Meyers Receive Montana Neighbor Award

SWAN VALLEY - Dixie and Neil Meyer learned in February they would receive the Montana Neighbor Award, offered by a group of Montana agencies and organizations, and the office of the Governor. The award program recognizes "land-owners who go the extra mile through collaborative efforts to enhance our Montana sense of community." 

Swan Ecosystem Center, with the support of the Upper Swan Valley Historical Society (USVHS), nominated Neil and Dixie last fall. USVHS President Steve Lamar said, "If ever there are two people who exemplify community leadership, it is Neil and Dixie. They participate in numerous community activities. Both are active in the Upper Swan Valley Historical Society where Neil serves as vice president and Dixie serves on many committees."

"They were instrumental in the purchase and creation of the Swan Valley Museum. If not for them, the museum would still be a dream instead of reality. They worked tirelessly on all fronts to make it happen. Because of their strong sense of place they are motivated to support many community endeavors including preserving the history and culture of the Swan Valley," Lamar said.

"Neil and Dixie often try to collaborate. They embrace cooperation to get things done, and they lead the way if the solution means boots on the ground. Someone will say, 'Maybe next week we should get together and work on this project,' only to find the following day Neil and Dixie with sleeves rolled up, busily hammering and digging away," Lamar said.

Neil has often said, "We don't let any moss grow under our feet," meaning they stay busy helping the community in whatever endeavor they are associated with.

Neil was a founding member of the Swan Citizen's Ad Hoc Committee in the 1990's working to find common ground among loggers, millworkers and environmentalists and he was a founding member, and a longtime chairman, of the nonprofit Swan Ecosystem Center, which he helped create on the principles of collaboration and partnership-building.

Good land stewardship and a conservation ethic are criteria for the award.

Lamar said, "The Meyers enjoy being good stewards of their land. They lead tours on their property to explain how they manage and care for the land. They combat invasive weeds, maintain healthy forests, and protect the Swan River that flows through their property."

Neil and Dixie have placed their land along the Swan River at Salmon Prairie in a conservation easement with the Montana Land Reliance. As Neil says, he and Dixie want the future owners of their property to have the same opportunity to enjoy and manage the land as they have always had.

The Montana Neighbor Award is offered by Artemis Common Ground, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, The Nature Conservancy of Montana, Montana Alliance of Land Trusts, Montana Council of Trout Unlimited and the office of the Governor.