GVLT Launches Northern Yellowstone Open Lands Initiative in Park County

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. Northern Yellowstone Open Lands is dedicated to serving Park County’s landowners and communities who are committed to conserving the region’s unparalleled natural landscapes and working lands.

Building on GVLT’s 30-year history serving Park County, which has included working with 21 families to conserve over 20,000 acres of agricultural lands, this new chapter will feature dedicated staff, a local advisory board, and a Livingston-based office. While rooted in GVLT’s proven expertise, the Northern Yellowstone team brings a renewed, place-based focus to conservation throughout the county.

The landscapes and natural amenities of Park County inspire locals and visitors alike–and they face increasing pressures. Home to historic ranches, rich wildlife habitat, wild rivers, and the northern entrance of Yellowstone National Park, Park County has lost nearly 40,000 acres of open land to low-density development between 2000 and 2021. These changes threaten the region’s rural identity, wildlife habitat, and the local economy—including the agriculture, tourism, and other small businesses that depend on open spaces.

Northern Yellowstone Open Lands works with willing landowners to establish voluntary conservation easements—legal agreements with private landowners that limit development and subdivision of ranchlands. These easements protect agricultural land, wildlife habitat, clean water, and scenic views, while offering landowners potential tax benefits or financial compensation. Many landowners reinvest these resources into their agricultural operations or use them to support generational transfers of the ranch or farm.

Since 1990, GVLT has partnered with 135 families across southwest Montana, becoming a nationally accredited land trust known for its long-term commitment to land stewardship. Northern Yellowstone Open Lands is supported by the leadership and administrative teams at GVLT and the resources of the larger organization, while being grounded in the local priorities of Park County landowners and community members. This combination positions Northern Yellowstone Open Lands to proactively respond to the accelerating development trends and the growing demand for local conservation solutions throughout Park County.

Northern Yellowstone Open Lands is already making an impact. In its first six months, the initiative has completed three conservation easements totaling over 3,000 acres, with seven more active projects underway.

“Northern Yellowstone Open Lands is an exciting chapter for GVLT,” says Chet Work, GVLT Executive Director. “Our team continues to accelerate the pace and scale of our work throughout southwest Montana, and we’re committed to showing up locally and building trust with landowners and communities. Our staff on the ground in Park County allows us to do just that.”

For more information about Northern Yellowstone Open Lands and how to make a donation to support this work, please stop by the Livingston Office at 309 W. Park Street, contact Cole Herdman at (406) 823-3313, or visit our Northern Yellowstone Open Lands web pages.