Winter 2016 - the Bitter Root Land Trust

BIT TER ROOT LAND TRUST
Winter / Spring 2016
WATER, WILDLIFE, & WORKING LANDS FOR ALL GENERATIONS
Photo: Chris Auch
THE MISSION:
WATER, WILDLIFE, AND WORKING LANDS
F
ounded in 1997, the Bitter Root Land Trust’s mission is to
partner with landowners to conserve the scenic open spaces,
cold clean waters, wildlife habitat, and working farms and ranches
of the Bitterroot Valley for this and future generations. The founders
had a vision for this local land trust to be a leader in private land
conservation and a trusted resource for the community in which it
serves. Today, the Bitter Root Land Trust is an integral community
partner, working with the people of the Bitterroot Valley to ensure
that our Montana paradise continues to be as beautiful tomorrow as
it is today. The Bitter Root Land Trust is committed to helping local
families leave a lasting legacy of open lands for the future of the
Bitterroot Valley. Our generous community of supporters makes this
good work possible.
T H A N K YO U, TO R I N O B L E S
Board President Shares the Tradition of
Leadership
Over the past three years, the land
trust board has been led by a kind and
thoughtful woman. Tori was born and
raised here in the Bitterroot, and her
deep connection to this place is apparent
in all that she does at the land trust and
throughout the Bitterroot Valley. She
saw us through the completion of Steve
Powell Park, working with the City of
Hamilton and Mayor Jerry Steele. She
cheered on the board and staff through
ups and downs, and uttered the biggest
“Woohoo!” as the Lazy J Cross Ranch
project in Sula was finalized.
Tori also represented the land trust as
we went through a rigorous accreditation
process with the national Land Trust
Accreditation Commission—a multi-year
goal. And, she never shows up at the office
empty-handed—there’s always a sweet
treat from Tori at meetings. She’s even
been known to make a quick cookie dropoff at the office on her way to work. Tori
remains a passionate, active member of
the board working to move the land trust’s
mission forward and loves giving back to
the community that helped raise her.
This year brought opportunity for
other board members to step up and fill
officers’ positions. In May, Tori handed
the land trust torch to Pete Seifert, whom
the board welcomed warmly into his
new position as Board President. Tori
welcomed Pete as the new board chair: “I
am proud to have played a part alongside
the staff working with Bitterroot Valley
land owners, and to be a part of the
impact Bitter Root Land Trust has
made for the whole community while
I served as President. Turning the
reins over to Pete Seifert is so exciting
because I get to watch him grow into
his leadership role just as I did. I love this valley we live in and
am confident that Pete will be
an outstanding President.” The
organization looks forward to
the next few years with Pete
at the helm and the new
adventures that await.
Board of Directors
Pete Seifert
President
Jean Steele
Vice President
Gary MacLaren
Treasurer
Peggy Ratcheson
Secretary
Tonia Bloom
Gail Goheen
Tori Nobles
John Ormiston
Robin Pruitt
Heather Riley
Quinty Smith
Lynn Thurber
Staff
Gavin Ricklefs
Executive Director
Kyle Barber,
Conservation Director
Grant Carlton
Land Protection Specialist
Lea Guthrie
Stewardship Coordinator
Emy Royce
Program Administrator
Jenny West
Bookkeeper
D I R E C TO R ’S N OT E S
fter a long, warm summer that lasted well into fall, today is the
start of the new year and winter has fully arrived in the Bitterroot
Valley. Fortunately, snow has been falling for weeks already, building
a base for winter recreation and next summer’s irrigation and
streamflows. It’s a beautiful time of year in the Bitterroot.
A
We’ve experienced our own figurative
seasonal change here at the Bitter
Root Land Trust over the past several
months: Following three years of strong
leadership, BRLT Board President, Tori
Nobles handed the reigns to Pete Seifert.
During Tori’s tenure as Board President
highlighted on the previous page,
BRLT experienced incredible growth. I
can’t thank Tori enough for the role she
has played in helping BRLT become a
recognized leader in local private land
conservation over the past three years,
and for the support she has given me and
the staff. Pete has big shoes to fill!
