Montana conservation groups celebrate approval of eight habitat conservation leases

HELENA, MT – As chair of the Montana Land Board, Governor Greg Gianforte on Aug 19th, led the state’s purchase of more than 50,000 acres of habitat conservation leases (HCL) to increase public access, keep agricultural land in production, and conserve prairie habitats.  

With the support of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), conservation groups, and farmers and ranchers, the governor and members of the land board celebrated the approval to purchase eight private properties to enroll as HCLs.

“Our top priority will continue to be to increase public access while preserving our treasured lands and habitats for generations to come,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Through habitat conservation leases, we’re providing conservation incentives to landowners, supporting our leading industries, and protecting our way of life.”

HCLs are a voluntary, incentive-based agreement with private landowners that help ensure high-priority habitats are conserved while traditional agricultural activities, primarily livestock grazing, continue. Landowners commit to retaining wildlife habitats for 30 or 40-year terms.

“Our Habitat Conservation Lease Program benefits all Montanans,” FWP Director Dustin Temple said. “Ensuring the protection of critical habitat is central to our mission at FWP. We do this in partnership with private landowners and the agriculture industry by using conservation tools that work for them. Habitat leases are one way we help landowners protect habitat that are important to the wildlife we all cherish.”

These eight eastern Montana HCLs total 51,635 acres and are valued at over $6 million. Of the leases approved today, six will be completely funded by Habitat Montana and two will be split between Habitat Montana and FWP’s Migratory Bird Wetland Program. Currently, FWP administers 51 leases totaling 330,193 acres. 

Several conservation groups joined the governor and FWP director in praising the enrollment.

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) Interim Chief Conservation Officer Joel Webster said, “TRCP appreciates the leadership of the Montana Land Board to maintain private working lands, enhance sportsmen’s access, and conserve fish and wildlife habitat through the approval of eight Habitat Conservation Leases. Habitat Conservation Leases have real merit, and TRCP welcomes this additional tool in the box that will help Montanans maintain our agricultural and sporting heritage.”

The Boone and Crockett Club Chief Executive Officer Tony Schoonen added, “The Boone and Crockett Club applauds the addition of 50,000 acres of habitat leases in Eastern Montana and appreciate the leadership of Governor Gianforte, FWP, and the Land Board to make this a reality. These term easements are an important tool for wildlife managers and landowners, and we are excited to see more of them being purchased. The Habitat Conservation leasing program promotes wildlife conservation, keep working lands working, and provide public hunting access and we are proud to support it.”

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Chief Conservation Officer Blake Henning said, “As a longtime active proponent of conservation, habitat stewardship and hunting, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation applauds the implementation of these habitat conservation leases. They incentivize wildlife management and conservation as well as public hunting access on private working lands. We are glad this tool is being put to good use, and we appreciate the leadership of the governor, FWP and the Land Board in approving this latest investment of Habitat Montana and Montana Migratory Bird Wetland Program projects.”

The Montana Wild Sheep Foundation Executive Director Ty Stubblefield shared, “We commend the State Land Boards partnership with FWP and private landowners to conserve key habitat and increase public access through the habitat conservation lease program. Private landowners have played a crucial role in the conservation of many wildlife species here in Montana. It truly is a worthy investment for the future of Montana's wildlife, habitat and farming and ranching.”

Like most FWP programs, HCLs also increase public access for public hunting and other wildlife-related recreation.

Increasing public access to public lands is a top priority for the governor. Since the governor took office, Montanans gained access to more than 100,000 acres of public lands through new WMAs in the Big Snowy Mountains, Bad Rock Canyon, and along the Yellowstone River with expanded access at Mount Haggin, and a new state park at Somers Beach.