LOCAL PROJECTS
Every once in a while we have reason to get together and raise awareness or take action on challenges to our businesses and/or our livelihoods. This coalition is neither a non-profit or, frankly, anything official. It is just us, a community, working together to recognize and act on opportunities that we see as mutually beneficial. As a member, you don't have to do anything, but if you have something in mind, this is a way to work within a network of fellow business people. Below is a list of local conservation efforts in which our members might be interested. Think of it as a "jobs" posting. You may or may not be interested in any given job. The purpose of the list is not to make people pick sides on conservation, but to be informed, make a decision for yourself, and then get involved. If you have an existing or potential project in mind, let us know. We support any feasible project that enhances the fisheries, wildlife, open spaces and rural character of our area.
Bear Co-existence Investments
Part of protecting grizzly bears, which visitors come here and spend their money to see, is on "us" learning to live with them. Wild Livelihoods is working with many others to reduce and eliminate bear conflict within Park County. We are also giving a voice to tourism businesses within the Montana legislature and FWP to understand the outsized, positive economic impact that grizzly bears bring to our area.
Elk Payment Program
In 2019, Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) collaborated with the Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group on a multi-year effort to better understand landowners’ attitudes and challenges with elk in Paradise Valley (detailed report here). Recognizing the wildlife habitat that our local agricultural producers provide, often at their own cost, and also recognizing how a balanced predator-prey ecosystem can help manage elk, our members might choose to support this cooperative project to help ranchers solve problems like forage loss, trespassing/poaching, and disease transmission.
In support of the Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group, many of our members are providing volunteer support on a long term study of recreational use on the Upper Yellowstone River, so that human impact on this magnificent watershed can be managed sustainably. For more information on the study, visit the Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group website.
Montana Headwaters Legacy Act
The Montana Headwaters Legacy Act (MHLA) is a key piece of Wild and Scenic legislation; a made-in-Montana bill that, when passed, will protect 385 river miles across 20 of the state’s most iconic waterways. These rivers include the Yellowstone, Madison, Gallatin, Smith, and more.
Christopher Hoff (c) 2021
Defensible Cougar Quotas
On June 8th, 2023 FWP Commissioners, including the new Region 3 Commissioner, voted to increase cougar quotas by 40% in units 314 and 317 in southern Park County. No rationale was given. Locale houndsmen and Wild Livelihoods both opposed the quota increase.
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Paradise Pledge
In support of a local initiative, many of our businesses are taking the Paradise Pledge to promote sustainable and ethical use of our magnificent open spaces, clean water, and wild places. For more information and to take the pledge, visit www.paradisepledge.com
Christopher Hoff (c) 2021
Managing Sustainable Wolf Populations on the Northern Boundary of Yellowstone
In 2021 a group of local businesses raised public awareness regarding a change to wolf harvest quotas along Montana's border on the northern range of Yellowstone National Park. They seek to protect the significant local economy of guides, lodging, restaurants and retail by setting wolf harvest quotas based on population estimates of resident wolves who actually reside in WMU/TD 313.
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