Our connection to the land is both deeply personal, and a reflection of our community and cultural values.
In July, Five Valleys hosted a very special evening at the scenic Line Ranch above Missoula: "This Didn't Happen By Accident: Stories of Intention on the Land," a panel discussion among three local conservaiton authors and our Executive Director, Whitney Schwab, led by Justin Angle, host of the A New Angle Podcast.
You can now listen to recording of that inspiring conversation on your favorite podcast player!
Donna Erickson, Rooted at the Edge: Ranching Where the Old West and New West Collide
Donna L. Erickson grew up on a working ranch in the North Hills of Missoula. Regions like the North Hills represent the critical—and often highly personal—issues at play at the edge of many western towns. Rooted at the Edge paints a portrait of a ranching community in a threatened landscape steeped in history, conflict, and beauty. Across the hilly skirt of ground that seperates Missoula from the wilderness beyond, Erickson explores the tension between love and loss as the ranch weathers its potential disappearance under an expanding city.
Greg Tollefson, A Gracious Civic Enterprise: The History of FIve Valleys Land Trust and the Community That Made It Possible.
Earlier this year, Five Valleys released its first book, A Gracious Civic Enterprise. Co-authored by Greg Tollefson, who led the protection of Mount Jumbo as Five Valleys’ Executive Director in the mid 1990’s, and Lena Viall, current Conservation and Communications Manager, the book tells the story of western Montana’s settlement, how that growth spurred a grassroots effort to conserve and restore the landscape of the Five Great Valleys, and how that work and passion continues today.
Bruce Bugbee, Saving the Big Sky: A Chronicle of Land Conservation in Montana
Saving the Big Sky is inspirational and aspirational, an uplifting invitation for readers to lend a hand in conserving Montana or wherever they call home. Written by Bruce A. Bugbee, Robert J. Kiesling, and John B. Wright, and featuring full color photographs by Kevin League, Saving the Big Sky is a beautifully illustrated story about how 6 million acres of biodiverse land were conserved in Montana over the past 50 years, and dives into how voluntary tools like conservation easements became widely accepted by landowners across the state, and how land trusts, NGOs, government agencies, and corporations all played roles in protecting key lands.
Whitney Schwab, Executive Director, Five Valleys Land Trust
Whitney Schwab has led Five Valleys Land Trust as the organization's Executive Director since 2020. She has over 20 years experience in conservation, and nonprofit development and oragnization, and leadership. Previous to her role as Executive Director, Whitney served as Five Valleys’ Philanthropy Director for five years, where she played a key role in community conservation efforts in the Flint Creek Valley and on Mount Dean Stone.
Justin Angle, A New Angle podcast
Justin Angle is Professor of Marketing and the Poe Family Distinguished Faculty Fellow at the University of Montana's College of Business. A New Angle is an educational, business, and popular culture podcast that celebrates cool people doing awesome things in and around Montana. The show's weekly releases feature interviews with entrepreneurs, politicians, journalists, writers, athletes, nonprofit execs, scientists, and more on topics relevant to Montanans and beyond.
Thank you to our wonderful authors and Justin Angle for an unforgettable evening, to Liz Kenyon for our delicious catering, and special thanks to the Line family for allowing us to hold this event on their scenic working cattle ranch (protected with a Five Valleys conservation easement) on the slopes of Mount Dean Stone above Missoula.
