Gallatin Valley, located in Bozeman Montana, is an inspiring landscape rich in human and natural history, home to abundant wildlife, and supporting world-class outdoor recreation opportunities. Many of these special places are lands that are susceptible to negative impacts from the built environment and its residents that are necessary to support a healthy environment and public wellbeing. Yet no agreement, process, or tool exists to identify sensitive lands or prioritize their protection, which can lead to contentious public debates on every proposed development and would-be partners working crosswise with each other.

This Protection Plan identifies sensitive lands in the Valley through a robust GIS model and provides a menu of recommendations that can be used by agencies, non-profits, and landowners. The model quantifies habitat and corridors between urban and natural areas and highlights the value of working agricultural lands and other sensitive lands. Results of the model for each of the Four Themes – Wildlife & Biodiversity, Connectivity, Agricultural Heritage, and Water Quality and Quantity – informed the list recommendations to guide decisions about land use and management in the Valley.