looking to w ard the next million acres

2019 ann ual re port our mission

The Montana Land Reliance (MLR) partners with private landowners to permanently protect agricultural lands, fish and wildlife habitat, and open space. ~ The immediate accomplishments of MLR’s conservation work are measured in miles of streambank preserved and acres of land protected. ~ The lasting benefits of MLR’s work are the perpetuation of a lifestyle and an economy that rely on responsibly managed private land and the increasingly valuable Montana open spaces that will continue to nourish the spirit of future generations. n o s d l a n o D

n n y L the next million acres

The Montana Land Reliance (MLR) is than in any single year since 200 7. This past year They share an extraordinary looking to the future. Protecting the first million provides MLR with the exact kind of momentum appreciation for agriculture acres took 40 years to achieve, and we are looking needed to protect another million acres! and a deep love for the land. to conserve the second million acres over the next 20 years. To accomplish this task, we will Also in 2019, as many of you know, MLR published I’m also excited for you to be innovative, we will enter into more and diverse A Million Acres: Montana Writers Reflect on meet our conservation award partnerships, and we will bring a younger generation Land and Open Space , an anthology of essays winners, Garry King and John and Cheryl Dale. into our fold. MLR is adapting and incorporating and short stories celebrating MLR’s conservation Garry is the recipient of MLR’s 2019 William F. ideas that will result in conserving working lands of one million acres of agricultural lands, fish and Long Conservation Award – an award given to and strengthening our relationships with donors. wildlife habitat, and open spaces. If you haven’t landowners who have worked to permanently picked up a copy yet, I’d encourage you to visit protect significant bird habitat. Garry, with the In 2019, MLR hired Managing Director, Jordan Riverbend Publishing’s website or your local help and support of his neighbors in Denton, Vana, Eastern Manager, Brad Hansen, and in 2020, bookstore. They make great gifts and your dollars Montana, planted over 85,000 trees in 10 years we plan to hire two new staff in development and will support the work of MLR. to improve upland bird habitat. It makes me stewardship. Prior to MLR, Jordan worked with tired just thinking about it. a number of leading conservation organizations As we look to the next 20 years, MLR’s in the West, including: Colorado Open Lands, board and staff feels ready to take on the John and Cheryl Dale are the recipients of MLR’s Colorado Conservation Trust, and the Green River conservation challenges of the future. We are Conservation Award. John and Cheryl’s property Valley Land Trust in Wyoming (now part of the staffed for this purpose and ready to move forward on the North Fork of the Blackfoot River helps Jackson Hole Land Trust). helping Montana farm and ranch families continue protect the Crown of the Continent, one of the only farming and ranching. The mission won’t change, places in the nation that has all the original flora For the past four years, Brad worked at the but as we may see fewer donated conservation and fauna that it had 400 years ago. Montana Historical Society as a grant manager easements, our methodology must evolve. We have and historian. In 2018, Brad published the book to be alert to new tools and strategies such as When I look back on my life there is nothing that Nothing Like Riding a Good Horse in New Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) that use federal makes me as proud as working to conserve the Country: Memoirs of a Woman Outfitter dollars to protect the long-term viability of the lands of Montana with MLR. I’m excited about the in Montana based on the life of Mary Faith nation’s food supply by preventing conversion of future and I can’t wait to look around the next Hoeffner, one of the earliest female outfitters productive working lands to non-agricultural uses. corner and see what it holds for us. in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. In this report you’ll hear from Abby Christiaens – George Olsen, MLR Board President Two thousand nineteen was truly a banner year for and Kari Berg, who are both members of multi- conservation. At over 66,000 acres this past year generational ranch families. Both Abby and Kari, alone, MLR and committed landowners protected with their families, ranch properties placed We will be innovative, we will more acres with more conservation easements into conservation easements by their parents. enter into more and diverse partnerships, and we will bring a younger generation into our fold.

1 since 1978 2019 EASEMENTS

The Montana Land Reliance 1 Taft Property ...... 160 has worked with private 2 Smith (Troy) Property II ...... 289 landowners all across Montana 3 Raths Livestock ...... 11,230 to meet their conservation 4 ABN Ranch ...... 5,335 goals, including the protection of 5 Schaub Property ...... 238 major watersheds critical to 6 Weaver (Stan) Property ...... 9,871 agriculture and wildlife habitat. 7 Ringling Ranch III ...... 19,195 8 Engwis I ...... 3,768 9 Engwis II ...... 1,774 10 Boyle Property ...... 120 1,13 7,062 acres of ecologically, 11 Tall Grass Ranch ...... 490 agriculturally, and historically 12 Masolo Property ...... 1,452 important land, and 1,829 miles of * streambank, are now protected under 13 King (Garry) Property ...... 742 MLR’s 897 conservation easements. 14 Cosgriff Property ...... 625 15 JLR & C Ranch LLC ...... 218 Crop/Hay/Pasture ...... 187,044 16 Circle S Ranch IV ...... 753 17 Perry (Joe) Property II ...... 639 Range/Forest ...... 950,018 18 Kellogg Property ...... 16 Elk Habitat ...... 584,423 19 Henderson Property ...... 2,088 20 McEvoy Property III ...... 8 Wetlands ...... 44,652 21 Kenyon Property ...... 41 Greater Yellowstone ...... 309,857 22 Moonlight Territory Holding s .... 2,463 Ecosystem 23 Thayer (Ross) Property ...... 389 Northern Continental ...... 20,089 24 Wheeler (Pat) Property ...... 1,284 Divide Ecosystem 25 Dry Cottonwood Creek Ranch .... 3,396 * see story on page 16

1,13 7,062 acres 66,584 acres

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MLR EASEMENT

MAJOR WATERSHEDS

BLUE AND RED RIBBON TROUT STREAMS ECOSYSTEMS CONSERVED ACREAGE BY COUNTY

Northern Continental Divide 1–10,000 acres Greater Yellowstone 10,001 –25,000 acres Northern Great Plains 25,001 –50,000 acres More than 50,000 acres 3 looking toward the next million acres

TOTAL ACRES PROTECTED ANNUALLY 66,584

15 16 17 18 19 introduction

A few years ago, The Montana Land Reliance No matter where I was in the state, the GPS app (MLR) hired me to take photos of their conserved would inform me that I was either right next to properties throughout the state. I spent weeks property protected by MLR, or very close to one. driving around and hiking on ranches with my Often, there would be an entire contiguous block camera in some of the most beautiful places of ranches in easements, usually connected to a in Montana. significant chunk of public land.

I know, right? How did I get so lucky? Don’t tell If only people could see this map as they drive anyone at MLR, but I probably would have done across the state! They would be able to see that the job for gas money. the breathtaking working lands, wildlife habitat, and wide-open spaces they were admiring were MLR supplied me with a GPS app on my phone protected. They would feel at ease knowing with maps of the conservation easements so that their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids I could find my way around. Frequently, I’d would be able to gaze out their windows at pull off the highway as I was driving to a ranch the same gorgeous view. They would realize when something would catch my eye so I could that private land conservation is inextricably take photos; the clouds, an eagle on a roadkill connected to the way of life that we all cherish deer, a silhouette of a horse off in the distance, in Montana. or pronghorn grazing in a field. If you’ve ever driven somewhere in Montana with a photographer, you know that it takes us a little longer to get places. e g a v a S n o s a J

