Wildlands Festival partners with actor Tom Skerritt, nonprofits for the largest river preservation event in history

BIG SKY–Outlaw Partners, in conjunction with actor Tom Skerritt, the EVRGRN Channel and Triple Squirrels Productions, is pleased to announce the largest event to ever be held in support of conserving the Gallatin River and rivers across the country. Wildlands Festival, the largest conservation-focused outdoor music festival in southwest Montana, will take place in Big Sky Aug. 5-6, 2023. The artist announcement and schedule of festival activities will be released on Feb. 21.

The event is a celebration for the 30th anniversary of the Academy Award-winning film, A River Runs Through It, and the 50th anniversary of American Rivers. It comes at a critical time for the Gallatin River, which is threatened by unprecedented development pressure along its length.

American Rivers believes that all life needs healthy rivers to survive. Earlier this year the national nonprofit river conservation organization announced the goal of protecting one million miles of rivers nationwide by 2030. Funds raised at the Wildlands Festival will help the organization work toward that goal and other vital efforts.

“We all need healthy rivers in our lives. Their clean water is essential to our health, and their habitats are critical for wildlife and the entire natural world. Now is the time to come together for their protection. We are honored to be a beneficiary of this event, and we are excited for the opportunity to celebrate rivers and inspire action in Montana and nationwide,” said Tom Kiernan, President and CEO of American Rivers.

The Wildlands Festival will also bring more attention to policies to help protect rivers including Senator Jon Tester’s Montana Headwaters Legacy Act, which would protect 385 miles of rivers on the Custer-Gallatin and the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forests. This federal legislation, which would double the number of protected river miles in Montana, is the most ambitious river protection bill in the state’s history.

The 2023 Wildlands Festival will feature an all-star lineup of musicians to raise awareness and help preserve America’s rivers, including the locally cherished Gallatin River, where many of the famous scenes from A River Runs Through It were filmed.

In addition to the live concert, Wildlands will offer unique memorabilia and fundraising opportunities to support American Rivers and Gallatin River Task Force—the two nonprofit partners chosen as beneficiaries of this year’s event.

“I’m honored to partner with Wildlands Festival and Outlaw Partners to have a voice and create an impact of care, concern and change for our rivers through music,” said Skerritt. Preserving America’s rivers is a life-long passion for Skerritt, who served on the board of American Rivers and continues to be a strong advocate for river conservation.

“The core ethos of Wildlands has always been to give back while creating an unforgettable music event celebrating wild and scenic spaces,” said Eric Ladd, Founder and Chairman of Outlaw Partners. “Tom’s passion for rivers and leaving an impact for future generations is commendable. We’re grateful to produce Wildlands Festival in support of rivers and the invaluable partners in our backyard.”

“The Task Force is thrilled to be included as a beneficiary in this year’s Wildlands Festival. The overwhelming support of this community to invest in our work and in the solutions for the Gallatin River is critical to our success,” said Kristin Gardner, Chief Executive and Science Officer of the Gallatin River Task Force. “The event provides tremendous potential to raise awareness about our community resource—and the means by which we must work to keep it thriving. We couldn’t be more grateful to have this public platform to elevate the importance of keeping the Gallatin healthy.”

Stay tuned to wildlandsfestival.com for updates.