Montana Vet Program: Protecting the Smith River and Keeping Public Lands in Public Hands

Protection = conservation

Luke and Scott dig a new latrine pit (2023)

The Smith River is one of Montana’s most iconic and sought-after waterways, a 59.1-mile stretch of wild beauty accessible only by a limited number of permitted boaters each year. For the Montana Vet Program (MVP), this river is more than just a scenic float—it’s a training ground, a proving ground, and a place where veterans reconnect with nature, their community, and themselves.

The Smith River is a place that needs to be protected. But the Smith doesn’t take care of itself. Federal and state funding limit how much staff can actively manage the river and its 52 designated campsites. Without volunteer efforts, many of these campsites would fall into disrepair—or even be shut down.

That’s where MVP steps in. Since forming a partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) in 2019, MVP has contributed over $67,000 worth of volunteer conservation work. In 2023 alone, we helped complete a major initiative in collaboration with FWP and the U.S. Forest Service: the removal of all latrines along the Smith, a project that ensured the long-term environmental health of the river.

Our raft navigates the expansive and majestic cliffs of the Smith River, dwarfed by towering rock formations and lush greenery.

Our mission is simple: protect public lands and keep them public by putting in the work that needs to be done. We don’t just talk about conservation; we put boots on the ground, chainsaws in hand, and sweat into the dirt. The impact of this work extends far beyond the riverbanks, changing the lives of the veterans who join us on these projects.

Veterans working together to maintain a lush campground along the Smith River, embodying teamwork and dedication amidst vibrant greenery.

The Work We Do

The Smith River presents a unique set of challenges. Unlike roadside campgrounds or easily accessible trails, everything we do here requires careful planning and a commitment to overcoming logistical hurdles. Transporting heavy gear downriver—including chainsaws, fire rings, shovels, axes, and all the fuel and maintenance supplies required—is no small feat. Once we’re out there, we have to be completely self-sufficient. If you forget a crucial tool, there’s no running to the store to replace it.

Rafts packed to the brim with all the necessary gear for the work ahead.

Each MVP trip focuses on a variety of critical conservation tasks, including:

• Boat landing maintenance – Keeping access points safe and functional for all river users.

• Downed tree removal – Clearing hazards from the river and campsites to improve usability.

• Campsite improvements – Restoring high-traffic areas, reinforcing fire pits, and maintaining tent spaces.

• Trash cleanup – Ensuring the Smith remains pristine for future generations.

• Latrine maintenance and relocation – Previously, MVP helped maintain latrines before participating in the removal project.

• Latrine removal – A major initiative in 2023, where we packed out and removed outdated facilities to minimize human impact.

• Sign maintenance – Keeping educational and directional signage intact and readable.

• Essential equipment transportation – Hauling heavy tools and materials downriver for vital projects.

• Privacy screening – Using natural materials to provide screening between campsites and high-use areas.

And this is just the beginning. In the coming years, we’ll be taking on an even bigger challenge: bioengineering riverbanks at nearly all 52 campsites to combat erosion. This process will involve transporting thousands of pounds of rocks from the Little Belt Mountains and floating them downriver to reinforce the shoreline. Additionally, we’ll use natural brush, logs, and other materials to stabilize areas affected by foot traffic and shifting water levels.

A frosty morning during our five day trip to remove the latrines.

More Than Just Conservation—A Mission with Impact

For the veterans who join us on these trips, the work is about more than conservation—it’s about rebuilding purpose and identity. One of the most powerful stories from our time on the Smith comes from Will Shaw. He originally joined an MVP trip with the sole intention of assisting his friend, Isaac Blunt, a double amputee. Will didn’t expect the trip to impact him personally. But eight months later, his perspective had shifted entirely. Inspired by the experience, he committed himself to fitness and healthy living, ultimately losing 60 pounds. Stories like Will’s reinforce what we already know: when veterans reconnect with the outdoors and find purpose in hard, meaningful work, their lives change for the better.

And the impact extends beyond our own volunteers. Many veterans who participate in MVP conservation efforts go on to do similar work in their home states, carrying the ethos of stewardship with them. Whether it’s improving trails, maintaining waterways, or engaging in other hands-on projects, the lessons learned on the Smith ripple outward.

Benny putting up a new sign.

Our pig egg set up around the campfire and a veteran moving a freshly cut log.

Multiple piles of cut logs. All in a day's work.

Aaron moving a big log

Making sure the campfire is out.

Our team hard at work

Chris tossing a log to shore

More campsite maintenance.

Just keep stacking

Sometimes is it easier to grab a whole bundle

Veterans are always ready to keep working.

It is not a one man job.

James cutting a fallen tree right next to a campers tent.

Gathering fresh water from a spring.

We have to get the rafts to the river somehow.

James carrying a post to the next site.

Our team fixing boat ties at a campsite.

Scott working to get a tree out of the way that is blocking the river.

Replacing old equipment at campsites.

Removing old privacy blinds.

The Smith River as a Training Ground

The Smith River isn’t just a place where we work—it’s where we train, learn, and grow. The remoteness of the river adds to its power. There’s no cell service, no distractions, just raw Montana wilderness. We teach veterans how to eat, cook, start fires, row, fish, and ultimately thrive in the outdoors. When they return home, they bring these skills with them, ready to engage with the natural world in new and meaningful ways.

Imagine waking up beneath a 300-foot limestone cliff, the early light filtering through the trees as you begin your day with breath-work and movement. Montana is a therapist all its own, and the Smith River is one of its finest offices.

A raft full of equipment, gear, and happy veterans.

Looking Ahead: The Future of MVP’s Conservation Efforts

Starting in 2023, MVP expanded its conservation trips, bringing 15 volunteers for two full-scale river projects per year and adding an early-season team leader trip with 6-10 experienced volunteers to prepare for the main events. This allows us to maximize efficiency and take on larger-scale projects.

The partnership with FWP continues to grow. Environmental consultant Amy Sacry has been working on detailed plans for the future of Smith River management, and MVP will play a major role in executing those plans. The bioengineering initiative is just one example of how we’ll be working to ensure that this river remains accessible and pristine for generations to come.

Our team around a welcoming fire after a day on the river. (photo credit: Thom Bridge)

How You Can Get Involved

If you believe in the importance of conservation and keeping public lands in public hands, there are several ways to support MVP’s efforts on the Smith River:

1. Volunteer – Our first trip of the year is open to non-veteran volunteers, particularly those with rafting experience. If you’re willing to put in the work, we’d love to have you join us.

2. Donate – Gear is expensive. Supplying waders, tents, food, and protective equipment for our volunteers requires significant funding. Every contribution helps keep this mission alive.

3. Spread the Word – Awareness is key. Share our work, tell others about the impact MVP is having, and encourage more people to get involved.

The Smith River isn’t just a Montana treasure—it’s a national resource, a sanctuary, and a training ground for the next generation of conservationists. MVP is committed to ensuring that it remains wild, beautiful, and accessible. Through hard work, dedication, and a belief in the power of public lands, we’ll continue to do our part.

And we invite you to do yours.

For more information or to support our work, visit Montana Vet Program’s website.