Thousands rally in Helena for Montana public lands

January 30, 2017 by Laura Lundquist

If anyone doubts whether Montanans treasure public lands, they should have stood in the Capitol rotunda on Monday as more than 1,000 chanted the modern Montana mantra: "Keep public lands in public hands."

For the second Legislature in a row, conservation groups organized a public-lands rally to rattle the halls of the Legislature with the full-throat roar of those opposed to any bills furthering public-land transfer. And for the second Legislature in a row, Gov. Steve Bullock whipped the crowd into a fervor, shouting his tumbling words so those standing in the vaulted arches two floors above could hear. He once again vowed to veto any land transfer bills.

Bullock promotes public-land support, tourism

July 11, 2016 by Laura Lundquist

Montana’s largest economic driver – agriculture – has an entire state department dedicated to it. Now, Montana’s governor wants to add a new state office to promote part of the second largest: recreational tourism.

On Monday, in front an audience of about 40 sportsmen, outdoors enthusiasts and parents, Gov. Steve Bullock continued his statewide tour promoting the need for Montana to be more active in maintaining and improving public lands and public access. Not only does public land recreation contribute billions to the state economy but it makes Montanans happy.

International collective addresses Rocky Mountain successes, challenges

September 17, 2015 by Laura Lundquist

Home to diverse groups of people and wildlife, Montana's mountains must be conserved carefully. But the mountains don’t stop at the Canadian border, and one country's actions can affect the other. So a growing collective of conservation, industry, education and cultural leaders are working together to preserve the land and lifestyles on both sides of the border.

Now in its sixth year, the Roundtable On the Crown of the Continent met this week in Missoula, bringing together about 200 people who live and work in the northern Rocky Mountains to identify challenges and celebrate a few successes.