I belong to and donate to an organisation that arranges to purchase land and then we give it to the federal government to be turned into public lands, usually as in this case, National Forest. We believe the US Government to be the best caretaker of lands held in trust for all Americans to use and enjoy. All words are my own and I do not represent the Foundation etc etc etc.
We are called The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The main purpose of our organisation is to conserve habitat for elk, and when we do purchase habitat we always give it to the government for all the people of America to enjoy however they see fit. When we can’t arrange the purchase of land outright we work to promote the various types of conservation easements etc.
Before I get ahead of myself too far I should also mention the people who put up the lion's share of the money for this purchase. You did, thanks. Moneys from the Elk Foundation (RMEF) combined with the Bair Ranch Foundation, (next time you hear someone use the term “welfare rancher” kindly kick them in the ass so hard their belt loops are up around their ears for me will you?) Where was I. Oh yes, The RMEF and the Bair Ranch Foundation along with over 30 Montana Sportsman’s groups leveraged monies available via the Land and Water Conservation Fund which I’ve written about most recently here, purchased the land. Without following the links, the Land and Water Conservation Fund is royalties from offshore drilling specifically targeted to conservation, it’s a lotta money.
It might not be apparent from the map but this purchase gives access to far more than the 8,000 acres involved. Because the land was in a checkerboard pattern it denied access to all lands behind it. A good ten mile stretch of land.
In the words of Chuck Roady Chairman of the Board of Directors for RMEF.
“Projects like the Tenderfoot acquisition can increase management efficiency by blocking up ownership. They reduce the need for boundary fences, reduce the chance for inadvertent trespass on private lands, and compliment efforts to control noxious weeds and aid in reducing the incidence and cost of controlling wildfire. However, for many supporters the ultimate gift of the Tenderfoot land acquisition is the legacy of future generations of people and healthy wildlife populations continuing to thrive across that landscape into perpetuity. “