1. The Blackfoot Community Project

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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 ( ).

6. Blackfoot Watershed

7. 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.

9. 40% primarily large working ranches
60% public ownership
40% primarily large working ranches

10. 2,500 households
7 communities

11. Private agricultural lands primarily held in large ownership/ranches

12. 1,900 miles of perennial streams

13. 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.

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

15. Wetlands - glacial potholes and fens

16. Native trout - bull trout and westslope cutthroat

17. Upland - sagebrush/grasslands

18. Wetlands - Riverine Riparian

19. Threats

20. loved to death - overdone!

21. Increasing
recreational
use

22. past and potentially future mining

23. Inappropriate grazing practices

24. Inappropriate timber practices

25. Residential
development

26. water use & drought

27. Existing & ongoing conservation efforts:
the Blackfoot Challenge

28. 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

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

30. 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.

31. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. “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