Coyote Forest

Year: 2005
Acres: 80
Ecosystem: Northern Continental Divide (NCDE)
Location: MT - Swan Valley
Project Type: Conservation Easement

Summary: In 2005, Vital Ground finalized an agreement with Bud Moore to place a conservation easement on his 80-acre Coyote Forest property in the Swan Valley, a working forest that supports a small timber and sawmill operation. Coyote Forest is part of a grizzly linkage zone and researchers have regularly recorded grizzlies using the property and surrounding lands. Vital Ground arranged a bargain sale transaction in which the easement was partly donated and partly purchased. The first conservation easement both negotiated and held by Vital Ground, the agreement protects the wildlife values of Coyote Forest, while allowing ecological forest management to continue to provide income.

Watch Vital Ground's YouTube video featuring Bud Moore discussing his relationship with Vital Ground and his philosophy of sustainable forestry.

Read more about Bud Moore and the Coyote Forest Conservation Easement in the Spring 2006 issue of Vital News. (PDF, 633 KB)

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