Trust for Public Land in the Northern Rockies - 2024

Northern Rockies

YOU HELPED US ACCOMPLISH SO MUCH IN 2024, AND THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO COME!

Connecting Everyone to the Outdoors in the Northern Rockies!

It has been an exciting year at Trust for Public Land, and we are so pleased to be able to share the successes you helped make possible in the Northern Rockies.

We recently reached the extraordinary milestone of protecting 1 million acres of open space through the Forest Legacy and Montana Great Outdoors initiatives in western Montana and northern Idaho. In partnership with timber companies, private landowners, and state and federal agencies, these projects preserve critical habitat and migration corridors for wildlife and enhance natural climate solutions while continuing to deliver on our mission of providing access to the outdoors for all.

Additionally, we launched our Yellowstone Heritage Trail (YHT) initiative, which envisions a 56-mile trail corridor extending from Livingston to Gardiner, Montana

along an abandoned railroad. The YHT will connect to the larger Great American Rail-Trail, proving benefits to local communities as well as expanding recreational opportunities throughout the Paradise Valley leading into Yellowstone National Park.

This year has also seen changes across TPL, including welcoming our new President and CEO, Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser, who replaces Diane Rigas at the helm.

Carrie brings a wealth of experience in public policy, philanthropy, the outdoor industry, and community engagement, making her an ideal leader for TPL’s next chapter. Most recently, she served as President and CEO of Colorado Mountain College. She has served on numerous boards, including the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, Great Outdoors Colorado, and American Rivers. Carrie’s leadership will be instrumental as we amplify our efforts to expand outdoor access through equity, health, climate, and community commitments.

As TPL looks to the future, we remain committed to our vision of a world where every person can connect with the outdoors. We sincerely appreciate your steadfast support of TPL. Thank you for partnering with us on this journey.

Dick Dolan Associate Vice President Northern Rockies Director

PHOTO BY BR ANDON McMAHON

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Chris Glick Mountain West Region Director of Philanthropy

THRIVING COMMUNITIES

The Yellowstone Heritage Trail deeper connection between the community and the land. Interpretive signs and historic markers will bring stories from the past to life, from Theodore Roosevelt laying the cornerstone of the Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner, Montana—marking the official opening of Yellowstone National Park—to important Indigenous sites such as natural “buffalo jumps” used to cull herds supporting native communities throughout history. This rich historical tapestry will offer trail-trekkers glimpses into the region’s past and its evolution over time.

Coast to Coast: From Three to 3,700 Miles PHOTO BY LUCAS CAIN/ TPL STAFF

In the rural town of Emigrant, Montana, which lacks connection to parks and trails in addition to pedestrian sidewalks, it is not uncommon to see a parent pushing a stroller down the highway. TPL’s recent acquisition—and conveyance to Park County—of a pivotal three-mile stretch of old railbed in Emigrant not only provides the town with its very first official park and trail, but also represents an extraordinary milestone in our efforts to develop the Yellowstone Heritage Trail (YHT).

The recently acquired three-mile trail segment will serve as a critical anchor for the YHT, an ambitious TPL endeavor that aims to establish a 56-mile trail linking Gardiner to Livingston, providing numerous benefits for local communities and the millions of visitors who traverse this corridor to visit Yellowstone National Park every year. Stretching through the heart of Paradise Valley, the YHT promises to expand outdoor recreation opportunities for locals and visitors alike who are drawn to the allure of the landscape’s natural grandeur. The trail will draw hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders to the valley, resulting in economic growth.

Culturally, the trail is a living narrative, highlighting the Native American history of the area while fostering a 4 |

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The new three-mile section of trail in Emigrant, Montana, as well as all 56 miles of the YHT, will contribute to the 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail, a national initiative led by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy which aims to stitch together diverse trail segments and old railroad corridors into an expansive route stretching across America, from Washington State to Washington, D.C. The Rail-Trail is projected to increase visitor spending by $16 million, create 200 jobs, and generate $7 million in income in Montana alone.

The YHT will enrich the Rail-Trail by connecting one of its most picturesque segments—the Paradise Valley— and inviting outdoor enthusiasts to experience the unparalleled beauty of Montana’s landscapes. By becoming a pivotal link in this extensive chain, the YHT embodies TPL’s vision of connecting urban and rural America through the universal language of trails.