Rocky Mountain Front

5 telling our story

MLR can rattle off a list of numbers that In terms of acres conserved, MLR is the largest One of the ways that MLR has put those speak to their accomplishments over the last land trust in Montana, the largest agricultural numbers into words over the past year was 42 years. Protecting over one million acres in land trust in the country, and after hitting the through the creation of A Million Acres: conservation easements is the most striking one million acre mark in 2017, MLR became Montana Writers Reflect on Land and Open achievement; one million acres of open space and the largest state-based land trust in the nation. Space , an anthology of essays, memoirs, and agricultural land is now protected in perpetuity short stories from 20 Montana authors together for future generations. MLR has now blown by MLR has partnered with over 900 landowners to with photographs published in partnership the million acre mark and has conserved over protect 1,829 miles of stream and river frontage, with Riverbend Publishing in Helena. 1.1 million acres only two years later. 584,423 acres of elk habitat, 44,652 acres of wetlands, 950,018 acres of range and forest land, I might be biased, but Montana is not only Often times, numbers are hard for our minds and 187,044 acres of hay, crop, and pasture land. blessed with some of the most striking to fully comprehend. Numbers are abstract. These conservation numbers are truly remarkable. landscapes in the world, but also blessed with What does one million acres look like? I Googled some of the most talented writers. These it and a million acres is about the size of Rhode Numbers matter, as Kelly Ramirez, Bozeman storytellers are able to capture what numbers Island. It is almost the size of Grand Canyon resident and member of MLR’s Future Montana could never convey; the shared emotions and National Park. If the land MLR protected was put Committee (FMC), a volunteer group of young values that bring us together to protect our together into a national park it would almost professionals committed to MLR’s mission most precious resources. make the top ten list based on size. and who are helping MLR reach a younger generation, points out. It is just as important to The stories capture a diverse range of answer these questions: What do those numbers perspectives and experiences. Authors describe feel like? What is the story behind them? the devastation of losing the family land, the “When I return home, it is How do we put a million acres into words? terror of a death on a river, the joys of landing with love and longing, a big fish, the unlucky backcountry encounters “The answer to these questions gets us closer with grizzly bears, and an out-of-stater’s needing to hear the hush of to the meaning of the work that MLR does happiness at making Montana her home. Even the prairie and see the calm every day. It is the connection and the emotional the stories that recount some of the hardest of the trees, the silent journey ties to the land that drives MLR’s work and life experiences reflect the fundamental nature motivates private landowners to put their land of what philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote, of the hawk floating above in a conservation easement,” Kelly told me. “In difficult times, carry something beautiful me in the pasture, the breeze “It also brings in people who care about land in your heart.” that brings the wheat stalks conservation but aren’t necessarily landowners.” to life until the waves in the field resemble the sea.” –Janet Skeslien Charles, “My Father’s Cathedral ,” A Million Acres

6 For many of us, what we carry in our hearts is our love for this place, whether we were born here, moved here, or visit when we can.

“I think almost every Montanan I know feels relieved when they return to Montana, when the plane touches down, or your car crosses the border. There is a visceral connection, regardless of where you were born ,” Kelly explained as she talked about her return to Montana after seven years away. “Helping people understand that the reason we have that connection is that generations of landowners made a commitment to protecting that open space.”

When Kelly was speaking, I was reminded of my many trips home to Billings from college in Spokane and graduate school in Denver. The minute I saw the Montana state sign indicating I was about to cross the border, my throat would tighten, and I’d have to hold back tears. That feeling has never gone away.

CROP/HAY/PASTURE ACRES PROTECTED ANNUALLY

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15 16 17 18 19 Wheat field east of Billings NUMBER OF EASEMENTS ANNUALLY 25 g n i b m a L

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15 16 17 18 19 honoring our heritage

Abby Christiaens rode around in the front As I talked to Abby I could immediately tell she The easement on their ranch was the culmination seat of the pickup with her dad as a little girl was her father’s daughter. I spent quite a bit of of a five-year process that the Raths and MLR every day to check cows and told me she had the time at Jeff and Bea’s coffee table the year before Managing Director, Kendall Van Dyk will readily perfect childhood. to interview them about their award. Abby had say was long and sometimes arduous, but an easy laugh and there was no hesitation in her rewarding. The easement was accomplished “When you grow up doing it, you have it in voice. I had accidentally called her parents’ house through the Montana Sage Grouse Habitat your soul,” she said. I heard her throat catch. during our scheduled interview time and ended up Conservation Program and Natural Resources “Sometimes when I have a hard time falling shooting the breeze with Jeff for quite a while. Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Agricultural Lands asleep at night, I envision myself driving around Easement (ALE) Program. It protected 11,230 the ranch. I can see home in my head. I can “I thought you were gonna come out and watch acres of the Raths’ property in a sage grouse close my eyes and see every corner of this place. the sage grouse last year,” he said. conservation easement. The ranch is literally It’s just...the being here. It’s necessary for me.” ground zero for the large bird’s habitat. There I asked her if she always knew she wanted to “This year,” I told him. “I’ll make it happen are 22 leks on and around the property including return after college. “It was the only game plan,” this year.” one of the largest leks in Montana. she said. I asked Abby if she likes to watch birds as much as When I asked Abby what she thought of the Abby is the daughter of Jeff and Bea Raths, third- her mom does, remembering my conversation easement, she told me that it opened up a lot of generation Montana cattle ranchers and winners with Bea about all the different types of birds she opportunities because it allowed them to have of MLR’s 2018 William F. Long Conservation sees on their place. more freedom with the funds available and helped Award; an award given to landowners who have them stay in ranching. “It lets us keep operating worked to permanently protect significant bird “Well…I wouldn’t go that far,” she laughed, the way we always have. It keeps the land free habitat. Abby and her husband Robin are the “Mom’s kind of a fanatic but I do enjoy getting and being used for agricultural purposes. It’s a fourth generation to ranch on their property in out there. We get up at the butt-crack of dawn win-win. There isn’t a downside.” the beautiful sagebrush country west of Roundup, and go out to the sage grouse leks every year.” Montana. I asked her if she hoped her son would be the The conservation easement on the Raths fifth generation to ranch; Abby is pregnant with It’s that sagebrush country that sticks in my heart property exemplifies the new tools that MLR is her first child. “It’s a lot of pressure to come back. too. I was reminded of Janet Skeslien Charles’ using to protect more agricultural land in Montana I don’t want him to feel that, but if he decided to, essay in A Million Acres when she wrote, as the number of donated easements decline. that would make us very, very happy.” “Montana is known for its majestic mountains, but I prefer the plains.”

Near Roundup

9 Another remarkable woman who is taking over Kari has a wide smile, an easy laugh, and she You feel like you might be going back in time her family ranch came to mind as I was talking to loves cows. When I asked her some of her when you take the left-hand turn off of Highway Abby. Kari Berg Marks and her husband Charlie fondest memories of growing up on the ranch 12 and onto Highway 294. are the fifth generation to ranch on her family’s she also brought up riding around in pickups. place along the south fork of the Musselshell in It’s a valley you could easily imagine being central Montana near the town of Lennep. Their “My best and most vivid memories were when carved up into smaller and smaller chunks until kids, Claire and Kellen, will hopefully be the sixth we were on the winter schedule. It was a little the wide-open spaces become sliced up by roads, generation to ranch this land. bit slower go of things. I would go out feeding houses, and more traffic. We’ve all seen it with my dad almost every morning,” Kari said. happen in places we love. I remember Kari’s I met Kari a year before when I interviewed her “I spent a lot of time looking at cows. Still do.” mom Gayle telling me about the sense of place parents, Rick and Gayle. To ensure that the ranch in the valley. stays intact, the family put it under conservation I love how much Kari loves cows. She talked easement with MLR in 2006. about how her family ranch felt so huge as a kid. “We see all the changes happening in Montana. Even though she was only a hundred yards from A valley like this is irreplaceable,” Gayle told me the house she felt like she was so far away, in when I visited in 2019. her own world. “When the last person is gone Kari and her family understand the importance of “The house that we live in now was my private land conservation and Kari spends quite who grew up crunching across grandparents’ when I was little. I would walk a bit of time educating Montana urbanites about frozen mud with the slap out to the end of the shelter belt that I can see the importance of private land conservation. of winter in her face, and who from my window right now. I felt like it was my For the last five years, in her position with the own special place. I would bounce on branches Montana CattleWomen, Kari has organized the knew from girlhood the scent and the yearlings would all come and check Montana Ranch Run, a 25-mile race, which takes of a thunderstorm about to me out,” Kari told me. participants through three ranches in Meagher break, how the ground creaked County. The race serves as a bridge to connect when it was thirsty, the fear The Berg Ranch is breathtaking. The people who never get out in ranch country with Castle Mountains rise up in the distance and the rural Montana. of a lost cow in the far pasture – south fork of the Musselshell River meanders when there are no more through the valley. The best combination of the “We get to reach a new audience and spread the childhoods like this, humanity mountains and the prairie that you can imagine. message about the importance of agriculture and will have been struck a blow that will change it forever.” – Antonia Malchik, “Nothing More than Everything,” A Million Acres

10 private land stewardship. They get to see how we are taking care of the land,” Kari said.

