PRICKLY PEAR LAND TRUST

Prickly Pear Land Trust is a nationally recognized organization committed to responding to the growing needs of the communities it serves. PPLT is very well-positioned to cultivate partnerships, provide hope, and stand together as we look to the future.

For nearly 25 years, PPLT has been deliberate about setting and achieving ambitious strategic goals for both its programs and operational capacity. PPLT’s service area resides where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, including a 7,500 square-mile service area in Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, Broadwater and Powell counties. PPLT was among the initial ten percent of land trusts in the U.S. to gain national land trust accreditation and has maintained that accreditation since 2012.

Since the organization’s inception, PPLT has been led by a vision to improve the ability of all members of the community to engage with conservation, recreation, and the outdoors no matter their social background, economic standing, or physical ability. By working together with many public and private organizations we can create a more “equitable, sustainable and resilient” community now and for future generations.

In addition to land protection and conservation easements, PPLT manages multi-use trails, park lands, and a stream restoration project entering its final phase in 2020 at Sevenmile Creek. And to better address the challenges of the 21st century, in 2019 PPLT piloted educational programs for youth. High Stakes support of PPLT and the service to our community we have provided, highlights that with foresight, diligence, creativity, and a commitment to community needs, together we can move mountains.

In one example, the success of PPLT’s education program is made possible through the incredible community partnerships we have in place at the local, state, and federal levels. The range and diversity of education partners means that PPLT can reach every subset of the Helena community. Within this large range of students, the program is mainly focused on engaging “at-risk” youth and filling gaps in outdoor and science education for high-school age students.