NORTHERN ROCKIES - The Trust for Public Land in Action: 2019

The Trust for Public Land in Action: 2019 C E L E B R AT I N G W HAT YO U M A D E P O S S I B L E IN THE NORTHERN ROCKIES AND BEYOND

A letter from our Northern Rockies leaders On February 26, 2019, we celebrated overwhelming bipartisan support to pass the Natural Resources Management Act, which permanently reauthorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

in access to the outdoors for all. Our goal is to protect the lands that serve as America’s outdoor playgrounds and places of inspiration. From the Pacific Crest Trail to the Stillwater State Forest and close-to-home trails at Bozeman’s brand new Story Mill Community Park, in the following pages you will learn about our recent successes in the Northern Rockies—a legacy that continues to grow thanks to the support of our generous donors and partners.

Established in 1964, LWCF is a great bargain for the American public: it takes revenues from offshore oil and gas drilling and funnels those dollars into protecting public lands across the country. It goes without saying that this was a very significant achievement and one that The Trust for Public Land has been pursuing for years.

Sincerely,

Fast forward to July 10, and we found ourselves gathered under towering pine trees on the edge of the Stillwater State Forest northwest of Whitefish, Montana. As vehicles towing campers, mountain bikes, kayaks, and freshly timbered logs passed us, we proudly commemorated the addition of 13,400 acres to the Stillwater State Forest, and capped a four-year effort and almost 100-year struggle to restore these lands to public ownership.

This trifecta illustrates the power of our collective efforts and The Trust for Public Land’s belief

Dick Dolan Northern Rockies Director TPL STAFF

A few months later on May 8, our colleagues from the Northern Rockies Advisory Board traveled to Washington, DC, to thank the Idaho and Montana delegations for their support, and encourage them to take the next step in the fight for full funding for LWCF. (Each year funding for the program— up to $900 million—must be voted upon by the federal government, and approved funding has unfortunately typically been less than half that.)

Ed Wetherbee Chair, Northern Rockies Advisory Board

Whitefish Watershed

Whitefish, MT

Grand opening of Story Mill Community Park On July 20, 2019, The Trust for Public Land and City of Bozeman celebrated the grand opening of Story Mill Community Park. Over seven years in the making, the 60-acre park is a true community effort with $4.5 million dedicated from the voterapproved Bozeman Parks and Trails bond measure and almost $12 million donated from more than 450 donors, design input from hundreds of community members, and partnerships with over 20 local nonprofit organizations.

Like the park itself, the grand opening celebration included something for everyone. Excited community members came out in droves to experience their new park and participate in fun-filled activities led by The Trust for Public Land’s partners, including a fun run, yoga on the lawn, kids’ climbing clinic, activities for pets at the park’s West Paw Dog Park, and walking tours highlighting the park’s rich history, features, and amenities.

Story Mill Community Park is the City of Bozeman’s largest park, featuring a community center, 3 to 4 miles of trails, a climbing boulder, an off-leash dog park, river access for fishing and play, open-air pavilions, a hillside amphitheater, a labyrinth, and an adventure playground. The award-winning nature sanctuary features 15 acres of wetlands, restored rivers, and abundant opportunities for viewing birds and wildlife.

The celebration continued into the evening when friends and neighbors gathered for the park’s dedication and a concert on the lawn featuring Nashville singer-songwriter and park advocate Holly Williams. It was a perfect way to conclude the first of many community celebrations at Story Mill Community Park!

STORY MILL COMMUNITY PARK CELEBRATION PHOTOS: BRUCE MULHBRADT

“Everyone deserves a great park, and they get one right here with Story Mill Community Park.�

Mitch Overton Parks and Recreation Director, Bozeman

JONATHAN CROSBY

A S T O R I A H O T S P R I N G S PA R K GROUNDBREAKING On March 23, 2019, The Trust for Public Land and Astoria Park Conservancy celebrated the success of the $6 million Astoria Hot Springs Park Campaign with a groundbreaking ceremony onsite at the park. Located 15 miles south of Jackson, Wyoming on the banks of the Snake River, the 100-acre Astoria Hot Springs Park is the vision of local leaders to provide a welcoming and affordable community gathering space for family, friends, and neighbors to relax, recreate, and connect.

Astoria Hot Springs Park groundbreaking Jackson, WY

Thanks to the generosity of more than 500 donors, park construction is currently underway to create hot springs pools, a new entrance facility, a children’s playground, a lawn, and amenities like a picnic shelter and snack shack.

The park is slated to open mid-2020, and you can follow the park’s progress via our live webcam at astoriahotspringspark.org.

To date, our Whitefish Watershed effort has protected almost 25,000 acres of timberlands that include the city’s water supply, ensuring the viability of commercial forestland, local forestry jobs, public access for outdoor recreation, and important habitat for fish and wildlife, including grizzly bears, Canada lynx, and westslope cutthroat trout.

Natalia Macker Teton County Commissioners Board Chair TPL STAFF

W H I T E F I S H W AT E R S H E D – S T I L LW AT E R C E L E B R AT I O N We celebrated another milestone for the Whitefish Watershed effort by completing the 13,400-acre Stillwater Forest Conservation Easement in fall 2018. In recognition of its significant ecological benefits, the project received the U.S. Forest Service’s prestigious Wings Across the Americas’ Habitat Conservation Partnership Award. On July 10, 2019, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Weyerhaeuser, the U.S. Forest Service and other partners joined us to unveil a new welcome kiosk as a outdoor recreationists drove by.

“This is about the balance of people, place, and wildlife that Teton County does so well. [Astoria Hot Springs Park will be] one of Teton County’s proudest moments for many, many years to come.”

stillwater celebration Whitefish, MT

Northern Rockies Advisory Board

Northern Rockies Staff

Ed Wetherbee, Chair Dick Harding, Vice Chair David Barclay Laura Brehm Larry Garlick Paul Hill Anne Ladd Beedee Ladd Christopher Lea Sue Orb Robert Stephens

Barbara Allen, Project Manager Chris Deming, Senior Project Manager Dick Dolan, Director Terra Kopf, Office Manager Anna Pappert, Philanthropy Coordinator Molly Pickall, Philanthropy Director Maddy Pope, Project Manager Catherine Schmidt, Project Associate

We are incredibly grateful for our volunteer leaders!

THE BOB FACTORY

L O O K I N G A H E A D… Kootenai Forestlands, Libby, MT: Our work to preseve the Kootenai Forestlands will secure permanent public access to hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Once protected, visitors will be able to explore the 22,275-acre working forestland in northwest Montana.

In addition to providing habitat for grizzly bear, Canada lynx, bull trout, and other fish and wildlife, the property is also an important watershed within the Crown of the Continent ecosystem.

Our work is made possible thanks to the generosity of individuals like you.

Our most pressing needs are for: • The Trust for Public Land—support our land-forpeople mission with an unrestricted gift • The Northern Rockies program—make a gift to our work in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming • Dedicate your gift towards any of the projects that are featured in this report

Thank you!

BRUCE MULHBRADT

Thank you

for supporting our land-for-people mission in the Northern Rockies and beyond.

We couldn’t do it without you.

Join us.

The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.

tpl.org

Dick Dolan Northern Rockies Director 406.582.6246 | dick.dolan@tpl.org Molly Pickall Northern Rockies Philanthropy Director 406.582.6243 | molly.pickall@tpl.org 1007 E. Main Street, Suite 300 Bozeman, MT 59715

COVER: TOP LEFT, CHRISTOPHER BOYER; TOP RIGHT, DAVID STUBBS; MIDDLE AND BOTTOM ROW, BRUCE MULHBRADT.