Perched at the western end of the Garnet Range, overlooking the confluence of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers, is Five Valleys Land Trust’s newest community open space property, “Bonner Ridge.” The 242-acre parcel makes up the top portion of “B Hill” directly above Bonner. Now protected, the land trust will manage Bonner Ridge for wildlife and public access.
The parcel came on the market this past year and was slated for subdivision. Five Valleys worked with along with funding partners finalized the purchase from the private landowner in mid-August.
“This project is a conservation win from so many angles,” says Whitney Schwab, Executive Director of Five Valleys Land Trust. “It protects important wildlife habitat and connectivity, provides public access, and allows us to steward forest health to help reduce the risk of wildfire close to Bonner. Wildfire season is lasting longer and longer. By reducing development in the wildland-urban interface and supporting good forest management we can better support our community’s firefighting efforts and resources.”
The project was made possible through partnership and funding from Missoula County through the Missoula Open Space Bond and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.
“We are proud to partner with Five Valleys Land Trust on the Bonner property,” said Missoula County Commission Chair Josh Slotnick. “Using voter-approved open space bond funds will help protect this critical wildlife corridor and iconic mountain views while also creating a new public access opportunity for the Bonner area.”
The project protects an important link for both wildlife habitat, and public access. Directly to the east lies thousands of acres owned by The Nature Conservancy, purchased as part of the Montana Legacy Project. The property lies adjacent to other private conservation lands that Five Valleys also manages for public access.
“The Missoula-Bonner corridor is critical for wildlife movement and safety on a continental scale. Protection of this property helps wildlife move under Interstate 90 and the rail line without getting hit, and in turn it helps drivers and conductors pass safely,” says Jordan Reeves, Director of Landscape Connectivity for the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative. “Y2Y is happy to play a small part in the ongoing story of conservation here at the confluence, from the reclamation of the Milltown Dam in the early 90s to the great work happening here with partners, landowners, Missoula County, and Five Valleys Land Trust."
The Bonner Ridge property supports robust elk and deer populations, as well as bighorn sheep. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Regional Supervisor, Kendra McCloskey, noted in the agency’s letter of support for the project that, “The habitat and topography at the confluence of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers and the surrounding area are relatively unique. Three mountain ranges, two large rivers, multiple side streams and draws, and a wide diversity of ridgelines converge to form a topographic bowl that has created an array of wildlife habitats and a natural funnel for wildlife movement.”
Now that it is protected, Five Valleys will develop a management plan for the property that will balance recreation with the wildlife values on the property. Until that plan is finalized, the property will remain closed to the public.
“It’s important to develop a management plan that balances the needs of wildlife, public access,” says Kit Fischer, Senior Conservation Project Manager with Five Valleys. “Being thoughtful about community needs, and taking the time to do it right, is important for future success.”
Photos courtesy of Tanner Rauk
