Our mission is to inspire connections to the landscapes, water, wildlife,recreation and agricultural heritage of west-central Montana throughconservation, now and for futuregenerations.

THE NEWSLETTER OF PRICKLY PEAR LAND TRUST Connecting land and people SPRING 2017

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As usual, there are the 30k, 12k, 5kand 5k dog walk — all taking place on Helena’s fabulous South Hills trails system.

The runs/walk begin and end atPioneer-Heritage Park (aka AnchorPark) located at thesouth end of theDowntown HelenaWalking Mall, next tothe Lewis & ClarkCounty Library.

Overall male and female winners ineach distance will win a $100 gift cardfrom Altra; second place finishers willwin a $50 Altra gift card; and third-place finishers will win Altra schwag.First place male and female finishers ineach age group in each event will alsobe awarded a prize. The dog walk isnoncompetitive.

But don’t feel like you need to be afast runner to be a winner! Fabulousprizes are also available for motivated

pledge getters — set up your ownpledge page on CrowdRise.com (searchfor “Don’t Fence Me In”). The personwho raises the most pledges will win a one-night stay for six people at theNorth Fork Crossing Lodge on the

beautiful BlackfootRiver. Enjoy a gourmetdinner and breakfastand the ultimate“glamping experience”

alongside your stay in one of the mostpristine and treasured areas ofMontana! If you raise $500 in pledges,you’ll receive a PPLT logoedperformance sweatshirt – perfect forspring and summer! The first person to reach $500 in pledges will win freelodging and dinner at a Montanadestination. If you raise at least $100 in pledges, you will receive a PPLTlogoed trucker hat.

For more information about Don’t Fence Me In, please visitpricklypearlt.org or call the PPLT office at 406-442-0490.

Don’t Fence Me InDon’t Miss the 17th Annual

May 13 is an important day. Sure, it’s the birthday of Stevie Wonder, but it’s also the 17th annual Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run.

If you haven’t already,please register atpricklypearlt.org.

2017 DON’T FENCE ME IN SCHEDULE

6:30 a.m. 30k packet pickup begins (PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS NO RACE-DAY REGISTRATION FOR THE 30k)

7:30 a.m. 30k run begins 8 – 9:30 a.m. Packet pick-up and late registration

for 12k, 5k, and 5k dog walk10 a.m. 12k run and walk begins10:30 a.m. 5k run and walk begins10:30 a.m. Open Space Fair begins10:45 a.m. 5k dog walk begins12 noon Awards ceremony 12:30 p.m. DFMI after-party at the Blackfoot, co-sponsored

by CWG Architects, Blackfoot River Brewing and PPLT and featuring Don’t Fence Me In’s signature beer, E-Trail pale ale

See the list of generoussponsors on page 2.

Dave Leitheiser andChristina Lipetzky round a switchback on the 12k course during the 2016 Don’t Fence Me In.

Prizes for motivated pledgegetters include a Happy Trailstrucker hat.

2 open views

ON DECEMBER 20, 2016, PricklyPear Land Trust completed its largestprivate land conservation easement todate with the closing transactions on theGehring Ranch easement.

“The great wildlife habitat and waterresources combinedwith its tremendoushistorical significancemade it a great projectfor PPLT,” said MaryHollow, PPLT executivedirector.

The 3,000-acre ranch, which is about10 miles northwest of Helena on LincolnRoad, is one of the few historic ranchesin the area that remains intact and hasbeen in the Gehring family for more than150 years. Bill Gehring, the current

owner, secured the future of the ranchwith the conservation easement.

“My ancestors did a great job with thisranch, and I did an OK job with it, butwe have no idea what future generationswill do,” Gehring said. “But no matter

what direction somebody else takes the ranch, it will always be preserved.”In addition to funding

provided by the Lewis & Clark County Open

Space Bond and grants from the RockyMountain Elk Foundation and Travelersfor Open Lands, Gehring donated $1.2 million of the ranch’s appraisedvalue by agreeing to forego $1.2 millionin payment to make the project happen.

The Base CampBig Dipper Ice CreamFirst Interstate BankFirst Security Bank

Heuiser PTHydroSolutions, Inc.Mast Family Dentistry

Mosaic ArchitectureOpportunity Bank of MontanaPerformance Injury Care

& Sports MedicineValley Bank

Van’s Thriftway

WE THANK ALL OF OUR DON’T FENCE ME IN SPONSORS

MT. ASCENSION SPONSORS

RODNEY RIDGE SPONSORS

SPRINGHILL MEADOW PARTNERS

Preserving land, preserving history

“No matter whatdirection somebody elsetakes the ranch, it willalways be preserved.”

– Bill Gehring

PPLT HAD TWO OPPORTUNITIESto visit with Gov. Steve Bullock andMontana legislators during the 2017session.

On Jan. 30, PPLT Executive DirectorMary Hollow led more than 1,000 voicesat the Rally for Public Lands. As emceefor the boisterous event, Mary introducedseveral speakers who voiced theirsupport of keeping public lands in publichands, including mountaineer ConradAnker, Trout TV host Hilary Hutchesonand Simms CEO K.C. Walsh. Mary notedPPLT’s role in expanding and securingthe public lands that ensconce Helena’sand the capitol backdrop.

