Bullock announces members of grizzly council

Residents of Browning, Columbia Falls, Condon, East Glacier, Saint Ignatius, Troy and Valier are among the 18 Montana citizens selected to serve on the state’s Grizzly Bear Advisory Council.

The council’s stated objectives include:

- Maintaining and enhancing human safety.

- Ensuring a healthy and sustainable grizzly bear population.

- Improving timely and effective response to conflicts involving grizzly bears.

- Engaging all partners in grizzly-related outreach and conflict prevention.

- Improving intergovernmental, interagency and tribal coordination.

In April, Gov. Steve Bullock solicited applications for council membership, “seeking individuals with a diversity of views and commitment to working together on the future of grizzly bears in Montana.” More than 150 people applied.

A press release Friday from the governor’s office said “the council is intentionally representative of the different parts of the state where grizzlies are currently or may soon be found.”

Separately, Martha Williams, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, said the council’s formation provides additional evidence that Montana is “taking the initiative and looking at what it means to both conserve grizzly bears and recognize an increasing number of bears on the landscape impacts people and their livelihoods.”

Currently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Blackfeet and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, all manage grizzly bears in Montana as “threatened” under authority of the Endangered Species Act.

In Montana, FWP is responsible for much of the day-to-day management of bears. The Fish and Wildlife Service has attempted to delist grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and may delist them in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem. Whether listed or not, it is expected that grizzly populations will continue to grow and expand, and that conflicts and management challenges will continue to increase.

“This council can play a critical role in providing timely and durable solutions to bear management and conservation that work for Montana in the long-term,” Bullock said.

Bullock has asked FWP to provide support to the council and will be making space for all key partners with a role in bear management to be closely involved with the group’s work. Staff from the Center for Natural Resources & Environmental Policy at the University of Montana will facilitate council meetings.

All applicants and the public are encouraged to engage with the council’s work, and FWP intends to include many opportunities to provide input and for opportunity to inform the council’s deliberations. For more information on the council, including membership, meeting information and ways to be involved, go to fwp.mt.gov.

Council membership includes:

Bret Barney, Wyola. Qualification: Livestock producer. Barney is the Range Detective and Wildlife Manager for Sunlight Ranch Company.

Chad Bauer, Missoula. Qualification: Outdoor industry professional. Bauer is Municipal Market Manager for Republic Services.

Darrin Boss, Havre. Qualification: Hunter. Boss is the Department Head for the Department of Research Centers for Montana State University.

Jonathan Bowler, Condon. Qualification: Conservation group. Bowler is the Education Director for the Swan Valley Connections.

Trina Jo Bradley, Valier. Qualification: Livestock producer. Bradley is a Rancher in Pondera County.

Caroline Byrd, Bozeman. Qualification: Conservation group. Byrd is the Executive Director of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition.

Michele Dieterich, Hamilton. Qualification: Wildlife enthusiast. Dieterich is a Teacher.

Erin Edge, Missoula. Qualification: Conservation group. Edge is a Representative for the Rockies and Plains Program for the Defenders of Wildlife.

Nick Gevock, Helena. Qualification: Conservation organization. Gevock is the Conservation Director for the Montana Wildlife Federation.

Lorents Grosfield, Big Timber. Qualification: Livestock producer. Grosfield is an Owner/Operator of a Family Cattle Ranch in Sweet Grass County.

Kameron Kelsey, Gallatin Gateway. Qualification: Livestock producer. Kelsey is a rancher in Gallatin County.

Robyn King, Troy. Qualification: Conservation group. King is the Executive Director of the Yaak Valley Forest Council.

Kristen Lime, Browning. Qualification: Tribal member. Lime is a Rancher and Pre-College Advisor for Montana Educational Talen Search.

Cole Mannix, Helena. Qualification: Conservation organization. Mannix is the Associate Director of Western Landowners Alliance and is a Rancher in Lewis and Clark County.

Heath Martinell, Dell. Qualification: Livestock producer. Martinell is Rancher in Beaverhead County.

Chuck Roady, Columbia Falls. Qualification: Community leader. Roady is the Vice President and General Manager for F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Company.

Gregory Schock, Saint Ignatius. Qualification: Livestock producer. Schock is the Owner of Schock’s Mission View Dairy.

Anne Schuschke, East Glacier. Qualification: Outdoor industry professional. Schuschke is a Substitute Teacher and Expedition Leader for Natural Habitat Adventures.