ulrich, Matthew Big Sky Resort Area District Lewis & Clark Motels – Lisa Sebena Rolfing Family Fund at the Foundation Sheffler, Kathleen & Douglas Van Dyk, Kendall & Christina Birch Creek Ranch Lillie’s Garden Flathead Community Foundation Wellington Shields & Co., LLC Shepardson Estate, Joan B. Van Dyke, J. Gary O. & Lynne L. Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Little-Kittinger Foundation Rory’s Rustic Furniture Henry E. & Consuelo S. Wenger Sherman, Kevin J. Vaughan, Lora BNSF Railway Foundation Lone Mountain Land Company Rostad & Rostad, Inc. Foundation, Inc. Shields, Mark Vecino, Anthony P. Alexis Bonogofsky Photography Lone Peak Brewery & Taphouse Ruby Habitat Foundation The Wildwood Foundation Siderius, Charles E. Vermillion, Dale & Margaret Bozeman Symphony Lovett-Woodsum Foundation, Inc. Sauce Food Truck Williams Law Group, LLC Siderius, Kenneth L. Vermillion, Dan Vivian Bridaham - Big Sky Sotheby’s Wendy Marquis Art The Schlinger Family Foundation Willie’s Distillery, Inc. Silverman, Paul & Constance M. Viers, David & Lorie International Realty McGuire Family Foundation Shovel & Spoon Willinphila Foundation Simonds, Edward T. & Margaret R. von Stade, Jr., Charles S. Broadbent Family Foundation, Inc. McKell Land & Cattle – Sieben Live Stock Company The Wine Gallery Slager, Barbara & Eleanor Broadus, Inc. Porter Bennett Star Peak Foundation Woodson Ranch Slaton, Bill & Ms. Kent Newton Vranish, MD, Loren S. & Sherry L. Cadeau Foundation Sandra McManus Jewelry C. Stone Foundation Yellowstone Club Smith, Farwell & Linda McMullen Wallner, Fred & Mary Kay Camas Creek Cattle & Sheep Co. Mercer Diamond, LLC Stony Point Foundation Yellowstone Club Smith, Michael K. & Carol Ward, Jr., William F. & Deborah D. CHS, Kalispell Milestone Gallery of Belgrade Storey Hereford Ranch Community Foundation Smith, Randy Webb, Carl B. & Elizabeth The Cinnabar Foundation Montague’s of Montana Swan Mountain Outfitters Yellowstone Grassfed Beef Smith, Robert E. Wellenstein, Michael S. & Cori E. Liz Claiborne & Arthur Ortenberg Montana Association of Sollers, III, Joseph Sedwick & Magge Weyerhaeuser, Robert M. Foundation Land Trusts Solomon, Peter & Susan Wheat, Michael E. & Debra L. Clausen Law Group Montana Chamber Music Society Sorensen, Jerald L. & Patti Wheeler, Col. James S. & Jane Denolf Films, Inc. Montana Community Foundation Spear, Brian B. & Kathleen Kelly Whitney, Jay & Sandra Gary W. Dietrich Family Foundation Montana Fishing Outfitters, Inc. IN MEMORIAM Sperry, Janet Hoyt Wiese, Jessica L. East Rosebud Fly and Tackle Montana Planks Spinelli, Margaret A. & Felix J. Wiley, T. & K. A. Company Montana State Employee Barrett, Jack C. Natwick, Lee & Linnea Stearns, Jacob Wilkins, Thomas J. & Betty L. Eddy Foundation Charitable Giving Barrett, Laura G. Pew, Therese “Tesie” Steiner, Ernest & Anna Williams, Burton & Joan El Western Cabins & Lodges Moonlight Community Foundation Blanchet, Richard Richards, Belle Stephenson-Love, John D. Wilson, III, Kendrick R. ERA Landmark Real Estate – Morgan Stanley Cruz, Michelle Rutner-Malanca, Stevenson, Carol S. Wilson, Jr., David K. “Kim” Robyn & Orville Erlenbush Morrison, Sherwood, Wilson & Deola Deegan, Edward Corinne “Rinney” Strainer, Christopher A. Wilson, Penelope P. Fanwood Foundation Mountain Arts Pottery Eaves, Joanne Elizabeth Synness, Oden Sullivan, Andrew Wilson, Suzanne First Cornerstone Foundation The Muir String Quartet Emmert, Clayton Thisted, Ralph Swindlehurst, Joseph T. Wimberly, J. David Fladeboe Auctions The Nalen Foundation Ghafoori, Ray Von Ferstel, Marilou Talbot, John & Sue Wise, Patricia Forestoration, Inc. National Fish and Wildlife Harding, Warren Watson, Thomas Taylor, III, Bill & Susie Woodson, Martha The Gabelli Foundation #2 Foundation Harvey, Ashton Wellington, Charles H. Taylor, Carson G. & Deborah Cooper Wortman, Kirk Gallatin Canyon Women’s Club North Country Garden Club Keeling, Charles David Wellington, James C. Taylor, James H. & Valerie Anne Wright, Theodore M. & Elizabeth H. Gallatin River Guides – of LI, Inc. Larsen, Vincent T. Wells, Albert “Albie” Taylor, N. B. Wrinkle, Guy Curtis & Cynthia Patrick & Brandy Straub NorthWestern Energy McDowell, Joe Wood, Patricia Taylor, Paul A. & Lucienne J. Yackel, John P. & Eleanor R. Glacier Grill & Pizzaria Odegaard Braukmann Law, PLLC Woodgerd, JoAnn Walter C. & Janet D. Teagle, III Yordan, Jaime E. Granger Ranches, LP John & Judy O’Steen Family Family Zackheim, Hugh & Karen Gulch Distillers Foundation Tempest, Jennifer Phelps Zaideman, Robert & Julie Hall and Hall Outlaw Partners Thisted, Elizabeth G. Zazofsky, Peter The Horn Foundation Paoli Law Firm, PC Thom, LeRoy & Jean Zovickian, Stephen & Janet David & Janyce Hoyt Fund Patagonia.com

