Montanans Unite Over Public Land In New 60 Minutes Feature

The Last Best Place… we all know exactly where that is. Right here in Montana. It is not a secret, especially to those of us lucky enough to call this incredible state home. Montana earns that title for countless reasons, from its sweeping views and rugged landscape to the wildlife and the people who choose to plant their roots here.

But being the last best place comes with responsibility. It takes more than simply admiring the scenery from your window or a weekend drive. It requires a deeper connection, real stewardship, and a willingness to protect what generations before us have fought hard to keep intact. There are always people and interests pushing to take pieces of what makes Montana special.

This week, 60 Minutes highlighted exactly that. The segment focused on multigenerational ranchers who are trying to preserve Montana’s heritage and remind the rest of the country why this land runs so deep in the hearts of Montanans. These families are true warriors of the landscape, fighting battles that now play out on unseen political fields of greed.

Earlier this year, Montanans pushed back hard against a proposal in Congress suggesting the sale of a massive chunk public lands. Congressman Ryan Zinke stepped in, rallying support to shut the proposal down. His message was simple: once land is sold, it does not come back.

The federal government currently manages about 640 million acres across the nation, much of it in the West. In Montana, roughly 30 percent of the state is federally owned. These lands include our national parks, recreation areas, and open country used for ranching and resource industries. They are woven into our identity.

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Montana may be a huge state with a small population, but what we lack in numbers, we make up with a fierce commitment to our home. Protecting this place is not political. It is personal. And it is up to all of us to make sure the last best place stays that way.