Friends of the Bitterroot

Friends of the Bitterroot We are still here today protecting the Bitterroot.

In 1988, concerned citizens came together in the Bitterroot Valley of western Montana deeply troubled by the unsustainable logging that was occurring on the Bitterroot and surrounding national forests.

The worst things for ecosystems are twisted into magic fixes justify their continuation, thus the degradation continues.
05/31/2026

The worst things for ecosystems are twisted into magic fixes justify their continuation, thus the degradation continues.

The livestock industry and Congress are promoting livestock grazing as a fire prevention measure without considering the numerous ecological and economic impacts. Photo by George Wuerthner Once more, we are seeing the livestock industry, as well as both Republican and Democratic legislators, promoti...

Logging does not save communities it might even make things worse. "Home hardening is the only scientifically proven way...
05/29/2026

Logging does not save communities it might even make things worse.
"Home hardening is the only scientifically proven way to way to protect homes from wildfires."

I was one of the lucky ones — a child in Bozeman in the '50s and '60s. The best adventures were in Hyalite Canyon. That is where we learned about

The Montana DEQ considers signing an MOU to speed up analysis and move mining projects like Sheep Creek forward.
05/29/2026

The Montana DEQ considers signing an MOU to speed up analysis and move mining projects like Sheep Creek forward.

Agreement would align project's state and federal permitting timelines under FAST-41 process; could put state environmental safeguards in jeopardy

Ecology professor disagrees with the Bitterroot Front Project. "severe fires are dictated by weather, not fuel"
05/29/2026

Ecology professor disagrees with the Bitterroot Front Project. "severe fires are dictated by weather, not fuel"

Forest managers claim logging projects are needed to restore Western forests and protect them from catastrophic wildfire, but a former University of Montana professor has research to show that isn’t so.

What a forest ecology professor has to say about the Bitterroot Front project. Only low-to-mid-intensity fires are “bene...
05/29/2026

What a forest ecology professor has to say about the Bitterroot Front project. Only low-to-mid-intensity fires are “beneficial” to maintain the forest, according to Anderson’s decision.

Hutto disagrees, saying high-intensity wildfire can also be beneficial, because most western forest ecosystems depend on the disturbance that only high-intensity wildfires can create. The wide variety of species that can be found in forests prove that wildfires of all severities have burned across the landscape for centuries, creating the ecosystems that exist today.

Forest managers claim logging projects are needed to restore Western forests and protect them from catastrophic wildfire, but a former University of Montana professor has research to show that isn’t so.

Sadly, just another reminder of what happens when we meddle or "manage" ecosystems.
05/28/2026

Sadly, just another reminder of what happens when we meddle or "manage" ecosystems.

The Trump administration has not listed any endangered species since the president took office more than a year ago.

Great news.
05/28/2026

Great news.

After losing both of her siblings to a male grizzly’s attack last spring and then splitting from her mother at an unusually tender age, the young grizzly…

Logging is not the answer... "the only viable way to protect homes and communities is to ramp up home hardening to reduc...
05/27/2026

Logging is not the answer... "the only viable way to protect homes and communities is to ramp up home hardening to reduce structures’ vulnerability to ignition."

Back in the Clinton administration, James Carville came up with the mantra “It’s the Economy Stupid” to summarize the basic concern of voters. According to Carville, to understand how people

Historical forest conditions.
05/15/2026

Historical forest conditions.

If you're wondering why the Alliance for the Wild Rockies wins 80% of its lawsuits against Forest Service logging projects, the answer is simple: It's

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Box 442
Hamilton, MT
59840

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