By Kathryn Eklund and Tom Owen GUEST COLUMNISTS
With summer fast approaching, people are turning their attention to the mountains—planning hiking trips, reserving campsites, and dreaming about the meadows, streams and wildlife encounters that await them.
With the Madison and Gallatin ranges right outside our door, opportunities for summer adventures are endless. To safeguard these mountains and the joy they bring, the Gallatin Forest Partnership continues to build public support for permanent conservation—including recent outreach with Big Sky community leaders.
On May 8, the Gallatin Forest Partnership presented to the Big Sky Resort Area District, Madison County Commission, and Gallatin County Commission at their bi-annual joint meeting in Big Sky.
The GFP is a broad coalition of recreationists, sportsmen and conservationists who have worked together since 2016 on a shared vision for management of the Gallatin and Madison ranges. The GFP proposal has benefited from the active involvement of several longtime Big Sky community members, including Denise Wade, Tom Owen, the Nine Quarter Circle Ranch, and our dear friend, Steve Johnson, who we already miss.
The GFP proposal will permanently protect 250,000 acres in the Gallatin and Madison ranges, securing iconic wildlife and critical habitat, while also maintaining recreation access and preventing mining, new roads and other industrial development.
At the joint meeting, we shared an overview of our conservation vision and explained our upcoming shift to legislation, seeking congressionally designated protections. Following the presentation and public comment, the Madison and Gallatin county commissions both unanimously voted to sign a letter of support for the GFP’s legislation.
To all the Madison and Gallatin County Commissioners—thank you.
What we’re fighting for
Informed by the recently updated Custer Gallatin Forest Plan, the GFP proposal will permanently protect 250,000 acres in the Gallatin and Madison ranges, securing iconic wildlife and critical habitat, while also maintaining recreation access and preventing mining, new roads and other industrial development. The legislation would designate nearly 124,000 acres of new wilderness.
It will also create three unique designations totaling 126,000 acres to ensure commonsense management can take place. This includes continued access to the existing trail system for all user groups, and forest management near our watersheds and communities to protect public safety and drinking water.
In addition to the county commissioners’ vote, we are gratified by the show of support we received from the audience.
During public comment, Brad Niva with the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce described the GFP legislation as a “realistic solution” that supports the continued success of the Big Sky economy, which is closely linked to the health of our surrounding public lands.
Kevin Germain with the Big Sky Resort Area District said that although BSRAD does not have the authority to sign a letter of support, they look forward to helping “take this effort to Washington D.C.”
Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown supported the effort as well, explaining that by including people of varying backgrounds and viewpoints, the GFP’s collaborative process resulted in a centrist, “modern day” conservation effort and legislation that “meets the moment.”
In the Big Sky area, the GFP proposes several additions to the Lee Metcalf Wilderness by expanding the Taylor Hilgard wilderness unit and connecting the Spanish Peaks to Bear Trap Canyon. In the Gallatin Range, the GFP proposes the creation of a new designation—the Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wildlife and Recreation Management Area—to protect the high-quality wildlife habitat in the area by preventing timber harvest, mining, and road and trail building, while also ensuring that existing recreational access in the area continues.
Call to action
So, what’s next for this effort? We’re asking you to learn more and get engaged.
The Gallatin Forest Partnership is planning community events for June and July to gather supporters and celebrate the amazing landscape that we all love, further discuss our legislation, and provide steps for public involvement.
We hope you will join us for our upcoming event in Big Sky, which will take place on July 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gallatin Alpine Sports. If you can’t make the party, you can learn more by visiting our website at www.gallatinpartners.org.
And while you’re there, we hope you will add your support alongside the Madison and Gallatin Commissions by clicking the “Take Action” button.
Kathryn Eklund is a GFP member representing The Wilderness Society. Tom Owen is a GFP member representing Big Sky Mountain Bike Alliance.