Thomas, Kris Zuckerberg, Lloyd Huppert, Swindlehurst Charles Peck Art Glass n o & Woodruff, PC s

Thomason, Rich & Sally & Charlotte Triefus PGN Foundation d l

Tiller, Daniel A. & Mary A. Harper Roy J. Zuckerberg Family Hylton Family Charitable Pisk Chiropractic a n

Tilton, Tim Zyvoloski, Linda M. Remainder Trust & Physiotherapy, PC o D

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25 the montana MLR was able to make grants to the Stock gifts are welcome and MLR has a How to Give land reliance Montana Land Reliance Foundation very good process in place through its • Cash contributions (Foundation) in the amount of $119,669 investment team at Morgan Stanley to • Securities, land, vehicles, in 2017. These grants allow for continued assist donors to ensure a smooth, well- and other property Thanks to the continued support growth in the corpus of the Foundation’s documented transaction. of its generous donors, The investment accounts. Gift & Estate Planning Montana Land Reliance (MLR) As you plan your charitable giving, MLR • Bequests Because MLR is a non-profit corporation, can assist you in helping determine the • Gift annuities had another banner year in 2 01 7. contributions made to MLR are tax- most suitable option for your financial • Charitable trusts deductible. Planned gifts are one way needs. Call us at 406-443-7027 or visit • Life estate gifts MLR’s operations continue to be amazingly to make a meaningful impact on MLR’s mtlandreliance.org for more information. • Life insurance policies efficient, with expenditures for the year mission, but there are many ways that • Beneficiary designations running nearly 15 percent under budget. families, individuals, foundations, Your gift goes directly to MLR’s work • Retirement assets Revenues for the year exceeded corporations, and organizations can with private landowners protecting expenditures again this year—as they provide financial support for MLR’s Montana’s open spaces and working MLR’s tax identification have for the past 33 years. conservation work. landscapes. number is 81 - 0369262.

mlr foundation 2017 FINANCIAL REPORT

The Montana Land Reliance Foundation* and to help fund activities to enhance local Land Protection Fund ...... $ 13,550,068 (the Foundation) capitalized on the support for private land conservation. The corpus is available to defend and protect land positive investment environment in 2017 Investment earnings in 2017 increased already under easement; income is used for stewardship to expand its funds and continue to over 2016, averaging a 14 percent projects, monitoring of easements, and completing provide support to The Montana Land return on investments net of fees. easements for donors who cannot cover these costs. Reliance (MLR), and is pleased to see it The Foundation received $119,669 from reach its “million acres under easement” MLR and this, along with our investment Education & Outreach Fund ...... $ 8,024,537 goal this year. The Foundation Board value increases and earnings, grew Income finances conservation education and outreach strives to manage its investments to our net assets from $21.3 million to to landowners and the public. ensure compliance with the investment $23.9 million after reflecting grants to policies and to enhance its financial MLR and other expenses. Conservation Fund ...... $ 2,309,638 strength. The Foundation works with A permanent, irrevocable endowment designed to accept Morgan Stanley to balance protecting The Foundation was pleased to welcome gifts from individuals or direct gifts from corporations, funds for the future, earning income to Karen Kress to the Board in 2017, as a partnerships, or estates. support MLR’s operations and growth. new Board member. Karen, along with our continuing Board members – Doug Traditions Fund ...... $ 47,337 During 2017, the Foundation granted Mitchell, Jerry Townsend, Phil Rostad, A permanent, irrevocable endowment designed to accept $281,975 to MLR from the Land and I – are honored to serve and oversee planned gifts from individuals or direct gifts from Protection Fund to support stewardship the investments of the Foundation, corporations, partnerships, or estates . and easement monitoring as well as providing funding for MLR’s conservation funding for new easements. Additionally, efforts for many, many years to come. Operating Fund ...... $ 9,765 the Foundation granted $315,964 to MLR Account used for day-to-day operations of the Foundation. for education, outreach, and conservation, Kim Montag, President, Montana Land Reliance Foundation Total Assets ...... $23,941,345 as of 12-31-17 *a 509(a)(3) support organization to The Montana Land Reliance