The race moves through the varied landscape of the region and seamlessly links public land and private land. And you never step foot on asphalt.

The desire to keep the valley as intact as possible was passed down to the Berg girls, just like it was passed down to Abby Christiaens. The ranch staying how it has always been, wide open and in agriculture, is the most important thing to the family.

Kari never questioned the conservation easement her parents put on the property.

“To be honest, I’ve been very thankful for it. Some people have that outlook that it limits your opportunities. For us it’s always been like having a financial cushion or insurance policy. Helps us be a little bit braver with our decisions. Every year isn’t quite as stressful for us,” Kari said. e g a v a S

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Snow geese RANGE/FOREST ACRES PROTECTED ANNUALLY 59,471

15 16 17 18 19 the next million acres

The first million acres is just the start. doing to bring a younger generation into MLR is looking to the future and MLR’s staff and private land conservation is so important. The board of directors plan to protect another million committee is comprised of young professionals acres in the next 20 years. The clock is ticking. across Montana and the United States who are leaders in their fields, and together, represent According to the Montana Department of a cross-section of Montana’s future land-use Environmental Quality, Montana is losing (on stakeholders. The members of the committee are average) more than 34,000 acres of rangeland to working to expand MLR’s network of landowners development on an annual basis. While some of and donors by creating a community of young that rangeland is turning into pastureland, more leaders to build MLR’s brand and expand the than 13,000 acres a year is being developed for protection of Montana’s unique open spaces. other uses, most commonly, housing subdivisions. More than 14,500 new subdivisions were As MLR looks toward the next million acres, approved by local governments over the past there is a recognition that the landscape of 10 years, resulting in more than 1.1 million acres private conservation easements is changing and of new development, much of which used to be that compelling storytelling needs to help inspire agricultural lands. Current projections estimate new and innovative methods of protecting that 200,000 more people will declare Montana open space. home in the next 20 years with more than 100,000 additional homes built in western Errol Rice, a fifth generation Montana rancher Montana by 2025. and member of FMC, attended an event for MLR in Bozeman in the summer of 2019. That’s enough to make my heart stop, and not He looked around the room and observed that in a good way. despite diverse backgrounds and differing political ideologies, everyone cared about the The work MLR does, and does so well, is needed same thing: keeping open lands open and now more than ever. That’s why the work that keeping agricultural lands in agriculture. That MLR’s Future Montana Committee (FMC) is commonality is enough to move mountains. y k s f o g o n o B s i x e l A

Whitetail deer

13 “I found my people,” Errol said after. In four taking a proactive, entrepreneurial, forward- words, Errol said what we all feel when working facing approach to protecting agricultural on behalf of MLR. Errol and the FMC are very lands, habitat, and open space. focused on bringing in people who wouldn’t necessarily think they would want to be, or MLR’s twin guiding principles, the even could be, involved with private land perpetual stewardship of the one million acres conservation. already under conservation easement, and the critical need to continue to protect the Our livelihood, lifestyle, and landscape – the second million acres of agricultural land things that make our heart stop – are connected and open space will require ever-increasing to generations and generations of land financial resources. stewardship. Connecting those dots and telling those stories will be what helps MLR protect I, for one, look forward to being a part of the the next million acres. next million acres and telling the stories of the landowners, donors, partners, and supporters MLR is mindful that the work carries important that keep MLR being the most effective land obligations of stewardship for each of these conservation organization in the country. second million acres, while at the same time Every time I stop along the side of the highway to take photos or sit on the tailgate of my pickup to watch the sunset or the sunrise over my home state, I know that I’m able to do that in Our livelihood, lifestyle, part because of MLR’s laser focus on keeping and landscape – the things Montana, Montana. that make our heart stop – are connected to generations and generations of land y k s f

stewardship. Connecting o g o n

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those stories will be what x e l helps MLR protect the A next million acres. Madison River Valley

14 MILES OF STREAMBANK PROTECTED ANNUALLY 62

15 16 17 18 19 garry king

When Garry King told me how many trees he had planted on his ranch near Denton, Montana, in a period of ten years, I asked him to repeat himself.

“Eighty-five thousand,” he said again.

At first, I thought he said eight thousand, which still seemed like a hell of a lot of trees to me. I tried to imagine what it would be like to plant 85,000 saplings on my farm. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around that number let alone the time and effort a project like that would take.

“It took us ten years, working pretty hard at it eight months out of the year,” he said. “It was a full-time job.”

Garry’s first trip to Montana was in 1981. It was, he tells me, the year the Bighorn River opened up for fishing. After a couple of weeks fishing his way across Montana he returned home and made a decision. The minute he was able, he was going to move to Montana – the people were great, the fishing and hunting were great, and he could see no reason to live anywhere else.

It seemed natural. His background was in agriculture and he loved the outdoors. He grew up in upstate New York and all he did was hunt and fish as a kid. Garry received an agricultural economics degree from Cornell University in 1964 and was an executive in the coffee and tea

Ring-necked pheasant 201 9 william f. long conservation award

industry for much of his career, the last 15 years Larry had been doing his own massive tree The first season he owned the land in 2001, as head of Standard Coffee Company in New planting project. He planted 200,000 to 300,000 20 birds were harvested from the property. Orleans. In 1992, Garry and his wife Leanne trees in the greater Fergus County area over Now, he says, they get 275 to 300 pheasants and moved permanently to Montana. many decades. around 60 to 70 people hunt his place every year.

Out of all of the places he had been and all of I had to have Garry repeat that number to me Garry put his property into a conservation the states he had hunted in, I asked him why he as well. easement with The Montana Land Reliance in 2019. picked Montana. Assistance from Craig and Larry was instrumental Thirty years of living in Montana has made Garry “Well,” he said, “Montana was unlike any place in helping him figure out where to put the shelter appreciate the work that goes into taking care of the I’d ever been.” belts, windbreaks, food plots, and nesting areas land and improving it for wildlife and agriculture as well as choose what trees to plant that would and he values the ability of hunters to access his Garry and Leanne spent nine years in Gallatin survive and thrive in central Montana. land and have a good result from his hard work. County, where he and his brother opened up The Bozeman Angler, a fly-shop on Main Street, “There is no way I could have done this “I don’t charge for hunting. The project was an which his brother and sister-in-law ran for project without their help and encouragement,” investment for hunters and sportsman and it was 25 years. In 1992, he also started the Bozeman Garry told me. great to do. I wanted to put an easement on it so Pheasants Forever chapter. Even then, he could all that hard work and effort wasn’t going to waste see Bozeman was growing, and soon started A neighbor lent him a tree planter he made years and it wouldn’t turn into a subdivision one day,” looking for some property to purchase. ago and he had to work fast every year within a Garry told me. three to four-week period to get the trees in the Eventually, after visiting every county in the state, ground. Garry, with the help of his neighbors and It is because of Garry and people like him that Garry acquired a small farm property in Fergus the local rod and gun club, planted caragana, Montana remains one of the best places for County near Denton that he had hunted on before. Russian olive, silver sage, and rocky mountain upland bird hunting in the country. Because of There was pretty good pheasant hunting on his juniper. He didn’t have irrigation so he had to rely his efforts, the Reliance awarded him the 2019 place but he knew it could be better. on Mother Nature bringing rain at the right time. William F. Long Conservation Award – an award given to landowners who have worked to Then came the trees. Then came more birds. “You improve habitat for pheasants and you also permanently protect significant bird habitat. see all the other animals come in – whitetail deer, Craig Roberts, president and founder of the mule deer, sharp-tails, and tons of other birds,” When I asked him if there was anything else he Lewistown Pheasants Forever chapter, along with Garry told me. wanted to say, Garry told me, “There is a heaven, Larry Schweitzer, vice president, helped Garry on and it is Montana. That’s the God’s honest truth.” a plan to improve habitat for birds on his place. “You improve habitat for pheasants and you also see all the other animals come in.”

