Who We Are
Northern Plains is a grassroots conservation and family agriculture group that organizes Montana citizens to protect our water quality, family farms and ranches, and unique quality of life.
We aim to protect Montana’s greatest assets: the quality of our natural resources, the character and viability of family-based agriculture, and the ability of citizens to shape the public policies that affect our land, our water, and our lives.
What We Believe
Northern Plains speaks with a clear and consistent voice about issues affecting our land, air, and water. We believe in good stewardship of our water and land, and in using natural resources responsibly. We believe in always looking to the next generation.
We believe in family-based farming and ranching. Experience has taught us that healthy, family-scale farms and ranches are better for our environment, our economy, and our rural communities than corporate agriculture, subdivisions, and extractive development.
We believe in keeping Montana a good place to live and work. We believe in economic development that is sustainable. We believe in finding the right balance that includes a clean environment and sustainable economic growth.
We believe Montana is not the path of least resistance for unlimited fossil fuel development. We know that fossil fuel development everywhere is based on the practice and principle of externalizing its costs. We believe in shining a light on the true costs of fossil fuel development so that people, land, water, and wildlife do not unfairly bear the burden of those costs.
We believe developing renewable energy is ultimately cleaner, cheaper, and faster than a continued dependence on fossil fuels.
We believe in building strong citizen leaders to stand up for justice in Montana. It is our members who direct and speak for the organization, and these members come from all walks of life. Their diversity, their belief in democratic principles, and their efforts to find common ground make Northern Plains strong, credible, and durable.
We believe people can still make a difference in this country.
For one member’s statement of beliefs, click here.
Northern Plains’ Mission Statement
The Northern Plains Resource Council is committed to land stewardship, to the preservation of family farms and ranches and small businesses, and to providing the information and tools necessary to give citizens an effective voice in decisions that affect their lives. Recognizing the need to balance the quest for economic gain with social and environmental responsibility, Northern Plains strives to protect Montana’s water, land, air, and unique quality of life in order to pass them on, unimpaired, to future generations.