26 ruby habitat The Ruby Habitat Foundation’s (RHF) He had a close relationship with Craig Les and Dave are examples of doing the foundation mission statement begins by stating that long before RHF was formed and has work of today while looking to the future, we are dedicated to preserving and continued to be a leader at RHF and in inspiring the next generation. enhancing the natural resources, and the community after Craig’s passing. This The Ruby Habitat social and economic makeup of the Ruby is the guy that has a creative approach to I have one more personality to look at. Foundation * is dedicated Valley and southwest Montana. This began each new project and challenge, the guy Each stream or river has its own to preserving and with our founder, Craig Woodson’s vision that gets things done, and keeps an order personality, its own unique character if enhancing the natural of benefiting this area by his generous to the organization. We would not be you will. Over the years Clear Creek has resources and social and thoughtful plan to have a place to where we are without Les and his talents. lost much of its character and gives an and economic makeup of show and develop examples of good impression of sadness or being tired and the Ruby Valley and stewardship and conservation. An Dave Delisi is the other individual I wish worn out. As the restoration of Clear southwestern Montana. opportunity to show that good habitat to point out. Dave came on board in 2015 Creek begins and as it is brought back to and working ranches go hand in hand as our Outreach Coordinator and at the good function, I am very anxious to see and the platform from which to tell that time it seemed like a stretch to make how it expresses its true character, its story to the interested public. It has been this a full-time position. Hiring Dave personality. This is an exciting project. 15 years since Craig and his lovely bride, has proven to be a very good decision. Martha, made this unselfish contribution His passion for the Woodson Ranch, good I truly want to thank all of you that and I feel we have all benefited greatly stewardship, habitat, and wildlife is support RHF in so many ways. Partnering from their thoughtfulness. infectious to all that come in contact with with you makes all this possible. BOARD OF DIRECTORS him. He has increased the opportunity For any organization to grow and thrive for education and broadened our outreach Neil Barnosky, Chairman, Les Gilman, Executive Director it has to have the right people or to the community and beyond. Ruby Habitat Foundation Group A, personalities to give guidance and vision The Montana Land Reliance and actually get the work done. We began George Olsen with Craig leading the way for us and his Lois Delger-DeMars decision to partner with The Montana 2017 FINANCIAL REPORT Rock Ringling Land Reliance has turned out to be a wise choice. Having two organizations that Income ...... $ 235,101 Group B, Woodson Family are dedicated to open space and good Expenses ...... $ 176,934 Martha Woodson stewardship has been a recipe for Leslie Vanderpool inspiration and progress, but it is, once Robin Mitts again, the people that make that difference Rural Heritage & Open Lands Fund ...... $ 83,934 Lisa Matthews and the personalities from MLR have Hill Education & Outreach Endowment ...... $ 70,825 Group C, Ruby Valley been instrumental in this journey. Woodson Ranch Endowment ...... $ 6,548,463 Community Neil Barnosky There are many people that have made a General Fund ...... $ 177,804 Steve Wood difference at RHF over the years and I Bruce Peterson would like to point out two that I feel Fixed Assets illustrate the reason for the growth we Equipment and Improvements ...... $ 686,211 have had and also a plan to keep working Lan d ...... $ 7,567,286 on our mission for the future. The first Visitor Center Building ...... $ 41,173 is our Executive Director, Les Gilman. Total Assets ...... $15,1 75,696 as of 12-31-17 *a 509(a)(3) support organization to The Montana Land Reliance

27 directors, staff, & trustees . g n i

BOARD OF DIRECTORS COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES t n i George Olsen Judy Hutchins Richard Beattie Sidney (Skip) Herman David Leuschen Paul Stanley r P

President Rancher Sr. Chairman, Simpson Managing Partner Founder/Senior Businessman o h t

Retired CPA Heron, MT Thacher & Bartlett, LLP Bartlit Beck Herman Managing Director, Gallatin Gateway, MT i L Helena, MT Chris Montague New York, NY Plenchar & Scott, LLP Riverstone Holdings, LLC William Taylor, III d e

