Mission

"Cottonwood is dedicated to protecting the people, forests, water, and wildlife of the American West, and having fun while doing it."

What We Do

Cottonwood is a nonprofit conservation organization that was started by a grassroots activist and former U.S. Forest Service biologist in 2009. Today, we cause trouble in and out of court to protect the environment. In just 10 years, Cottonwood has grown to become one of the most effective conservation organizations in the American West.

Cottonwood has protected 12 million acres of critical habitat for endangered species, won or settled over 75% of its lawsuits, and entered into an agreement that protected 40 rivers and streams from industrial waste water pollution. From standing with the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council to defend treaty rights and bison, to protecting the Gallatin River from pollution caused by corporate developers in Big Sky, to restoring bighorn sheep on public land in the Gravelly Mountains, Cottonwood is working across the board to defend what we love about the West.

Cottonwood is working towards a vision of the future in which our children and grandchildren have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. The future consists of renewable energy, pristine wildlands, and glaciers that are growing again. Future generations will glimpse a wolverine running up the side of a mountain and bison roaming freely.