We are excited to announce the release of our new film, The Status of the Grizzly Bear: Has it Really Recovered? produced by Missoula Community Access Television. This film features five leading experts who presented their findings at our conference this past November at the University of Montana.

Ten organizations filed formal comments on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 5-Year Status Review of Grizzly Bears. They were submitted by Mike Bader, independent consultant on behalf of the Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force, Friends of the Clearwater, Wilderness Watch, Friends of the Bitterroot, Alliance for the Wild Rockies, Western Watersheds Project, WildWest Institute, Wild Earth Guardians, Kootenai Environmental Alliance and Brian Peck, Independent Wildlife Consultant.

Read more: Ten Organizations File Comments on Federal Grizzly Bear Status Review

Recently a number of conservationists from throughout the northern Rockies led by Gary MacFarlane of Friends of the Clearwater met with representatives of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service including Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator Hilary Cooley. The common theme that emerged is the alarming number of mega-projects on National Forest lands, degrading habitat for threatened and endangered species including grizzly bear and bull trout. All the forests in the vicinity of western Montana and north-central Idaho have approved or proposed mega- projects.

Read more: Forest Planning News

We give our thanks to Stewart Brandborg and the Brandborg family for Brandy's generous gift toward the work of the Citizen Task Force. His enduring legacy is an inspiration and example to follow and we are deeply honored to have their support.

Dear supporter of wildlife and wildlands,

We appreciate your generous support of public wildlands.

The funds raised have enabled the Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force to do two things: first and foremost, to begin developing our Citizen Forest Plan for the upcoming Lolo and Bitterroot National Forest Plan Revision and to continue organizing opposition to federal and state efforts to relax protections for grizzly bears. Both of these campaigns will require more action and resources over the coming years.

Of particular significance are the GIS maps we're producing that help to illustrate much of our scientific information and research we've compiled. In addition, we are excited about our work on highlighting the need for wildlife linkage zones (corridors) that are essential for the long-term survival of the grizzly, elk and forest carnivores such as lynx and wolverine.

While we won’t be sponsoring a major benefit event this year, we still need financial support essential to fulfilling our mission. That’s why we’re asking you to make a contribution to the Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force. We suggest a $100 contribution, but all amounts are welcome and necessary.

We’re making strong progress in our work to build more support and additional public involvement for western Montana’s most precious wildlife and wildlands. We actively meet and communicate with officials at the city, county, state, federal and tribal levels, sharing information that supports a scientific approach to habitat protection.

Or send a check to FLB Citizen Task Force, P.O. 9254, Missoula, MT 59807.

Sincerely,

Patty Ames, President, Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force

Cass Chinske, Treasurer

Claudia Narcisco, Secretary

Fred Rice, Board Member

Jake Kreilick, WildWest Institute, Task Force Advisor