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Public Access to Public Lands, Opportunities

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Access to public land – everybody’s for it. But often, the solutions to landlocked or large blocks of public lands that are inaccessible to the public are complex. There are a host of state and federal programs that help acquire land that is mixed in with public land, or open easements to those lands. But in other cases, the solutions are more complex. 

Join a panel discussion that includes MWF staff and a board member, and a federal official to talk about an effort in the East Crazy Mountains to increase access, as well as other measures MWF is pursuing to help increase public access. Registration is required.

Learn more about the panelists.

JohnSJohn Salazar serves as a board member for the Montana Wildlife Federation. He is a longtime hunter and angler, and outdoor recreationist who lives in Livingston. John has served for nearly two years on a working group of landowners, hunters, conservation interests and others working to improve public access into the Crazy Mountains of the Custer-Gallatin and Lewis and Clark national forests. He owns a restoration company in Livingston and enjoys the outdoors with his family. 

 

nickGNick Gevock serves as the conservation director for the Montana Wildlife Federation. Before that he worked as newspaper reporter in Bozeman and Butte, covering numerous natural resource, wildlife and public lands issues throughout southwestern Montana. He is an avid hunter, angler and outdoor recreationist. He travels throughout Montana with his dog Willow in pursuit of birds, hunts big game and likes to flyfish. Gevock works on key wildlife, habitat and access issues at the local, state and federal level. 

View our packed agenda!

The auction and Membership meeting is open to conservationists in Montana, across the country and around the world. Share this invitation widely with your networks! Register today, invite your team, and get ready for some exciting updates in your inbox soon!

Voices in Conservation

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Because of the impacts of COVID-19, we shifted the 2020 Montana Wildlife Conservation Celebration to a free, global, virtual gathering October 15-20. In making this celebration our most accessible ever—we’re also re-imagining our celebration entirely to ensure that you get the most from every minute. 

The silent auction, Membership and Business, meeting and all panel discussions are open to conservationists in Montana, across the country and around the world. Share this invitation widely with your networks! Register today, invite your team, and get ready for some exciting updates in your inbox soon!

Voices in Conservation

Join panelists Marcia Brownlee Artemis Program Manager, Jimmy Flatt Hunters of Color Founder, Anna Le Fisheries Biologist and Environmental Educator, SJ Keller Queers and Camo as they discuss how hunters and anglers are speaking up for wildlife and wildlands while diversifying the outdoors.

MarciaBrownlee 300x300Marcia Brownlee, Artemis Program Manager

Marcia lives in Montana, where she spends as much time as she can hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, stargazing, and foraging . For 15 years, Marcia worked as an educator with a focus on place-based education that nurtured kids’ natural curiosity for and love of the outdoors. As the Artemis Program Manager, she focuses on creating a community of powerful, informed sportswomen who will foster positive change and defend and secure the future of our public lands, waters, and wildlife.

Artemis Sportswomen is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

JimmyFlatt 300x300

Jimmy Flatt, Manufacturing Engineer and Founder of Hunters of Color 

 Jimmy grew up in the heart of California’s wine country (Sonoma Valley) where hills of vineyards have replaced a once-abundant oak savannah covered in elk, deer, bear (black and California Grizzly), mountain lion, coyote, salmon, steelhead and migratory birds.  He moved to Oregon in search of ecosystems that have remained more wild, and to pursue my degree in Mechanical Engineering. Jimmy founded a non-profit called Hunters of Color with a mission to share my love of nature with everyone, so that future generations are prepared to conserve/protect/restore the wild places we have left.

Check out Hunters of Color on Instagram.

AnnaLe 300x300Anna Le, Fisheries Biologist and Environmental Educator 

Originally from California, Anna attended Oregon State University from 2014-2019, where she got her degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Science and developed her passion for protecting the rivers and all things inhabiting it. She also has a background in environmental education through many volunteer opportunities and seasonal positions as an outdoor field instructor having worked with students of all ages and families from varying backgrounds. She’s worked multiple field positions collecting fisheries data, developing curriculums for outdoor education, and creating social media content in the state of Oregon, Wyoming, and now resides in Colorado. With her cultural background, she believes diverse perspectives and personnel allow for better decision making in conserving the natural world. 

Learn more about Anne on Instagram,  and Twitter.

SJKeller 300x300SJ Keller, Queers and Camo and Science and Environmental Journalist

Learn more about one of our panelists, SJ Keller, co-founder of Queers & Camo, a new group for LGBTQ+ outdoorspeople and allies. SJ is an independent science and conservation writer based in Bozeman, Montana. Their work on how society confronts challenging wildlife and natural resource issues has appeared in High Country News, VICE News, MeatEater, New Scientist, Science Magazine, Smithsonian.com, and others. In addition to being a passionate hunter, SJ loves gardening, forager, skiing and cycling. They are an ambassador for Artemis Sportswomen and a NextGen advisory board member for the Gallatin Valley Land Trust.

