Conservation Easements

Montanans – both natives and transplants – all share a love for the rugged grandeur of this magnificent state. Our wide vistas, majestic mountains, rolling farmlands, and wildlife attract visitors from around the world, and nurture the souls of those of us who call Montana home. Recent years have brought an influx of people wishing to develop and carve out sections of land for profit or personal use. This has created valid concern for the future of the state, and with that, growing alarm over disappearing open space. 

Montanans are pro-active people and, consequently, many residents of the Big Sky Country are passionate about proper stewardship of the land and are involved in numerous non-profit organizations that are diligently working to preserve and protect all that we so love for our future generations. Montana calls itself “The Last Best Place” and with that in mind, we are committed to permanently protecting what we so enjoy. 

Conservation Easements, very favorable and attractive to land owners wishing to preserve their holdings for future generations, are available for enactment by working with and through one of Gallatin Valley’s many non-profit organizations. 

Stuart and Sally love the Gallatin Valley and encourage land owners to consider the future of the open lands in this community. As a board member of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, Stuart is actively working to insure the continued viability of our local eco-system. Many of our closest friends are involved in 501-C3 local organizations fighting to safeguard Montana’s unique environment. 

There are many reasons to place land under the umbrella of Conservation Easements: taxes, inheritance, and a desire to insure for perpetuity that the land remains unfettered by future development while allowing you enjoyment of the land. As a legally binding agreement, with specific rules and regulations, a Conservation Easement should be approached with full understanding and knowledge of what you receive in exchange for giving up certain rights on your land. 

Below are links to several organizations in the Gallatin Valley with representatives who would be delighted to discuss the personal impact a Conservation Easement will have on you and your land. 

• Gallatin Valley Land Trust
• Gallatin County Open Space Grant Program  
• Trust for Public Land 
• Conservation Land Network 
• Montana Land Reliance 
• Montana Wetlands Legacy 
• Montana Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Trout Unlimited
• Nature Conservancy

Farm & Ranch

In his book, A Sense of Place: Listening to Americans, author David Lamb sums up how many feel about Montana when he writes, “In every true Montanan, there is something that says, ‘I am a last holdout.’ “You see, Montana isn’t just the “Last Best Place,” but unique in the sense that in this modern day and age, it remains primarily a rural land filled with vast ranches, farms, and national forests. Montana is the fourth largest state in the Union, but with a population less than that living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. In Montana, it’s still very possible to become a cowboy, to ride the range, and to own property as far as the eye can see. There are “Gentleman Ranches” in and around Bozeman that satisfy the craving for a piece of the True West, allow horses, and are relatively easy to maintain. Or, like Ted Turner, Tom Seibel, and Tom Brokaw, you can jump in feet first and rope in a legendary Montana ranch, rich in history.

Stuart and Sally are ready to assist our clients in finding and acquiring the ranch or farm of their dreams. We work closely with specialists in Farm and Ranch properties, knowing many times well in advance that a property will be coming on the market. Pricing for acreage varies wildly, determined by many factors, including proximity to Bozeman or another urban area, existing buildings, water, trees, the make-up of the soil, weather conditions, views, topography, and the desirability of the land.

Many ranches and farms in Montana are owned by out-of state investors. Consequently, a thriving ranch management service industry has sprung up in Montana, specializing in the overseeing of large land holdings. It is possible to hire management and consultants who can address every aspect of being a proper steward of the land while operating an agricultural-based business.

There are many ways to help offset the cost of buying and operating large tracts of Montana land. There is a new trend to “bank" and trade such natural resources as water rights and there are lucrative tax credits for conservation easements. Stuart and Sally know the right professionals for you to consult with regarding ranch and land management. It is important for you to fully appreciate and understand the enormity of undertaking the running of a farm or ranch if you have not previously owned such a property.

In Montana, we consider Ryan Flair of “Fay Ranches” and Dave Johnson of “Hall & Hall” to be the leading listing agents for rural Montana farm and ranches.

We are happy to represent your interests should you wish to purchase one of their listings or any other available property in Montana.

Conservation Easements – Bozeman, Montana

Montanans – both natives and transplants – all share a love for the rugged grandeur of this magnificent state. Our wide vistas, majestic mountains, rolling farmlands, and wildlife attract visitors from around the world, and nurture the souls of those of us who call Montana home. Recent years have brought an influx of people wishing to develop and carve out sections of land for profit or personal use. This has created valid concern for the future of the state, and with that, growing alarm over disappearing open space. 

Montanans are pro-active people and, consequently, many residents of the Big Sky Country are passionate about proper stewardship of the land and are involved in numerous non-profit organizations that are diligently working to preserve and protect all that we so love for our future generations. Montana calls itself “The Last Best Place” and with that in mind, we are committed to permanently protecting what we so enjoy. 

Conservation Easements, very favorable and attractive to land owners wishing to preserve their holdings for future generations, are available for enactment by working with and through one of Gallatin Valley’s many non-profit organizations. 

Stuart and Sally love the Gallatin Valley and encourage land owners to consider the future of the open lands in this community. As a board member of the “Gallatin Valley Land Trust” Stuart is actively working to insure the continued viability of our local eco-system. Many of our closest friends are involved in 501-C3 local organizations fighting to safeguard Montana’s unique environment. 

There are many reasons to place land under the umbrella of Conservation Easements: taxes, inheritance, and a desire to insure for perpetuity that the land remains unfettered by future development while allowing you enjoyment of the land. As a legally binding agreement, with specific rules and regulations, a Conservation Easement should be approached with full understanding and knowledge of what you receive in exchange for giving up certain rights on your land. 

Below are links to several organizations in the Gallatin Valley with representatives who would be delighted to discuss the personal impact a Conservation Easement will have on you and your land. 

• Gallatin Valley Land Trust
• Gallatin County Open Space Grant Program  
• Trust for Public Land 
• Conservation Land Network 
• Montana Land Reliance 
• Montana Wetlands Legacy 
• Montana Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Trout Unlimited
• Nature Conservancy

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