The Blackfoot Community Project

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that the represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The mission of TNC is global and we have programs in all 50 states and 30 countries internationally

Proactive and non-confrontational How do we work? Science based Creative solutions Collaboration Local communities Proactive and non-confrontational Results driven

Montana 27 Years of Conservation Success First Conservation Easement in 1977 First Preserve in 1978 5,300 Members Over 450,000 acres protected through acquisition, conservation easements, and cooperative projects

Through our science-based planning -- organized by a broad geographic concept known as “Ecoregions” -- we have identified 11 priority landscapes for our work over the next five years (2003-2008).

Blackfoot Watershed

Blackfoot River Valley Pine, fir, larch, spruce and aspen forests Black and grizzly bears, elk, deer, mountain lion, lynx, etc. Glacial pothole wetland system 236 species of birds - breeding and migratory, including 18 spp. of special concern Native cutthroat and bull trout Southern end of “Crown of the Continent” and important link to the south and west In addition to our traditional work of land conservation, we are working with partners such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect and restore fish spawning areas.

40% primarily large working ranches 60% public ownership 40% primarily large working ranches

2,500 households 7 communities

Private agricultural lands primarily held in large ownership/ranches

1,900 miles of perennial streams

Important linkage zones from Crown of the Continent to the south east and west In addition to our traditional work of land conservation, we are working with partners such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect and restore fish spawning areas.

Grizzly bears The mission of TNC is global and we have programs in all 50 states and 30 countries internationally

Wetlands - glacial potholes and fens

Native trout - bull trout and westslope cutthroat

Upland - sagebrush/grasslands

Wetlands - Riverine Riparian

Threats

loved to death - overdone!

Increasing recreational use

past and potentially future mining

Inappropriate grazing practices

Inappropriate timber practices

Residential development

water use & drought

Existing & ongoing conservation efforts: the Blackfoot Challenge

Long successful history of collaboration its mission is to enhance, conserve and protect the natural resources and rural lifestyle of the Blackfoot River Valley for present and future generations

Made up of Blackfoot Valley landowners, public land managers and conservation organizations

Plum Creek lands, which lie in the belt between the valley bottom and the high country public lands, are tremendously valuable for wildlife and water quality.

Blackfoot Community Project: TNC will purchase 89,000 acres in two phases over 5 years from Plum Creek Timber Co. Based on community input and guidance from the Blackfoot Challenge, TNC will then re-sell to public and private buyers with safe- guards to protect biological and community values. Wildlife habitat, natural resource, public access, economic stability - ranching and sustainable timber

Public agency partners include: ·Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks · Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · U.S. Forest Service · Bureau of Land Management

Hank Goetz, Blackfoot Challenge “This project is about cooperation, passion for the land, passion for the lifestyle of the valley and real commitment to the future.” Hank Goetz, Blackfoot Challenge

“Our goal in purchasing these lands is to help the Blackfoot Challenge maintain the special character of the Blackfoot River Valley. The Blackfoot is one of the bright spots for local leadership; they’ve maintained the unique natural and cultural character of their valley over the last twenty-five years. Securing the future of these Plum Creek lands consistent with community values will be the capstone to this legacy.” Jamie Williams, Montana State Director, The Nature Conservancy