It appears the Heart of the Rockies Initiative (HORI) has significantly expanded its boundary of work into more states, now engulfing the majority of Idaho, extending far into Canada, taking almost half of Montana, and sucking up chunks of Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, and even Utah. Heck, HORI is starting to rival Yellowstone to Yukon in land takeover. Not to be forgotten is that the High Divide Collaborative is facilitated by the Heart of the Rockies Initiative. So what has HORI been up to?
Most updates can be found in its Winter 2020 newsletter. Several new items are listed such as, "developed a new strategy with our 26 land trust members to keep wildlife habitat connected", creating some sort of "Rural Development program"...that..."is helping bridge the too-often polarized values of conservation and rural economies. increasing their numbers, oops "capacity", that "brought landowners, government agencies, and conservation nonprofits together to share best practices for aspen restoration.", and "co-coordinating a seven-state coalition of landowner-led groups, government agencies, and Indigenous nations working to reduce conflicts between carnivores and ranchers." Everyone there except citizens of those states that are affected by the HORI agenda. It is literally creating a separate country within the northwest. First on the docket is funding needs which are inadequate in "maintaining wildlife connectivity through private lands." Just a side note here, if HORI and all other non-governmental organizations (NGO) didn't exist, would this fallacy of "wildlife connectivity" exist? Really, without the existence of these NGOs and others, would wildlife not continue to exist in the same manner, without the label? Or would suddenly, a major breakdown in wildlife occur? Just a thought. Anyway, they will do more marketing for funding and seek more help from their wealthy buddies. But, your trusty federal tax dollar is funding this as well, "U.S. Rural Development Rural Business Development Grants in Choteau and Lincoln brought over $30,000 in local capacity and will collectively support 62 existing jobs and grow 34 positions over the coming years." Sends thrills up your legs, tax dollars being spent to support agendas that focus on taking land use away. Does federal funding that supports existing jobs and grows positions, well, are they technically federal jobs? The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service gave HORI a grant of $886,255 to reduce the financial burden of predator and agricultural conflicts, well that is a shortened version. Hmm, let's see, wolf and bear populations are allowed to expand out of control, knowing full well the havoc they reek on ranchers and livestock, but now this needs to be studied for reducing the risks. Hello, who turned the light bulb off? This grant will work on ways in which to reduce those conflicts, "which may include electric fencing, range riding, carcass removal, and others." While HORI sees this as a "complex endeavor", the simple solution of not allowing these populations to grow out of control is not considered feasible. HORI is a partner with 1% For the Planet which is backed by many NGOs and business partnerships and is intended to "help fund these diverse environmental organizations". It is highly doubtful that local citizens can hold a fund raising effort to fight these predators off to the tune of $250 million. Meanwhile, there are several pages of identifying how these land trusts and NGOs have taken land for conservation easements, purchasing land for the same purpose, and folding land into forests. HORI and other NGOs are progressively working to own more and more land until its vision of controlling the majority of land is accomplished. This will continue into perpetuity until efforts are made to stop them, of which there are none. With federal and state governments in its pocket it is a done deal.
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