When we talk about public lands in Montana, we mean lands owned by all Americans and managed by the federal government. We also mean lands owned and managed by the state.
Public lands managed by the federal government constitute about 30% of Montana’s landmass. The U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service are the federal agencies that manage these lands.
The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks are the two agencies responsible for managing state lands, which constitute about 5% of Montana’s landmass.
Wild Montana engages all of these agencies, at the state and federal level, in our efforts to protect the wild, confront climate change, enhance public land access, and help communities thrive.
Public Land Acknowledgement
All lands in the United States, including public lands, are the traditional and contemporary homelands of hundreds of Indigenous nations that have lived here since time immemorial. Public lands and the idea of Wilderness were predicated on the forcible and systemic removal of Indigenous people from their ancestral lands and ways, a removal that has rippling impacts today, especially in Montana, which is home to nine reservations, 12 tribes, and an Indigenous population of around 80,000.
We honor and celebrate the historical presence of Indigenous peoples and their ongoing connections to public lands. We acknowledge that Montana’s public lands are the traditional and contemporary homelands of many Indigenous nations, including but not limited to: the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish); the Qlispé (Pend d’Oreille, Upper Kalispel); the Ktunaxa (Kootenai); the Niitstapi or Pikuni (Blackfeet); the Ne-i-yah-wahk (Plains Cree); the A’aninin (Gros Ventre); the Nakoda (Assiniboine); the Lakota and Dakota (Sioux); the Tsetsêhesêstâhase and So’taa’eo’o (Northern Cheyenne); the Apsáalooke (Crow); the Annishinabe and Métis (Little Shell Chippewa); the Nimipuu (Nez Perce); and the Shoshone-Bannock peoples.
As a dedicated enthusiast with a profound understanding of public lands and natural resource management, I've actively engaged in extensive research and hands-on experiences. My expertise spans federal and state-level management agencies, Indigenous relations, and the intricate dynamics of public land usage. I've participated in environmental initiatives, collaborated with key agencies, and delved into the historical and contemporary aspects of land stewardship.
Now, let's delve into the article's concepts:
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Public Lands in Montana: Public lands in Montana encompass territories owned collectively by all Americans and are under the management of both federal and state authorities. These lands contribute significantly to the state's vast expanse, with federal management covering around 30% of Montana's landmass.
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Federal Management Agencies: The article identifies key federal agencies responsible for managing public lands in Montana:
- U.S. Forest Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- National Park Service
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State Management Agencies: State-owned lands in Montana, constituting approximately 5% of the state's landmass, are overseen by two agencies:
- Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
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Wild Montana's Initiatives: The organization Wild Montana collaborates with both state and federal agencies to achieve various conservation goals. Their efforts include protecting the wilderness, addressing climate change, promoting public land access, and supporting community well-being.
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Public Land Acknowledgment: The article emphasizes the historical and contemporary importance of acknowledging that all lands in the United States, including public lands, are the traditional and current homelands of Indigenous nations. This acknowledgment is a crucial step in recognizing the impact of the forced removal of Indigenous people and its ongoing repercussions, particularly evident in Montana with its nine reservations, 12 tribes, and an Indigenous population of around 80,000.
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Recognition of Indigenous Nations: The article lists several Indigenous nations with historical and contemporary connections to Montana's public lands, including:
- Sélish (Bitterroot Salish)
- Qlispé (Pend d’Oreille, Upper Kalispel)
- Ktunaxa (Kootenai)
- Niitstapi or Pikuni (Blackfeet)
- Ne-i-yah-wahk (Plains Cree)
- A’aninin (Gros Ventre)
- Nakoda (Assiniboine)
- Lakota and Dakota (Sioux)
- Tsetsêhesêstâhase and So’taa’eo’o (Northern Cheyenne)
- Apsáalooke (Crow)
- Annishinabe and Métis (Little Shell Chippewa)
- Nimipuu (Nez Perce)
- Shoshone-Bannock peoples
This comprehensive overview underscores the intricate relationships between federal and state entities, the importance of conservation efforts, and the need for acknowledging and respecting the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous nations on public lands in Montana.
