Victory for Public Access: American Prairie Unlocks Another 70,000 Acres in Montana Overview American Prairie, a prominent conservation nonprofit, has made a significant land acquisition by purchasing the 70,000-acre Anchor Ranch in Montana for $35 million. This purchase reclaimed public access that had been restricted by two billionaire Texas brothers, who previously blocked a key western access road to the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument — a nearly 400,000-acre public land area. Key Highlights Public Access Restored: American Prairie staff physically removed gates and "no trespassing" signs from a 3.8-mile stretch of Bullwhacker Road, which had been legally closed to the public since 2011 after a judge ruled it private. Conservation Importance: Anchor Ranch is ecologically and culturally significant, located in a migration corridor for wildlife such as pronghorn, elk, and deer. American Prairie’s Mission: To create one of the largest nature reserves in the United States, serving as a refuge for both people and wildlife, and preserving it as part of American heritage. Expanding Holdings: With this acquisition, American Prairie’s protected land totaling now over 600,000 acres, all part of a goal to conserve the last remaining 3.2 million acres of shortgrass prairie—the largest such untouched area on the planet. Ecological and Cultural Context American Prairie focuses on conserving endangered species including bison, badgers, black-tailed prairie dogs, black-footed ferrets, pronghorn, sage grouse, and swift fox. The organization promotes the restoration and growth of a 900-head bison herd on its land. Conservation efforts contend with local political challenges, such as Montana’s refusal to classify bison as wildlife rather than livestock, which imposes fencing requirements. The acquisition also addresses ongoing conflicts between conservation goals and Montana’s traditional cattle ranching economy. Community and Legal Impact The reopening of Bullwhacker Road, which had been subject to lawsuits, is hailed by local hunting and recreation groups who had fought for public access but lost in 2011. The purchase is considered a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to secure and open valuable public land for exploration, hunting, and recreation. Additional Resources and Related Reading American Prairie’s official website: americanprairie.org Related coverage on bison conservation and land protection efforts. Articles on Indigenous tribes reclassifying buffalo as wildlife and the restoration of bison ecosystems on tribal lands. Coverage of legal protections granted to wild bison in Colorado and historic return of bison to Montana reservations. About Earth Hope Earth Hope is a solutions-based journalism project highlighting environmental successes to inspire action. Amanda Royal, a former newspaper reporter and eco-news enthusiast, runs the publication. --- Support Note: Earth Hope is not affiliated with American Prairie, but subscription revenues from September 9-16, 2025, will be donated to American Prairie to support their conservation mission. --- Photos in the article courtesy of American Prairie. --- Discussion Highlights: Readers are curious about how the land will be preserved and what regulations will ensure its protection—especially regarding native species and possible hunting restrictions. Appreciation for the positive news on endangered wildlife conservation, with hopes for restrictions on hunting in protected areas. --- Action: To learn more about American Prairie’s efforts or support similar conservation efforts, visit their website or explore Earth Hope’s environmental success stories.