The Madison-Gallatin Chapter, centered in Bozeman and comprised of members from Madison, Gallatin, and Park Counties is dedicated to preserve Montana's wild heritage. We meet monthly to deal with the nuts and bolts of managing an active Chapter. In addition to our work for new Wilderness, we are hosting a series of programs called Wilderness and..., each one with a strong wilderness theme. The Wilderness and ... series is free for members and the general public alike. (see the current topics/dates below)

While we are lucky to have dozens of environmental groups with a presence in SW Montana, the Madison-Gallatin Chapter remains the premiere grass-roots organization focused on "keeping it wild." So come join our Chapter for a Wilderness Walk, an entertaining program meeting, or to spend time volunteering to help preserve the wild places here in Montana.

What We are Working on

Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area: Currently we are developing a campaign plan focused on achieving wilderness protection for this area. Although the tongue-twisting name may sound strange, the place is probably familiar to most of you. Generally, it is the Gallatin Crest from the Hyalite Creek trailheads south to the Yellowstone National Park boundary. In 1977, this area was set aside by Congress to be studied by the US Forest Service for designation as Wilderness. The study was not completed until nearly 10 years later. It concluded that the area had strong wilderness qualities, but did not recommend designation because of the large amount of "checkerboard" or intermingled federal and private land ownership. Since then, a good deal of the private land has been acquired by the Forest Service.

By law, the WSA is required to be managed to maintain its wilderness character and potential for wilderness designation as it existed in 1977. Since no records of the various recreational activities occurring in 1977 were made, it is nearly impossible to measure current types and levels of use against those in 1977. Until recently, the Gallatin National Forest has never managed travel throughout the Forest as a whole. As a result, motorized travel and bicycle use has grown and spread helter-skelter. These are currently the greatest threats to wilderness character of the WSA. Wilderness designation will halt the degradation caused by these uses and ensure that the area is managed to protect wilderness forever.

The WSA was chosen as our first priority for several reasons. As early as the 1950s its wilderness qualities were recognized by the USFS. It was proposed for wilderness designation in the last two statewide wilderness bills that failed in 1989 and 1992. There is no doubt about its wilderness qualities, but they are under siege by a growing onslaught of motorized use that the recently completed Gallatin National Forest Travel Management Plan will perpetuate.

Wilderness and . . . Backpacking the Continental Divide
Featuring Jim Horan, Renowned long distance hiker.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Weaver Room, Emerson Cultural Center, Bozeman

Wilderness and . . . WildlifeCorridors
Featuring Dr. Jodi Hilty, Landscape ecologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Weaver Room, Emerson Cultural Center, Bozeman

Full MWA Calendar

Contact us

Email: mwamgc@wildmontana.org

Local board of directors

Noreen Breeding, President
David Steinmuller, Vice President and Chair of Membership Committee
Roger Breeding, Treasurer
Catherine Nelson, Secretary
Roger Jenkins, Chair of Wilderness And... Committee
Bob Bayley, Chair of Wilderness Committee
Larry Barnard
Susie McDonald
Mike Lebwohl
Ross Rodgers
Lynne Scalia
Joe Scalia
Joe Gutkoski
Jerry Kalur
Dick Young

Address: PO Box 6501, Bozeman, MT 59771-6501