Swan View Coalition fights for the health and safety of Montana’s Swan Range, a mountain range spanning nearly 100 miles between the Flathead River, the Swan River, and Glacier National Park. The organization was founded in 1984 when neighbors came together to oppose clearcutting and road building in Flathead National Forest and ended up stopping the timber sale entirely. Through public engagement and litigation, Swan View Coalition has racked up major wins for the community, including compelling the U.S. Forest Service to remove and reclaim 780 miles of logging roads, decreasing the amount of timber harvested to protect old growth, and getting Canada lynx and wolverine listed as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Founder Keith Hammer formerly worked for the Forest Service and as a logger. “From working in the woods, you get a firsthand view of the abuse going on in public lands,” he said, referencing the clearcut logging practices that advocates say harm the forest.
The Swan Rangers hiking club, coordinated by Swan View Coalition, celebrating its 400th Saturday outing on July 27, 2013. Photo: Keith Hammer
The organization has one full-time employee and nearly 500 members, some of whom volunteer with the Forest Service to maintain trails. A Montana district court recently ruled in favor of Swan View Coalition, recognizing that even unused roads can displace grizzly bears from their habitats. Swan View Coalition is currently focusing on two projects in scoping phase: the East Valley logging project, which members are concerned will create fire hazards and have unintended consequences due to the lack of an environmental assessment, and the Flathead Comprehensive River Management Plan, which could issue too many commercial permits to whitewater and fishing guide companies, overcrowding the river at the expense of visitor enjoyment. Swan View Coalition also releases regular reports on the ineffectiveness of road closures by the Forest Service, which harm government and activist efforts to protect the grizzly bear and bull trout, two of Montana’s most treasured species.
Swan Rangers celebrate their 1000th week of outings and/or photo reports on March 1, 2025, with breakfast in Bigfork, MT. Photo: Keith Hammer