17 john & cheryl dale

“Without love of the land, conservation lacks His love for the outdoors never waned, and has Their ranch, which borders national forest and the meaning or purpose, for only in a deep and only grown stronger. The big skies and open Bob Marshall Wilderness, is an important piece inherent feeling for the land can there be country of Montana drew John and his wife Cheryl of the Crown of the Continent, a place unlike any dedication in preserving it.” – Siguard Olsen to the state in the early 60s. They explored and other in the nation. You go 110 miles north of camped in “every nook and cranny of western their place and there are no roads. Wildlife still John Dale was donating to conservation Montana, the Big Hole Valley and the Ruby Valley, have the ability to move back and forth. groups before he was even out of high school. Glacier National Park, the Beaverhead, we went A self-taught duck hunter, he understood at an everywhere.” I asked John if he had any experiences on his early age the importance of open space and property that really stuck out in his mind. After quality habitat for the waterfowl he loved to hunt, “The thing about Montana,” John said, “is that we talking about watching grizzly bears roam in and all the other wildlife that shared the space. still have the opportunity to preserve these open places he had just been minutes before, he said spaces. Once they are gone, you can’t rebuild the thing that strikes him the most is that every “I was fishing before I was walking, literally. them. In many places, especially east of the time he visits the property, he loves it more than I grew up outdoors. I’ve always valued the Mississippi, people don’t even have that option. the last time. outdoors. It’s ingrained in me,” John told me But here, we do.” from his place in northeastern South Dakota. “Far from growing used to it, every time I drive In the late 80s and early 90s, John and Cheryl onto the road I’m in awe of the place. You can get began looking for some land in Montana. They accustomed to things and get used to them. Not this knew they wanted to spend more time here and place though, I never get used to it,” said John. wanted a place that exemplified the wild country they cherished. During that search, the first person All of the values that John and Cheryl hold they met was former MLR managing director close are epitomized in their place and they quickly Rock Ringling, and the first place they looked was put the ranch in a conservation easement with MLR. in the Blackfoot Valley. After 15 years of searching “It is still like it was 400 years ago and it allows throughout Montana in the mid-2000s, they found for the movement of wildlife.” said John. “It’s not the piece of property they had been looking for a postage stamp of habitat, and we want to keep their whole life. it that way.”

“We looked for 20 years and then bought it in The successful and innovative cooperative 45 minutes,” John laughed. “When you know, conservation efforts between landowners, you know.” land trusts, and government agencies in the Blackfoot Valley shows us a way forward for Ironically, they ended up in the Blackfoot Valley land conservation. The results in the valley speak not far from where they started their search. for themselves, according to John.

18 201 9 conservation award

“Some river valleys in Montana have been changed to the point where they look more like a suburb of Denver, that hasn’t happened in the Blackfoot Valley even though the potential for subdivision was very high,” said John. “The success in the Blackfoot should be used as a model for other places under population pressure.”

John believes it is vitally important for the future of conservation to continue working with private landowners and seeking win-win situations.

“Private land conservation is the future. If you can’t figure out a way to work with private landowners to have a win-win situation for landowners and wildlife, we all lose,” he said. “This is why MLR is truly unique in this space.”

John and Cheryl have helped many conservation organizations, including Ducks Unlimited and MLR, protect open space, agricultural lands, and wildlife habitat. They are leaders in efforts across the northern plains and northern Rockies in private land conservation and MLR is pleased to award the Dales the 2019 Conservation Award.

“If I have any sort of legacy at all in my life, it’s going to be promoting those values and keeping those open spaces,” John told me. “MLR wants to keep people on the land. They have been very good at doing just that.” g n i b m a L

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Blackfoot River 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 agricultural lands, fish and wildlife Montana Society is open to all habitat, and open space for consenting MLR easement donors generations to come. This list and to those who have provided for recognizes those who have agreed MLR’s mission in their overall to be listed as Forever Montana financial and estate plans, sustaining Society members.

ABN Ranch Hall, Barry & Eleanor Navratil, Gerald J. Bartz, Tim & Trish Hegness, Paul & Maryellen Berghold, Joanne & Billy Henderson, Jay & Janette Perry, Joe L. & Debby L. Bibler, Carol Hohenlohe, Christian & Nora Pfeiffer, Steven B. Blanchet, Richard Hutchins, Judith R.V. Ranch Co. Boyle, Rich & Jan Kalt, Joe & Judy Gans Ringling, Rock Burke, Steve & Gretchen Kellogg, Dennis & Kitty & Bobbi Uecker Byrne, Sam & Tracey Kelly, Francis J., M.D. Ritchey, David & Sue Chamberlin, Wayne & Deloris L. Kelly Roth, Jane R. Conlon, Suzanne Kelly, Kathryn Schmidt, Chester, M.D. Connell, Jeanne Kenyon, Lynn Schutz, Jeffrey H. Dale, John & Cheryl Kerkvliet, Joe, Ph.D. & Family Dietrich, Christian Kiesling, Bob Smith, Carol & Michelle King, Donald Smith, Michael Frazer, Eliza & Barry Hood & Janemarie Spanjian, Kris Thomas G. Eppich Trust Kress, Karen Bates & Ray Gilbertson Freeman, Jr., Lee A. Laszlo, Jr., Andrew Talcott, Terry French, Dave & Priscilla & Paulette Taylor, Jim & Valerie Anne Giese, Monte & Jeanna Legg, William Thorell, Carole Gingras, Paul & Sally Leuschen, David Torgrimson, Christine Goeddel, David & Alena Mills, William A. Wilson III, Kendrick R. Guyette, Jim & Kay Montag, Kim & Jeff & Ann Jackson

Learn more about the Forever Montana Society at mtlandreliance.org.

20 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 ABN Ranch, Inc. Henderson, James J. & Janette F. Moonlight Territory Holdings LLC Smith, Troy C. & Joy C. Boyle, Richard A. & Janet R. JLR & C Ranch, LLC Perry, Joe L. & Deborah L. Taft, Melody Ann Circle S Ranch, Inc. Kellogg, Dennis Ray & Katherine Raths Livestock Corp. Tall Grass Ranch, LLC Clark Fork Coalition Kenyon, Lynn RF Building Co., LLP Thayer, Ross & Janet Cosgriff, Frank S. & Judith E. King, Garry B. Ringling Ranch Limited Partnership Weaver Cattle Company Engwis Investment Co., LTD Masolo, Charles Robert & Gay Ann Schaub, Joyce E. Wheeler, Patrick K. Henderson, Brian J. McEvoy, Lawrence R. & Carol S. individuals Abbott, Jr., Francis H. & Frances M. Bell, Ronald S. & Kelly M. Bucklin, John Colton, Shane D. & Gina McIntyre Abernethy, Samuel F. Bennington, James L. & Josephine K. Bucklin, Linda Hale Cooley, David E. & Jody Abrahamson, Eric S. & Donna B. Benzie, Helen Bucklin, Nicholas Copeland, Christie Aitken, Gary Berg, Rick & Gayle Bugbee, Bruce A. & Nancy H. Cote, David M. & Maureen Allen, Anna & Willis Berghold, Joanne & William D. Bulis, Ania Coulter, J. Jay Allen, Barry & Linda Bergman, Catherine Burke, Kathleen L. Cox, Jack & Joyce Alton, Todd & Sharon Berman, David & Sandra Burke, Stephen B. & Gretchen H. Coxe, Tench & Simone Anderson, Chris & Dave Bernhardt, George A. & Anne Burnett, Gary Crain, Mr. & Mrs. Rogers Anderson, Keith Bibler, Carol & Jim Watson Butler, Amie F. Curran, Kathy Anderson, Sue & RJ “Chip” Billingsley, D. E. Byrne, Sam & Tracey Curtin, Paula Andrews, Prudence Jane Bingel, Thad Cahill, Edward L. Dalby, Jill Angiolillo, Bruce D. & Carol Binger, James M. & Patricia S. & Kathleen Mooney-Cahill Dale, John S. & Cheryl L. Arrigoni, Robert V. & Dianne S. Bird, Ralph Campbell, Catherine S. Dana, Andrew C. & Susan W. Arthun, David Bissell, Gael & Richard D. Mace Campbell, Sara Dana, John L. & Margo Atkinson, Michael P. & Melissa P. Bjergo, Allen & Jacqueline Capdeville, Bruce Danziger, Frederick M. Avis, Charlie Boone, Jean Carciere, Andrew M. & Carol Taylor Davidson, Karen Avis, Freddy Bostwick, James F. C. Carron, John C. & Traci L. Telander Day, Sarah W. Avis, Gregory M. & Anne R. Boudeman, Sherwood M. & Sharon C. Carron, Reid & Rebecca L. Rom Deiss, Ron & Joann M. Jackson Babcock, Linda F. Bough, Loren & Jill Carton, John L. Delano, Lyman & Diana P. Bagby, Jr., Walker M. & Deborah K. Bowman, Carolyn L. Cassell, Jr., John L. “Jay” Delbar, Michael Bales, Charles Boyer, Christopher F. & Jennifer Champion Whitney, Jacqueline Deveny, Tom W. Barker, Brian F. & Sally L. Boyette, Van R. & Susan H. Chanania, Andrew Dickinson III, Joshua C. & Sarah Barrett Pointer, Stephanie Bradley, Dorothy Chase, John A. Dickinson, Julie A. Barthelmess, James A. Braig, Robert A. & Beverly J. Chenoweth, Joe & Lorrie Dietrich, David & Jan Bates, Sylvia K. Branch, George Chesnoff, David Z. Dietrich, Garrett W. & Carolyn Baucus, John F. & Nina Brandborg, Beki Glyde Christensen, Ben Doolittle, Jr., John Q. & June K. Baucus, Max Brandfass, Barbara E. Christensen, Dana L. & Stephanie Ann Dorn, Joseph W. e g Baumler, Jill & Dr. Robert F. Mannisto Braxton III, V.P. “Terry” Clarke, Augusta “Gusty” Dresser, Abby a v Baumler, Mark F., PH.D. Breuner, Janet & Rich Clarke, Michael & Christine Dykstra, Curt a S & Ellen B., PH.D. Brim, Michael & Arlyne Clarke, Sara Newman & James Eaves, Hayden n o Baur, Michele Forte & Edward T. Brittan, Jr., Gordon G. & Vanessa S. M. Clendenin, Eliot Edelen, Gretchen O. s a