Fortunately for Pete, his tenure as Board
President began on an ultimate high
note with the June closing of the 1,100
acre Lazy J Cross conservation easement
in Sula. The Lazy J Cross Ranch, BRLT’s
largest and most complex project ever, is
an incredible example of the conservation
opportunities in our community. To
celebrate finalizing the project, Pete and
I took BRLT Conservation Director, Kyle
Barber fishing on the East Fork of the
Bitterroot River – a stretch that flows
directly through the Lazy J Cross Ranch. In
Pete’s words:
“After three years of hard work BRLT
and the Wetzsteon family finalized a
conservation easement this summer
on the Lazy J Cross Ranch in the Sula
Basin. In order to celebrate the incredible
legacy the Wetzsteons had created, it
seemed appropriate for Gavin, Kyle,
and me to embark on a fishing outing in
the vicinity of the 1,080 acre Lazy J
Cross Ranch. We were rewarded with a
pleasant, June afternoon complete with
breathtaking, wide open vistas and quite
a few eager trout.
“This was a perfect opportunity to
reflect on the monumental task of raising
over one million dollars to make this
easement a reality, particularly for Kyle
who navigated the many bureaucratic
hurdles presented in the easement
The incredible growth of the past
several years has led to even more
conservation opportunities, and
BRLT has responded
process. In the distance we spotted Bob
Wetzsteon mending fence surrounded
by a few head of cattle. The south facing
grass slopes were peppered with Mule
deer and a few Bighorn sheep. In October
and November, sections of the ranch
will be open for public hunting access. Without a doubt, this scene embodied
everything the Land Trust stands for.”
It was a fitting way to pay tribute to
Sterling Wetzsteon’s vision for the Sula
Basin and for the commitment by so
many to make that vision a reality. In
the coming years, BRLT is committed to
making a more significant, positive, and
lasting impact on the open lands we all
cherish. The incredible growth of the
past several years has led to even more
conservation opportunities, and BRLT has
responded: Last year we launched and
completed the first pledge of our 2015
Impact Challenge, designed to raise the
additional funds necessary to double our
current pace of conservation within the
next three years. The board set an initial
goal of raising an additional $100,000
by January 1, 2016 to help increase BRLT’s
conservation staff. Thanks to a very
generous challenge gift from a BRLT
supporter (and some equally generous
matching gifts), we achieved this goal
and as result of your generosity, we
welcomed new Land Protection Specialist,
Grant Carlton. Grant will work closely
with BRLT’s existing conservation and
stewardship staffers, local landowners,
and conservation partners to complete
more on-the-ground conservation
benefiting people, wildlife, and the future
of our community.
As always, you make BRLT’s great
work possible. From volunteering your
time, labor, and passion to making a
financial contribution that helps turn
new conservation opportunities into
long-term realities, members of our
community make great conservation
happen every day. I hope you enjoy
reading this issue of Legacy and continue
to take a great amount of satisfaction in
the good work you make possible.
Gavin Ricklefs
Executive Director
Engage Your
Passion For Local
Conservation With
A Gift To The
Bitter Root Land Trust
Make a difference with a taxdeductible contribution to the
Bitter Root Land Trust. Your gift
will help the land trust continue to
partner with local families to honor
Bitterroot legacies by conserving
our beautiful open spaces for future
generations.
WAYS YOU CAN GIVE:
Make an Annual Gift
Give a Recurring Monthly Gift
Give a Gift In Someone’s Honor
Contact Bitter Root Land Trust’s Executive
Director, Gavin Ricklefs and your financial
advisor to discuss how you can make
these and many other tax-deductible gifts
that make a difference for you, your family,
and the legacy of conservation in the
Bitterroot Valley. Our conservation work
insures the beauty of the Bitterroot Valley
will be enjoyed by future generations. You
can help make sure BRLT is here to honor
its conservation promises for generations
to come by making a planned gift that
lasts beyond your lifetime in these ways:
Give a Gift of Appreciated
Securities
Include BRLT in Your Will or Trust
CO N S E R VAT I O N
Welcome, Grant Carlton–
Your New Conservation Staff
Your generosity leaves a lasting impact on the future of the Bitter Root
Land Trust and the future of the Bitterroot Valley. Grant is a graduate
of Clemson University and earned his J.D. at the University of Montana
School of Law where he focused on environmental and natural resources
law. Prior to starting at BRLT, Grant practiced property, real estate, and
natural resources law in Jackson, Wyoming. Grant’s transition to the
conservation non-profit arena was a natural evolution. He has a passion
for Montana’s landscapes and wild places, as well as a desire to work
towards preserving the state’s storied agricultural heritage. You might
run into Grant backpacking, fishing, biking, or skiing in Montana’s
endless backcountry.
