History of wildlife Conservation in Montana
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20, 2019
Arrive at Jack Creek Preserve on Friday, October 18 by 8 pm (if possible), and stay until Sunday 3 pm
Earned 15 OPI Renewal Units
Cost: $30 (the cost is $280 for the program, lodging, & meals, but every educator can qualify for a $250 scholarship)
Rustic lodging and meals provided
Through guest speakers and activities specializing in the history of wildlife conservation, we highlighted the following:
abundant wildlife populations in Montana prior to 1850s;
the Supreme Court ruling in 1842 that wildlife belongs to the people of the state – public trust of wildlife, fish, air, and water;
the “tragedy of the commons” in Montana during the late 1800s as wildlife populations dwindled;
President T. Roosevelt and his efforts to conserve the few remaining wildlife populations and their habitats;
the restoration efforts and political strength of local hunting/fishing groups to transplant wildlife to many areas in Montana;
the passage of the Pittman-Robertson Act in 1937 and the Dingell-Johnson in 1950 to fund wildlife/fisheries restoration and conservation efforts;
the significant legislation, such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Montana Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and Montana Stream Access Law;
today’s abundant wildlife populations in Montana; and
our efforts to coexist with large predator and prey populations in our multi-ownership landscape as the human population and land fragmentation increase rapidly.