State of Montana Newsroom
Governor Gianforte Leads Land Board Approval for Second Phase of Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement
86,000-acre easement protects recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the Montana Land Board approved the second phase of the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement to support timber production, protect wildlife habitat, and expand public access in northwest Montana. The Land Board approved the 53,000-acre conservation easement as the second phase of the project totaling 85,792 acres of important timberland and fish and wildlife habitat.
“Protecting and increasing public access remains our top priority,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This project does just that while preserving wildlife habitat while ensuring the timber industry remains a critical part of Montana's economy. This easement builds confidence for further investment in Montana.”
“This is conservation the Montana way — practical, voluntary, and rooted in stewardship. It balances private ownership with public good, ensuring that the land continues to work, provide, and inspire,” Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Christy Clark said. “This is the type of project folks in Northwest Montana expect from FWP to maintain their way of living.”
Montana Great Outdoors Phase 2 is in the Cabinet Mountains between Kalispell and Libby
The easement is located in the Salish and Cabinet mountains between Kalispell and Libby. The easement will protect important wildlife habitat and key landscape connectivity and provide permanent public recreation access. The easement will be held by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
The first phase of the project was finalized earlier this year and approved by Governor Gianforte as chair of the Montana Land Board. In February, FWP published their environmental assessment of Montana Great Outdoors Phase 2 and opened public participation, receiving 70 comments of support for the project including commissioners from Flathead, Lincoln, and Sanders counties along with Sen. Mike Cuffe, R-Eureka, the Montana Logging Association, Montana Outfitters & Guides Association, Montana Wood Products Association, FH Stoltze Land & Lumber Company, and Stimson Lumber.
“I am proud and honored to protect the Montana way of life by ensuring public access is maintained for hunters, anglers, hikers, runners, and every Montanan looking to enjoy our beautiful state,” said Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen. "I've also heard from our professionals in the timber and mining industries, and I'm proud to bring their voices to the table to find Montana solutions that benefit our great state. I will always support Montana's identity as the Treasure State and its reputation as the Last Best Place."
“Today, I voted to secure 53,000 acres of pristine forest for future generations,” Montana State Superintendent Susie Hedalen said. “The Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement strikes a responsible balance, allowing sustainable logging to continue, generating revenue for our schools, and keeping these lands open for hunting, fishing, and recreation.”
“As a proud member of Montana’s Land Board, I’m honored to vote for this conservation agreement with Green Diamond,” Commissioner James Brown said. “This project balances the responsible management of working forests with long-term public access and habitat protection. For generations to come, Montana families, hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts will be able to continue using these lands, knowing they’ll never be lost to private development. It’s a win for public access, a win for our economy, and a win for Montana’s way of life.”
Between the two phases, the project will total nearly 86,000 acres of private timberland owned by Green Diamond Resource Company. On the easement, forest management and sustainable timber harvest would continue while protecting a vital migration corridor and year-round habitat for wildlife, and ensuring continued public access for hunters and anglers.
“I want to thank Governor Gianforte, Lieutenant Governor Juras, and the Montana Land Board for their leadership in advancing Phase 2 of the Montana Great Outdoors Project,” said David Weinstein, Northern Rockies Program Director of the Trust for Public Land. “Their commitment ensures that more Montanans – from anglers and hunters to hikers – can enjoy the outdoors while strengthening the working lands that define our state.”
“We are excited about the Land Board vote today and the message it sends that the State of Montana is committed to the long-term sustainability of the forest products sector,” said Jason Callahan, Green Diamond Resource Company Policy & Communications Manager. “The Land Board also ensured that generations of Montanans will enjoy access to the largest remaining intact block of privately held forest land left in the state. We look forward to being the stewards of this land and providing the multitude of benefits that long-term sustainable forest management provides to the communities of northwest Montana.”
Funding for the project includes FWP’s Habitat Montana program, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust, the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program, and a donation of a portion of the land value from Green Diamond Resource Company.
More information on the proposal can be viewed here.
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