Welcoming Grant has been a very natural process. He’s a great cultural
fit into the land trust family. He’s confident and ready to learn, has great
insight to offer, and brings lots of enthusiasm for conservation in the
Bitterroot.
The board and staff at the Bitter Root
Land Trust are in awe of the generous
donations that have come in this year
to make it possible to bring Grant on
as our new Conservation Staff. This
growth advances the land trust’s mission
immensely. To help make Grant feel at
home, we have received some wonderful
donations of office furniture. However,
we are still in need of a few items. If you
would like to contribute office furniture
including desk lamps and a floor lamp,
a desk, a bookshelf or shelving, or a
rolling chair, contact Bitter Root Land
Trust to make arrangements. We thank
all our supporters who make it possible
to increase our impact on conserving the
water, wildlife and working lands of the
Bitterroot Valley.
Create a Charitable Annuity Gift
Give a Gift of Real Estate
Name BRLT as a Beneficiary in Your
Life Insurance Policy
gavin.ricklefs@
bitterrootlandtrust.org
406.375.0956
Thank You to a number of BRLT supporters who made it
possible for Grant Carlton to join the Bitter Root Land Trust
team in August as our new Land Protection Specialist.
Susan & Bret Young
Friends of Lee Metcalf National
Wildlife Refuge
Land Trust Alliance
Rapp Family Foundation
Chuck & Nikki Shonkwiler
Anonymous
Stan Falkow & Lucy Tompkins
Don & Joni Lodmell
Mary Fox
Bitter Root Land Trust
Board of Directors
Dick & Judy Estler
Photo: Chris Auch
Photo: Chris Auch
LAZY J CROSS RANCH
Steeped in History, Culture, and Tradition
The Wetzsteon Family’s intent was clear:
ensure the legacy of this homestead,
honor the family history, and leave it for
future generations just as it is today. The
Bitter Root Land Trust partnered with the
Wetzsteon family to conserve their 1080
acre ranch in beautiful Sula, Montana and
uphold its true value as open space.
The Bitter Root Land Trust thanks
the Wetzsteons for leaving a lasting
legacy of western heritage and beautiful
open space in the Bitterroot Valley. The
Bitterroot community and its visitors will
be able to enjoy this special place and all
it has to offer for generations to come.
Thank you for protecting the character of
the Sula basin and preserving Montana
traditions by conserving:
• elk, mule deer, & big horn sheep
winter-range
• half a mile of East Fork River frontage
• an historic Montana homestead and
working ranch
• access to public lands for hunting
Thank you to all our supporters! Your
continued investment in Bitterroot
Valley conservation ensures good work
like this is possible!
We are grateful for the partnerships
forged and the friendship and trust
earned with the Wetzsteon family over
the years. We are honored to be a part
of ensuring the legacy of the Lazy J
Cross Ranch lives on.
This project was made possible by the $1
Million generous contributions by the
following organizations:
S T E WA R D S H I P
These GSKers deserve a huge round
of applause for their hard work. Stop
by the park and check out the progress.
We loved working with you GSK!
Thank you for donating your time and
supporting local conservation.
Also, a big thanks to the awesome folks
at Montana Conservation Corps out of
Missoula, and the City of Hamilton, for
doing the initial work on the trail that
now meanders through the north end
of the park which leads directly to the
fantastic new pedestrian bridge everyone
can walk along now. Next time you’re
down there, check it out! Thank you,
Kellieann, with Ravalli County Weed
District for providing lunch for everyone.
We hope that everyone from the
community and the countless visitors to
the Bitterroot Valley will continue to enjoy
Steve Powell Park and all the beauty and
wonder it offers.
Steve Powell Park
Captivates the
Community
In June, Bitter Root Land Trust’s
Stewardship Coordinator Lea Guthrie
organized THE BIGGEST stewardship
day at Steve Powell Park AND in Bitter
Root Land Trust history. We partnered
with GlaxoSmithKline, and 85 GSK
employees spent the day removing
old fence, pulling houndstongue,
enhancing trails, and building wood
duck boxes.
