The Big Picture

One of APF’s guiding principles is to provide a variety of public access opportunities to the American Prairie Reserve (APR), as well connecting with and contributing to the local community and economy. By thoughtfully managing public and private lands toward a quality outdoor experience, everyone can enjoy our natural resources through such activities as hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, camping, bicycling and hunting.

APF’s goal is to adopt workable access practices allowing the public to experience this spectacular area. We are working to educate visitors about access to existing public lands, as well as to APF’s private lands.

Progress to Date

We have discussed land access issues and philosophy with public agencies and have begun talks with numerous tourism providers to learn which types of activities they may conduct in an area managed for prairie wildlife. We are developing relationships with local vendors who can benefit from the existence of the Reserve. On land we currently own, we are also working to establish areas on which people can hike, horseback ride and camp.

Next Steps

We continue to refine our hunting policies and practices. We are now entering our second year as participants in Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Park’s Block Management Program, which currently includes 5000 acres of APF’s deeded land. In addition we are working with the Bureau of Land Management to create improved public access to those public lands leased to APF, while forwarding the respective conservation and land stewardship goals of both organizations.