Mission: To protect the natural diversity & rural characther of the prickly pear valley & adjoining lands through voluntary & cooperative means to perpetuate the recreational, wildlife, scenic, agricultural & historic values of the land.
Programs: Conservation land and easement acquistion & monitoring - planning & acquisition of easements to permanently protect conservation values of specific land parcels. It includes pplt's program to work with private landowners who wish to preserve the open space values of their land through applying conservation easements. In 2016,pplt completed easements on 125 acres near york outside of helena, mt and on a 2888 acre ranch in the canyon creek area outside of helena. Land acquisition program preserves open space values through acqusition and transfer to public agencies for permanent protection. During 2016, pplt worked to develop land previously acquired through its peaks to creeks initiative.
montana association of land trusts is a program sponsored by pplt in conjunction with other montana land trusts to support land conservation activity in montana and educate the public in these efforts. Malt activity included advocacy for montana land trusts and educational conferences. Program service revenue includes fees received for malt support services.
conservation planning includes pplt's program of community outreach and education regarding open space values and work with partner agencies in achieving conservation goals.
trails program - plan development, construction & maintenance, conducted with assistance of approximately 879 volunteer service hours. Program revenue is derived from a contract with the city of helena for trail development & maintenance ($18,915) and miscellaneous fees ($2,555).
Prickly Pear Land Trust is an accredited land trust. Accreditation means Prickly Pear Land Trust meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Prickly Pear Land Trust has demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate their commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. Learn More: http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about.
