The Montana Land Board approved the purchase of eight new habitat conservation leases (HCL) that benefit more than 50,000 acres of land in eastern Montana, thus conserving and expanding public access to the private prairie lands while maintaining agricultural practices.
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 keeping wildlife habitats for 30 or 40-year terms.
The eight HCLs total 51,635 acres and are valued at more than $6 million. Of the leases approved, six will be completely funded by Habitat Montana and two will be split between Habitat Montana and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Park’s (FWP) Migratory Bird Wetland Program. FWP currently administers 51 leases totaling 330,193 acres.
What They are Saying about HCLs:
“Our Habitat Conservation Lease Program benefits all Montanans,” said FWP Director Dustin Temple. “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.”
“Our top priority will continue to be to increase public access while preserving our treasured lands and habitats for generations to come,” said Gov. Greg Gianforte. “Through habitat conservation leases, we’re providing conservation incentives to landowners, supporting our leading industries, and protecting our way of life.”
“As a longtime active proponent of conservation, habitat stewardship and hunting, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation applauds the implementation of these habitat conservation leases,” said Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Chief Conservation Officer Blake Henning. “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.”
Click here to read the entire news release.
(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)