OWNING EDEN
(formerly New Landowner Stewardship)

The Owning Eden project welcomes new Montana landowners and encourages them to become good Montana neighbors. The Rural Landscape Institute has been developing the program in conjunction with the Montana Stockgrowers Association, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Undaunted Stewardship Initiative.

Owning Eden empowers communities to offer their new neighbors a friendly orientation with regard to such “neighboring” topics as the nature of the community, land stewardship, water rights, noxious weeds, wildlife management, rural values and others. The Rural Landscape Institute has created an informational DVD for newcomers, along with a community implementation guide for locals on how best to reach out to their new neighbors. We are placing particular emphasis on implementation strategies in Montana and beyond.

• "Path To Eden" DVD - a multi-media tool for new landowners that encourages good neighboring within Montana communities. Topics include Community, Ranch Manager Selection, Water Rights, Range Stewardship, Noxious Weeds, Wildlife Management, and Rural Values. Click here to order a copy of the DVD on the Path to Eden website!

• New Landowner Resources - a list of governmental and non-governmental organizations in Montana that can help new landowners with land management issues.

• "Living Eden" - a 10-step guide to help communities engage with new landowners and encourage them to become good neighbors.