Learn more about SJ and Queers and Camo on Twitter  and Instagram. 

Montana Wildlife Conservation 2020 Celebration Agenda

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Register for the Montana Wildlife Conservation 2020 Celebration!

Yes, it’s virtual. Yes, it’s global. Yes, it’s free.

Because of the impacts of COVID-19, we shifted the 2020 Montana Wildlife Conservation Celebration to a free, global, virtual gathering October 15-20. In making this celebration our most accessible ever—we’re also re-imagining our celebration entirely to ensure that you get the most from every minute. 

Be sure to check out our packed agenda and register. By registering you register for all events. We will send out an email several days before the Celebration begins with private link and password. Each day you will receive an email with a reminder of the days events and links to join!

Check out our Packed Agenda!

Thursday, October 15, 4:30-5:30 PM                                                       

Saving Our Herds: Containing the Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease is an always-fatal neurological disease found in members of the deer family. It has been in North America for several decades but was first detected in Montana in November 2017. Montana wildlife biologists have a goal of keeping the disease below 5 percent prevalence, and this year are implementing new carcass disposal rules to work to prevent further human-caused spread. Join Quentin Kujala, Chief of Staff, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Emily Almberg, FWP Wildlife Biologist along with Nick Gevock, Conservation Director for Montana Wildlife Federation to talk about how hunters can do our part in this fight. 

Thursday, October 15, 6:30-7:30 PM 

The Last Cast: Climate change and fly fishing in Big Sky Country

Join Alec Underwood, Federal Conservation Campaigns Director for Montana Wildlife Federation and Sara Meloy, MWF Board Member for a brief presentation on the impacts of climate change on Montana’s world renown trout fisheries and enjoy a screening of MWF’s short film, The Last Cast. 

Friday, October 16, 4:30pm-5:30pm 

Affiliate Round Table

Join MWF staff, board members, and affiliate leaders for a roundtable discussion about the future of the MWF affiliate program and how to continue growing this partnership. Citizens invested in wildlife management were critical to our previous accomplishments and are critical to our continued success. Our network of affiliate organizations throughout the state in addition to our strong member base helps us stay heavily engaged in key issues affecting wildlife at the local, regional, and statewide levels. Led by Marcus Strange, Partnerships Director for Montana Wildlife Federation.

Friday, October 16, 6:00-7:00 PM 

Public Access to Public Lands, Opportunities

Access to public land – everybody’s for it. But often, the solutions to landlocked or large blocks of public lands that are inaccessible to the public are complex. There are a host of state and federal programs that help acquire land that is mixed in with public land, or open easements to those lands. But in other cases, the solutions are more complex. Join John Salazar, MWF Board Member and Treasurer and Nick Gevock, Conservation Director for Montana Wildlife Federation to talk about an effort in the east Crazy Mountains to increase access, as well as other measures MWF is pursuing to help increase public access.

Saturday, October 17, 7PM- 9PM 

Hunting Film Tour Virtual Movie Night 

Join your fellow MWF members for a virtual movie night! MWF is partnering with the Hunting Film Tour to share a series of fair chase hunting films that are sure to inspire your next adventure. Sit back and enjoy a lineup of films from the comfort of your own home that showcase a series of epic adventures that are guaranteed to entertain and inspire.

Sunday, October 18, 4-5 PM

Legislative Preview in Helena and Washington, D.C.

Every session of the Montana Legislature and U.S. Congress, numerous bills come forward that affect our public lands, waters, fish and wildlife resources. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks needs to craft a budget that meets the needs of those resources, as well as all Montanans who enjoy wildlife, fish, and our state parks in numerous ways. In addition, MWF will be discussing the impact of the legalization and conservation funding ballot on Habitat if the funding measures are approved by Montana voters. Join State Sen. Tom Jacobson (Great Falls), Quentin Kujala, Chief of Staff for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Nick Gevock, Conservation Director for Montana Wildlife Federation and Frank Szollosi, Executive Director for Montana Wildlife Federation for a look at what are likely to be the biggest issues in the upcoming state and federal legislative sessions.

Sunday, October 18, 6-7 PM 

The Future of Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and Bison Reintroduction

The Great Plains of Montana once sustained millions of bison herds, but the population was devastated by development, human encroachment, and habitat loss. At more than a million acres, the Charles M. Russell (CMR) National Wildlife Refuge is a unique opportunity to restore a free-roaming wild population to America’s public lands. The National Wildlife Federation has a vision to return bison to their native home in and around the 1.1-million-acre refuge. Join State Senator Pat Flowers (Bozeman),  Tom France, Regional Executive Director for National Wildlife Federation, Frank Szollosi, Executive Director for Montana Wildlife Federation, and Mary Zeiss Stange Co-Lead for Montana Artemis Alliance.