J Beatrice, Michael J. “Jeff” Broadbent, William S. & Camille W. William R. & Katharine M. Closs Eder, Sr., Bert P. & Jo Ann & Beth C. Gouse Brown, David R. Family Ellis, Alexander Beattie, Richard & Diana Browne, Kristen E. & Jamie Collins III, William F. Ellis, Janet H. & James C. Hansen Bedayn, Richard Bryan, Pamela R. & William L. Collins, Jr., John & Anne continued...

21 more family of friends

Emery, Bob & Dana Morton Hansen, Elaine Kayden, Joelle Maclay, Helena S. & John W. Larson Nutt, Robert Robbins, Gary L. & Cheryl J. Engebretson, Mark F. & Carol M. H. Hardin, Rush E. & Cathey L. Keenan, IV, John H. & Terese A. Byhre Mallon, Thomas O’Connor, Roy S. & Susan Roberts, Donald & Carol Engebretson, Peter Haring, Jr., William F. Keith III, Robert J. & Marisa Bueno Manning, Doug O’Hearn, Michael Roe, Sandra B. Engs III, Edward W. & Carol McSweeney Keller, Dennis Mannix, Cole O’Steen, John & Judi Rokita, Rusty R. & Deborah A. Epple, Andrew C. & Paulette J. Harris, Harley R. Kellogg, Dennis & Katherine Marotz, Brian Ogden, Roger H. Romatowski, Peter J. Epstein, Stuart Harris, Jerrold B. & Bobette J. Kelly, Francis J. & Deloris L. Marren, John W. & Lynda G. Ohman, Alex & Suzanne Bonner Erb, Bethany Harris, Lisbeth (Lou Ann) Kelly, George J. & Leslie Jo Newhall Martin, Sandy & Anne Ohman, Christopher C. Rosenthal, Edward S. & Nancy G. Erickson, Jay & Ann Gilkey Hart, William F. & Elizabeth S. Kemp, Lawrence G. & Patricia F. Mast, Scott & Tamara J. Uecker Ross, Sarane H. Erwin, William A. Hauth, Donald K. Kempff, Jonathan & Janet Matelich, George E. Ollinger, Skip & Deborah Rostad, Phil Fagiola, Robert W. & Diane Haydock, Constance T. Kennon, Aaron J. & Annika R. Maushardt, Jane E. Olsen, George S. & Ellen Vogelsang Roth, Jane R. Fanizzi, Fred & Maria Hazen, Judy Kidd, Barron Ulmer Mayrock, Isidore Ossorio, Jr., Frederic E. & Stacy M. Rubin, Robert E. & Judith O. Feldman, Kirsten Heaney, Dr. William & Vivian Kidd, Matthew & Sheena McComas, Parker & Ursula Oswood, Mark W. & Judith L. Rusmore, Barbara Feurring, Douglas R. Heminway, Jr., John H. & Kathryn Kiesling, Bob McCurdy, Brian Owen, David L. & Kathryn J. Ryan, William B. F. Fife, Doug Hendrickson, Scout King, Deborah Van Dyke McDermott, Edward T. & Emily Q. Packard, Julie Santa, John L. & Carol M. Fisher, Richard & Joanne Herman, Sidney N. & Margaret D. King, Jr., Donald A. & Janemarie McDowell, Gregory & Martha Paine, Jr., Peter S. Satterthwaite, Frank L. & Janet Fitzgerald, Paul Hess, Philip Kingsley, Anna-Lisa McGrail, Thomas Paoli, David R. & Monica Conrad Schachtner, John Flood, James C. Heyneman, Susan S. Klein, Cissy McIvor, William C. Parker, Paul W. & Anne P. Scharnberg, William Foster, Timothy E. & Ellen P. Hibbard, Chase Klein, Peter D. & Anne F. Ashbaugh McKeithen, Melissa Kay Patterson, Thomas A. & Kristi Schiff, Peter Fox, Jeff & Janet Highland, James A. Klockman, Jane D. McLane, Linda Harper & P. Andrews Patterson, William R. & Donna Schiltz, Donald & Sharon Fraise, George P. Hill, Gaye Knell, Charles A. & Marcia S. McLoughlin, Heidemarie Paul, Ronald N. Schmidt, Gregory M. Frazer, Eliza H. & Barry G. Hood Hoffman, Mark R. & Mary N. Knudsen, Kathy L. & David L. Genter Paulek, Mark & Jeanne Hamilton & Jennifer Lyman Frazer Lowe, Barbara Hohenlohe, Christian C. & Nora R. Knutson, Joanne McMahon, Thomas Peck, Charles & Yuryra Guzman Schmidt, Jr., Dr. Chester W. Freebury, Matt Holland, Noel J. & Yvonne Kress, Kenneth A. & Karen B. McManus, Jayne Flynn Perkins, David D. Schmidt, William B. Freeman, Jr., Lee A. Holliday, Joel & Rosanne Kuhn, Jr., Walter & Nancy McManus, Sandra J. & Nancy MacKinnon Scholz, Michael & Andrea Freeman, William H. Holton, Wendy L. Kulina, Thomas P. & Meri Stevens Meloy, Maile Petersen, Donald H. & T.K. Schulein, Dr. Mark & Elizabeth Joyce Hops, Larry W. Kurtz, Willis & Caroline Lupfer Melzer, Tyler Petersen, Gerald R. & Dr. Genevieve Reid Friend, Robert B. & Michelle & Collette I. Brooks-Hops La Seur, Carrie Merritt, John B. Peterson, Jess Schumacher, Robert J. & Chris M. Fuqua, Pamela A. & Mary C. Campbell Hudson, Bannus B. & Cecily K. Ladd, Roger & Cheryl Messina, James & Taya Cromley Pfeiffer, Steven B. Schurz, Franklin Galbreath, Lizanne Hurd, MD, Robert N. & Carol L. Lalani, Sal & Carol Meyer, Neil & Dixie & Kristin Reagan Pfeiffer Schutz, Jeffrey H. Galvin, Christopher B. & Cynthia B. Glenn Hutchins Family Landes, Paul H. Meyer, Stanley F. Phelps, Chris & Charlotte Caldwell Garlick, Lawrence & Pamela Hutchins, Judith Landewe, Rebecca Miller, Lin & Megan & Margaret Hollow-Phelps Scott, Tryg Garten, David B. & Anita W. Hutten, Jeff & Tamara Lang, Sr., Roger A. & Sue J. Milton, Maxwell Phillips, Leland H. & Sheila M. Seal, Christian G. Sam Gary, Jr. Family Inches, Jill & Robert Langlas, Steve Minton, Dwight C. Phinney, Ben & Barbara Searle, D. Gideon Gaulding, Rodger D. Iverson, Jerry & Linda Langone, Kenneth G. Mitchell, D. Brent & Kathryn L. Placek, David & Nelle Newton Seidel, Robert L. & Judith A. Gettelman, Michael & Barbara Ivy, Robert E. & Tabby Larsen, Lisa A. & Raymond Flaherty Mitchell, Douglas & Julie Ploder, Steven E. & Lisa A. Shaw, Dr. Alan H. Gillam, Con & Daphne Jackson, M. Roy & Gretchen S. Laszlo, Ann G. Montag, Jeffrey M. & Kim H. Poett III, Henry W. & Cynthia S. Shearer, Cindy Gingras, DMD, Paul & Sally Jackson, Micky W. Laszlo, Jr., Andrew & Paulette Montague, Chris Posewitz, James A. Sheffler, Kathleen Glenn, Erik Jackson, Nicholas Laszlo, Jeff Moorhouse, John & Priscilla Povich, Maurice R. & Connie Chung Shore, Stephen & Virginia Goeddel, David V. & Alena Z. James, Hamilton “Tony” & Amie Lauer, Patricia A. Morgan, Lance & Gloria Borger Proops, Jay D. & Mary K. Shortridge, Sally Goldberg, Frederick James, Layton B. & Linda M. Leander, Peter & Tana Morgens, Edwin & Linda Putnam, Donald B. Siderius, Charles E. & Carolyn Lakewold James, Pietro N. & Lynn A. Leaphart, William & Barbara Morrison, Betsy & Alexandra “Sandy” Siderius, Kenneth L. Goodfellow, Steve & Tamar Johnson, Gary J. Leavell, Charles S. Pete & Lindsey Moseley, Paul Quinn, Barbara (Jane) Siebel, Jr., Kenneth F. & Judy Goodwin, J. Barton & Elizabeth F. Johnson, Greg E. & Tracy Ledger, Mark T. & Ann A. Mott, Maryanne & Dr. William (Bill) Silverman, Paul & Constance M. Gordon, Richard & Cheryl Watkins Johnson, Leonard & Patricia Legg, William M. Munson, Garrett Rahr, David & Bridget Simonds, Edward T. & Margaret R. Gould, William Jones, Michael C. & Mary Frances Leivestad, Ole & Russlyn A. Musselman, Jeff Raible, Joe & Barbara Sisel, Karen W. Gray, Randall H. & Nora Flaherty-Gray Jones, Richard D. & Mary Siloti Leuschen, David M. Musser, Bill, Linda, Philip, & Lila Ramirez, Kelly & Marcus Pearson Skoglund, Matt Grusin, David & Nancy E. Newton Jones, Tom & Alvira Levitan, Matthew Mutascio, Paul & Jill Gotschalk Rasker, Jodi & Raymond Slaton, Bill & Ms. Kent Newton Guckenberg, David S. & June Jones, Tikker & Donna Levy, Paul Nassetta, Paul C. Rasmussen, Robert S. Smith, Carol Guggenheim, Mary Anne Jones, William P. & Deborah J. Lindbergh, Land M. Nehal, Dr. Kishwer S. Rauner, Bruce V. & Diana Mendley Smith, Farwell & Linda McMullen Guthrie, Carol W. Jovick, Robert L. & Stacey Lipsick, Joseph & Laurel & Dr. Adrian Fisher Reed, Glenn W. & Barbara W. Smith, Michael K. James M. Guyette Family Joys, David & Sandra Livezey, Dale & Amy Nelson, Davilyn L. Reed, Keith & Lisa Smith, Paul “Brud” Guynn, Peter C. & Caroline C. Judd, Robert H. & Kathryn L. Kelly Loeb, Jeffrey & Margaret Nicholson, Alan & Nancy Retzler, Christopher J. & Karen H. Smith, Robert E. Gwilliam, Scott L. & Jennifer B. Kachadurian, Gary & Margaret London, Mimi Nicholson, Steven L. Reynolds, Michael & Sara Stalnaker Smith, Troy & Joy Hall, C. Barrows & Eleanor L. Kaiser, Barrett L. & Kari Long, William & Billie Miller Norby, Scott R. & Heather N. Rice, Errol Snideman, Nancy Hall, Joanie & Robert Kalimian, Albert K. & Manda MacDowell, Rosalie A. Norton, Douglas L. & Linda C. Richards, S. F. & Bruce William Sollers III, Joseph Sedwick & Magge Hamburg, Scott & Anna Zon Kaufman, Kenneth & Barbara F. Mackay, Elise B. Nova, Dan & Annette Ringling, Rock & Bobbi Uecker Solomon, Peter & Susan

