Montana Regional Representative Takes Cooperative Approach to Trail Stewardship

The Montana section of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) passes through some of the most iconic landscapes of the Rocky Mountain West, from the high peaks and deep valleys of Glacier National Park to the colorful expanses, rich wildlife, and thermal features of Yellowstone National Park. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) recently expanded its team to enhance focus on the Montana section of the trail, intending to bolster stewardship capacity for the continued protection of this treasured resource. 

Montana Regional Representative Sierra LaBonte joined CDTC in April of this year after the nonprofit received a grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust of Vancouver, Washington. A long-time trail worker, LaBonte brings a strong background in on-the-ground stewardship. In this role, LaBonte will help sustain and support effective and meaningful partnerships with individuals, organizations, communities, and Tribal Nations across the state.

“We’re excited to be able to invest more fully into efforts in the northern reaches of the CDT, both on the trail and in gateway communities,” said Teresa Martnez, Executive Director for CDTC. “Relationships are really at the heart of our work, and building connections with people and communities along the trail helps to ensure management of the CDT reflects the values and cultures of the people who call the landscapes of the Continental Divide home.” 

CDTC has actively partnered with state and federal agencies and community partners in Montana for over a decade, and the increased capacity that the new Regional Representative will provide will allow CDTC to continue to grow new and existing relationships and identify new opportunities for locally-led stewardship. Each year, CDTC offers field projects in Montana through partnerships with organizations and agencies, including volunteer opportunities on Priest Past hosted with Wild Montana and an Adopt a Trail Training led with the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

To kick off the start of trail season, CDTC is offering community events on May 21 at MacDonald Pass Trailhead and in Helena. Participants in the MacDonald Pass event will hike and do light trail maintenance. That evening, CDTC will host an event at Ten Mile Creek Brewery in Downtown Helena. Both events are free and open to the public, though participants for the trail volunteer portion are encouraged to pre-register. 

“I’m excited to get to work meeting community members, learning about needs, and collaborating with partners to find opportunities to elevate the CDT and the region. This position has the potential to be a connective thread for many of Montana’s public lands and recreation culture by centering local expertise and elevating communities along the Divide,” said LaBonte, who is eager to meet members of the community at the May event. 

LaBonte most recently worked as Trails Foreman in the Bitterroot National Forest, which contains portions of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, and Anaconda Pintler Wilderness areas. 

“Working on the CDT is an amazing opportunity to connect people with the landscape. There are plenty of people who have spent time on or near the CDT in Montana but aren’t aware that it’s one of the few places you can hit the trail for a day or to walk across the country. I am excited to find new ways to share the CDT experience and build our trail community in the state,” said LaBonte. 

The CDT is one of 11 National Scenic Trails and traverses 3,100 miles across five states: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Over 800 miles of the CDT wind through Montana, and more than 600 miles go through national forest lands. Though the USDA Forest Service is in charge of the administration of the entire CDT, CDTC is the designated non-governmental partner responsible for the maintenance and stewardship of the trail.

Learn more about the CDT and upcoming events at cdtcoalition.org.