GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — The Nature Conservancy has completed purchasing more than 257-square-miles of forestlands in Montana and Washington as part of a program to protect habitat for bull trout, lynx, elk and mule deer.
The $134 million deal that closed Thursday saw international wood products giant Plum Creek Timber Inc. transfer ownership of large tracts of Plum Creek’s higher-altitude, lower production timber lands to the environmental conservation organization.
“This project helps protect critical habitat for bull trout, lynx, elk and mule deer in Montana’s spectacular 10-million-acre Crown of the Continent,” said Richard Jeo, director of The Nature Conservancy of Montana.
He said the area is emerging as a key part of Montana’s multi-million dollar recreation economy for hunting, fishing and recreation that attract visitors from around the world.