Ravalli County Open Lands Bond
Program
NRCS—Farm & Ranchland Protection
Program
Montana FWP—Access Public Lands
Program
Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation
Trust
Michael J Connell Foundation
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Travelers For Open Land
Mule Deer Foundation
Wild Sheep Foundation
Montana Wild Sheep Foundation
O U T R E AC H
Steve Powell Park–A
Place For Everyone
On Earth Day, and Steve Powell’s birthday, the land trust,
the City of Hamilton, and the community welcomed a
new place that people and wildlife can enjoy together.
Twenty two acres along the Bitterroot River, just outside
downtown Hamilton is the place that embodies the
land trust story, and will continue to for generations to
come. On April 22, over 300 community members came
to celebrate the dedication of the grounds to the City
of Hamilton. Mayor Jerry Steele graciously accepted on
behalf of the city and spoke of wonderful memories of
Steve Powell, and that the City of Hamilton is excited and
honored to be a part of this wonderful collaboration.
Steve Powell Park is open to the public and we
encourage you to visit your park along the river when
you need to fill your prescription for a breath of fresh air,
the tweets of real birds—not the social media kind—the
creaking of the pines, or the rush of the water along the
gravelly shore. Bitter Root Land Trust thanks you—this
growing family of supporters—for making our good work
possible.
In honor of Steve Powell Park, Bitter Root Land Trust
and gifted local artist Karen Savory collaborated on
a truly special watercolor which was unveiled at the
park dedication in April. We still have some limited
edition archival quality prints—printed by Michael
Wilder—available. If you would like a print, contact
Emy Royce, Program Administor at BRLT. Your generous
contribution will strengthen BRLT’s continued
conservation work in the Bitterroot Valley!
SLEEPING CHILD RANCH
The Love Goes Way Back
The Victor Future Farmers of America volunteered in Spring at a Bitter
Root Land Trust conserved working ranch just south of Hamilton off
of Sleeping Child Road. It was all hands on deck—over 30 students
came to the ranch to work on fences, move pipes, work on the ditch,
giving this cherished land some good old fashioned TLC and lending a
fellow-farmer a helping hand. Watching the kids bring the ranch back
to life got family matriarch, Pat Rouse, reminiscing about her parents
and why they started the ranch so many decades ago.
“My Dad first saw the property on Sleeping Child when he was
in college and in the Hamilton area for an agriculture event. He
promised himself if he could ever get back, he would try for the
property. He started that process around 1955, and we moved into the
ranch in 1957. So the love goes way back! My parents’ commitment
was keeping agriculture in the Bitterroot Valley. So it was a natural
progression that they started talking about conserving their property.
Our family has always spent time doing things together—working
the ranch is no different. Whether it’s getting the hay put up or
deciding what crops we will grow, it is a discussion held around the
dining room table. My grandson Caleb has had to learn a lot about
daily operations, pumps that break down, ditches that get huge
breaks in them, crops that don’t come up the way they are supposed
to, and weather that doesn’t cooperate, it is life and what happens on
a ranch. But for me to walk the fields with my family and look at the
progress we have made, and discuss the future of what we want to do
is one the proudest moments for me. I know my parents would be just
as proud! It was a great opportunity for all these students to see what
it means to keep a piece of history alive for a working ranch. I’m so
fortunate that my family has such a love for this ranch and they honor
my parents by keeping it alive.”
The Bitter Root Land Trust is committed to working with the
next generation and provide opportunities to engage their passion
for Montana and its beautiful open spaces. Connecting kids with
landowners is important to the land trust mission. We are here for all
generations! It’s also a wonderful and rewarding way to expand the
services the land trust can give landowners who might need a few
extra hands for a day on the ranch, and provide an experience for kids
to learn about how local farmers and ranchers work on their land.
If you have questions about how the Bitter Root Land Trust’s Stewardship
Program can partner with landowners, contact Lea Guthrie, Stewardship
Coordinator at 406.375.0956.