22 in memoriam

Sorensen, Jerald L. & Patti Tilt, Whitney & Sarah Welles, Jeff & Maud I. Spanjian, Kris & Ray Gilbertson Tingle, Gene A. Wellington, James F. Barrett, Laura Eppich, Thomas Hudson, Gary E. Teller, Anne Stabolepszy, Mike Townley, Amy Weyerhaeuser, Robert M. Braun, Arlene Guthrie, Carol Joyce, John J. Thom, Jean Stanley, Paul D. & Marolyn J. Townsend, Jerry Wheeler, Col. James S. & Jane Bucklin III, William N. Hamburg, Terry Koenig, Vonnie Thom, Leroy Steiner, Ernest & Anna Tureck, Judy & Hugo Wiese, Jessica L. Champion, Bob & Ruth Hart, Storey Krott, Pat Wellington, Julie Stephens, Ralph C. & Betsy W. Tyrell, Michael & Laura Wiley, T. & K. A. Danforth, Fred Hibbard, Emily Moe, Ellen Wellington, William Stevenson, Carol S. Uecker, Jodi Williams, Burton & Joan Dochnahl, John “Doc” Stonington Sisel, Dale F. Wempner, Mary Lou Stolp, Staci Uecker, Ted F. & Sheri Williams, Conrad “Duke” Eaves, Joanne E. Higgins, Frank Swan, George Stone, Alan Vail, Nita Wilson, John L. & Jan Stowe, John & Katharine Van Almelo, Justin Wilson, Kendall & Vickie Sumers, Gary Van Dyk, Christina Wilson III, Kendrick R. Swindlehurst, Joseph T. Vana, Jordan & Ann Jackson Syme, Kirk Vana, Judy Wilson, Penelope P. Tammany, Luann Vermillion, Dan Wilson, Suzanne Taylor III, William & Susie Vroon, Bryan Wimberly, J. David Taylor, Carson G. & Deborah Cooper Wallace, Michael Bruce & Lisa Calef Woodson, Martha Taylor, James H. & Valerie Anne Wallner, Fred & Mary Kay Wormley, Paul D. & Rosemary K. Taylor, Scott & Laura Hodges Ward, Jr., William F. & Deborah H. Wortman, Kirk y k

Teller, John Wayman, Karen & Thomas Gaa Wrinkle, Guy Curtis & Cynthia s f

Tempest, Jennifer Phelps Weaver, David L. Wycall, Ted o g o

Teson, Kathryn Webb, Carl B. & Elizabeth Yackel, John P. & Eleanor R. n o

Thomason, Rich & Sally Weissman, MD, Irving L. & Ann Zackheim, Hugh & Karen B

s

Thorell, Lennart M. & Carole C. Welch, Jeff & Kelly Niles Zaideman, Robert & Julie i x e

