Missouri Breaks Fest Celebrates 25 Years of Monument Stewardship
LEWISTOWN, Mont. – The Bureau of Land Management will mark the 25th anniversary of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument with two public events in August, highlighting the monument’s history and ongoing conservation efforts.
Missouri Breaks Fest events held in Lewistown and Fort Benton will feature outdoor activities and opportunities to learn about natural resource management, recreation, and the unique landscape of the monument. Attendees can meet BLM staff and partners, including Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the U.S. Forest Service, whose collaborative research and conservation projects help the BLM make the Upper Missouri River Breaks an exceptional place for recreation and conservation.
The first event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Big Springs Trout Hatchery Park, 2035 Fish Hatchery Road in Lewistown.
The second will take place Saturday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center, 701 7th Street in Fort Benton.
“We’re excited to share our 25th milestone year as a monument during this signature year of celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary and the BLM’s 80th year as a public land management agency,” said Becky Cooper, monument manager. “Our partners joining us in the celebration equally share our passion to protect this remarkable area that is recognized as Central Montana’s premiere outdoor-adventure playground.”
Established by presidential proclamation in 2001, the monument spans 377,000 acres and features open plains, striking cliffs, and river landscapes that remain much as they were during the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Through innovative management, the BLM and its partners have improved sage grouse habitat, conserved cottonwood galleries, maintained public road access, and expanded recreational opportunities. From boating the 149-mile wild and scenic Missouri River to hunting world-class big horn sheep and elk, the area offers something for everyone.
For more information, contact the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center at 406-622-4000.
-BLM-
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.