Future West

05/21/2022

Sneak preview of some exciting news coming out next week. Future West Program Manager Dr. Hannah Jaicks recently published her book (years in the making): The Atlas of Conflict Reduction: A Montana Field-Guide to Sharing Ranching Landscapes with Wildlife. Information on how to purchase the audiobook (narrated by her and produced by Auideo), hardcover, ebook, and the waitlist for the forthcoming paperback will be out next week. In the interim, check out this interview from Hannah’s recent appearance on the Auideo Radio Show, where she talks with Cole and Cevan about the project and what she hopes it will accomplish. More details to come!

Dr. Hannah F Jaicks - graduate of environmental psychology, published author and accomplished narrator of The Atlas of Conflict Reduction: A Montana Field Guide to Sharing Ranching Landscapes with Wildlife, stopped by the show to discuss the release of her book. Available now!

05/20/2022

Excellent article by Mountain Journal, which cites Future West Associate Brent Brock and Former Executive Director Dennis Glick:

Past research shows bears are sensitive to small amounts of habitat intrusion by recreation and development. But what’s the impact now as both of those go boom?

04/21/2022

Future West is delighted to announce that registration is open for our capacity-building workshop on collaborative communications and fundraising. We are hosting this workshop in partnership with MWCC - Montana Watershed Coordination Council on May 19th. Watershed groups, conservation districts, Tribal government agencies, and municipal governments are invited to attend. The workshop will focus on increasing the sustainability and impact of our work through stronger relationships and collaborative fundraising solutions to achieve local conservation goals. Look forward to having you join us! Please email [email protected] with any questions.

The workshop will focus on increasing the sustainability and impact of our work through stronger relationships and collaborative fundraising solutions to achieve local conservation goals. This workshop will address the following questions: 1) How do natural resource professionals and watershed leade...

04/05/2022

Join us!

03/23/2022

Working ranchlands play an outsized role in ecosystem stewardship. If working ranchlands were to be developed into subdivisions or converted to non-ranching uses, the Northern Rockies would lose 41% of remaining grass and shrub habitat. In Montana alone, this would impact 83% of elk winter range, and 12% of Grizzly Bear habitat in the Lower 48 would be gone - with the remainder fragmented by lost habitat connectivity between mountain ranges. A whopping 58% of lowland riparian habitat is on private land and is therefore subject to loss. If working ranches go away, then the wildlife that characterizes the Northern Rockies will go away as well.

Here’s the rub: working ranches provide millions of acres of prime wildlife habitat, but their existence hangs by a thread. Low commodity prices and rising costs make it difficult for ranches to stay viable. For some ranchers, losses of forage or livestock to wildlife can make these challenges overwhelming.

Future West wants to change that. With a generous grant from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Future West is launching the “No Net Loss” of working ranchlands program. The No Net Loss program would provide financial compensation for protection of wildlife habitat on working lands. By providing compensation, we can reduce the burden of wildlife habitat preservation that is disproportionately placed on working ranches.


Future West is working with ranchers and conservationists to compensate ranchers for protecting ecosystem functions on working lands. Funding for the program is envisioned to come from public, private, and philanthropic investment.

We look forward to sharing the progress of the No Net Loss program with you. For questions, please contact Future West Program Manager Hannah Jaicks. Special thanks to the Centennial Valley Association, the Ruby Valley Strategic Alliance, and Laurie Hedges. A hearty thanks also for the generosity of the Harder Foundation, the Volgenau Foundation, and the Weeden Foundation for supporting the film "Working Lands: a Story of Bears and Ranching," which offers an up-close and personal look at the dilemma facing wildlife and working lands. YOU CAN WATCH THE FILM HERE:

Future West launches “No Net Loss” ProgramThe role that working ranchlands play in ecosystem stewardship is outsized. If working ranchlands were to be develo...

01/12/2022

Future West board members Erik and Jami Kalsta's efforts to share the landscape with wildlife on their ranch is featured in this excellent Ravalli Republic article. Great read, and thanks Erik and Jami!

https://ravallirepublic.com/news/state-and-regional/what-ravens-dogs-sheep-and-grizzlies-all-have-to-do-with-a-big-hole-ranch/article_d386c475-ff50-5c22-b9d4-4ff56ed7a0b4.html?fbclid=IwAR1rhbzEX5lgdxy9r0ik8RlCDiZ-ArUjHwA-DdboYin6bD5yEsNmjMGFC4Q -source=in-article?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_Ravalli_Republic

A rancher has used guard dogs with tracking collars and other tech to protect his sheep from predators. Now he hopes an effort to keep grizzlies away from a nearby

11/23/2021

On Thursday, November 11, from 8:30 am to noon, Future West and the Montana Watershed Coordination Council council hosted a virtual a capacity-building peer–to–peer exchange: “Building Organizational and Community Resiliency in the New West.” This event offered watershed groups, conservation districts, and other local conservation leaders the space to discuss ongoing changes in our communities and to share resources for adapting and responding – while staying true to our organizational missions and visions.

Resiliency amidst drought, wildfires, the Covid-19 pandemic, growing recreational demands, and changing community demographics, to name just a few, is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. But we cannot achieve resiliency without first understanding the factors (social, political, environmental, industry-related, and economic) that are impacting our communities, our organizations, and our missions. We believe that the path to sustainability at both the community and organizational level requires a solid awareness of these factors so we can identify, create, and adapt effective options for working with them.

To review our Keynote Panel and Summary discussion, visit our Future West YouTube Capacity Building Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAJjpQMAxPA2G8to1RnvD8OwYxK38wUzV

Additional summary, next steps for an in-person gathering in 2022, and more details about how we plan to follow-up on this fantastic event coming soon! Thank you to everyone who joined us.

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11/03/2021

Tune in to KGVM online for Randy Carpenter's interview with Jeff Milchen about the challenges that the Gallatin Valley faces, and the ways that we can ensure the protection of what's special about this place as it grows. KGVM is mighty fine community radio:

Creating healthy responses to the challenges of rapid growth Randy Carpenter has spent many years working with community leaders in the Northern Rockies through Future West, helping them understand the challenges that come with growth and change, and tailor locally-based solutions to those challenge...

10/14/2021

Happening across the Gallatin Valley today! Take your seat, and participate in this important dialogue to help shape the future of our community.

Sit down with friends, family or neighbors to discuss housing needs in Gallatin County and ideas for solutions.

07/23/2021

In the Bull's Eye-- Check out the latest article from Mountain Journal, where Future West Project Director Randy Carpenter, Former Executive Director Dennis Glick, and colleague Luther Probst discuss strategies that are long overdue and urgently needed to save the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem amid unprecedented development and outdoor recreation pressures.

Amid unprecedented development and outdoor recreation pressure, three experts say new strategies urgently needed to save America's most famous wildlife ecosystem