20,629 Montana acres just became public ground, permanently

Stimson Lumber closed a 20,629-acre easement that guarantees public access and wildlife habitat across three western Montana counties, forever. The deal protects 39 miles of streams and roughly 6,000 public hunting and angling use-days a year, anchored by a $17.7 million donation from the company. Montana FWP gave final approval in August; the easement closed in September.