HOW YOU CAN HELP The Yellowstone Heritage Trail is a visionary project that will require both public and private funding to complete. Your support is critical to making this vision a reality. Please give today and make a difference in the lives of Montana residents.

Foy’s to Blacktail Community Forest Kalispell, Montana and the Flathead region have witnessed rapid population growth in recent years as new residents are drawn to the natural beauty and quality of life in this part of Montana. The opportunity to secure and conserve nearby open space and trails is at risk of evaporating as development encroaches on these pristine landscapes. Which is why TPL has partnered with local nonprofits Foy’s to Blacktail Trails and the Flathead Land Trust to protect 1,100 acres of working forest adjacent to Flathead County’s Herron Park and establish Foy’s to Blacktail Community Forest, expanding opportunities for publicly accessible outdoor recreation—as well as safeguarding critical wildlife habitat and increasing climate resilience—for generations to come.

Community forests are special lands that are managed by the community and for the community. This approach ensures that the community is deeply involved in ongoing stewardship, inspiring a profound personal connection to the land and strengthening the community’s commitment to its ongoing maintenance and permanent protection. Foy’s to Blacktail Community Forest is an exciting extension of an already beloved recreational area. Herron Park has long been a focal point for outdoor enthusiasts, offering diverse trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

With the addition of these 1,100 protected acres, the opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with the natural environment expand significantly.

SPLASH PAD COMING TO STORY MILL COMMUNITY PARK! Story Mill Community Park in Bozeman, Montana includes beautiful trails, a climbing boulder, an adventure playground with a tree house, a one-acre dog run, a picnic pavilion, and a hillside amphitheater. Now, Story Mill will soon be an even more inviting and refreshing outdoor oasis with the addition of a new splash pad.

This exciting new feature will provide a vibrant space for children and families to cool off while enjoying the park on hot days. We are so grateful for your support, without which we would not have been able to realize this vision. Together, we are building not just a park, but a legacy of joy, community, and connection.

PHOTO BY TPL STAFF

The community forest’s stewardship plan will carefully consider ecological impacts, incorporating sustainable forest management and water resource protection practices. Conservation efforts will ensure that the land remains a sanctuary for local wildlife and all who will venture to this community forest for outdoor exploration, education, and inspiration.

The Foy’s to Blacktail Community Forest stands as a model of community-centered conservation, serving as a communal backyard where the therapeutic and recreational benefits of nature can be enjoyed by all in perpetuity.

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Transforming Tribal Schoolyards MAKE A DIFFERENCE Tribal schoolyards include much more than standard play equipment—schools are seeking culturally significant structures like event tipis; longhouse classrooms; woven sunshades crafted

by Indigenous artists; restored meadows; and places for students to dig, plant, and create outside. Make a gift and join us in building the Coeur D’Alene Tribal Schoolyard!

PHOTO BY TPL STAFF

For 28 years, TPL has led more schoolyard renovations than any other organization in the nation, creating vibrant, inclusive green spaces in the Northern Rockies and beyond where students and neighbors can come together to play, socialize, exercise, and learn. Barren, dilapidated schoolyards with few to no amenities are unfortunately common to Indigenous communities on Tribal lands, which have struggled with unemployment and poverty, and have been historically overlooked and underfunded. Challenges ranging from a lack of proper facilities to a lack of funding to create those facilities parallel a history marked by marginalization and cultural erosion.

In partnership with the Bureau of Indian Education, TPL has launched the Tribal Community Schoolyards Pilot program, which aims to transform schoolyards on Tribal lands across the country, converting neglected recreation areas into safe, inviting, culturally relevant green spaces that redress disparities in education, health, and representation. This groundbreaking effort is a natural evolution of more than two decades of partnership between TPL and over 70 Tribes and Native groups to protect Tribal homelands and culturally significant sites.

These pilot transformations will not only nurture Tribal and Indigenous communities, but also demonstrate an equitable model for renewing Tribal schools nationwide, 6 |

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serving as a blueprint that will inform and inspire countless future schoolyard renovations. By engaging the community and elevating their voices, we ensure that each project advances local needs, priorities, and aspirations. As we explore the possibilities of TPL’s Tribal and Indigenous Lands initiative in conjunction with our Community Schoolyards efforts, we will continue investing in promoting equitable access to the outdoors for students and their communities on Tribal lands, bolstering outdoor learning and health while celebrating cultural identity, and helping to build vibrant futures while honoring the legacies of the past.

