Passing the Stewardship Baton

Abstract

“Montana is wild, it’s our home, and it’s ours to learn from and care for.” This is the central theme FWP adopted to bring to life Montana WILD—the department’s first conservation education center located in Helena. Housed in a historic building adjacent to Spring Meadow Lake State Park, the facility, the exhibit, and the programs honor the deep connection people have with Montana’s fish and wildlife. Here we tell the story of how we came to have this richness today, how all citizens of the state have a part in this history and a stake in its future, and how through individual action we can achieve great things for ourselves and the future of fish and wildlife. Guided by core beliefs of the department and its hope for an informed and engaged citizenry, the statewide facility serves a variety of interests related to fish and wildlife. The objective for this presentation is to give an overview of what has been accomplished to date with regards to Montana WILD, to illuminate the challenges we face as professionals to help others commit to fish and wildlife, and to offer an inclusive framework for how to engender a compelling stewardship ethic.