Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks finalized three conservation easements in the Habitat Montana program. FWP Spokesman Greg Lemon says the Birdtail, White Deer Meadows, and North Sunday Creek conservation easements all faced year-end deadlines, but they all closed prior to the new year.

“They are all significant in terms of the habitat they protect,” Lemon said. “Deer habitat on the White Deer Meadows Easement, sagebrush habitat on North Sunday Creek, and the year-round foothill habitat for deer and elk on the Birdtail Conservation Easement.”

Lemon says all three easements focused on protecting high-valued wildlife habitat and providing public access.

“As hunters all across the state know, private lands provide some really essential wildlife habitat for some of our most valuable species,” Lemon said. “That is the case here. The conservation easement helps keep those lands in production and also protects the habitat now and into the future.”

According to Lemon, these easements will protect more than 18,000 acres and provide 970 hunter days a year.

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