The largest private land conservation project in America recently took a huge step forward to its ultimate goal by acquiring a controversial, 22,000-acre property from recalcitrant owners.

The private ranchland blocked a 3.8-mile access road to a large National Monument in Montana, but its acquisition by the American Prairie Reserve will soon give residents in northwestern Montana and Idaho a straight shot to the Monument’s interior.

American Prairie Reserve has for years been buying and leasing land between the Charles M. Russel Nat. Wildlife Refuge and Upper Missouri Breaks Nat. Monument in Montana to create America’s largest assemblage of wild prairie for the purposes of conservation and recreation.

Stitching together grasslands, water features, ranchland, rolling hills, and woodland, the Reserve has accumulated 603,657 acres, which comprises 167,070 deeded acres and 436,587 leased public acres. Their goal is ultimately to protect and some cases rewild 2.3 million acres—far harder to achieve for citizens than government lawmakers.

Its most recent acquisition was Anchor Ranch west of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in central Montana. Located 69 miles southwest of Havre, 22,000 of the acres were private property, whose wealthy American owners leased 45,000 acres nearby for grazing. Together they makeup the 2nd largest land purchase in the organization’s 24 years of history.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure an important piece of ecologically and culturally significant land,” said American Prairie CEO Alison Fox. “But this acquisition is equally important as a way to return public access to the people so they can explore, hunt, and recreate on land that’s been off-limits for many years.”

The previous owners were so reluctant to allow people through their lands to access the Missouri Breaks NM that it spawned lawsuits. Though hunting, fishing, and other activities in the 67,000-acre parcel are not yet permitted, the road to the monument is officially opened.

“We believe that public lands should be in public hands, and are proud to be able to provide more permanent access to this special area of the Breaks,” said Fox. “While we will take some time to develop a comprehensive public access plan for this new property, the previously private stretch of Bullwhacker Road is now officially open to the public.”

Sportsmen and outdoorsmen advocacy groups applauded the purchase and the decision.

SIMILAR LAND AGREEMENTS: Elk Can Migrate Through Private Colorado Ranch After First-of-its-Kind Deal with Conservation Group

The family that leased a 5,400-acre plot for grazing rights under the previous owners will be able to renew those leases, as these agreements generate much-needed revenue to the 501(c)3 so that it can continue its mission of land acquisition. Indeed some 80% of the over 600,000 acres managed by American Prairie are open to grazing, reasoning that with American bison still so few in number compared to previous centuries, large grazers are needed on the landscape to maintain ecosystem integrity.

While much of American Prairie’s habitat base is leased to local livestock producers, nearly all of the 167,070 private acres it manages is open to the public. The nonprofit is one of the largest landowners participating in Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Block Management program for hunters with more than 80,000 acres enrolled.

MORE AMERICAN PRAIRIE: Bison Get 22,000 Acres of Additional Prairie Land to Roam Free – Watch The Spectacular Moment They Were Reintroduced After 150 Years

As the organization grows, so do the facilities and recreational opportunities it provides, garnering interest and visitation from people from all over the country. In 2024, American Prairie set a new visitation record for the seventh year in a row with more than 6,600 overnight visitors to its huts and campgrounds, and over 5,000 visitors at its National Discovery Center in Lewistown, Montana.

GNN has previously reported on the organization’s activities, when in 2020, it acquired Blue Sky Ranch for the purpose of providing vital habitat to a large resident elk heard—currently now managed for bow and firearm hunting.

SHARE These New 100,000 Acres Opened To Public Access…