OUR MISSION

CONNECT PEOPLE TO PLACE

Since 1971, the Great Burn Conservation Alliance (GBCA) has supported and spoken up for this rugged ecosystem on the ground, in classrooms, and in meeting halls. It’s a massive landscape with unique needs across regions.

Our volunteer efforts and targeted restoration projects help us keep the Great Burn’s recommended Wilderness areas eligible for federal protection, wildlife habitats resilient, and recreation areas safe for a variety of uses.

We are caretakers of the Great Burn. Seasonal crews and volunteers engage in hands-on projects that maintain the Burn’s Wild characteristics and keep it accessible to recreators and healthy for wildlife.
We shape awareness and public perception around the mission area and engage with land management agencies regarding plans, projects, or permanent protection decisions.
We inspire connection, engagement, and love of place among K-12 students to ensure the Great Burn remains Wild and accessible for future generations.

What we do

A SEASON OF IMPACT

2025 FIELD SEASON IN REVIEW

Our seasonal field crews accomplished an impressive amount of work, completing essential stewardship projects throughout the Mission Area and surrounding roadless areas. They showed up every day as passionate conservationists deeply committed to protecting wild places.

EXPLORE THE GREAT BURN

With 1.9 million acres of remote backcountry to explore between Idaho and Montana, there’s a spot in the Great Burn for every kind of adventurer.

Plan Your Visit

Find your corner of the Great Burn! Locate and learn about popular trailheads, campsites near you, tips for responsible recreation, our multi-use philosophy, and more.

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VOLUNTEER TRIPS

The best way to foster a love for the outdoors is through hands-on experiences. Volunteer trips are informal, fun, and free! A small, refundable deposit secures your spot on single- or multi-day adventures that strike a balance between trail work and recreation time with experienced leaders.

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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMING

We offer hands-on learning experiences for K-12 students in and around the Great Burn. Students walk away with a deeper understanding of conservation and native ecosystems, building environmental awareness while practicing teamwork, collaboration, and critical thinking.

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VOICES OF THE BURN

News from the burn

Featured

September 4, 2026

What Could the New Travel Management Rule Mean for the Great Burn?

September 4, 2026

The way we manage access on our national forests is changing. The Great Burn could feel the effects for years to come. For more than 20 years, the Forest Service has used the Travel Management Rule to establish a consistent framework for deciding where and how people can travel on National Forest System lands.

BECOME A FRIEND OF THE BURN

Make a donation, and opt in to receive action alerts, volunteer information, newsletters, and other opportunities to get engaged to become a Friend of the Burn. You’ll join hundreds of others who are showing support for permanent protection of this special place, so that it can stay Wild and available for generations to come.

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