The Greater Yellowstone Conservation and Recreation Act is a community-driven piece of legislation that will designate new wilderness, protect unprotected wildlands, and preserve existing recreation while ensuring it doesn’t overextend into wild areas in a rapidly growing corner of Montana. To simplify the act’s complexities, we’ve broken down the key details.

We are so excited to welcome Mountain Mamas to the Gallatin Forest Partnership! Mountain Mamas will be represented by Erin Benedict, Montana state director, in the partnership. Learn more about Erin, Mountain Mamas, and their desire to protect the Madison and Gallatin ranges for future generations.

The clock is ticking. The Greater Yellowstone Conservation and Recreation Act is our best chance to secure the future of these wild lands. This legislation is the result of over a decade of hard work, negotiation, and compromise. It’s not just a plan; it’s a consensus forged by conservationists, business owners, mountain bikers, outfitters, hunters, anglers, and community members who understand how to build a thriving future for everyone in a rapidly changing area.

This summer, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition Director of Conservation Craig Benjamin had the chance to develop a connection and relationship with the Gallatin Range by running the Gallatin Crest Trail. One big day in the mountains later, he ended his adventure exhausted, exhilarated, and inspired to once-and-for-all conserve this special place.

The Greater Yellowstone Conservation and Recreation Act will protect critical habitat for a wide range of species along with ensuring the outdoor recreation activities people enjoy today are maintained, without tipping the balance away from wilderness and wildlife. It builds off the conservation efforts of previous generations, considers new challenges such as climate change and unprecedented growth, and respects the needs of the wildlife and humans who call this corner of Montana home.

It’s no secret that Bozeman, Livingston, and Big Sky are growing rapidly. Our backyard mountains — the Madison and Gallatin ranges — feel the pressures of this growth as more people explore deeper into the backcountry on foot, horse, or bike. More importantly, these mountains provide clean drinking water, important habitat for species from grizzly bears to elk, fresh air, adventure, and solace surrounded by wild nature. That’s why we joined with other members of the Gallatin Forest Partnership to unveil proposed legislation to permanently protect our backyard mountains so they stay wild and healthy as they are today.

Southwest Montana’s Madison and Gallatin mountain ranges are some of the wildest places left in the continental United States. These wild lands are beloved by those who live here and those who visit, and they are under threat. That’s why the Gallatin Forest Partnership has developed a realistic solution to permanently protect 250,000 acres of public land in the Madison and Gallatin ranges. The Gallatin Forest Partnership has now unveiled the community-driven Greater Yellowstone Conservation and Recreation Act.

Join the Gallatin Forest Partnership at our Wild Backyard Bash events to hear about our proposed legislation that will permanently protect 250,000 acres across the Madison and Gallatin ranges!