Gov. Bullock rallied the crowd, whichfilled the rotunda and several balconyfloors, with a passionate speech. “It’stime we send a message … thatproposals to transfer our public lands orstudy the transfer of public lands have no place in this building and no place inMontana,” Bullock said. “This ain’t aboutpolitics, whether you’re Democrat,Republican, Libertarian or vegetarian,these lands belong to you.”

March 29 marked Land Trust Day at the Capitol. Representatives from nineMontana land trusts, including PPLT,participated in the event.

Rep. Denise Hayman of Bozemanwelcomed the land trust community. “I view land trusts as unsung heroes,”Hayman said.

Gov. Bullock and Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney also met with the land trustrepresentatives and posed for photos.More than 250 legislators and staff joinedthe land trusts for a lunch that wasorganized and served by PPLT staff and board members.

THANKS TO EVERYONE who cameto our annual meeting and to the filmpremiere of “On the Shoulders of Giants: The Story of Montana Private LandConservation,” on Feb. 22. We had agreat turnout, with more than 50 peopleattending the meeting and 165 at the film.

During the annual meeting, membersvoted to reinstate the three boardmembers who were up for re-election:Jim Utterback, Dawn North and ChrisHunter. Members also approved anamendment to Article IV of the PPLTArticles of Incorporation as follows:

“Members. The corporation shall nothave members as that term is defined in Title 35, Chapter 2 of the MontanaCode Annotated. The corporation maydesignate individuals as memberswho shall have rights as defined bythe Board of Directors.”

PPLT partnered with The NatureConservancy of Montana and TheMontana Land Reliance for the Helenapremiere of “On the Shoulders ofGiants.” Following the film, Scott andTyrrell Hibbard gave an excellent talkabout their experiences passing downan operating family ranch with deepconservation roots to the next generation.

“I commonly hear how lucky weare to live here in Montana for itsunique character, its beauty, thewealth and accessibility of its naturalresources; and Helena for all of thatplus our trail system and that access.But I submit another narrative, thatthe wealth of landscape, space,environment, access, and outdoorrecreation that we all enjoy aren’t aproduct of luck, but of the ethic ofstewardship and conservation, theforesight of the generations before usand the work of Montanans today.”– Tyrrell Hibbard

PPLT at the Capitol

Annual Meeting and Film PremierDraw Crowd to Myrna Loy

A standing-room-only crowd filled the Myrna Loy auditorium for the film premier on February 22

PPLT’s Andrea Silverman, Lanie White, and Nate Kopp with Gov. Steve Bullock and Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney

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On January 30, PPLT Executive Director Mary Hollow led more than1,000 voices at the Rally for Public Lands.

PPLT IS WADING IN to some excitingnew waters with its restoration projecton a section of Sevenmile Creek. Thecreek flows through one of the Peaks toCreeks parcels west ofHelena. The 358-acreSevenmile parcelfeatures more than twomiles of stream access.

This will be the first time PPLT has undertaken a waterrestoration project on a primary tributaryof Tenmile Creek, which is the source of Helena’s drinking water. Sevenmile Creek

currently contributes quite a bit ofsediment overload to Tenmile.

The restoration project will behandled in four phases, with each phase

focused on a particularreach of the stream. PPLT recently contractedwith McNeal Resources to restore one of the morechallenging reaches,

which includes a fish passage issue.“Sevenmile Creek has been seriously

abused for many years,” said PPLT board member and fisheries biologist

Chris Hunter. “Channel straightening,riparian vegetation removal and eventopsoil removal have left the streamseriously degraded. But it also providesPPLT with a wonderful opportunity torestore this stream. When we move thestream back up onto its former elevation,we can restore all the stream functions.The fish habitat and riparian vegetationrestoration will benefit wildlife. In a few years it will look and function as it should.”

In addition to stream work, theSevenmile project will include noxious

weed abatement and a multitude ofvegetation treatments associated withrestoration.

“This project is another whole newarea for PPLT,” Hunter said. “We are notjust preserving open space anddeveloping trails, we are restoring anentire stream/riparian corridor to itsformer function and glory. It will be awonderful place to hike, go birding and just hang out.”

SPRING 2017 3

A FORGOTTEN FIELD will spring tolife this summer as Tenmile Creek Parkopens to the public.

In April, a bridge spanning TenmileCreek will be installed, thanks to ourpartners Dick Anderson Construction,Spring Meadow Resources and StahlyEngineering. The bridge will be acommunity connector bringing togetherall the neighbors and stakeholdersinvolved with the project.

“The ADA size and gradient design forthe benefit of better accessibility on thebridge and associated trails opens up awhole new recreational opportunity forresidents at Spring Meadow Resourcesand veterans in the long-term treatmentunit at the VA, as well as all Fort Harrisonstaff and visitors,” said Prickly Pear LandTrust Executive Director Mary Hollow.

