Good News for Montana Environmentalists

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Grist reports that a 500-acre Nature Conservancy/Trust for Public Land deal in Montana is the largest in U.S. history.




The two entities are paying Plum Creek Timber $510 Million for the land. Habitat for grizzly bears, lynx, moose, wolverines and bull trout will be created. The lumber company will continue to remove timber using sustainable methods.

Montana Senator Max Baucus (D) added a tax-credit-bond-mechanism to the new farm bill and used it in the transaction. The Farm Bill feature allows non-profits to receive federal land purchase money through conservation grants.


Tip of the Trowel to Senator Baucus.

Comments

Unknown said…
Kuddos to Senator Baucus! This is wonderful news for Montana.
July 8, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Molly Day said…
No kidding. In Oklahoma we are stuck with anti-environmentalists rather than senators who love the earth.

Sigh.
July 8, 2008 at 7:18 PM
The Diva said…
That is wonderful news, but we did have a victory in OK when the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve was created, granted no senators helped I think.~~Dee
July 9, 2008 at 5:01 AM
Molly said…
Dee
There is also the new Oklahoma Centennial Botanical Garden under construction north of Tulsa.
It will become one of America’s most diverse botanical gardens with 60 acres of gardens and features. The remainder of the 240 acres of ancient forest and prairie will be preserved for historical and ecological significance. Scientists say the site has 400 plant species, sandstone 400-600 million years old and clay 15 million years old.

It isn't open yet but they have some events already.
http://www.botanicalgardentulsa.org
that are worth attending.
M
July 10, 2008 at 8:16 PM
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