Thorson, Chris Wellenstein, Michael S. & Cori E. Zovickian, Stephen & Jan l A foundations, companie s, and organizations 1111 Foundation The Cinnabar Foundation The Folley Family Foundation J. C. Kennedy Foundation, Inc. Northwest Management, Inc. – Stony Point Foundation Acts 20:35 Fund Claiborn & Company, LLC – Geraldine C. & Emory M. Ford Knight Foundation, Inc. Gary Ellingson SW Montana Farm & Ranch Brokers Adirondack Foundation – Barbara & Stephen Claiborn Foundation Larsson Danforth Family NorthWestern Energy Swan River Valley Real Estate Paine Family Fund Liz Claiborne & Arthur Ortenberg Full Circle Farms Foundation Norwell Fund Sweetwater Travel Company AGL Foundation Foundation The Gabelli Foundation #2 The Andrew & Paulette Laszlo Odegaard Miller Law, PLLC – Swenson Family Fund Altman/Kazickas Foundation Clausen Law Group Gates of the Mountains Foundation Foundation Paul & Suzanne Odegaard Tapeats Fund Amazonsmile Foundation Clearwater Montana Properties, Inc. Gobbs Law, PLLC – Lechner & Stauffer, Inc. Hugh & Patricia O’Kane TBR Fund American Public Land The Coulter/Weeks Susan Gecho Gobbs Lewis & Clark Expeditions, Inc. Family Foundation Terra Western Associates Exchange Co., Inc. Charitable Foundation & Richard L. Gobbs Lewis & Clark Motels - Lisa Sebena Outlaw Partners John & Carry Thacher Family Fund Association of Gallatin Cromley Messina Foundation Granger Ranches, Lili Stiff Enterprises, LLC P & B River Guides, Inc. – The Leroy Thom, Jean Thom Agricultural Irrigators Custer Battlefield Preservation Limited Partnership Lillie’s Garden – Laurie Blue Pat & Brandy Straub and T-L Foundation, Inc. B Bar Ranch Committee Grey Rocks Foundation, Inc. Little-Kittinger Foundation Patagonia.com Tordik Wildlife Foundation Belgrade News Danhof Chevrolet, Inc. Gulch Distillers Lovett-Woodsum Foundation, Inc. PGN Foundation Judith A. Tsiang Charitable Fund Anne & Alex Bernhardt Foundation Davis Family Charitable Trust The Hall Family Fund Manhattan Bank Pleiades Foundation Watson Irrigation Bibler Resources Company Denbury Resources Helena Home Team McGuire Family Foundation The Pocket Foundation Matthew A. & Susan B. Weatherbie Big Sky Events, LLC Denbury Green PL-MT LLC Susan Scott Heyneman Foundation Meeks Charitable Trust Point of Rocks Ranch LLC Foundation Big Sky Resort Area District Gary W. Dietrich Family Foundation High Stakes Foundation Montague’s Jewelers, LLC Pond Family Foundation Trust James Wellington & Family Bigfork Development Corporation Driggers Foundation The Horn Foundation Montana State Employee RDO Equipment Co. Gift Fund BNSF Railway Foundation Dykstra Electric LLC David & Janyce Hoyt Fund Charitable Giving Real World Design Henry E. & Consuelo S. Wenger The Broadbent Family Eddy Foundation Huppert, Swindlehurst Moonlight Community Foundation Reed Family Foundation Foundation, Inc. Foundation, Inc. Edward Jones Investments – & Woodruff, PC Morgan Stanley Rocky Mountain Supply, Inc. Western Skies Strategies, Inc. Buckeye Fund of the Fairfield Jared Hauskins Jetco Properties Mountain West Farm Bureau Rolfing Family Fund at the Flathead The Wildwood Foundation County’s Community Foundation Fanwood Foundation Robert Wood Johnson Insurance – Ruey Barnett Community Foundation Willinphila Foundation Cadeau Foundation Feinberg Foundation 1962 Charitable Trust The Nalen Foundation – Ruby Habitat Foundation Woodson Ranch Care & Quality Spraying – First Cornerstone Foundation Robin & Ron Karp Peter A. Nalen & April LaMon The Schlinger Family Foundation Yellowstone Club Community John Huyser Five K Family Fund of the Chicago Philanthropic Fund National Fish and Sieben Live Stock Company Foundation CHS Mountain West Co-op Community Foundation Kelly Ranch Wildlife Foundation South Fork Montana, LLC Yellowstone Development, LLC Churchill Equipment Inc. Five Points Foundation The Kendeda Fund Northwest Farm Credit Services C. Stone Foundation

23 montana land reliance

Thanks to the continued support of its generous donors, The Montana Land Reliance (MLR) had another banner year in 2 01 9.

MLR’s operations continue to be amazingly efficient, with expenditures for the year running under budget. Revenues for the year exceeded expenditures again this year – as they have for the past 35 years – resulting in a gain of $736,591 in the General Fund.

MLR was able to make grants to the Montana Land Reliance Foundation (the Foundation) in the amount of $716,885 in 2019. These grants allow for continued growth in the corpus of the Foundation’s investment accounts.

2019 FINANCIAL REPORT

Income ...... $ 2,596,267

Expenses ...... $ 1,859,676

General Fund ...... $ 2,801,404

Accounts Receivable/Payable .. $ (200,681)

Land Acquisition Fund ...... $ 4,388,024

Total Assets ...... $6,988 ,747 as of 12-31-19

Tobacco Root Mountains

24 mlr foundation

The Montana Land Reliance Foundation* (the Investment earnings Foundation) was able to grow our investment portfolio (including changes in during 2019 and continue to provide support to market value) were The Montana Land Reliance (MLR). The Foundation $4,924,984 in 2019 – Board strives to manage the investments to ensure averaging a 19% return on compliance with the investment policies and to investments. The Foundation enhance our financial strength. The Board takes its received $716,885 from MLR and this along with the role as stewards of the Foundation’s investment investment value increases and earnings grew the net portfolio very seriously, and works with MLR assets from $24 million to over $29 million after management and Morgan Stanley to balance protecting reflecting grants to MLR and other expenses. the investment funds for the future, earning income to support MLR’s operations and growth. The Foundation Board members – Karen Kress, Doug Mitchell, Jerry Townsend, Phil Rostad, During 2019, the Foundation granted $293,024 Lee Freeman, and myself are honored to serve to MLR from the Land Protection Fund to support and oversee the investments of the Foundation stewardship and easement monitoring. Additionally, and provide funding for MLR’s conservation the Foundation granted $136,317 to MLR for efforts for many, many years to come. education and outreach and $20,000 for conservation activities. – Kim Montag, MLR Foundation President

2019 FINANCIAL REPORT

Land Protection Fund ...... $ 16,118,314 The corpus is available to defend and protect land already under easement; income is used for stewardship projects, monitoring of easements, and completing easements for donors who cannot cover these costs. Education & Outreach Fun d ...... $ 9,235,577 Income finances conservation education and outreach to landowners and the public. Conservation Fund ...... $ 2,467,789 A permanent, irrevocable endowment designed to accept gifts from individuals or direct gifts from corporations, partnerships, or estates.

m MLR General Operating Fund ...... $ 1,295,096 o c

. Account used for day-to-day operations of MLR. o t o h Traditions Fund ...... $ 53,016 p t r A permanent, irrevocable endowment designed to accept planned gifts from e b

e individuals or direct gifts from corporations, partnerships, or estates . h d .

w Foundation Operating Fund ...... $ 17,016 w Account used for day-to-day operations of the Foundation. w Total Assets ...... $ 29,186,808 as of 12-31-19

*a 509(a)(3) support organization to The Montana Land Reliance 25 ruby habitat foundation

The Ruby Habitat Foundation * is Much has changed in the valley since that time for food is an ancient dedicated to preserving and enhancing but agriculture continues to play a very important practice. Science and the natural resources and social and role in managing the natural resources. It provides technology have added economic makeup of the Ruby Valley open space and good habitat for the abundant an amazing amount of wildlife and contributes to the social fabric of this knowledge and expertise and southwestern Montana. rural Montana area. to basically harvesting sunlight. Our Heritage Apple Orchard project this The Ruby Valley has always been a remarkable area. Ruby Habitat Foundation (RHF) works to support year will be an attempt to preserve the 100 year old Sheltered behind a loop in the Continental Divide, agriculture and exhibit the importance of good genetics but will be irrigated with a very modern the Ruby drainage is protected from extreme winter stewardship by example on the Woodson Ranch. irrigation system, combining the old with the new. weather. Ol’ Man Winter still seems to sneak in on occasion and remind us he is not fooled by a A tour of the ranch is an experience that will long Agriculture in the Ruby Valley and southwest bend in a mountain range. The earliest mention of be remembered. The diverse projects that have Montana remains strong and is vital to preserving agriculture in the Ruby Valley that I know of is been developed over the years, from pollinators to our open spaces. But an understanding of Johnny Grant using the area to open range graze nesting areas, to wetlands to native grass stands, and management of our natural resources and good cattle and horses as early as 1850. much more, are all done in an ongoing agriculture stewardship of them is understandably not familiar setting. The growing of crops and rearing animals to many. Our science/education and general outreach visitors to the ranch were 41 percent of those who came to Woodson ranch in 2019. 2019 FINANCIAL REPORT 2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS This brings me much joy that we are reaching out in such a positive way. This would not be possible Income ...... $ 573,451 Group A – Montana Land Reliance without our many supporters. You are essential George Olsen partners in all that continues to happen at RHF. Expenses ...... $ 330,247 Rock Ringling, Vice-president I feel that together we are making a difference. Lois Delger-DeMars Thank you.

