We Show Up For Montana

Montana Wildlife Federation works to conserve wildlife, habitat, and outdoor access.

Photo: Kyle Mlynar

Montana Wildlife Federation advocates to protect and enhance Wildlife, Habitat, and Outdoor Access.

Serving Montana For More Than 80 Years

For more than eight decades the Montana Wildlife Federation has been a leading voice for protecting and enhancing our wildlife, public lands, and access at the Montana Legislature and in Washington, DC. Guided by our commitment to the public trust, our dedication to scientific management, and our concern for future generations, we work to promote state and federal policies and decisions that protect Montana’s fish and wildlife, our natural lands and waters, and public access to the outdoors.

Storied History

Montana’s Oldest Wildlife Conservation Organization

Our roots trace back to 1936 when hunters, anglers, and other conservationists joined landowners to address the loss of Montana’s natural lands, healthy waters, and abundant wildlife. The decades of westward expansion prior to the 1930’s left wildlife populations decimated throughout North America. That year the first North American Wildlife Conference was held in Washington D.C. and the National Wildlife Federation and Montana Wildlife Federation were formed.

Well Organized

We Fight For You Every Day

Montana Wildlife Federation works on decisions that affect our natural resources, including legislative and administrative processes at the state and federal level.  We support robust conservation and management policies that are based on sound science and principles of natural resource management.  We won’t support bad policy just to send a message or strike a deal.  We actively adapt to scientific data and new information, even when it challenges our past positions.

Get Things Done

Find Out How You Can Get Involved

Montana Wildlife Federation is run by a dedicated staff and volunteers. We’re involved in critical collaborative efforts throughout Montana that work to protect public lands, enhance public access, and protect critical wildlife habitat and populations. We work closely with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to develop recommendations for wildlife management, and we work to ensure the voice of Montana’s wildlife conservationists, hunters and anglers are heard in the state Legislature and in Washington D.C.

Important Victories

  • The best stream access law in the country

  • A ban on wildlife farms

  • Protection of Montana’s public lands and waters for 80 years

Critical Issues

  • Public access to public lands

  • Chronic Wasting Disease

  • Grizzly bear management

  • Energy development and sage grouse

  • Elk management

  • Protection of secure wildlife habitat

  • Clean water protection and enhancement

  • Wildlife corridors and landscape connectivity

Strong Partners

Our Vision For Montana

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What’s good for wildlife is good for people. Protecting Montana’s natural lands, clean waters, and quality wildlife habitat is good for the well-being of Montana’s people, communities, economy, and environment. Conservation ethics and scientific management are essential to maintaining the abundance of Montana’s fish and wildlife.

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Montana’s public lands are essential for providing quality fish and wildlife habitat as well as world-class outdoor recreation opportunities. Undeveloped backcountry areas without roads provide critical security habitat for wildlife while cold, clean water ensures our blue-ribbon trout streams remain some of the best in the world. Critical habitat is also found on private lands in Montana, and MWF works with landowners and agencies to conserve both public and private land for the benefit of wildlife and public access.

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Maintaining access to public land is crucial to ensuring we all have the same fair and equitable experience in our recreational pursuits. Whether you hunt, fish, bird-watch, or just enjoy being in nature, it is imperative that your right to access the quality recreation lands in Montana is protected. MWF fights against the attempts to privatize public lands to ensure every person has access to the amazing outdoors found in this state.

Our Core Values

Grassroots organizing, built upon the shared values, goals, and objectives from a diversity of voices, is essential to our mission. Our membership, our organization, and our work must include people from all walks of life regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation ethnicity, national origin, income, age, geography, ability, religion, or political philosophy.

Our affiliate organizations are essential to our work. Through our network of partner organizations we work to organize Montanans, build coalitions, and focus the conservation efforts in Montana

MWF works to protect Montana’s natural resources and outdoor heritage for future generations.

Science must lead the way in wildlife and natural resource policy and management.

Affiliate organizations are essential to our work and are crucial to building support and focusing conservation efforts in Montana.

JOIN THE FIGHT

SIgn up for our email list and stay informed about our work protecting wildlife, habitat, and public access.

Make A Difference

Your generous donation supports Montana Wildlife Federation’s work conserving our wildlife, wild places, and hunting and angling opportunities for current and future generations.

Join Today

Add your email to start protecting Montana's natural treasures.

Jeff Lukas – MWF Elk Campaign Manager

Jeff Lukas

Conservation Director

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.