Much has recently been written about the galvanizing force of public lands. I suggest we strive for more than simply defending public land from the highest bidder or biggest dozer. Let’s proactively protect them. This is the best investment we can make for ourselves, our children, and our way life. Fortunately, there are two opportunities right now in southwest Montana to do just that.  

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission’s 2025–2026 wolf regulations uphold protections for Yellowstone wolves but also set a dangerous precedent by moving closer to a broad-brush, statewide approach to management. While we are relieved that Region 3 subquotas will help mitigate overharvest near Yellowstone, they remain too high given recent population declines. A one-size-fits-all statewide quota fails to reflect local management and conservation needs, making these regulations a concerning step in the wrong direction.

Southwest Montana’s Gallatin and Madison ranges are some of the wildest places left in the continental United States and they are a great source of that quiet and clarity of mind for a lot of folks.  As Montana continues to grow and change rapidly, and our public lands face a new wave of significant threats, we have a duty to make commonsense choices today so that our kids and grandkids can enjoy the way of life we’ve grown accustomed to around here.

U.S. Congressman Ryan Zinke of Montana on Tuesday announced the Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement and Tourism Act, legislation that aims to protect nearly 100 miles of the Madison and Gallatin rivers, as well as key tributaries, with Wild and Scenic designations.

Managing grizzly bears is complicated. As Congress considers a short-sighted attempt to circumvent a science-based, public process for solidifying effective grizzly bear management strategies, there’s a need to ensure long-term durability and reliability for grizzly bear management.

Check out the new license plate design contest to raise awareness and support wildlife crossing structures, and to showcase Montana’s rich natural heritage and iconic migratory big game and other wildlife.

On June 28, 2025, Utah Senator Mike Lee withdrew his American public land sell-off plan, which would have sold and privatized millions of acres of public land across 11 western states.

GYC launches public lands protection campaign.

The Greater Yellowstone Coalition commends the Montana Legislature and Governor Greg Gianforte for listening to Montanans and making important investments and positive steps toward better protecting people and wildlife on our Big Sky highways.

Montanans are folks of all kinds – ranchers, farmers, business owners, outdoorspeople, conservationists, and everyone in between. The Montana Legislature is a place where we all come together to make decisions about our home, and whether we agree or not, I see Montanans as folks who can disagree and remain friends. This attitude embodies the Legislature. We wrap up a lively session with a number of critical wins for Montana's lands and wildlife. 

Yellowstone Safe Passages has been surveying roadkill and wildlife for more than four years. While collecting carcass data can be gruesome and disheartening, every data point is helping inform Yellowstone Safe Passages about the areas that see the most accidents – and the areas where wildlife crossings structures will be most effective along Highway 89. This deer will be added to a suite of more than 7,000 wildlife observations collected since the spring of 2020 to help YSP keep wildlife alive and families safe on the road.