Nonprofit buys 160 acres of land to preserve in Bozeman area
Nonprofit buys 160 acres of land to preserve in Bozeman area4/28/2020 NBC Montana, Deion Broxton
BOZEMAN, Mont. — The Gallatin Valley Land Trust recently bought 160 acres of land in Bozeman to be preserved from development.
The area is near the Middle Cottonwood Trail, about 6 miles from downtown Bozeman.
The trail used to cut through private land. The land was at the forefront of development proposals, but the GVLT bought the area before that could happen.
“This project has been in the works for several years,” said GVLT program director Brendan Weiner. “The Middle Cottonwood Trail crosses the property for about half a mile. So the project really protects the public access to that public trail.”
The GVLT paid for half the land by using grants and donations. It cost $752,000.
“The landowner was able to donate the remaining property value towards the project,” Weiner added.
The GVLT plans on turning the land over to the U.S. Forest Service in four years.