By Finley Timon EDITORIAL INTERN
Editor’s note: Outlaw Partners is the producer of Wildlands, and the publisher of Explore Big Sky.
“People come to Big Sky for the views, the rivers, the feeling that nature still has a hold here,” said Josh Timon, COO at Outlaw Partners. “This auction is about making sure that doesn’t change.”
This year, the Wildlands auction will precede the two-day live music event on July 31, and benefit two nonprofit organizations: the Center for Large Landscape Conservation and American Rivers. Organized by Outlaw Partners, publisher of Explore Big Sky, the auction is live now through the Wildlands Auction website.
“All of the money raised goes directly to the nonprofits,” said Conner Clemens, Director of Retail and one of the auction’s organizers. “We wanted to make sure every bid has a real impact.”
The 2025 auction includes a range of curated experiences, artwork and VIP packages. Among the most anticipated items are two custom guitars built by master luthier Ren Ferguson and signed by Dave Matthews, as well as a Champion of Conservation table, an exclusive VIP table for four at the sold-out Wildlands concert. This item will close on July 16th to allow the winning bidder to make arrangements.
Additional highlights include a large-format art piece from Courtney Collins Fine Art and a choose-your-own college football experience, giving the winning bidder a chance to attend events like Michigan versus Ohio State or Alabama versus LSU in Baton Rouge, you get to name your game.
“We’ve really turned up the volume this year,” Timon said. “These are experiences you can’t just go out and buy. We’re excited to offer something for everyone, from art collectors to college sports fans.”
A cause in Big Sky’s backyard
Clean water and roamable land may feel like a birthright in a landscape like Big Sky, but it wouldn’t be without the work of the two nonprofits supported by this year’s Wildlands Auction. Mike Fiebig, acting Northern Rockies regional director at American Rivers, one of the event’s beneficiaries, said that Big Sky’s geography makes the need for conservation efforts feel especially personal.
“Big Sky is a river town, whether people know it or not,” Fiebig said. “Some may see it as a ski town, but it sits at the headwaters of the Gallatin River and that river is essential to the entire ecosystem.”
American Rivers focuses on protecting and restoring free-flowing rivers. “We protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers, and conserve clean water for people and nature,” said Fiebig.
Center for Large Landscape Conservation, the other beneficiary to Wildlands, advances ecological connectivity for climate resilience, biodiversity, and the well-being of people. Specifically at home here, they’ve been working to get a critical wildlife crossing approved along U.S. Highway 191 between Big Sky and Bozeman.
“We work on what I see as one of the most pressing conservation challenges of our time,” said Deb Kmon Davidson, chief strategy officer at the CLLC. “Our landscapes are increasingly being fragmented from human development and roads and railways. Our work ensures that wildlife and landscapes are able to be connected from protected areas so they can thrive.”
At its core, Wildlands aims to gather lovers of music, as well as these important conservation causes.
“Everyone should have access to drinkable, swimmable, fishable rivers locally to them,” Fiebig said.
Bidding is open now through July 31 at through the website.
