Montana Wilderness Association

We protect wild country We've had a hand in creating every wilderness in Montana – from “The Bob” to the Rattlesnake to the Beartooths. Today, we're working to protect more than a million acres of Montana's backcountry, places like the Yaak forests, the jagged Italian Peaks, and the headwaters of the Big Blackfoot. We inspire people to get out Our 53-year-strong Wilderness Walks program inspires thousands of hikers to experience outdoor adventures each year. Plus, our new online trail guide will connect thousands more with Montanans' favorite trails. These programs build community amongst hikers, introduce people to new activities, foster a lifelong love of wild places, and support businesses in wilderness gateway communities. We bring people together. When it comes to our public lands, hikers, snowmobilers, timber workers, bikers, and horseback riders don't always see eye-to-eye, but we've found we have a lot in common. In places like the Gallatins, the High Divide, and the Whitefish Range, we work with people from all walks of life to build trails and enhance recreation opportunities. We empower students. Our NexGen Wilderness Leaders Program is setting the bar for youth engagement in conservation. With three Wilderness Fellows in three communities, we lead trips into roadless country, then work with students find ways to protect those places when they return to campus. Our seventh year into this program, it's clear that we're re-energizing the next generation of conservation leaders. We make the backcountry better. The Continental Divide Trail spans more than 900 miles of Montana, stretching from Yellowstone to Glacier and passing through unparalleled wild country along the way. Every summer more than 125 people join us to volunteer on the trail. This work keeps the National Scenic Trail in great shape for the hundreds of thru-hikers who hike from end-to-end, and for the thousands of Montanans and visitors who hike stretches of the Great Divide each year.