Few places capture the feeling of wide-open country quite like Montana. Here, grasslands roll towards distant horizons, the sky seems to stretch forever, and the landscape offers a sense of space that is increasingly rare. These sweeping vistas are why Montana is known as Big Sky Country, and keeping them intact is essential to preserving Montana’s character and way of life.
As we look toward the future, it’s important to remember that conservation is much more than protecting land and providing habitat for wildlife. It’s also about keeping alive the agricultural traditions that have shaped our state.
Since 1978, we’ve partnered with over 1,050 families to protect 1.5 million acres of land across the state. Each family plays a part in sustaining Montana’s agricultural heritage and open spaces, and the land we conserve today helps shape the Montana that is passed on to our kids, grandkids, and communities.
The benefits of these efforts extend well beyond a property’s boundaries. Whether taking in the view from a winding scenic highway, cycling on a quiet country road, or floating a Montana river, we all have the opportunity to experience the beauty of the state’s open landscapes.
B B & H Ranch, which was protected by a conservation easement earlier this year, is an excellent example of this. Located along the Powder River in Custer County, over 18,000 acres of native grasslands are now protected for generations to come. Cattle graze across the expansive landscape, while sage grouse rely on the critical habitat found on the ranch. In a region where large tracts of land are increasingly being carved up and sold, conserving the property helps keep the landscape intact and its agricultural future secure.
Once open landscapes like this are gone, restoring them is difficult, if not impossible. By conserving B B & H Ranch, the family has ensured that this land can continue to support cattle and wildlife while preserving the sweeping, uninterrupted horizons that define eastern Montana.
Keep It Montana by keeping our views vast and open.