Photo: Chris Auch
J U LY 19 2015
Tour of the Bitterroot
109 RIDERS
45 VOLUNTEERS
52 BUSINESS SPONSORS
$20K
NET FUNDS
RAISED
Sunshine, open spaces, great food, and bike rides all come
together to form the best conservation party in the Bitterroot
during Montana’s Open Land Month. Everyone had a blast riding
up and down the mountain side, while Lost Trail Ski Patrol and
Marcus Daly Emergency Services kept everyone safe. Steve Fain
served up some of the best pulled pork this side of the Rockies and
Homestead Organics rounded out the meal with wholesome sides
straight from their garden—I don’t think there were any leftovers!
We recorded one of the best rider turn outs in Tour history with
strong attendance in both the Skalkaho Mountain Tour and the
Sleeping Child Road Ride. Families from Missoula to Darby made it
out to ride together—moms, dads, sons, daughters, brothers and
sisters alike!
Thank you to all of our business sponsors, volunteers, and riders for
making this a fun and successful event! Your support and generosity
made for a wonderful day and puts dollars on the ground conserving
Bitterroot legacies for future generations.
S U P P O R T E R S P OT L I G H T
John Ormiston
Reaches a New High
We’d like to take a moment to recognize not just one supporter of
Bitter Root Land Trust, but 200! Often times, one person can have
a significant impact on the mission of the land trust.
This year we express our gratitude for the impact these
pledgers have made by joining together in the spirit of
fundraising to achieve a common goal—support the land trust
in a meaningful way. People from all over the valley from many
different backgrounds came together to support the conservation
of water, wildlife, and working lands in the Bitterroot Valley. They
did so by making a pledge. A pledge towards John Ormiston’s
participation in the Tour of the Bitterroot bike ride this past July.
John completed the 50 mile mountain bike ride in 6 hours! He
might be our most senior rider, but he’s likely the youngest at
heart. John asked for your support and you gave, in a BIG way.
We thank you and recognize how when this community pulls
together, we can make a difference.
We thank the 200 pledgers that put their generosity together
and raised over $9,200 dollars toward protecting thousands of
acres of open space across the valley. The average pledge comes
in at $50, with many folks giving more than what they initially
pledged. To use John’s words “That is outstanding!” During the
BBQ lunch at the Tour of the Bitterroot, John also had this to say
“It is an honor to raise money on behalf of the Bitter Root Land
Trust.” Thank you John for giving the community the opportunity
to support the Bitter Root Land Trust and thank you to our
supporters for answering the call. You made a amazing impact on
BRLT’s work conserving the water resources, wildlife habitat, and
working lands of the Bitterroot Valley.
BIG CREEK COFFEE ROASTERS • BIG SKY EYE CARE • BITTERROOT LAUNDRY • BITTERROOT VET CLINIC • BOB WARD AND SON’S • BOYLE, DEVENEY, & MEYER, P.C.
• BRADLEY O’S • CANYON’S ATHLETIC CLUB • EVANS ACE HARDWARE • FARMERS STATE BANK • GENTLE DENTAL • HAMILTON PHYSICAL THERAPY • JONES
KORMAN INSURANCE • KINETICO QUALITY WATER SYSTEMS • LAKELAND FEED AND SUPPLY • MARCUS DALY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL • MIKESELL’S FINE JEWELRY
• MILDENBERGER MOTORS • MURDOCH’S • NORMAN C WHEELER & ASSOCIATES • PAPER CLIP • PAYNE WEST INSURANCE • RAVALLI COUNTY BANK • RAVALLI
FAMILY MEDICINE • RAYMOND JAMES • RIVER RISING • ROBBINS ON MAIN • SMITH CONSTRUCTION • SPICE OF LIFE • TAKE TWO SALON • VALLEY IRRIGATION
2015 TOUR OF THE BITTERROOT PLEDGERS
Thank You for Your Support!
