Missoula, Mont. (AP) A retired veterinarian has given the U.S.

Forest Service 782 acres west of Missoula. The land is to be managed for recreational use, wildlife habitat and the harvesting of timber.

Eighty-three-year-old Earl Pruyn says he donated the land, next to the Blue Mountain Recreation Area, so it will be permanently available as open space for the public to use. Pruyn says the donation will give him tax benefits.

The Forest Service describes the donation as "hugely important," and says a developer might have carved the tract into a few, large homesites. The agency says that could fragment wildlife habitat, prevent the harvest of timber, shut out recreation seekers and raise the cost of wildfire protection.

A 2003 wildfire destroyed most trees on the Pruyn land. Trees and native grasses were planted, after salvage logging.

Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-06-08 1258CST | save this article / add to your favorites list