What People Are Saying
We fully support Vital Ground’s efforts in conservation acquisitions or easements for grizzly bear habitat. We recognize that the functional conservation of these small populations depends upon land conservation efforts like this.
— Chris Servheen, Ph.D., Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Direct acquisition of land and conservation easements are becoming increasingly important tools for wildlife conservation in North America, and Vital Ground plays an important role in this effort for grizzly bears in the trans-border area of the U.S. and Canada.
— Michael Proctor, Ph.D., Canadian Project Leader, Trans-border Grizzly Bear Project
Thank you for your support of the Allotment Buyout Campaign. These areas contain some of the finest wildlife habitat in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and are the places where the most controversial resource debates have taken place. I value our partnership with Vital Ground.
— Larry Schweiger, CEO, National Wildlife Federation
It’s been my privilege to work with The Vital Ground Foundation on protecting key grizzly bear habitat for over twelve years. Vital Ground has been an important partner in our shared conservation initiatives on the Rocky Mountain Front.
— David Carr, Rocky Mountain Front Project Director, The Nature Conservancy of Montana
Y2Y and Vital Ground have a common interest in conserving lands that preserve biodiversity and promote wildlife population connectivity in a way that will keep habitat in the hands of private landowners and permit traditional uses of the land.
— Sarah Elmeligi, Conservation Program Manager, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
Vital Ground's contribution demonstrates a continuing legacy in partnering to protect critical habitat in the West.
— Grant Parker, Chief Legal Counsel, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Ducks Unlimited has a very productive, professional working relationship with Vital Ground conserving and restoring wetland and upland habitats in Idaho. The Vital Ground Foundation is a very effective conservation organization and Ducks Unlimited looks forward to continuing to work with them conserving critical wildlife habitats in the West.
— Thomas J. Dwyer, Director Conservation Programs, Pacific Northwest and Hawaii Ducks Unlimited
Development associated with private lands can create problems for wildlife, and in particular grizzly bears. Conserving open space in critical grizzly bear habitat, as proposed by Vital Ground, is key to allowing recovery to occur and minimizing the potential for conflicts with bad outcomes for bears and humans.
— Charles Corsi, Regional Supervisor, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
We were happy to be able to secure this wild area for future generations while also maintaining the privileges of ownership that are important to us.
— David Hirschfeld, Cooney Creek landowner
Although the use of our property is as light-handed as possible, it's comforting to know that our conservation easement with Vital Ground ensures that subsequent owners will also maintain the property in essentially its current natural condition.
— Gene Tingle, McKay Creek landowner
Vital Ground was a perfect match to help us bring this project to completion. Their team of professionals was able to carry out all aspects of the many-faceted requirements of the Forest Legacy project. We sincerely thank Vital Ground for enabling our family to see this project finalized in a form that will protect the family farm, the working forest and great wildlife habitat.
— Lon Merrifield, Clifty View Nursery landowner
Vital Ground was there when we needed them. They have demonstrated a remarkable ability to respond quickly in support of habitat transactions that are critical to grizzly bears and other large mammals.
— Hank Fischer, Special Projects Coordinator, National Wildlife Federation
I want to extend my sincere thanks to Vital Ground for your investment in protecting habitat that is key to brown bears and wild salmon. Support like Vital Ground's is essential to protect the great salmon runs of Southwest Alaska and the robust brown bear populations that rely upon them.
— Glenn Elison, Alaska State Director, The Conservation Fund
Vital Ground will remain the finest thing we have ever done with our lives.
— Doug and Lynne Seus, Founders of Vital Ground