Protecting the Badger for Future Generations

In the 1980’s the federal government irresponsibly leased the Badger-Two Medicine area for oil and gas development. Three decades later, we are still cleaning up that mess. At the same time, the Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance and our allies are actively preparing for a different, more hopeful future for this land that we share and cherish. 

If we’ve learned anything through fighting off oil and gas, it’s that the Badger-Two Medicine needs an insurance policy to protect our wildlife, our streams, and our way of life from unforeseen development and uncertainty.  We want to make sure the next generation doesn’t have to fight the same battles we have, but instead can enjoy this special place confident about its future.   

A Safeguard against uncertainty

The Badger-Two Medicine is irreplaceable. If we want to protect what is important to us about special places like this, we need to put it down in writing. Community after community across the United States have learned this same lesson and, in turn, have successfully taken action through various protected-area designations to safeguard their land and water against an uncertain future.  

Such permanent protection for the Badger could come in various forms. For example, the Trump Administration previously suggested protecting the area as a National Monument.  Other individuals and organizations have repeatedly proposed Congressionally-designated Wilderness.  

Our opinion is that a solution for permanent protection must be custom-tailored for this landscape and work for the local communities and local economy.  It’s also extremely important that any plan respect the Blackfeet Nation’s unique cultural relationship with this area as well as their treaty reserved rights within it. 

Creating a shared vision

For these reasons, Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance is working with the Blackfeet Nation, tribal and conservation organizations, community leaders, hunters, anglers, ranchers, small business owners, and outdoor enthusiasts from across the region to develop a custom-tailored conservation proposal to protect the Badger-Two Medicine and our ways of life rooted in this place.  Our goal is to find common ground and create thoughtful protections that ensure the Badger is forever

• Full of world-class wildlife habitat and abundant native species like elk, cutthroat trout, moose, mountain goats, and grizzly bears;

• A source of abundant clean water, free-flowing streams, and wild trout;

• A sacred place where Blackfeet people can practice their culture, spirituality, and reserved rights;

• An area of abundant freedom for anyone to hike, camp, fish, hunt, and recreate on foot and on horseback;

• A contributor to local livelihoods and well-being.  

A unique Role for the Blackfeet nation

Given the area’s overwhelming significance to Blackfeet culture and identity, we think the Blackfeet Tribe should have a greater role in how the area is managed, particularly as it relates to Blackfeet cultural properties, practices, and treaty-reserved resources in the area.

To that end, we are working to develop a protected area proposal for the Badger-Two Medicine that includes a more meaningful and substantive management role for the Blackfeet as co-stewards of the area along with the U.S. Forest Service.  An expanded stewardship role for the Blackfeet will enhance the capacity of managers to effectively manage the area. It also strikes us as the right and just thing to do for the Blackfeet and the land.

More Information

Download an overview of the just released Badger-Two Medicine Protection Act.
Download a question and answer about the proposed legislation.
Read the full proposed Badger-Two Medicine Protection Act.
Read the Blackfeet Press Release announcing the Act.