190 Acres of Vital Agricultural Land Permanently Protected Near South Cottonwood Creek

We are thrilled to announce the permanent conservation of 190 acres near South Cottonwood Creek. In partnership with the Bos family, this voluntary conservation easement ensures vital agricultural land, critical wildlife corridors, and scenic views south of Bozeman will remain open and protected forever.

This project marks the second collaboration between GVLT and the Bos family, who began dairy farming in the area in 1957. After David and Marilyn Bos conserved 250 acres of their original farmland in 2009, the family later acquired this neighboring property. Today, the third generation of Bos farmers, Shawn and Annie, raise wheat, barley, alfalfa, and canola for seed on this newly conserved ground. 

“After successfully conserving the first property, we knew we wanted to protect this land, as well,” said Shawn Bos. “Much of the ground around us is also conserved, creating a big contiguous area that’s protected in all directions—from the Forest Service land all the way past Gooch Hill Road.”

The property sits directly between two other conservation easements and adds to a large block of conserved open space, totaling over 4,800 acres within a five-mile radius. It also provides critical wintering ground and a migratory corridor for the Gallatin elk herd as they move from nearby public lands across the Gooch Hill area.

“The Bos family’s commitment to the land is a testament to the deep-rooted farming heritage of the Gallatin Valley,” said Zane Ashford, GVLT Conservation Project Specialist. “By choosing to conserve this land, they are ensuring it remains a productive resource for agriculture and wildlife for generations to come.” 

The Bos family donated a substantial amount of property value to create the easement. This donation and funding from the Gallatin County Open Lands Program were matched with federal funds from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Gallatin County voters have renewed funding for the local Open Lands Program three times, most recently in 2018.

“It’s hard to imagine a part of the Valley that benefits more from permanent protection,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown after voting to approve the project for funding. “This is a wonderful project that will benefit the community and wildlife for many years to come. Thank you to the Bos family for their hard work and generosity.”

GVLT has partnered with landowner families to complete 137 conservation easements, protecting 75,000 acres of some of the most highly productive, wildlife-rich, and scenic open lands in Southwest Montana.