Doug and Janis Astle recently completed a conservation easement with the Bitter Root Land Trust on their 220-acre Runnin’ Bear Ranch. In doing so, they joined a growing number of families that have conserved their land in the Burnt Fork drainage of the Bitterroot Valley. Photos and story courtesy Bitter Root Land Trust.
Long days, and even longer nights on their dairy farm in southern Idaho didn’t stop Doug and Janis Astle from pursuing their dream to ranch in the Bitterroot. In fact, it fueled their desire to one day work the land here.
If you ask the Astles, they’ll say they’re like anyone else, just living life, taking one day at a time. However, their story is anything but ordinary. Many years ago, Doug and Janis began visiting western Montana annually for their sons’ football clinic. What started as a visit of necessity, turned out to be something they looked forward to every spring.
Struck by the rugged beauty of the mountains and the river that define this valley, they made it their goal to ranch here one day. Janis’ eyes twinkle with the memories of those visits, “We just fell in love with this place, the Bitterroot Valley.”
A HARSH REALITY
The reality is, it’s not easy to find large tracts of land for farming and ranching in the valley. The average parcel size in the Bitterroot is nine acres. That makes it difficult for farmers and ranchers, especially the next generation, to start and expand their own ag operation. The good news is conservation is making a difference.
With critical funding from the Agricultural Land Easement program, which is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Astles were able to conserve their recently acquired 220-acre ranch. The ALE program’s funding was matched by Ravalli County’s Open Lands Program, which collectively made it possible to conserve their uncommonly larger tract of productive ground, ensuring it will remain open and available for agricultural production in perpetuity. The entire ranch (100%) is identified as agriculturally important soils by the NRCS. The ALE program helps ensure that these soils will be conserved forever.
Beyond its agricultural value, the Astle’s ranch also provides critical habitat that supports locally important species such as elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, fox, American kestrel, bald eagle, and red-tailed hawk, as well as Montana “Species of Concern” such as great blue heron, evening grosbeak, Clark’s nutcracker, Lewis’ woodpecker, and pileated woodpecker.
A COMMUNITY COMMITMENT TO CONSERVATION
Doug and Janis’ decision to conserve their ranch follows in the footsteps of more than a dozen of their neighbors that have committed to conservation in this drainage. Over the past decade alone, ten families in the Burnt Fork have granted conservation easements to the Bitter Root Land Trust on more than 2,300 acres of productive land.
Conservation momentum in the Bitterroot, exemplified by the Burnt Fork neighborhood, is making it possible for the Valley’s farm and ranch lands to stay intact and thrive. That’s exactly what drew Doug and Janis here: to continue ranching in a community that is committed to preserving its agricultural future. Doug adds, “I know what it took for us to get this land. So I think, oh my gosh, there’s other folks like us--where in heavens are they going to find this? Land that’s not broken up.”
The Astles were given a warm welcome by their neighbors, many of whom are ranchers as well, like Jim and Sharon Schroeder. Sharon recalls, “When we talked with them about our conservation easement, and how they could become part of that community, they were intrigued to hear more. It’s comforting to know that the ground you love and nurture will be preserved in perpetuity and that you are making the right decision for future generations. We are thankful we live in a neighborhood where we share that value of preserving agricultural lands and are grateful to the Astles for joining the Burnt Fork community.”
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| Doug & Janis Astle worked with the Bitter Root Land Trust to protect their land for agriculture and open space. |
WITHOUT A DOUBT
There’s no doubt that Doug and Janis believe they made the right decision, “We were drawn to this valley by the incredible beauty, and especially to the ag lands. What sealed the deal though, was the people. They were all so good to us. So this—conserving this ranch—is how we can give back.”
The Astles are thinking long-term about who will need this land in the future. “There’s always someone that needs a little space to have cows or whatever they’d want to farm. And if we don’t set some of this aside in this valley, that opportunity will disappear faster than we might realize.”
