04/23/2026
We are so lucky to have so many amazing people and organizations in our community doing good things. Steve and others had a vision, made it reality, and now the Bitter Root Land Trust continues the work. A big thank you to the land owners, the staff, and all who came before for our protecting our valkey’s water, wildlife, and working lands.
On this , we're bringing it back to 1997 - the year the Bitter Root Land Trust was founded by community members Steve Powell, Chris Miller, George Masnick, and others that were determined to form an organization that could help voluntary landowners conserve the valley we love.
What did it take back then to protect our Bitterroot values?
The Steve Powell Park painting pictured above hangs in the hallway in BRLT's office. Created in honor of the park's grand opening in 2012 by local artist Karen Savory/Simply Savory Art, it represents a myriad of conservation ethics set forth by the late Steve Powell.
(It's no coincidence that Steve shared his birthday with Earth Day! Can you spot him in the painting?)
Wits, attention, detachment. Place. Trusted advisor. Share your passions. Be a resource. Friend. Mentor. Listen gracefully. We are all instruments. Ski powder.
And, above all..... Love the Bitterroot Valley.
As it turns out, those core values didn't have a timeline. Nearly 30 years later, they still ring true as the driving force behind BRLT's conservation promise to protect this valley - for our land, water, wildlife, for you and future generations.
So today as we honor Steve on his birthday, we invite you to join us in living these values as we come together to protect one of the most precious places on the planet.
Why? "Because, it's The Bitterroot." Thank you for loving the Bitterroot Valley on this Earth Day, and every day.
