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About Us

Our roots, protecting our water and land, building rural prosperity and mobilizing the grassroots.

Get involved and make a difference by becoming a member of Northern Plains Resource Council. Northern Plains organizes Montana citizens to protect our water quality, family farms and ranches, and unique quality of life. We are a grassroots conservation and family agriculture group that gets the job done - protecting the Northern Plains and the people who make their home here.

Our Roots

In the early 1970s, huge energy corporations threatened the homes and livelihoods of ranch families near Colstrip and in the Bull Mountains. Those families and other Montanans formed Northern Plains in 1972. Northern Plains' early efforts led to passage of a state strip mine law and other landmark legislation to protect Montana's natural resources. Northern Plains was also a national leader in securing passage of the historic federal strip mine law in 1977.

Protecting Our Water and Land

We protect Montana’s water and land by educating and mobilizing local citizens. Northern Plains’ affiliates

and members know that good, clean water is essential to all life. Clean water and healthy land are vital for agriculture, recreation, and tourism. At Northern Plains, we know that if we do it right, everyone wins.

Building Rural Prosperity

Northern Plains believes that family-scale farms and ranches are better for our environment, our economy, and our communities than corporate agriculture. Prosperity for Montana’s farms and ranches, and the communities that rely on them, depends on building and maintaining healthy markets and defending the private property rights of landowners.

Mobilizing the Grassroots

We organize Montana citizens and assist the work of locally-run organizations.
Northern Plains is an effective voice in the Montana legislature. We connect Montana citizens with the legislature by informing and educating the public about policies affecting our water, land, family farms and ranches, and our unique quality of life.

Northern Plains develops community leaders through trainings, workshops, and events.
Northern Plains works with our affiliates and local citizens to make a difference locally and statewide.
Northern Plains is a regional leader.