ABOUT GVLT
We Preserve the Things That Make Southwest Montana so Special
Gallatin Valley Land Trust was born out of a shared belief that access to nature, connected trail systems, productive farms and ranches, wildlife habitat, and clean water sustain our physical and mental health. Trails and land conservation enable ecological sustainability, economic stability, and social connectedness. They define our quality of life.
Since our founding in 1990, we have helped conserve over 72,000 acres of land in Gallatin, Madison, and Park counties through partnerships with private landowners, using voluntary conservation agreements. Through public and private partnerships, GVLT has also helped build and expand the Main Street to the Mountains trail system to nearly 100 miles, providing recreation, transportation, and a connection to nature. Our founder, Chris Boyd, was a true visionary. He could see this area changing and saw the need for an organization to care for its future. We’ve been carrying that torch ever since.
Mission
Gallatin Valley Land Trust connects people, communities, and open lands through the conservation of working farms and ranches, healthy rivers, and wildlife habitat, and the creation of trails in the Montana headwaters of the Missouri and Upper Yellowstone Rivers.
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We recognize the hard-earned trust GVLT has built with landowners, partners, supporters, and our communities since 1990 and we do not take it for granted. Indeed, our communities’ trust is our greatest asset. Through integrity, transparency, respect, and a track record of delivering on our mission, we strive to uphold the trust placed in us.
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We recognize that our vision for conservation and trails will outlive each of us and will impact the landscape, and future generations, forever. As caretakers of the land, we always take the long view. We diligently consider the long-term risks, financial impacts, and stewardship responsibilities of every trail and conservation project we pursue.
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We humbly understand that GVLT alone cannot solve the complex challenges facing our region. Successful execution of our mission depends on the passion, expertise, and perspectives of our partners. In every project, we are part of a team, collaborating with a unique suite of landowners, supporters, organizations, local governments, and/or agencies.
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We live, work, and play in Southwest Montana and we know this place like the back of our hands. We’re committed to serving the people and species that share our home by delivering local solutions to local challenges. We strive to respect and reflect a community that is as unique as the landscapes we protect. In turn, we are committed to serving everyone in our diverse community.
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We are a landscape and community in transition and change can be challenging. Through thoughtful consideration of multiple perspectives, GVLT finds, upholds, and balances the values we share on the issues that have the power to divide our communities. With forward-thinking optimism, we work to protect our literal common ground.
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GVLT has grown to be a leader, both locally and nationally among our land trust peers. Our communities look to us to dream big and take risks. We will continue to activate, catalyze, initiate, lead, and innovate to solve complex problems, both central to our mission and interconnected. We will remain nimble and agile to respond to changing needs.
Values
Land Trust Alliance Accreditation
In 2008, we became one of the first accredited land trusts in the nation. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission renewed GVLT’s accreditation in 2013 and again in 2019. The accreditation seal recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national standards for excellence, uphold the public trust, and ensure that conservation efforts are permanent.
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awards the seal to community institutions that demonstrate the ability to protect important natural places and working lands in perpetuity. The Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance established in 2006, is governed by a volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts from around the country.
Additional Recognition
GVLT has earned excellent ratings from other respected organizations for our cost-efficient methods, ability to maximize every dollar donated, productive partnerships, and long-term stability and sustainability.
