2020 ANNUAL REPORT r e l w o F

l o r a C We are a community of people who love the outdoors and champion wild places. MISSION We work with communities to protect ’s heritage, quiet beauty, and outdoor traditions now and for future generations. VALUES We value innovation, integrity, collaboration, stewardship, and tenacity. VISION We envision a future where, from the rugged mountains to the vast prairies, Montana’s wild places are protected, connected, and restored because Montanans value wilderness as essential to our heritage and way of life. or Montana Wilderness Association, small-town businesses. We listened to the Our voices helped move Montana’s entire 2020: 2020 was a year of innovation and ranchers we work with to hear how they congressional delegation to vote in favor F creativity, all made possible thanks to had to adapt to seasonal work crews and of full funding for the Land and Water the generous support of the members, fluctuating beef prices, then shifted coalition Conservation Fund, an invaluable program UNCERTAINTY, donors, and foundations that invest in meetings to meet their needs. And we that pays for trailheads, fishing access sites, Montana’s wild future. reached out to our members directly, and other outdoor recreation infrastructure. CHALLENGE, making hundreds of phone calls just to And we’re inspiring people to give. In Behind the successes reported here are check-in and let our supporters know that December 2020 alone, more people untold stories of staff working from kitchen we were thinking of them and to express joined as new members than in any single AND tables, shifting plans to keep staff and our gratitude for all they’ve done for us previous month. volunteers safe, and finding creative ways to over the years. In this time of isolation, INNOVATION keep members and supporters connected. we focused on building community. 2020 forced us all to adapt, innovate, and to focus on what really matters. For us, Despite what has sometimes felt like a Ultimately, as a result of these adaptations, that’s our wild public lands and waters and roller coaster of a year, we didn’t just ride it innovations, and partnerships over the last our community of people that love them. out, we brought innovative ideas to the year, we’re inspiring more people to take We’re proud to have you by our side as table to rise to the occasion. We shifted action on behalf of public lands and waters partners in our work for a wilder Montana. resources to support staff to work from in Montana and beyond. home and stay safe. In-person events shifted With gratitude for keeping it wild! to online gatherings where hundreds of We built out teams of advocates people joined at a time, hailing from across 1,000-strong who are ready to speak up – Debo Powers, – Ben Gabriel, the state and around the country and for legislation, new policy, and land President Executive Director extending our reach like never before. management decisions that secure wildlife We doubled-down on data analysis and habitat and clean water. Our voices digital organizing tools, enabling us to reached Sen. adapt our tactics to work more efficiently inspiring him to and effectively. introduce a bill to eliminate Making these changes not only allowed us noncompetitive to weather the storm but gave us space oil and gas and strength to support our partners and leasing. supporters through this challenging time. Staff connected with small business owners in our coalitions to check-in and see how they’re doing, then launched a series of blogs to encourage people to support

On the cover: Rainy Lake, n i f f i G c M

y Left: Makoshika c a r State Park T 2 I am a local outdoor CONNECTING WITH recreation business owner “who wants to support ONE ANOTHER, my local landscape. WILDLANDS, AND COMMUNITIES

We’ve long believed that when we connect people with opportunities to experience our natural world at its wildest, they’ll join our movement to keep it wild.

This has been true since 1960, when Ken and Florence Baldwin invited 100 friends to join them on a walk into the Crazy Mountains, the first in more than six decades of Wilderness Walks.

And now we have even more ways to connect people with the wild – volunteering with our trail crew, learning about mushroom foraging or caves, or being a scientist for a day in a wilderness z c study area. i w e i k n e i S

x e l A

2 Smith River he was supposed to be on the steppes Conservation Fund, and she asked Sen. of Mongolia with a trowel and a crew of Daines and then Rep. , now S volunteers, digging neat 1x1 meter Montana’s governor, to support the bill. trenches as director of NOMAD Science volunteer archaeology program. Instead, Like Julia, our trail crew had to adapt plans she joined our own crew of volunteers in light of Covid-19. But with a little fixing up trails in her home state, wielding flexibility, we managed to do all the planned a pulaski to dig trail drainage and tread. on-the-ground work. For five weeks, our team of two staff were out on the trail day- Julia was home visiting family in Glen, in and day-out bucking logs, fixing eroded Montana, when the global pandemic halted tread, and brushing open corridors, and we international travel. Not one to waste a were thrilled to welcome 48 volunteers to moment, she put herself to work with our join us for five weeks. Together we worked Volunteer Trail Crew: removing downfall hard by day to repair more than 60 miles of and fixing up water bars in the Anaconda- trail, and gathered around the campfire by Pintler Wilderness, building a Continental night to swap stories and talk about the Divide Trail reroute near Flesher Pass, and future of wildlands. keeping Sluice Boxes State Park’s main hiking and fishing access in great shape. This summer, we have another 18 trips As if that weren’t enough, she helped out planned, each of which is an opportunity as a citizen scientist in the East Fork for volunteers to connect with one Blacktail Wilderness Study Area – just another and with Montana’s incredible adjacent to the Snowcrest Range – wild places. o l l

