Artemis Common Ground
Artemis Common Ground (ACG) was founded in 1995 to offer the citizenry of the rural West an alternative vision: that a healthy economy and conserving our natural environment are interdependent, and that by working together we can achieve both. Artemis functions as a facilitator, honest broker, and networker to forge community-based alliances to achieve common ground between the environment and a sustainable economy. ACG is a project of Artemis Wildlife Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt corporation. Its projects include:
A Montana Proposal to the Nation: American Jobs for America's Youth (AJAY):
We propose that every graduate of high school - with at least a year of National Service, paid internship, apprenticeship or college - and every graduate of two-year or four-year college/university, who is ready and able to work, shall be assured of a full-time job opportunity at a living wage. Click here to learn more about American Jobs for America's Youth.
The Montana Forest Restoration Committee (MFRC):
Seeing the potential to develop common ground in national forest management, in 2006, ACG initiated a series of stakeholder meetings and work sessions which led to the formation of MFRC in 2007. Under its auspices, five Forest-specific Working Groups were formed, with members ranging from The Wilderness Society to the Montana Wood Products Association. ACG facilitated the first
year’s sessions for 3 of the 5. The U.S. Forest Service has been an active partner in implementing MFRC-recommended policies and on-the-ground projects. In 2016, MFRC initiated formation of the Montana Collaborative Forest Network, which has 40+ organizational members statewide. ACG is a member of the MFCN’s Advisory Board.
The Montana Neighbor Awards (MNA):
Initiated by ACG in 2006, this annual awards program honors landowners who exemplify the best in good-neighborly relations through conservation-oriented land stewardship, no-fee recreational access, collaborative stewardship and community leadership. Nominees are solicited state-wide, winners selected by an ACG-chaired committee, and the Awards presented personally by Montana’s Governor.
ACG and rancher/legislator Karl Ohs were the catalysts leading to formation of the Madison Valley Ranchlands Group, based in Ennis, Montana. ACG conceived and co-founded Conservation Beef, LLC, a pioneering landscape conservation effort featuring grass-fed beef.
ACG initiated the Montana Agriculture Heritage Project and was a founding member of Grow Montana.