Montana Wilderness Association

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Since 1958, the spirited people of Montana Wilderness Association have worked tirelessly to protect Montana's wilderness, wildlife habitat, and traditional recreation opportunities. Our members were instrumental in the passage of the 1964 Federal Wilderness Act and in the designation of every Wilderness area in the state. We also helped win Wild and Scenic designations for the Missouri and Flathead rivers, and National Monument status for the Upper Missouri River Breaks. We are currently working in communities statewide to obtain new wilderness designations. Our current wilderness campaigns include the Beaverhead Deerlodge Partnership, the Blackfoot Clearwater Landscape Stewardship Project, and the Rocky Mountain Front, along with efforts associated with the Sleeping Giant and Scotchman Peaks. Complementing these efforts to gain new wilderness, our members take action regularly to ensure state and national agencies appropriately identify and manage all wildlands in Montana. They are involved in MWA programs such as Forest and Travel Planning and general public lands management agency support, building relationships, and helping people enjoy traditional recreation opportunities. Montana Wilderness Association is one of the largest grassroots organizations in Montana with 5, 500 members. MWA thrives because our members participate in all aspects of the organization such as leading Wilderness Walks, attending our Annual Convention, leading wilderness education and safety classes and contributing gifts. Our membership is organized into local Chapters in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena and Kalispell. A volunteer State Council, elected by the membership, sets strategy and direction for MWA. Our staff works with local communities through Outreach Coordinators in Great Falls and Butte, and Wilderness Campaign Directors in Choteau, Helena and Kalispell. The home office is in Helena. Oftentimes we focus only on the tasks yet to be done, pushing ourselves to ensure that future generations have wild places to nurture and enjoy. However, it is important to take the time to understand the history of MWA and its accomplishments. You will be inspired by the stories of the people who started the wilderness movement in Montana. Then take time to learn about current activities in our newsletters and Annual Reports.