American Rivers, Center for Large Landscape Conservation discuss critical projects event will help fund
By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER
Editor’s note: Outlaw Partners, producer of Wildlands, is the publisher of Explore Big Sky.
American Rivers’ Northern Rockies Regional Director, Scott Bosse, is excited for Outlaw Partners’ Wildlands for two reasons—one, because American Rivers is one of the event’s partnering beneficiaries, but secondly, and on a personal level, to check headliner Dave Matthews off his music bucket list.
Dave Matthews will perform in the Big Sky Events Arena on Aug. 2, continuing the Wildlands tradition of bringing world-class acts to the 4,000-ticket venue in Big Sky. Lukas Nelson will open for Matthews as a part of a weekend-long effort to raise money for Center for Large Landscape Conservation and American Rivers, the event’s conservation nonprofit partners.
Both nonprofits support beloved wild spaces and waters close to home and across the country. American Rivers, a nationwide nonprofit, works to preserve and restore waterways, while the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, a Bozeman-based global nonprofit, focuses on connecting open spaces and ecosystems.
“We love Wildlands because it gives people a chance to experience world-class music in an amazing setting while supporting the conservation work that keeps this place so special,” Bosse said.
The marriage between live music and conservation that Bosse highlighted is at the core of the event’s ethos. Over the years, Wildlands has raised over $1 million for conservation organizations in Montana and across the U.S.
Josh Timon, chief operating officer of Outlaw Partners, highlighted the opportunity to give back to the land.
“Supporting organizations that emphasize connection to the land and environment through Wildlands each year is incredibly meaningful,” Timon said. “It’s a chance to align the joy of music with a deeper purpose—honoring and preserving the natural spaces that inspire us all.”
Bosse said that the funds that come from Wildlands will support two projects in the region.
“We plan to use the proceeds from this year’s Wildlands to win permanent legislative protections for the Gallatin and other iconic rivers in southwest Montana, and to help us launch a dam removal program in the Northern Rockies,” Bosse said. The projects, according to Bosse, align with AR’s urgent objectives: protect one million river miles and remove 30,000 dams, structures with costs that outweigh their benefit, Bosse said.
For the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, Wildlands funds will support wildlife crossing projects on nearby roadways U.S. Highway 191 in Gallatin Canyon, and U.S. Highway 89 in Paradise Valley. The organization works to reconnect fragmented ecosystems and habitat, and protect animal migration amidst busy roadways. Though sanctuaries like 2.2 million of Yellowstone National Park acres serve as refuge, wildlife exist and roam outside of designated spaces, CLLC explained in an email.
Deb Davidson, chief strategy officer for CLLC, noted that crossings are becoming more crucial.
“More people than ever are familiar with highway wildlife crossings but these are just one type of corridor that helps stitch back together habitat that has been fragmented,” Davidson said. “As Montana’s population grows, we need proven, science-driven solutions to conserve our rich wildlife heritage.”
Megan Paulson, co-founder and chief marketing officer at Outlaw Partners, noted that Wildlands began as a way to elevate Big Sky’s live music scene, while supporting nonprofits that protect beloved Montana places. She said Wildlands 2025 is a rare opportunity for music fans as it’s the first time Matthews has played publicly in Montana in over 30 years.
“I’m really proud of the caliber of artists we’ve been able to bring and the experience of Wildlands—Outlaw’s Wildlands event has a track record of artists like Foo Fighters, Brandi Carlile, Dierks Bentley, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Wyatt Flores, Lukas Nelson and many more on the roster,” Paulson said.
Timon finds that the small-town charm, surrounding natural beauty and small venue makes for a unique experience, melting two pursuits into one.
“Wildlands is more than a festival—it’s a celebration of harmony between art, people, and the planet.”
On Friday, the day before Dave Matthews sings his electric rock in the Big Sky Events Arena, Wildlands will hold community activities and fundraising dinner fit with more music, captivating films and inspirational speakers.
Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. online and a limited local and Warehouse Fan Club presale will run from Jan. 8 to 12. The Wildlands concert is expected to feature surprise collaborations with artists. In the coming months, a third opener will be announced to finish off the combination of Dave Matthews and Lukas Nelson music.
