Trust for Public Land Announces Completion of Phase 2 of the Montana Great Outdoors Project, Permanently Protecting 53,000 Acres of Working Forestland and Recreation Access
Today, Trust for Public Land (TPL), Green Diamond Resource Company [GDRCo], and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks announced the permanent protection of nearly 53,000 acres in Northwest Montana through Phase 2 of a working forest conservation easement. This incredible landscape of working forest lands includes some of the most popular elk hunting grounds between Kalispell and Libby; Phase 2 adds to the nearly 33,000 acres already protected through Phase 1.
With both phases now complete, the Montana Great Outdoors Project marks the successful culmination of a multi-year effort led by TPL and GDRCo to protect approximately 86,000 acres in northwest Montana. This project will prevent development, promote sustainable timber management, protect wildlife habitat and landscape connectivity, support wood-product jobs, and provide permanent public access for recreation.
“This project is Montana at its best — it protects our outdoor heritage, supports our rural economies, and ensures these forests remain open and productive for generations,” said David Weinstein, Northern Rockies Director for Trust for Public Land. “These forests and mountains define Western Montana, shaping lives and making this state a remarkable place to live, work, and play. TPL is proud to support the longevity of timber production critical to the economic vitality of the region and we deeply appreciate the collaboration of Green Diamond and our government partners in working to solidify this and future conservation easements. This work would not have been possible without the stalwart support and indefatigable efforts of Montana’s congressional delegation, Governor Gianforte, and the local elected officials throughout Flathead, Lincoln, and Sanders Counties.”
The newly protected lands will be open to the public, providing free year-round access for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor recreation activities. The project allows Montanans to keep enjoying the Cabinet Mountains and surrounding forests as they have for generations, while also making sure the land remains a sustainably managed working forest. It helps maintain timber supplies for local mills, supports forestry jobs, and strengthens rural economies.
“As a lifelong sportsman, conservation is one of my top priorities, which is why I fought to secure permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund in my Great American Outdoors Act,” said Senator Steve Daines. “Phase 2 of the Montana Great Outdoors Project protects over 53,000 acres of working forest for rural jobs, public access, and wildlife conservation. It’s a tremendous win and I look forward to seeing the impact it makes in our great state.”
“I’m proud this project will deliver on some of my top priorities: protecting our public lands, supporting our resource economy, and responsibly managing our forests to support Montana jobs and reduce wildfire risk,” said Senator Tim Sheehy. “As Montanans, we all benefit from healthier forests and wildlife habitat, increased public access and recreational opportunities, and stronger rural economies and communities. I look forward to continuing to champion commonsense policies to preserve our way of life and secure Montana’s future.”
“These are the landscapes where we hunt, fish, raise our families, and make a living. Montanans expect them to stay open and accessible, and I’ll always fight to keep it that way,” said Congressman Ryan Zinke. “The newly protected lands will stay open to the public year-round so folks can continue to enjoy the outdoors the way they have for generations, and the ground will remain a working forest that supports local mills and forestry jobs. Conservation easements protect access, keep working lands working, and ensure Montana doesn’t lose what makes it special. I’m proud to support them here in the Flathead and across the state.”
“Protecting and increasing public access remains our top priority,” Governor Greg Gianforte said. “This project does just that while preserving wildlife habitat and ensuring the timber industry remains a critical part of Montana’s economy. This easement builds confidence for further investment in Montana.”
In October, the Montana Land Board voted to approve this key phase of the project. The easement protects the working forest land base that local timber mills depend on, supports ongoing economic activity in forest-based communities, and ensures public access to hunting, fishing, and hiking.
“At Green Diamond, we believe sustainably managed working forests are essential—not only for providing vital forest products, but also for delivering clean air, clean water, and valuable wildlife habitat,” said Douglas Reed, President and Chair GDRCo. “Our stewardship and management efforts create jobs and economic activity in the communities where we operate. Through our partnership with TPL and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, we remain committed to long-term, responsible forest management—protecting rivers and wildlife, sustaining timber economies, and ensuring these lands remain open for Montanans to hunt, fish, and recreate for generations to come.”
The new conservation easement secures a vital ecological role in the Cabinet Mountains, protecting essential wildlife habitat and corridors that support grizzly bears, Canada lynx, bull trout, and other important species. This easement prevents fragmentation and development, keeps this landscape intact, protects riparian areas, strengthens watershed health, and protects activities that threaten wildlife and working land productivity.
The Montana Great Outdoors Project reflects a balanced, Montana-driven approach to conservation, backed by county leaders, Montana’s state and federal elected officials, recreation groups, the timber industry, and conservation partners.
“This is conservation the Montana way — practical, voluntary, and rooted in stewardship. It balances private ownership with public good, ensuring that the land continues to work, provide, and inspire,” Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Christy Clark said. “This is the type of project folks in Northwest Montana expect from FWP to maintain their way of living.”
TPL has conserved over 1 million acres in the Northern Rockies over the past 20 years, creating a legacy of public access for future generations. The organization’s goal is to conserve an additional 300,000 acres over the next three years.
This ambitious conservation effort is possible thanks to the support of local governments, conservation dollars from Habitat Montana and the Forest Legacy Program (funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund), and a significant landowner contribution.
About Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, and raised $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.
About Green Diamond Resource Company
Green Diamond Resource Company is a sixth-generation forestland owner and manager, founded in 1890 and deeply rooted in safety and stewardship. Headquartered in Seattle, Green Diamond owns or manages approximately 2.2 million acres of forestland across the United States, primarily in the northwest (WA, OR, CA, MT) and southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, SC). All Green Diamond timberlands are certified by either the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) or the Forest Stewardship Council ® (FSC®) – third-party standards for sustainable working forests. Learn more about our business and our values: www.greendiamond.com.
