Great Burn Conservation Alliance

The Great Burn Conservation Alliance (GBCA) works to protect and steward 1.9 million acres of national forest land along the Montana-Idaho border in the Northern Bitterroot Mountains, stretching between Lolo Pass and Lookout Pass. This diverse landscape includes 42 roadless areas, featuring a stunning mosaic of charred snags, old-growth forests, riparian streams, alpine meadows, lakes, shrublands, tundra, and rugged, rocky terrain. The Lolo and Clearwater National Forests have recommended acres for Congressional designation as the Great Burn Wilderness, while the 255,700-acre Mallard Larkins roadless area in Idaho is managed as both recommended wilderness and a 13,948-acre Pioneer Area. The remainder of the GBCA mission area is stewarded under a mix of protective strategies and sustainable land-use policies. GBCA's roots trace back to the summer of 1971, when a group of University of Montana students embarked on a transformative 21-day backpacking journey through the Northern Bitterroots. Inspired by the wild beauty of the region, they returned with a mission: to ensure its long-term protection. That passion led to the founding of GBCA, a grassroots organization that has advocated for and actively managed this remarkable landscape for over 50 years. Through strategic advocacy, hands-on stewardship, and community engagement, GBCA has built a powerful network of partners, volunteers, and conservationists who share a deep connection to the Great Burn. Today, the organization remains small, local, and laser-focused, fostering collaborative conservation to ensure this irreplaceable place thrives for generations to come.