Jan & Alan Abel
Helen & Peter
Allen
Saundra Amsden
Jim Anderson
Beryl & Marilee
Bailey
Len Ballek
Dale Bangert
Bette Bedey
David Bedey
Amanda Bestor
Jim & Chris
Blackburn
Tonia Bloom
Marti Bowland
Chip Britting
Ron Brothers
Dale Burk
Mike Byrne
Larry Campbell
Toni Campbell
Kay Cassens
Marvin Cassler
John Cheetham
Pete Clarkson
Joanne Cleveland
Larry Collar
Phil Connelly
Janis Cooper
Bob Cron
Roger Dehaan
Larry Dewey
Bob DeYoung
Jared & Marie
Cohen Diamond
Dixie Dies
Phil Difani
Greg Dowling
Susie Duff
Bob Dunbar
Christina Dunbar
Ray Dunbar
Howard & Patti
Eldredge
Ed Eldridge
Pam Erickson
Dick & Judy Estler
Bob Evans
Steve Fain
John Farley
Peter Farley
Judith Fraser
Kay Fulton
Bill Gabriel
Gil Gale
Roger Gantz
Dave Garten
Roylene Gaul
Nancy Gibson
Gail Goheen
Frances Gonzales
Kathy Good
Jay Gore
Monica Grable
JoAnn Grant
Karen Griffing
Mark Grotbo
Jim Hamilton
Julie Hamman
Troy & Karen
Hanson
Priscilla & Rick
Hawkyard
Paul Hayes
Jim Haynes
Wayne Hedman
Thomas
Henderson
Al Hill
Mel Holloway
Karen Hoyt
Karen Hughes
Andy Hughson
JR Iman
Rachel Ingram
Amy Irwin
Mike Jakober
Craig Johnson
Rich Johnson
Rob Johnson
Van Keel
Andy Kehmeier
Lois Klement
Sandra Kochis
Kris Komar
Skip Kowalski
Sonnie LaSalle
Maria Laughlin
Russ Lawrence
Gary Leese
Janice Leese
Phil Leonardi
Dave Lockman
Don Lodmell
Jack Losensky
Tony Lubke
Rod Lucas
Rob Lynn
Keith Lyum
Dave Mackie
Gary MacLaren
Karen Mahar
Alan Maki
George Masnick/
Kahn
George Mason
Jack Mauer
Jim Maunder
Doug & Michelle
McConnaha
Suzanna
McDougal
Tod McKay
Laura Merrill
Ron&Kathy Messer
Rod Meuchel
John Mikesell
Jon Miller
Mary Millin
Lucille Molinari
Helen
Montgomery
Paul Moore
Terry Moran
Justine Morris
Rebecca Mowry
Pat Murphy
Mark Myers
Kent Myers
Doug Nation
Tori Nobles
Jim Olson
Persh Parker
Becky Peters
Robert Petty
Glen Pierson
Jake Pintok
Anita Poe
Paul Policastro
Bob Popham
Maureen Powell
Colleen Powell
Tom Powers
Robin Pruitt
Jessica Randazzo
Peggy Ratcheson
Jennifer Ray
Gavin Ricklefs
Lydia Roberts
Keith Robinson
Tom Robinson
Patti Rosa
Les Rutledge
Mimi & Len Sauer
Sharon Schroeder
Dave Schultz
Bob Schumaker
Tom Schwan
Stan & Sherri
Schwartz
Pete Seifert
Brock Selig
Ken Senn
Dan Severson
Jane Shigley
Chuck Shonkwiler
Aleta Sisson
Ron Skinner
Steve Slocomb
Carol Smith
Ed Snook
Vickie Steele
Butch Stewart
Craig Stirling
Kate Stone
Jim Story
Rosan Stover
Terry Strom
Max Stropper
Steve Suttell
Jim Swanz
Elaine Swartout
Cheryl Tenold
Archie Thomas
Mary Thomas
Diane ThomasRupert
Joe Thompson
Peggy Tonon
Fritz Tossberg
Pat Tucker
Roch Turner
Pat Vaughan
Jane Wangberg
Fred Weisbecker
Jennie West
Jack Wigen
Bethanne Williams
Mary Williams
Byron Williams
Diane Williford
Mark Yoakam
Jenny Zito
170 S 2nd Street,
Suite B
Hamilton, MT 59840
406.375.0956
US POSTAGE
PAID
NON-PROFIT
HAMILTON, MT
PERMIT NO. 203
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Cover photo: Chris Auch
The Farrell Ranch, in Stevensville, was conserved on December 14, 2015!
THANKS FOR MAKING PROJEC TS LIKE THIS POSSIBLE.
bitterrootlandtrust.org