1.5 Million Acres Conserved By The Montana Land Reliance
Author: Lucinda Morris, Montana Land Reliance
Article Published: 08/14/2026 Volume: 5 Edition: 061.5 Million Acres Conserved by the Montana Land Reliance
Lucinda Morris
Montana Land Reliance
With a new conservation easement protecting an 835-acre historic ranch in Jefferson County, The Montana Land Reliance (MLR) marks its 1.5 millionth acre conserved, continuing its longstanding record as the nation’s leading state-based agricultural land trust. Since 1978, MLR has partnered with landowners to conserve over 1,050 ranches, farms, and tracts of open space across Montana.
Over the past 48 years, MLR’s work has protected some of Montana’s most important agricultural lands, fish and wildlife habitat, and open spaces. The 1.5 million acres conserved represents thousands of decisions made by Montana families to protect the places they love and ensure that these iconic landscapes persist for generations to come. It also represents a commitment to the future of Montana’s working lands and the benefits they provide to the public—from local food production to wildlife habitat, healthy waterways, and the expansive views that define the state.
“Protecting production agriculture, protecting the open space that ranchers need,” said Andy Dana, land conservation attorney and former counsel for MLR. “That is a complement to Montana's heritage and legacy. Wildlife habitat, waterways, marvelous views of the green fields, the open space, the mountains. Montana can still provide that thanks to The Montana Land Reliance's focus to preserve a way of life in Montana.”
In 2026 to date, MLR has helped conserve over 37,000 acres of open space across the state. From an 18,000-acre working ranch along the Powder River in eastern Montana to a 132-acre biodiversity hotspot in the northwestern corner of the state, these protected lands reflect the diversity of Montana’s landscapes and conservation priorities of landowners. They also include 4,000 acres of core sage grouse habitat in Golden Valley County, 3,600 acres of productive farmland in Broadwater County, 6,900 acres of native rangeland in the Shields Valley, and many other projects made possible by the foresight and commitment of Montana’s landowners.
“The families who partnered with MLR to conserve their land this year made a choice that will benefit places they love and places that sustain them,” said Shane Colton, MLR Board President. “In protecting their properties, they join many other families across the state in ensuring that the Montana we all love will continue to be available for future generations to enjoy. We are honored to help them achieve their conservation goals, and we are grateful to everyone who has made it possible for MLR to reach this milestone.”
About The Montana Land Reliance
Founded in Montana in 1978, The Montana Land Reliance has grown to be one of the largest land trusts in the country. MLR has partnered with more than 1,000 families to protect over 1.5 million acres of private lands that form the fabric of Montana's local communities. To learn more, visit https://www.mtlandreliance.org or call 406-443-7027.