Phil Rostad Business Owner William S. Broadbent Big Timber, MT/Chicago, IL Roscoe, MT/New York, NY Partner, c n

Secretary-Treasurer Billings, MT Director, Institutional William T. Hutton Jim Messina Zuckerman/Spaeder/ a v

Rancher Jerry Sorenson Equity Sales Professor Emeritus, CEO, The Messina Group Goldstein/Taylor/Kolker d A

White Sulphur Retired Land Use Barclays Capital University of CA Hastings Clyde Park, MT/Washington, DC Emigrant, MT/ y b

Springs, MT Planner Geyser, MT/New York, NY College of the Law Thomas Patterson Washington, DC d

Rick Berg Bigfork, MT Millard & Mina Cox Ennis, MT/ General Partner, Carl B. Webb e t

Rancher Jerry Townsend Ranchers San Francisco, CA Madrone Capital Partners Rancher/Banker n i r

Martinsdale, MT Rancher Absarokee, MT Hamilton E. “Tony” James Menlo Park, CA Dallas, TX P

.

Allen Bjergo Highwood, MT John S. Dale President & Jack Rand Dr. Irving Weissman n g

Agricultural Judy Tureck Retired businessman Chief Operating Officer, Chairman, Colorado Director, Stanford i s Consultant/Farmer Farmer/Rancher Ovando, MT/Waubay, SD The Blackstone Group Outward Bound School Institute for Stem Cell e D

Corvallis, MT Coffee Creek, MT Mark F. Engebretson Twin Bridges, MT/New York, NY Denver, CO Biology & Regenerative d l

Shane Colton Dan Vermillion Downey Engebretson, Inc. David Joys D. Gideon Searle Medicine r o

Attorney Business Owner Minneapolis, MN Retired Vice Chairman Managing Partner, Hamilton, MT/ W

l

Billings, MT Livingston, MT Lee Freeman Heidrick & Struggles The Serafin Group Palo Alto, CA a e

Rancher, Nye, MT/New York, NY Naples, FL Kendrick R. Wilson, III R

Attorney/CPR Arbitrator Karen Bates Kress Peter Solomon Vice Chairman y b

Board of Directors, L to R: Allen Bjergo, Honorary Consul for Czech Retired Nonprofit Executive Chairman, BlackRock n g i

Jerry Townsend, Judy Tureck, Phil Rostad, Republic, States of MT, ID, & WY Emigrant, MT/ Peter J. Solomon Co. Emigrant, MT/ s Livingston, MT Deerfield Beach, FL New York, NY New York, NY e Judy Hutchins, Rick Berg, Jerry Sorenson, D

.

Shane Colton, Dan Vermillion, y k s Chris Montague, George Olsen . STAFF f o g o

Matt Bell Christian Dietrich Becky Stearns n o

GIS Coordinator/ B

General Counsel Bookkeeper s Land Steward Jay Erickson Will Trimbath i x e

Augusta “Gusty” Clarke Managing Director Lands Manager l A Development Manager Kathryn Kelly Kendall Van Dyk y b

Kim Cook Greater Yellowstone Manager Eastern Manager y

Administrative Assistant Rock Ringling Jessie Wiese a s Lois Delger-DeMars Managing Director Southwest Manager s E

Managing Director : Mark Schiltz t r

Western Manager o p e R

SEASONAL LAND STEWARDS l a u

Terry Althaus Pat Flanery Jessica Miller n n n o Janet Bean-Dochnahl Ron Hvizdak John Moorhouse A

s d 7 l Louise Bruce Jerry Iverson Jim Roscoe 1 a 0 n

o Don Carroll Marianne Klein Erin Shanahan 2 D Andrea Darling Skip Kowalski Tom Wittinger n n

y Gayleen Malone L

28 how you can help

There are many ways that families, individuals, foundations, corporations, and organizations can provide financial support for MLR’s conservation work.

Staff can assist you in determining the most suitable option for your financial needs.

Call us at 406-44 3-7 027 or visit mtlandreliance.org g n i b m a L n h o J

Sweetgrass Hills Protecting Montana’s Open Landscapes

helena office g n i

324 Fuller Avenue, Post Office Box 355 • Helena, Montana 59624-0355 b m

406-443-7027 • [email protected] a L

n h

glacier/flathead office o J •

470 Electric Avenue, Post Office Box 460 Bigfork, Montana 59911-0460 e i

406-837-2178 • [email protected] r i a r

greater yellowstone office p

y

Post Office Box 10843 • Bozeman, Montana 59719-0843 t

406-579-5481 • [email protected] n u o C

big sky office s

35 Marketplace Street, Building #5, Post Office Box 161554 • Big Sky, Montana 59716-1554 p i l

• l

406-594-1570 [email protected] i h P

mtlandreliance.org : r e v o C