The Last Best Place: 60 Minutes Explores Montana’s Battle Over Public Lands

Jon Wertheim’s report, “The Last Best Place,” turns the spotlight toward Montana, a state long defined by its wide-open spaces, rugged landscapes and a sense of unspoiled freedom. For generations, Montana has carried an almost mythical image in the American imagination, reinforced by everything from classic westerns to modern tourism campaigns. But beneath that romantic view sits a growing tension. A rapid development boom has reshaped towns, pressured public lands and sparked intense debates about the future of the state’s most cherished places. Wertheim steps into this debate, bringing viewers inside a conversation that now stretches from ranchers and small-town residents to state officials and national policymakers.

The segment finds Montana navigating a period of profound change. A surge of new residents, rising property values and expanding construction have transformed communities at a pace many locals find startling. At the same time, the state continues to draw outdoor enthusiasts who view its mountains, rivers and plains as some of the last truly wild spaces in the continental United States. This tension between growth and preservation is the heartbeat of Wertheim’s story.

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Big Sky Meets Big Pressure

Montana’s iconic nickname, “Big Sky Country,” speaks to the state’s vastness and openness, qualities that have long attracted those seeking space, solitude and natural beauty. Yet the recent influx of new development has challenged the idea that Montana can remain untouched. Homes have been built in formerly remote areas, ranch land has been subdivided and recreational access points have become more crowded.

Wertheim uncovers how these changes have altered the rhythm of daily life. Locals describe rising housing costs, shifting community values and an economic transformation that has benefited some while leaving others feeling displaced. The arrival of wealthy buyers from other states has added another layer to the discussion, with many Montanans wondering how to balance economic growth with safeguarding the land that defines their identity.

Public Lands Under Debate

One of the most central themes in the segment is the fate of America’s vast reserves of public land—millions of acres that belong to all citizens but are most deeply woven into life in the West. Montana is home to national forests, wilderness areas and public trails that support recreation, wildlife and a longstanding sense of freedom. Wertheim explores how these lands have become flashpoints in a national debate. Questions about access, usage rights, conservation funding and federal oversight have divided communities and lawmakers.

The report features conversations with residents, advocates and officials who are wrestling with these questions. Some argue for stronger protections to prevent encroachment by developers. Others believe economic opportunities should take priority, especially in communities seeking long-term stability. The issue cuts across political lines, offering rare examples of bipartisan alliances in a time of national polarization.

The Boom That Changed Everything

Montana’s recent growth has been shaped by broader national trends. The rise of remote work, increased interest in outdoor lifestyles and the shift away from dense urban centers have all pushed people toward states like Montana. While this growth has fueled local economies, given new life to small towns and attracted restaurants and businesses, it has also brought new challenges.

Wertheim examines the impact on infrastructure, schools and healthcare systems, many of which were built for smaller populations. He also explores the cultural impact. Longtime residents speak about the loss of what they call “the old Montana”—a place where neighbors knew one another, where open land was part of daily life and where development felt slower and more deliberate. This sense of loss shapes much of the emotion behind the debates featured in the segment.

Preserving Heritage and Landscape

“The Last Best Place” is not just a slogan for tourism brochures. For many Montanans, it is a statement of identity, pride and responsibility. Wertheim’s reporting highlights efforts across the state to protect what remains, from conservation projects to community agreements designed to balance development and preservation. These efforts reflect a shared belief that the landscapes of Montana are more than just property—they are part of a collective heritage.

The conversations Werthheim records show how deeply people care about their surroundings. Hunters and hikers, ranchers and environmentalists, Republicans and Democrats often find surprising common ground when talking about the land. Their stories illustrate how the fight to preserve Montana transcends politics, touching on something much more fundamental: the desire to protect a sense of place.

A Unifying Landscape

Produced by David M. Levine, this segment offers a nuanced portrait of a state confronting rapid change while trying to stay true to itself. Wertheim’s storytelling captures the contrasts and complexities of modern Montana, revealing the pressures shaping the West and the people fighting to safeguard its character. The result is a feature that blends stunning scenery with thoughtful insight, reminding viewers why Montana has long been regarded as a place worth protecting.

Through his interviews and on-the-ground reporting, Wertheim shows how land, identity and community are bound together in this debate. As development continues and the state weighs its future, “The Last Best Place” serves as a timely reflection on what it means to preserve the spaces that define not only Montana, but the broader American spirit.