About Us

Western Values Project

We bring accountability to the national conversation about Western public lands and national parks conservation – a space too often dominated by industry lobbyists and their allies in government.

A majority of folks who live in the Rocky Mountain West strongly believe in balancing resource development with protecting our Western way of life.

It’s why businesses locate here, people visit from around the world, and why millions choose to call the region home. Westerners want and expect our public lands to support good-paying jobs, provide world-class recreation and tourism opportunities, and support healthy, thriving communities – a mix only possible when our communities, government, business and industry strike the right balance between resource development and conservation.

Founded in 2013 and based in Helena and Whitefish, Montana and Washington, D.C., Western Values Project brings transparency to the public lands debate. Our research team investigates the connections between powerful special interests and the politicians they seek to influence, with the intention of holding public lands decision-makers at every level of government accountable. When we find evidence of corruption and other wrongdoing that jeopardizes our outdoor heritage, we inform the public to hold our elected officials accountable. 

Join the effort to strengthen the American West.