Who We Are
Our Story
Grow Wild began in 2004, when two local fishermen witnessed spotted knapweed taking over Gallatin Canyon and decided to act. Ever since, we have been a proactive force in combating the ecological threat of invasive species throughout the Gallatin Watershed.
Our mission has always been more than managing invasive species. We conserve native plants and improve vital habitats. We educate the community about invasive species and how to manage them. And we inspire our neighbors to be stewards of the land.
After 20 years of protecting Montana’s wildlands, we rebranded our organization in 2023 to embrace the growth that has inspired us since the very beginning: growing native plants, growing a community of responsible land stewards, and growing our positive impact on the critical habitats that surround us.
We also shifted how we think about the challenges facing our community. We now focus on the healthy aspects of our ecosystems, rather than emphasizing only the threats. Our logo features an aspen leaf and an elk, two keystone species of Montana: if our keystone species are thriving, so is our ecosystem. We aim to keep it that way.
It’s all connected. From bluebunch wheatgrass to bighorn sheep, from the quiet trail to the crowded lake. Together, we can conserve the landscapes we all love.
What We Do
Grow Wild is a 501c3 non-profit organization working to conserve native species, educate the community about invasive species and inspire stewardship of the land.
Our vision is a healthy and resilient native ecosystems in the upper Gallatin Watershed. The mission, strategies and goals of the Grow Wild are accomplished through the following programs:
Clean Recreation Program: Recreation leads to invasive species introduction and spread, threatening local trails and rivers. In response, Grow Wild promotes established clean recreation programs (PlayCleanGo and Clean.Drain.Dry.) via multiple media platforms, trailhead and highway signs, and at events.
Community Education & Collaboration Program: To protect natural resources from invasive species, Grow Wild works collaboratively with partners and organizations on an array of projects, creates and disseminates educational materials, and provides educational opportunities via local kid’s camps, farmers market, guided hikes, and classes.
Crail Gardens: Crail Gardens demonstrates how native plants can be used to conserve water, create wildlife habitat, and preserve our historic landscape. Grow Wild hosts 2-3 open houses in the summer, educational tours, a Wildflower Festival, and provides materials to inspire the community to Grow Wild!
Landowner Stewardship Program: Active stewardship by landowners is critical to protect natural resources on both private and public lands. Grow Wild offers free on-site assistance and provides a suite of resources to landowners so they can address invasive species using best management practices and adaptive strategies.
Wildlife Habitat Conservation Program: Wildlife in our area face habitat loss and degradation due to invasive species introduction and spread. Grow Wild works to mitigate the threat via noxious weed management on bighorn sheep winter range, in the Gallatin Canyon, in HOA open space, and with our community weed pulls.
Details
| (402) 913-4411 | |
| abby@growwildmt.org | |
| Abby Butler | |
| Conservation Program Coordinator | |
| https://www.growwildmt.org/ |
