The Montana Land Reliance

10/20/2026

Keep It Montana by Keeping It Wild! Protecting Montana’s open spaces means protecting habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants too. MLR works with landowners who want to make sure that Montana’s iconic species, big and small, have the space they need to thrive.

You can help Keep It Wild by becoming a monthly donor! A monthly contribution isn’t just a donation, it’s your signature on the promise to Keep It Montana, ensuring the landscapes we cherish today remain part of our children’s and grandchildren’s tomorrow. We are in a race against time, but together, we can make it happen. Visit our website to join us!

https://mtlandreliance.org/

10/19/2026

"I believe that leaving this ranch to MLR will not only guarantee that the next owners respect it, but will also generate funds for MLR to continue its work and meet any future challenges. With this gift, and MLR’s good work, I hope to permanently protect this space so future generations will be able to connect with and enjoy the same prairie wildlands that I enjoy today.”

It is because of visionaries like Kris Spanjian that Montana remains Montana. October 19 - 25 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week, and it’s the perfect moment for you to make a permanent commitment to Montana’s open spaces.

Through our partnership with FreeWill, you can write or update your will online in under 20 minutes, completely free of charge. As always, we suggest you consult an estate planning professional with any questions and to review your plans. Visit the link below to name MLR in your plans and make an enduring promise that Montana’s agricultural lands, fish and wildlife habitat, and open space will persist for generations to come.

https://partner.freewill.com/mlr?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=202610_mlr_nepaw_cc

10/14/2026

We are thrilled to share the news of a new conservation easement in Broadwater County, where 1,289 acres of rangeland and irrigated cropland are now permanently protected!

This land has been in the same family since the 1860s and has supported local agriculture for generations. With development pressure growing in Broadwater County, protecting the property helps ensure these working lands will remain open for agriculture into the future.

The property also provides important habitat for wildlife, including pronghorn, elk, pheasants, turkeys, sandhill cranes, black bears, mountain lions, and so much more. This easement builds on a growing network of protected lands east of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, with significant benefits to Broadwater County’s agricultural legacy, wildlife habitat, and open space.

We’re deeply grateful to the family for their foresight, generosity, and trust!

10/12/2026

Keep It Montana by Keeping It Working! Landowners across the state are preserving the agricultural legacy that defines Montana, and the benefits of protecting working lands extend far beyond their property line.

You can help Keep It Working by becoming a monthly donor! A monthly contribution isn’t just a donation, it’s your signature on the promise to Keep It Montana, ensuring the landscapes we cherish today remain part of our children’s and grandchildren’s tomorrow. We are in a race against time, but together, we can make it happen. Visit our website to join us! https://mtlandreliance.org/

10/08/2026

At MLR, we are driven by our mission to protect working lands, preserve open space, and ensure that the Montana we love stays beautiful for those who live, work, and play here. It’s why we are working so hard to Keep It Montana.

We know that Keeping It Montana means different things to those who love this place as much as we do. What is your Keep It Montana story? We want to hear from you!

10/07/2026

With support from our Keep It Connected program, The Montana Land Reliance Land Reliance completed a 130-acre conservation easement on a property outside Trego where hay meadows, wetlands, and upland forests provide important habitat for birds, carnivores, and ungulates. More than a patchwork of habitats, this property serves as a vital link to surrounding public lands, helping wildlife move across an increasingly connected landscape.

"The Keep it Connected program represents a key partner in permanently protecting properties with exceptional biodiversity like the Rhonda Williams project"
- Mark Schiltz, Western Manager, Montana Land Reliance

Read the full success story here: https://keepitconnected.org/williams-trego/

09/21/2026

In case you missed it, MLR was featured in the Missoulian!

"Amid the steady march of new subdivisions and ranchettes carving their way across Montana, the state’s largest land trust is celebrating the 1.5 million acres of farms, fields and forests it's helped permanently protect from future development."

Read more:
https://missoulian.com/news/state-regional/article_f80369e3-8ff9-45af-8eb6-2023e620fa2b.html #

09/08/2026

Join the Flathead Land Trust for a community conversation about the land, water, and future of the Flathead this Thursday! Check out the event page on their website for more information. https://www.flatheadlandtrust.org/2026/08/24/you-are-invited-to-a-public-forum/

Please join the Save the Flathead Coalition for an informational forum this THURSDAY, September 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Flathead Valley Community College (Arts & Technology Building, Room 139).

This community-wide discussion will explore how a proposed open space bond could help protect Flathead County's working farms and ranches, critical wildlife habitat, water quality, outdoor recreation access and overall quality of life as our region grows.

Free and open to the public. For more information, visit: https://www.flatheadlandtrust.org/2026/08/24/you-are-invited-to-a-public-forum/

09/04/2026

Do you know how to distinguish between a true axolotl and a neotenic tiger salamander? Attendees of this week's interpretive hike at the Axolotl Lakes Wilderness Study Area do, thanks to our very own Matt Bell!

We really appreciate the Madison Conservation District for organizing this event and inviting us to participate. If you missed it and want to learn more about amphibians, make sure you subscribe to receive our eNewsletter later this month!

08/31/2026

Over the past 48 years, MLR’s work has protected some of Montana’s most important agricultural lands, fish and wildlife habitat, and open spaces.

The 1.5 million acres conserved represents thousands of decisions made by Montana families to protect the places they love and ensure that these iconic landscapes persist for generations to come. It also represents a commitment to the future of Montana’s working lands and the benefits they provide to the public - from local food production to wildlife habitat, healthy waterways, and the expansive views that define the state.

Help support us in our work by becoming a monthly donor today! https://mtlandreliance.org/