A Montana family spent 20 years deciding what to do with their 2,330-acre ranch; they finally found a way to keep it intact for generations by placing it under a permanent conservation easement

For nearly a century, the Case family has been connected to a broad stretch of land in Montana’s Potomac Valley. But deciding how to secure the future of the 2,330-acre Case Ranch proved to be a long process, spanning about 20 years and two generations. In March 2026, that process finally reached its destination when a conservation easement permanently protected the ranch while allowing it to remain in family ownership and continue operating as a working landscape. The agreement protects forests, meadows, wetlands and important wildlife habitat, while also preserving agricultural land and public hunting access. According to Five Valleys Land Trust, the project required the agreement of seven family members and the support of a wide coalition of public and private partners. For the Case family, the decision was ultimately about ensuring that the ranch would remain whole rather than being divided and developed.

Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!