Rural Heritage ...... $ 96,120 Group B – Woodson Family & Open Lands Fund – Neil Barnosky, Ruby Habitat Foundation Martha Woodson, Secretary President Hill Education ...... $ 98,235 Robin Mitts, Treasurer & Outreach Endowment Leslie Vanderpool

Woodson Ranch Endowment .... $ 7,823,931 Lisa Matthews “Agriculture continues to play General Fund ...... $ 261,262 Group C – Ruby Valley Community Neil Barnosky, President a very important role in

Fixed Assets y Bruce Peterson k managing the natural resources. s Equipment & Improvements ... $ 678,804 f o

Steve Wood g Lan d ...... $ 7,273,175 It provides open space and o n o

Visitor Center Buildin g ...... $ 44,423 B Executive Director good habitat for the abundant s & Donated Art i x

Les Gilman e

wildlife and contributes l

A Total Assets ...... $16,275,950 Outreach Coordinator to the social fabric of this as of 12-31-19 Dave Delisi rural Montana area .”

* 26 a 509(a)(3) support organization to The Montana Land Reliance Ruby Valley directors, staff, & trustees Board of Directors, L to R: Shane Colton, board of directors Chris Montague, Caroline Kurtz, George Olsen Shane Colton Jerry Sorenson George Olsen, Rick President Attorney Retired Land Use Berg, Ken Wilson III, Retired CPA Billings, MT Planner Judy Tureck, Allen Helena, MT Kirsten Feldman (6/19) Bigfork, MT Bjergo, Jerry Phil Rostad Businesswoman Jerry Townsend n Townsend, Jerry o

Secretary-Treasurer Fishtail, MT / Rancher s d Rancher New York, NY Highwood, MT l Sorenson, David a

n Leuschen, Phil Rostad, White Sulphur Caroline Kurtz Judy Tureck o D

Dan Vermillion.

Springs, MT Writer/Editor Farmer/Rancher n

n Not pictured: Rick Berg Missoula, MT Coffee Creek, MT y Rancher David Leuschen Dan Vermillion L Kirsten Feldman Martinsdale, MT Businessman Business Owner Allen Bjergo Roscoe, MT/New York, NY Livingston, MT Agricultural Chris Montague Ken Wilson III council of trustees Consultant/Farmer Business Owner Businessman Corvallis, MT Billings, MT Emigrant, MT/ Richard Beattie William T. Hutton Paul Stanley Dr. Irving Weissman New York, NY Sr. Chairman, Simpson Professor Emeritus, Businessman Director, Stanford Thacher & Bartlett, LLP University of CA Hastings Gallatin Gateway, MT Institute for Stem Cell staff New York, NY College of the Law William Taylor III Biology & Regenerative William S. Broadbent Ennis, MT/ Partner, Medicine Matt Bell Christian Dietrich Mark Schiltz Retired Businessman Nevada City, CA Zuckerman/Spaeder/ Hamilton, MT/ GIS Coordinator/ General Counsel Western Manager Geyser, MT/Indian Hamilton E. “Tony” James Goldstein/Taylor/Kolker Palo Alto, CA Land Steward Brad Hansen Becky Stearns River Shores, FL President & Emigrant, MT/ Kirk Wortman Augusta “Gusty” Clarke Eastern Manager Bookkeeper Millard & Mina Cox Chief Operating Officer, Washington, DC Businessman (through 6/19) Kathryn Kelly Will Trimbath Ranchers The Blackstone Group Carl B. Webb Wilson, WY Development Manager Greater Yellowstone Lands Manager Absarokee, MT Twin Bridges, MT/ Banker Kim Cook Manager Kendall Van Dyk John S. Dale New York, NY Dallas, TX Administrative Rock Ringling Managing Director Retired Businessman David Joys Assistant Special Project Visionary Jordan Vana Ovando, MT/Waubay, SD Retired Vice Chairman Lois Delger-DeMars Tom Schemm Managing Director Mark F. Engebretson Heidrick & Struggles future montana committee Managing Director Digital Technician Jessie Wiese Downey Engebretson, Inc. Nye, MT/New York, NY Southwest Manager Minneapolis, MN Jim Messina Kori Anderson Barrett Kaiser Bob & Joanie Hall CEO, The Messina Group Corvallis, MT Billings, MT Business Persons Clyde Park, MT Freddy Avis Cole Mannix land stewards Livingston, MT/ Thomas Patterson Los Angeles, CA Helena, MT New York, NY General Partner, Nick Bucklin Brian McCurdy Terry Althaus Ron Hvizdak Brian Neilsen Sidney (Skip) Herman Madrone Capital Partners Mill Valley, CA Bozeman, MT Janet Bean-Dochnahl Jerry Iverson Dan Reinhart Managing Partner McLeod, MT/ Ben Christensen Jess Peterson Louise Bruce Skip Kowalski Jim Roscoe Bartlit Beck Herman Menlo Park, CA Bozeman, MT Custer, MT Don Carroll Gayleen Malone Erin Shanahan Plenchar & Scott, LLP D. Gideon Searle Gusty Clarke Kelly Ramirez Andrea Darling Tom Maxwell Denise Wade Big Timber, MT/ Managing Partner, Chicago, IL Bozeman, MT Pat Flanery John Moorhouse Tom Wittinger Chicago, IL The Serafin Group Cathey Hardin Becky Edwards Aeric Reilly Judy Hutchins Miami Beach, FL Bozeman, MT Great Falls, MT Landowner Peter Solomon Alex Ellis Errol Rice Heron, MT Chairman, Portland, OR Bozeman, MT 2019 Annual Report: Essay and award stories by Alexis Bonogofsk y. Peter J. Solomon Co. Jonathan Fisher Jon Selib Design by Real World Design. Printed by Advanced Litho Printing. New York, NY New York, NY New York, NY

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.

Because MLR is a non-profit Your gift goes directly to MLR’s work corporation, contributions made to with private landowners to protect MLR are tax-deductible. Planned gifts Montana’s open spaces and working are one way to make a meaningful landscapes. impact on MLR’s mission, but there are many ways that families, individuals, How to Give foundations, corporations, and • Cash contributions organizations can provide financial • Securities, land, vehicles, support for MLR’s conservation work. and other property

Stock gifts are welcome and MLR has Gift & Estate Planning a very good process in place through its • Bequests investment team at Morgan Stanley to • Gift annuities assist donors to ensure a smooth, well- • Charitable trusts documented transaction. • Life estate gifts • Life insurance policies As you plan your charitable giving, • Beneficiary designations MLR can assist you in helping • Retirement assets determine the most suitable option for your financial needs. Contact us MLR’s tax identification for more information. number is 81 - 0369262. y k s f o g o n o Staff can assist you in determining the most suitable option B s i

x for your financial needs. e l A Call us at 406-443-7027 or visit mtlandreliance.org Protecting Montana’s Open Landscapes y k s f o g o n o B

s i x e l A y e l l a e V g

a v n a a S

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helena office d

Post Office Box 355, Helena, Montana 59624-0355 • 406-443-7027 • [email protected] e w e

glacier/flathead office i v

Post Office Box 460 • Bigfork, Montana 59911-0460 • 406-837-2178 • [email protected] s n i a

greater yellowstone office t • • • n

Post Office Box 10843 Bozeman, Montana 59719-0843 406-579-5481 [email protected] u o

big sky office M

Post Office Box 161554 • Big Sky, Montana 59716-1554 • 406-594-1570 • [email protected] n o i s s i M

mtlandreliance.org : r e v o C