Straddling the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in northern Montana lies a land bursting with life, where high meadows of golden and green grasses converge with crystal-clear rivers and creeks. Known as the Crown of the Continent, this land is home to the Blackfeet Nation, the Old North Trail – an ancient Indigenous path used for trade, hunting, and travel – and the route Lewis and Clark traveled when venturing west. Since 1979, this critical ecosystem – one of the larger intact ecosystems in the United States, covering over 10 million acres – has been a focus of The Nature Conservancy’s conservation efforts. Within the larger whole, the historic Pine Butte Ranch, located within the 13,000-acre preserve known as Pine Butte Swamp Preserve, stands as a beacon of stewardship and community-based programs.
Upon arriving at the ranch, which was once a series of cattle ranches and a dude ranch, become acquainted with the slow-paced life and the brillant scenery that Montana exhibits. The country here is vast, remote, and known for being the largest wetland complex in the Rocky Mountain Front, as well as a migration path for an abundance of wildlife. More specifically, this corridor is one of the last remaining free roaming ranges and holds the largest population of Grizzly Bears in the lower 48. In addition to grizzlies, be on the lookout for the many other wild animals that call this place home – moose, bobcats, mountain lions, deer, bighorn sheep, lynx, and more.
Throughout our stay, we have the opportunity to meet with local ranchers and learn about their advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., as well as their local land protection projects across the Crown of the Continent. While at the ranch we will explore the grounds and surrounding areas by horseback with Indigenous partners and local community leaders to better understand the greatest threats to this ecosystem. Keep your eyes peeled for some of the over 200 species of birds that inhabit this landscape alongside rare wetland species plants and colorful wildflowers.
There is a sense of respite one feels when in “Big Sky Country.” Away from the bustle of urban life, and surrounded by the immensity of the Rocky Mountain Front, one feels a great appreciation of nature. Days spent alongside local stakeholders brings another type of appreciation, one of the intricacies of the partnerships working to conserve this land for all who depend on it. Whether you are drawn to the exceptional beauty of this region or eager for wildlife encounters, you are bound to be inspired by this unrivaled land that stretches from the prairies and Badlands to the famed Rocky Mountains.