In addition to the bridge, a parking lot and vault restroom will be installed in the coming months and, barringunforeseen circumstances, the trails will be completed by mid-May.

“The pressure is on,” said Nate Kopp,PPLT project associate. “I’m excited. Itwill be great to not be the only personwalking the ground out there. I’m alsoexcited to see the first biker in his or heruniform on their way to work at the VA.”

A leadership team of the Land TrustAlliance, a national organization thatrepresents more than 1,000 land trusts, will visit the project in May, asit exemplifies diverse benefits and keyingredients for community conservation,helping conservation be accessible forfuture generations and more diversecommunities.

PPLT is waiting on final word from Montana State Parks about aRecreational Trails Program grant thatwill cover some of the costs of theTenmile Creek Park projects.

Be sure to include a visit to the parkthis summer to check this great exampleof community conservation.Also, plan to join PPLT onNational Trails Day, June 3, for a trail workday andbarbecue at Spring MeadowResources to build their ADA trail.

“The mental image for me—kids, people fishing on the creek, strollers,wheelchairs, service members,all sharing the space—is a cool one,” Hollow said.

Tenmile Creek Park to Open Soon

Sevenmile Creek Restoration Project to Begin

Peaks to Creeks Update

Gardenwerks created this digitalrendering of the concept designfor Tenmile Creek Park.

Plan to join PPLT onNational Trails Day,June 3, for a trail

workday and barbecueat the park.

We are restoring anentire stream/ripariancorridor to its formerfunction and glory.

The bridge, which will spanTenmile Creek, will beinstalled in April.

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Helena, MT 59624

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THE NEWSLETTER OF PRICKLY PEAR LAND TRUST Connecting land and people

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John BeaverTyrrell HibbardChris HunterPaula JacquesSarah JaegerJane KollmeyerJonathan KraussDennis MilburnDawn North Ed Santos

LeRoy SchrammJim UtterbackErin Woodrow

STAFF

Mary HollowExecutive Director

Andrea SilvermanLand Protection Coordinator

Lanie WhiteDevelopment Associate

Claudia DavisAdministrative Services

Peggy O’NeillCommunications and Events

Coordinator

Emmett PurcellTrails Assistant

Nate KoppProject Associate

PRICKLY PEAR LAND TRUST

40 W. Lawrence St., Ste. APO Box 892, Helena MT 59624

Phone: 406-442-0490Fax: 406-442-1790

pricklypearlt.org

PPLT welcomes new members!Thank you for joining us!

Membership dues play a vital role inhelping PPLT sustain and advanceour mission.Your dues will help us preserve

open space through conservationeasements, develop trails along thecreek corridors in the Helena Valleywhile preserving and restoringthese natural areas, and allow us toenhance and maintain the world-class trail system in the South Hills. Thank you to our newest

members, who joined betweenOctober 26, 2016, and March 24,

2017, for supporting Prickly PearLand Trust. We’re so glad you shareour vision of protecting workinglands and improving access topublic lands.

We warmly welcome:Ed & Mary BarrettEmma BeaverAndrew CarsonTom & Cathy CherryJohn & Amy CholnokyDr. Tracy & Jill Anne DillSteve FahertyLarry & Retta FasbenderJesse & Joice FranzenMary K Grande

John & Kathleen HallJohn & Laura HeitHeadwater RaftsSuzy HoltJanet HughesBrad & Jody HurdJon & Chrisy IreyMike & Dawn LopachRegan & Mark MeredithMissouri River ForestryJonathan MuzzallDenny PalmerKevin & Mary PitzerIngrid & Jeff RadkeMichael SandersAlex SmietankaLen Walch

SPRING 2017

Don’t Fence Me InComing May 13

Non-profit Org.

US Postage

PAID

Helena, MT

Permit #293

Upcoming Events

May 13 Don’t Fence Me InTrail Run, see page 1

May 19 Ales for Trails

June 3 National Trails Day.Join us for a workday atTenmile Creek Park tocomplete the section of trailthat will connect SpringMeadow Resources to thebridge spanning TenmileCreek. We will celebrate our work with a barbecue!More details to come.

June 13 Kids’ hike on Mount Helena

July 13 Kids’ hike on Rodney Ridge

August 8 Kids’ hike on Bompart Hill

2017 TrailWorkdaysThe dates are set for the 2017 Trail Workday season.We will update the websitewith meeting places andprojects as more detailsbecome available.

April 17May 22June 19July 17September 18

Details are subject to change. Visit pricklypearlt.orgfor more information.

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Raz Retires!In February, PPLT bid farewell to our beloved trails directorRobert (Raz) Rassmussen. We wish Raz the happiest of trails in his retirement and

hope he always finds a trail back to visit his friends at PPLT. “I have had the opportunity to work with Raz in two different

organizations and I’ll always admire and respect deeply hisdedication to conservation and community,” said Mary Hollow,PPLT executive director.“I started last April as the trails intern. I appreciated how

Raz took me along and introduced me to the community Iwould be working with. He is a thoughtful person — always on top of the details,” said Nate Kopp, project associate. We will miss him, but we know he’ll stay connected to

the trails.

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