Missoula Author Presents "Rooted at the Edge" in Seeley Lake

Donna Erickson's new book explores the clash between the Old West and New West on her family's multi-generational ranch.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Donna Erickson's new book "Rooted at the Edge: Ranching Where the Old West and New West Collide" explores the history and current challenges facing her family's Skyline Ranch north of Missoula, Montana. The book blends personal stories, regional history, and the tensions between rural and urban values as the ranch navigates an uncertain future.

Why it matters

Erickson's book provides a window into the changing dynamics of the American West, where long-standing ranching communities face pressure from urban development, shifting land use priorities, and the clash of traditional and modern values. Her family's experience reflects broader trends impacting rural communities across the region.

The details

Erickson's book draws from her family's diaries and personal experiences on the Skyline Ranch, weaving together the ranch's history with current challenges such as trespassing, conflicts with urban residents, and the impacts of events like the COVID-19 pandemic. As Missoula's growth encroaches on the ranch's land and elk habitat becomes more valuable than cattle, the family must navigate complex choices about the ranch's future.

  • Donna Erickson will present "Rooted at the Edge" at the Alpine Artisans' Open Book Club on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 2 p.m. in Seeley Lake, Montana.
  • The book was published in March 2026.

The players

Donna Erickson

The author of "Rooted at the Edge: Ranching Where the Old West and New West Collide" and a member of the multi-generational family that owns the Skyline Ranch north of Missoula, Montana.

Skyline Ranch

A multi-generational family ranch located north of Missoula, Montana that is the focus of Donna Erickson's book "Rooted at the Edge".

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What’s next

Erickson will continue promoting her book and sharing the stories of her family's ranch at events throughout Montana.

The takeaway

Erickson's book provides a poignant and personal account of the challenges facing traditional ranching communities in the American West as they navigate the tensions between rural and urban values, economic pressures, and environmental concerns. Her family's experience reflects broader regional trends that will continue to shape the future of the West.