Reimagining the Coeur D’Alene Tribal School Yard One of the nine pilot program schools—chosen through a data-driven process that prioritized locations on their potential to bolster health, education, and environmental justice—is Coeur D’Alene Tribal School in De Smet, Idaho.

Playing an active role in the planning process, the Coeur D’Alene Tribe, students, and school leadership contributed to a concept design which envisioned community gardens with a greenhouse and nursery; an outdoor classroom; canoes and tipis; murals; a meadow restoration; and cultural activities, demonstrations, and celebrations. Once complete, the Coeur D’Alene’s Tribal School’s 116 students will be able to play, learn, and grow within a lush green space that instills them with a sense of pride, pays tribute to their cultural heritage, is tailored to their needs, and which they can truly call their own.

LOST TRAIL

A Partnership in Preservation Beneath the expansive skies of northwest Montana lies the Lost Trail Conservation Area (LTCA), 13,403 acres of which will now be permanently protected thanks to TPL’s combined efforts with the Green Diamond Resource Company (GDRC), an invaluable ally whose commitment to conserving forestland in perpetuity mirrors our own.

A timberland management company with a focus on sustainable forestry, GDRC brought to our partnership an intricate understanding of the land’s ecological and economic benefits.

At the core of our collaboration with GDRC—Montana’s largest private forestland owner—is the shared belief that land conservation and thoughtful stewardship significantly benefit both ecological sustainability and community resilience. The LTCA’s rich tapestry of forests, meadows, and waterways support a sanctuary where native plant and animal species such as spruce trees and white-tailed deer can thrive undisturbed by the ever-encroaching pressures of housing and urban development. Beyond safeguarding nature, this project also secures outdoor recreational opportunities important to Montana residents—from hiking, hunting, and fishing to birdwatching and wildlife photography.

GDRC will continue to manage the land going forward, guided by their commitment to responsible forest stewardship and sustainable land management practices. TPL’s partnership with GDRC serves as a powerful

model for future collaborative conservation efforts in Montana and beyond, underscoring the need for diverse perspectives and shared values in tackling environmental challenges. By uniting the strengths of nonprofit organizations and private companies, impactful conservation goals can be realized. There is no limit to what can be achieved through collaborative spirit and a shared vision for a sustainable future.

Stewardship and Community are two of the core values that guide Green Diamond’s business. They are also two values inherent in working forest conservation projects. Private timberlands are under the threat of conversion nationally, but no more so than in Montana. The best outcome for us is that our values are given life and played out on the forest floor. Working forest conservation easements ensure that the forests remain forests and continue to provide critical ecological and communal benefits.”

— Jason Callahan, GRDC Policy and Communications Manager PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BOYER/ KESTREL AERIAL

1 MILLION NORTHERN ROCKIES ACRES PROTECTED We are thrilled to announce that TPL has recently reached a remarkable milestone achievement with the help of partner organizations, local government, and— most importantly—your support. Together, we’ve ensured that over 1 million acres of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming’s aweinspiring landscapes will be enjoyed and protected by countless future generations.

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THANK YOU for helping improve the health, equity, and climate outcomes for communities in the Northern Rockies and beyond.

NORTHERN ROCKIES ADVISORY BOARD MONTANA

IDAHO

WYOMING Christopher Lea

David Barclay, Co-Chair †

Robert Stephens

Sue Orb, Co-Chair †

Larry Garlick

Ed Wetherbee

Paul Hill

Dick Harding

Blake Wetherbee

Page Pedde

Dick Dolan Associate Vice President Northern Rockies Director dick.dolan@tpl.org

Join us Help ensure everyone has access to the outdoors. Every park we create, schoolyard we transform, trail we extend, and landscape we protect is thanks to supporters like you. tpl.org/donate

Chris Glick Mountain West Region Director of Philanthropy chris.glick@tpl.org 1007 East Main Street, Suite 300 Bozeman, MT 59715 montana@tpl.org 406.522.7450

COVER PHOTOS BY, TOP AND MIDDLE: HEREMONTANA; RIGHT: BR ANDON MCMAHON; L ARGE: ERIC KOT TERMANN; THIS PAGE: TPL STAFF