By JOHN DORAN Independent Record | Posted: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 12:00 am

The City Commission on Monday night approved two land acquisitions that will better connect Helena’s prestigious trail system and further protect the scenic natural landscape surrounding the Capital City.

Commissioners accepted a grant from the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust for $75,000 to purchase a parcel along the north face of Mount Ascension from the Prickly Pear Land Trust. The land trust purchased the 21-acre parcel from Grant Porter in 2009 for $90,000 — $80,000 through a conservation trust loan and the remaining money through donations from supporters.

Full story at the Independent Record