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Monday, October 19, 6:30PM -7:30PM 

Voices in Conservation

Join panelists Marcia Brownlee, Program Manager for Artemis Sportswomen Alliance, Jimmy Flatt, Hunters of Color Founder, Anna Le, Fisheries Biologist and Environmental Educator, and SJ Keller of Queers and Camo, as they discuss how hunters and anglers are speaking up for wildlife and wildlands while diversifying the outdoors. 

Tuesday, October 20, 6PM- 8:30PM 

MWF Business and Board Meeting

Join us for the online Business and Board meeting for organizational updates, a policy resolution vote, Board and Officer elections and more.

What Hunters can do to Help Save our Herds

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2020 MWFCelebration Facebook

Chronic Wasting Disease is an always-fatal neurological disease found in members of the deer family. It has been in North America for several decades but was first detected in Montana in November 2017. Montana wildlife biologists have a goal of keeping the disease below 5 percent prevalence, and this year are implementing new carcass disposal rules to work to prevent further human-caused spread. Join Quentin Kujala, Chief of Staff, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Emily Almberg, FWP Wildlife Biologist along with Nick Gevock, Conservation Director for Montana Wildlife Federation to talk about how hunters can do our part in this fight. Registration is required.

Learn more about the panelists: 

Quentin Kujala is chief of staff for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. He has previously served as a senior biologist within the Wildlife Division of FWP and as a field biologist working along the Rocky Mountain Front. He has a master’s degree in fish and wildlife science from Montana State University. 

Emily Almberg is a wildlife research biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Emily is helping run Montana FWP’s Chronic Wasting Disease program, working to limit the spread of this always-fatal disease and maintain our big game herds. She works from Bozeman and staffs the citizen’s CWD advisory group that meets to review Montana’s statewide CWD management plan. 

Nick Gevock serves as the conservation director for the Montana Wildlife Federation. Before that he worked as newspaper reporter in Bozeman and Butte, covering numerous natural resource, wildlife and public lands issues throughout southwestern Montana. He is an avid hunter, angler and outdoor recreationist. He travels throughout Montana with his dog Willow in pursuit of birds, hunts big game and likes to flyfish. Gevock works on key wildlife, habitat and access issues at the local, state and federal level. 

The auction and Membership meeting is open to conservationists in Montana, across the country and around the world. Share this invitation widely with your networks! Register today, invite your team, and get ready for some exciting updates in your inbox soon!

Misguided Rule is an Affront to Hunters and Anglers

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The Trump administration has released its plan to make it easier for companies to drill for oil and gas on U.S. Forest Service lands.

The proposed rule would cut the public out of the process that decides whether and which lands will be opened to oil and gas drilling. It would also give excessive leeway to companies that don’t follow US Forest Service (USFS) laws and weaken that agency’s ability to protect public land from development and degradation.

“This misguided rule is an affront to hunters and anglers, as well as the world-class outdoor recreation values we share in Montana,” said Frank Szollosi, executive director for the Montana Wildlife Federation. “While we should be working to improve our National Forests for fish and wildlife, the Trump Administration continues to prioritize special interests, wants to reduce public participation in the leasing process, and open more precious public land to oil and gas development.”

The proposed rule contains several provisions that would affect public participation including removing the requirement that a Forest Service gives public notice of the decision to approve a Surface Use Plan of Operations, the specific plan for development. It would also allow the Forest Service to skip important and necessary environmental reviews for leasing decisions.

Additionally, the rule would remove environmental considerations as criteria for decisions to approve plans and limit the Forest Service to only protect specific, named natural re-sources, and ignore opportunities to address climate change or protect vital wild places.

“Montanans understand the value of our public lands and the economic benefits they bring our local economy through outdoor recreation,” said Tom Puchlerz, president of the MWF. “Reducing the public’s opportunity to weigh in on decisions affecting our National Forests will reduce transparency and lead to further degradation of our highly valued landscapes.”

Contact: Frank Szollosi— Executive Director, Montana Wildlife Federation 406-417-9909, frank@mtwf.org.

Jeff Lukas – MWF Elk Campaign Manager

Jeff Lukas

Elk Campaign Manager

Jeff Lukas is a passionate conservationist who has been fishing and hunting his entire life. Whether it’s floating a small stream chasing trout, pursuing elk in the high country, or waiting in a blind for ducks to set their wings, Jeff is always trying to bring more people afield to show them what we are trying to protect. He loves being in the arena, and he will never shy away from conversations about the beautiful and unique corners of Big Sky country.