Montana's Outdoor Legacy Foundation continues to make an impact

Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation continues to make an impact on keeping Montana’s outdoors accessible and safe for all of us to enjoy.

Through private philanthropy, the Legacy Foundation contributed over $300,000 to outdoor projects in 2015. These included educational initiatives at Lone Pine State Park, Teller Wildlife Refuge, Montana Wild, Citizen Science programs, Watershed days, Bear Fairs and Becoming an Outdoor Woman programs. In addition, the seasonal biologists and interns we funded provided boots on the ground education by presenting to numerous organizations, working one on one with residents and visitors in living with carnivores such as our magnificent grizzly bear and conducting bear fairs and visiting schools.    

Wetlands projects in Bigfork and Boyer-Roman Ranch not only helped protect critical habitats but allow people to access and enjoy the abundance of wildlife that frequent these area.  As Trust Manager for the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust, we take great pride in having a small role in preserving acres of lands each year for all Montanans to access and enjoy.

Our goals for 2016 include bringing the Montana Wild Education program to schools and communities throughout Montana, expanding our monitoring and research programs to include such species as harlequin ducks and fisheries, and continuing the boots on the ground work with grizzlies, lions and wolves through Fish, Wildlife and Parks.   

— Jane Ratzlaff, interim director, Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation