If Montana is the “last best place,” part of the reason is its strong history of conservation carried out by many Montanans, some of whom played large roles in important national policy and legislation to preserve Montana’s wildlife and wild places. Now, 13 more of those hard workers have been recognized for their efforts by being inducted into the Montana Outdoors Hall of … [Read more...] about Four Western Montana conservationists join the Outdoor Hall of Fame

(HCN.org) In August, when President Donald Trump signed into passage the Great American Outdoors Act, Democrats warned that he was only doing so as a political favor for Colorado’s Cory Gardner and Montana’s Steve Daines, two vulnerable Western Republican senators who co-sponsored it in an attempt to keep their seats in the November election. (Gardner lost his bid for … [Read more...] about Interior revises regs; could derail Land and Water Conservation Fund

(CN) — In a major about-face, the Trump administration denied a vital permit for a proposed gold and copper mining operation in Alaska on Wednesday — finding the project would spoil thousands of acres of wetlands and open waters in violation of the Clean Water Act. Plans for the Pebble Mine operation in southwest Alaska’s pristine Bristol Bay have been in the works for … [Read more...] about Feds deny permit for mine planned near pristine Alaska bay

(CN) — Thirty-four scientists’ two-month expedition to Mount Everest last year produced four new research papers and several works of art, commentary and interdisciplinary reflection, all examining how climate change and pollution have impacted the tallest place on Earth. The National Geographic Society and Rolex partnered with Nepal’s Tribhuvan University to organize the … [Read more...] about Monday Morning Read: Expedition says climate change, plastics threaten world’s tallest peak

In central Montana, sagebrush-covered hills roll gently down toward Arrow Creek before dropping off in dramatic cliffs where the creek joins the Missouri River. This Bureau of Land Management land, near the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, is prime habitat for deer, elk and game birds. Arrow Creek’s remote location and its renown as a hunting destination made it … [Read more...] about Pendley’s illegal stint at BLM invalidates backcountry conservation areas in Montana