Helena, MT - The Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust (the Trust) and Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation (the Foundation) today announce multiple new land acquisitions which secure key public access for hunting, hiking and fishing and conserve critical lands to preserve Montana’s outdoor legacy for future generations.

The purchases were made possible through funding provided by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust. The Trust was established by the U.S. Congress in 1998 and funded from the sale of cabin sites on Canyon Ferry Reservoir, land previously leased from the Federal government. The Trust serves to provide a permanent source of grant funding for the acquisition of publicly accessible land in Montana which:

· Restore and conserve fisheries habitat, including riparian habitat,
· Restore and conserve wildlife habitat,
· Enhance public hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities, or
· Improve public access to public lands.

The Foundation serves as Trust manager and has increased its value from its original $14.9m to roughly $28m and now provides about $1m annually to high priority access sites in Montana.

Over the last year, Trust funding has supported key acquisition efforts such as:

40-Acre Tract West of Radersburg, MT

The 40-acre tract is located wholly within the Forest Service property west of Radersburg. The Forest Service has identified the acquisition of this undeveloped inholding property as critical to prevent the property from being sold and developed – which would adversely impact the wildlife value and public use of the surrounding Forest Service properties. The Foundation invested in this property with Trust funds and will hold until USFS has inholding dollars ready to purchase it at appraised value.

Big Snowy Mountains Acquisition- Golden Valley County

Through a model partnership effort between the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and dedicated landowners, this project is now in public ownership and managed by the MTFWP. The Property was previously owned by Forest Allen, a Montana rancher who donated the Property to the Montana-based Shodair Children’s Hospital (SCH) in 2019.

RMEF purchased the property and simultaneously conveyed it to the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. This project will result in a new Big Snowy Mountains Wildlife Management Area. The property will be available for public use once prepared for safe and managed usage.

Partial funding for the project was provided to the RMEF through a disbursement from the Trust.

Willow Creek Acquisition- Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area Addition-Deer Lodge County

Together with the RMEF, MTFWP and conservation-minded landowners, the 827-acre parcel of land will now be included in Montana’s largest Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The Property is adjacent to the WMA and contains winter and summer range and provides elk calving/fawning ground and open space. The property includes portions of both Willow Creek and Mill Creek and riparian areas.

Partial funding for the project was provided to the RMEF through a disbursement from the Trust.

Seymour Creek Big Hole River Acquisition- Deerlodge and Beaverhead Counties

The acquisition will open approximately 3,600 acres to public access and improve public access to surrounding state and federal land and provide access to the popular Big Hole River.

This Project was a national priority acquisition for the Montana/Dakotas BLM State Office and RMEF as it provides important elk, moose and mule deer habitat, and acquisition will protect a significant portion of the Big Hole River and riparian area along Seymour Creek.

Partial funding for the project was provided to the RMEF through a disbursement from the Trust.

About the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

The Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust was established by the U.S. Congress in 1998, funded by proceeds from the sale of cabin sites on Canyon Ferry Reservoir that had previously been leased from the Federal government. The purpose of the trust is to provide a permanent source of funding through grants for the acquisition of publicly accessible land in Montana.

By 2004, the initial value of this trust was $14,945,403. As of December 31, 2022 the value of the Trust has grown to approximately $28,204,079. Grants to date are $15,945,297.

The Trust is managed by Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation, as trustee.

About Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation

Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation is the primary non-profit partner of Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department. By working collaboratively with the state agency responsible for the management of Montana’s fish and wildlife resources and Montana’s state parks, the Foundation is assured the projects they support are scientifically sound and represent the highest priority conservation opportunities in the state.