News

Earlier this month, the Missoula County Commissioners and members of the Missoula County Open Space Advisory Committee braved the rain to tour the site of the proposed Teague-Woodworth Meadows conservation easement. Located a jog south of Seeley Lake off of Woodworth Road, the proposed 90-acre easement would protect agricultural lands and irreplaceable wildlife habitat near the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks' Blackfoot Clearwater Wildlife Management Area.

Every single acre of the easement is designated as agricultural soils of statewide importance by the NRCS, which is no surprise in Woodworth Meadows, an area long used for agriculture. No less significant are the abundant wildlife habitat values the property possesses. Located near the Blackfoot Clearwater Wildlife Management Area and the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wildernesses, the area's lush meadows are a draw for species big and small: elk, grizzly and black bears, moose, mountain lions, deer as well as a plethora of smaller mammal and bird species make their home here. And Woodworth Meadows scenic views--rural, green meadow bottoms ringed by forested, rugged mountains--is simply breathtaking.

Five Valleys is seeking Missoula County Open Space Bond funds to help cover the costs of the conservation easement, which spurred the public tour of the property with the commissioners. We're aiming to complete the conservation easement this fall, adding landowners Randy and Sharon Teague's beautiful property to the patchwork of forever-protected lands in Woodworth Meadows.