The already established conservation easement on Rocky Creek Farm was important to Matt and Jacy Rothschillers and their group of investors when they purchased the property in 2017 to expand their certified-organic Gallatin Valley Botanical operations. The Gallatin County Open Lands program helped cover transaction costs for the project when the easement was created by the previous landowner, Pete Fay, in 2006.

Over 1,500 acres of highly scenic agricultural land in Paradise Valley’s stunning Mill Creek drainage will remain intact and undeveloped through a conservation easement established by Alan and Laurie Redfield and Sarah Nollemeyer, in partnership with GVLT’s Northern Yellowstone Open Lands initiative.

One of the 64 projects supported by the Gallatin County Open Lands Program is the 300-acre Bos Hay & Grain conservation easement on Gooch Hill, an area just east of Gallatin Gateway known for its prime agricultural soils and breathtaking panoramic views.

Robert and Valerie Anderson have partnered with GVLT’s Northern Yellowstone Open Lands initiative of Gallatin Valley Land Trust to conserve their 884-acre historic family ranch, located southwest of Livingston in the Trail Creek area.

In response to growing interest from Park County landowners, community members, and conservation partners, GVLT has launched Northern Yellowstone Open Lands—a conservation initiative based in Livingston, Montana.

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the voter-approved Gallatin County Open Lands Program. Learn how the program has helped us preserve the things we love about our region, even as the community continues to grow and change.

Our land conservation work began shortly after our founding in 1990 when 86-year-old Gertrude Baker came to GVLT to help forever protect her 181-acre property on Bozeman Pass and the wildlife depending on it.

The Rieschel family partnered with GVLT to voluntarily establish a conservation easement, ensuring their scenic and productive land in the East Gallatin River corridor will remain forever open and available for agriculture.

GVLT has partnered with Rob Forstenzer to conserve his 546-acre Ferry Creek Ranch in Park County northeast of Livingston.

Amaltheia Organic Dairy received preliminary approval to use more than $550,000 in taxpayer dollars to help purchase its leased acreage in exchange for placing the farm into a conservation easement to preserve it in perpetuity.

Over 2,200 acres of farmland near Gallatin Gateway will remain protected from development after the Kamps family finalized a conservation easement with GVLT.

The beautiful and productive landscape will remain forever open and available for the family’s next generations to continue agricultural operations.

Nearly 1,600 acres of farmland between Three Forks and Manhattan will remain undeveloped.

“I have watched this valley change so much,” says John McDonnell. “I don’t ever want to see this property, which has been in my family for generations, get covered in asphalt and houses. 

“We want to keep this space open so our family can continue to farm from generation to generation,” explains Darren Braaksma.

Helping landowners utilize the tool of conservation easements to forever conserve their land is just the beginning of a long-term partnership between landowners and GVLT.

GVLT and Crosscut Mountain Sports Center joined together to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of a 276-acre conservation easement that forever protects a significant portion of the internationally renowned sports center in Bridger Canyon.

We are optimistic the future of this valley can include large blocks of protected open space, wildlife habitat, farm and ranch land, and healthy rivers—AND a walkable, livable urban core for our growing community.

In cooperation with generous landowners, we closed our 128^th conservation easement on a 407-acre property located along the Jefferson River west of Three Forks.

Land conservation does not end with the establishment of a conservation easement; it is just the beginning of a long-term partnership between a landowner and GVLT, and a perpetual effort to maintain each property for its conservation values.