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The Nature Conservancy Strikes Historic Land Deal To Help Protect 41,000 Acres of Critical Forest Area in Montana

Sale Is the Among the Largest Private Conservation Deals in Montana, and Among the Biggest in Nature Conservancy History

Ovando, MT—October 10, 2003—Marking one of the largest private land conservation deals in Montana history, The Nature Conservancy and the Blackfoot Challenge today announced an agreement to purchase nearly 41,000 acres of forested land in the Blackfoot River Valley for upwards of  $30 million.

The Conservancy will purchase the land from the Plum Creek Timber Company, and will re-sell it to area private and public owners. The Blackfoot Challenge, a local landowner group, has led a community-wide planning effort to guide the re-sale and management of these lands.

The goal of the project is to manage the land to preserve wildlife habitat, local land-use traditions and public access. The sale will include safeguards to protect the biological and community values of the land.

“Through the partnership of local landowners, community leaders, Plum Creek and The Nature Conservancy, this valley will remain unfragmented and in its wild and natural state,” said Steve McCormick, president of The Nature Conservancy. “We are proud to be a part of this project that helps the Blackfoot Challenge in their efforts to maintain the special character of the Blackfoot River Valley and its outstanding wildlife habitat.”

As part of the deal, The Nature Conservancy also has the option to purchase nearly 48,000 additional acres in the area over the next three years. The total project, which could include almost 89,000 acres of land in the upper Blackfoot watershed, is one of the largest projects in the Conservancy’s 52-year history.

The Blackfoot River Valley – which served as the inspiration for the book and movie “A River Runs Through It” – is one of the most intact landscapes in Montana. Among the wildlife that depends on the Valley are grizzly bear, gray wolf, Canada lynx, elk and bull trout.

Nearly 236 bird species are present in the Valley, including 18 species listed by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks as species of special concern.

“I've supported this purchase from its beginning because giving Montana the power to decide its own economic future is really what the federal government is about," said U.S. Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT).  "There is nothing more important to me than maintaining the integrity of our lands in the eyes of those who live, work and play on it."

“I applaud the cooperative effort that was required for this project,” said Montana’s Gov. Judy Martz. “It has taken extensive commitment by all those involved and their commitment to the land, the community and the people of this area will be rewarded for generations to come.”

While many areas around Montana are becoming urbanized, the Blackfoot River Valley continues its traditional rural lifestyle of ranching, farming and forestry, which is integral to the local economy and cultural heritage of valley residents.

Purchase of the nearly 41,000 acres of Plum Creek land is expected to be finalized in 2004. The Conservancy and the Blackfoot Challenge expect to raise significant private and public funds to carry out this project in order to maximize community and conservation benefits.

Once the deal is finalized, Plum Creek will continue to own and manage approximately 194,000 acres of land in the Blackfoot area.

“This project is about cooperation, passion for the land, passion for the lifestyle of the valley, and a real commitment to the future,” said Hank Goetz, a member of the Blackfoot Challenge. “I think Plum Creek realized that they could contribute to the valley and the citizens if they worked with the Blackfoot Challenge and The Nature Conservancy. This will enable us to maintain the landscapes, maintain these rural lifestyles and values that people hold here in the Valley.”

“Important projects like the Blackfoot Community Project are great examples of what we can accomplish when we work together to protect Montana's resources for our children and our grandchildren," said U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT).

The Nature Conservancy has worked with Plum Creek and other corporate forest owners in other states across the country to protect some of the most ecologically-important parcels of land.