By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER
Editor’s Note: Outlaw Partners is the producer of Wildlands, and publisher of Explore Big Sky
On Thursday, July 31, Wildlands, Big Sky’s annual weekend celebration of world-class live music and conservation began with the conservation dinner and auction, preceding two nights of Dave Matthews, Lukas Nelson and Molly Tuttle. This year the dinner raised over $600,000 for both landscape and river conservation.
The night kicked off with a discussion panel consisting of beneficiary leaders, Deb Davidson of Center for Large Landscape Conservation, and Tom Kiernan of American Rivers, as well as actor Michael Keaton. Familiar with the Montana landscape, panelists discussed goals to conserve wild lands, legislation efforts and how to make change at the local and national level.
CLLC is a global nonprofit organization that promotes ecological connectivity with one major project here in the Gallatin Valley; since 2024, the organization has been vying for a wildlife crossing that would span U.S. Highway 191, a hotspot area for wildlife vehicle collisions.
“ U.S. 191 has been a problem for a long time … It’s both from a human safety perspective as well as a wildlife perspective, the worst road in Montana and almost in the United States,” Davidson said during the panel. “So we knew for a long time we had to address it.”
Davidson has been involved in wildlife crossing for more than two decades and referred to the local efforts of the 15-year-old organization as backyard fieldwork, as well as a lifesaving measure for motorists and wildlife. The U.S. 191 project is key for “ensuring wildlife can move freely and humans are safe along these busy roadways,” Davidson explained. She expressed excitement about the funds raised at Wildlands and participation at the charity dinner ahead of two nights of live music.
The funds, Davidson said, would allow the organization to continue the work it’s doing on U.S. 191 and bring strategies to other places across the world.
During the panel, Kiernan shared how American Rivers, the nonprofit organization aimed at protecting rivers and streams across the country, connects to the local community.
“We do work in all of these settings and we work very much with CLLC … and a huge shoutout Gallatin River Task Force, your kind of local group—we’re working with them, so give them support as well,” Kiernan said during the panel.
Kiernan later noted a legislative development closely related to Big Sky–the Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement and Tourism Act. Just two days prior, Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke announced the bill to protect 98 miles of the Madison and Gallatin Rivers under Wild and Scenic designation.
“It doesn’t either stop private activities on that land, but … everything the federal government does going forward must continue to protect the values of the river that were identified,” Kiernan explained.
Auction raises funds for conservation
Six items were up for live auction on Thursday, as well as a lineup of online items up for silent bid, including safari experiences and a year of free pizza at Pinky G’s. One hot ticket item was a photo by renowned British photographer, David Yarrow. “Million Dollar Cowboy Bar” featured the iconic watering hole in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and sold for $52,250.
A Ren Ferguson guitar also set off a friendly bidding battle and eventually, the two highest bidders were able to select a guitar of choice to take home, paying $80,000 a piece. The instruments were handmade with inlays celebrating Montana elements: fly fishing and a bugling elk.
After the live auction, Texas-raised Lukas Nelson performed in the tent as a light rain fell outside, presenting an awe-struck crowd with an intimate, acoustic set.
The fundraising continues through the weekend and during Saturday night’s show the final check total will be presented to American Rivers and CLLC.
