Educating and Conserving
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The Madison Valley and its surrounding mountains in southwest Montana
have long been celebrated as a rich and diverse land teeming with
wildlife. But the Big Sky country near Yellowstone National Park is
undergoing rapid development.
In
2005 the Fossel family of Ennis, Mt. donated 4,600 acres of
ecologically significant habitat that join the north and south portions
of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness Area. The land became the Jack Creek
Preserve -- the cornerstone of the Jack Creek Preserve Foundation,
whose mission is wildlife conservation and youth education.
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Expanding Education Outreach
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The Foundation plans to build a Conservation Education Center to offer
outdoor educational opportunities for college and secondary school
students.
The
Center will serve as the educational nucleus of the Preserve's
activities. It will offer exhibits on conservation, habitat protection,
wildlife management, and the role of hunter conservationists. It will
be the trail head for interpretive nature trails to high alpine
habitat, sage meadows and willow creek bottoms.
The capital
campaign aims to raise $250,000 by 2009 to construct and maintain the
Center. Nearly 50 percent of the campaign’s fundraising goal has been
realized from cash and in-kind contributions.
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Sharing the Hunting Experience: Skills & Ethics
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Part of the Foundation’s mission is to promote the important role that
hunting plays in wildlife conservation and to encourage safe and
ethical hunting practices. Special emphasis is placed on teaching young
to respect wildlife and be responsible hunters.
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The Jack Creek Preserve Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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