Task Force News
Stay informed about the latest updates, research,
public comments, and actions that support healthy
forests, clean water, and wild places in the
Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot region.
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Task Force News 2026
The Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force is winning real victories for public lands and wildlife but the greatest challenges to the future of our national forests still lie ahead.
Sign the “Preserve the Wild Core of the Northern Rockies” Petition Today!
Tell the U.S. Forest Service to Support the Lolo-Bitterroot Partnership citizen plan to protect millions of acres of America’s Wild Public Lands.
Groups, Scientists Oppose Montana Grizzly Hunting Plan
Scientists and conservation groups are urging Montana to withdraw its proposed grizzly bear management plan, warning that it prioritizes trophy hunting over science-based recovery and could undermine the long-term survival of grizzly bears.
Task Force and Allies Comment on Proposed Massive BLM Logging in NCDE Grizzly Bear Habitat
A coalition of conservation groups is urging the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw a massive logging proposal in western Montana, warning it would fragment critical habitat for grizzly bears, lynx, wolverines, and bull trout in one of the Northern Rockies’ most important wildlife connectivity corridors.
Research that Task Force Funded is Published in Science Journal
New peer-reviewed research funded by the Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force reveals the critical role of wildlife connectivity and secure habitat in restoring grizzly bears across the Northern Rockies.
Groups Release Longterm Plans for Lolo and Bitterroot National Forest
Western Montana-based organizations the Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force and the Friends of the Bitterroot today released The Lolo-Bitterroot Partnership, a vision for the future of the Lolo and Bitterroot National Forests.
Task Force Sends Notice of Intent to Sue Over Unpermitted Taking of Grizzly Bears
The Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force of Missoula has sent a 60-day Notice of Intent (NOI) to sue the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the State of Montana for violations of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Lolo Forest Plan Update
The Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force has taken the lead in organizing comments from six organizations based in western Montana to the Lolo National Forest on its Draft Assessment and Species of Conservation Concern documents.
Conservation Groups File For Injunction To Halt Montana Wolf Trapping, Protect Grizzly Bears
Advocates seek stop to Montana’s 2023 wolf trapping season pending a court decision on alleged Endangered Species Act violations.
Bitterroot Grizzly Bear Recovery
The US Fish & Wildlife Service has begun the process for a new Bitterroot Grizzly Bear Recovery EIS.
New Report: Natural Grizzly Bear Repopulation in the Greater Bitterroot Ecosystem
A new report from the Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force and WildEarth Guardians authored by independent researchers Mike Bader and Paul Sieracki is now available.
Preliminary Injunction Against Wolf Trapping In Grizzly Bear Habitat
Thanks to your support we are having success in protecting grizzly bears and other carnivores and predators and defending their habitat.
New Report: Metapopulation Approach the Only Way to Recover Grizzly Bears
A new report, “Spatiotemporal Dimensions of Grizzly Bear Recovery,” (attached) shows that grizzly bears cannot survive in the isolated Recovery Areas. For long term viability the populations must be unified through demographic connectivity into a metapopulation.
A New Vision for Grizzly Bear Recovery in the Northern Rocky Mountains
A new science-based vision for grizzly bear recovery is emerging in the Northern Rocky Mountains. A New Vision for Grizzly Bear Recovery in the Northern Rockies, developed by nine conservation organizations, calls for restoring a connected grizzly bear population across the region while addressing the challenges of living alongside one of North America’s most iconic wildlife species.
Forest Service Drops Appeal On Logging Grizzly Habitat
The Lolo National Forest has dropped plans to defend logging and thinning the Soldier-Butler project in the Ninemile Ranger District west of Missoula after two federal court defeats.
Task Force Praises Court Ruling Protecting Ninemile Grizzly Bears
The Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force praised the final ruling and order on the Soldier-Butler Project which upholds the Findings and Recommendations issued by Magistrate Judge Kathleen DeSoto.
New Report – “Grizzly Bear Denning Habitat and Demographic Connectivity in Northern Idaho And Western Montana”
The Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force has released a new report, “Grizzly Bear Denning Habitat and Demographic Connectivity in Northern Idaho And Western Montana,” authored by independent wildlife consultant Mike Bader and Paul Sieracki, geospatial analyst and wildlife biologist.
Task Force Makes Front Page News on Soldier-Butler and Ninemile
Task Force field trip visit with Ninemile landowners gets front page news coverage.
Important Oped on Wildfire and Home Protection
Fire expert and Missoula County Commissioner write influential opinion that logging to protect homes from wildfires doesn’t work.
Grizzly Bears and Endangered Species Act Listing: What Does Science-based Recovery Look Like?
45 years after ESA listing, the Forest Service seems to think that the Grizzly is recovered in the Northern Rockies. What does the science of bear genetics and population connectivity tell us about what’s happening on the ground?
Five Organizations Join Citizen Task Force’s Request For Grizzly Bear Advisory Council’s Internal Communications
The Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task, joined by 5 other conservation groups, formally requested “an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of public records and information that pertain to the issue of hunting grizzly bears and any and all other communications between Department personnel and the Governor’s Grizzly Bear Advisory Council.
Flathead Lolo Bitterroot Citizen Task Force Announces Intent to Sue Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service
FLB Citizen Task Force Announces Intent to Sue Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service.
Press Release – Montana Group Releases Report on Road Density and Grizzly Bears in Key Regional Linkage Between Recovery Areas
The Montana-based Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force has released the results of a new study of the extensive road network in the Ninemile Demographic Connectivity Area (DCA) west of Missoula.
Task Force Releases Grizzly Bear Film
We are excited to announce the release of our new film, The Status of the Grizzly Bear: Has it Really Recovered? produced by Missoula Community Access Television. This film features five leading experts who presented their findings at our conference this past November at the University of Montana.
Ten Organizations File Comments on Federal Grizzly Bear Status Review
Ten organizations filed formal comments on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 5-Year Status Review of Grizzly Bears.
Grizzly Bear Experts Oppose Delisting, Call for Habitat Linkage
Five leading scientists have released a compendium of professional statements outlining the current status of the grizzly bear in the Northern Rockies.
Forest Planning News 2019
Recently a number of conservationists from throughout the northern Rockies led by Gary MacFarlane of Friends of the Clearwater met with representatives of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service including Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator Hilary Cooley. The common theme that emerged is the alarming number of mega-projects on National Forest lands, degrading habitat for threatened and endangered species including grizzly bear and bull trout. All the forests in the vicinity of western Montana and north-central Idaho have approved or proposed mega- projects.
Thank You Stewart Brandborg!
We give our thanks to Stewart Brandborg and the Brandborg family for Brandy’s generous gift toward the work of the Citizen Task Force. His enduring legacy is an inspiration and example to follow and we are deeply honored to have their support.
