Mission
Since 1991, Keystone Conservation has worked to protect and restore native predators and their habitats in the Northern Rockies. We pioneer innovative solutions that help people and wildlife coexist. We partner with rural communities to design strategies that save a place for America’s keystone species.
Keystone Programs
Our programs combine local knowledge, hard science, and the entrepreneurial spirit of the West to devise and implement practical solutions for wildlife conservation:
Range Riders patrol Montana’s open range on horseback to deter conflicts with wolves before they arise. The Range Riders use telemetry, herding, vigilant observation, and non-lethal hazing techniques to keep wolves and livestock safe.
Our Bear Aware program helps residents and recreationists make homes, camps, and livestock off limits to bears. By working with community partners in areas where bears roam, we help control human-caused attractants, such as bird feeders and garbage, in order to carry out our responsibility to wild neighbors.
Since the future of keystone species depends on human action, Keystone Classroom teaches children and adults about wildlife behavior, habitat requirements and common sense precautions. Our interactive programs have reached hundreds of children and parents throughout Montana and the Northern Rockies.
Further, because the people who live closest to wildlife are its de facto guardians, Predator Friendly® certification recognizes wildlife stewardship on farm and ranch lands. Together with partners around the globe, we have developed the Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network to protect wildlife in wild places by promoting enterprises that allow wildlife and people to coexist and thrive.
History
Originally founded as the Predator Project, Predator Conservation Alliance grew into a a regional leader advocating to protect the full suite of native carnivores. Under the direction of Tom Skeele from 1991-2004, the organization explored ways to protect carnivores from human caused mortality, a primary threat.
Due to the success of the group’s initial Coexisting with Predators program, Predator Conservation Alliance consolidated its resources toward on-the-ground proactive work to deter conflict between people and carnivores in 2005.
We changed our name to Keystone Conservation in 2007 to reflect our focus on coexistence and ensure that ranchers and backcountry users know they are essential partners in our work. Together with people who work, live and recreate alongside predators, we create a path to coexistence.