helping collect on-the-ground data u z a

and photos to keep the area wild. M

y n n o

And now she’s using her voice S to speak-up for the wild. Julia reached out to Sen. and asked him Julia (right) celebrates a job well done with ”The 2020 ,” a social distance high five. to support protections for the headwaters of the Blackfoot and Clearwater rivers. She called to thank Sen. Jon Tester for supporting the THANKS TO OUR MEMBERS, DONORS, ADVOCATES, AND VOLUNTEERS Land and Water Our seven volunteer chapters hosted speak up in the media and with state more than 1,000 people via virtual events legislators to retain longstanding to learn about grizzly bears, local trails, and protections. how to support responsible recreation at popular trailheads. We laid the foundation for a wilderness ranger to work in the Cabinet Mountain In southwest Montana’s Beaverhead Wilderness, where she’ll be fixing trails, n e s County, volunteers walked BLM wilderness inventorying campsites, offering bear n a J

study areas and took note of sights and spray training, monitoring solitude, and n a

e sounds, use and misuse. One of these areas providing a direct link between the Kootenai S is now under threat in the state Legislature, National Forest, local communities, and and volunteers are using their voices to Montana Wilderness Association.

3 n the two-minute drive through the SHARED center of Lincoln you’re likely to see Opickup trucks and ATVs parked in front of the Wilderness Bar, and logging trucks VALUES, at the Mountain View Co-op filling up gas alongside Outbacks and RAV4s. Looking SHARED around, you might wonder how people with such a variety of outlooks and interests could ever find common ground SOLUTIONS when it comes to nearby wildlands. But leave preconceived notions behind, and you’ll see that most community members From Eureka to Ekalaka, want the same thing: places to hike and we bring people together hunt, jobs in the woods, and healthy who have a shared love forests. for this special place, Over the last few years, we’ve been and while each person working with Lincoln and surrounding may bring their own communities to build on these shared unique background and values as we unite for the conservation perspective, more often of backyard public lands. The result? The community’s Lincoln Prosperity than not we find common Proposal would permanently protect ground around a shared 120,000 acres of new Wilderness and love for wildlands. conservation management areas off limits to development. This tapestry of protections would protect a crucial Continental Divide migration corridor for wildlife, while sustaining communities’ access to the outdoors.

As a first step towards this vision, we’ve been key advocates behind the Helena- Lewis and Clark National Forest’s management plan, mobilizing hundreds of I respect and appreciate our members and advocates to speak up MWA’s recognition of the and shape the plan. When released this Wilderness in nearly 40 years. This is Lincoln is one of a dozen communities “importance of building spring, it will recommend additions to the particularly appropriate near Lincoln, where we’re on the ground getting to and Wilderness where decades ago, bulldozers and road know friends and neighbors, listening to genuine, collaborative protections for Nevada Mountain. graders were already in place when local their dreams for their backyard wildlands, relationships with the hardware store owner Cecil Garland weighing what we hear alongside the people who live within, Building on these 20 –30 year protections, stood up to defend the wild, leading to needs of wildlife and waterways, and work, and love the we’ve been working with partners to make preservation of the Scapegoat Wilderness, charting paths forward. We’re proud to landscapes of Montana. these protections last. This year the group the first citizen-proposed Wilderness in the unite communities around common sense connected with a range of people – from . Today, with our support conservation that’s good for wildlife and neighbors to our congressional delegation these communities are again leading the communities. – to present the makings of a bill that way and charting a path forward for would designate Montana’s first new conservation. 4 THANKS TO OUR MEMBERS, DONORS, ADVOCATES, AND VOLUNTEERS

We’re working with community leaders As a result of our organizing, more than from Hysham to Sidney on a project to add 800 people spoke up in support of the new state parks, public fishing and boat Awaxaawippíia (Crazy Mountains), uniting launch access, and campsites along with Apsáalooke (Crow) to call on the the Lower Yellowstone River Custer to while protecting critical wildlife protect this sacred landscape. habitat. Today, the 175-mile stretch has public access points in desperate need of maintenance, with some gaps as long as 50 miles with no public access at all. Our work in the state Legislature will help fund this community- driven project. e l l i v r u o C

r e l y T

Helena area Boy Scout Troop #208 on Nevada Mountain

5 n Doug Hale’s hometown of Oxford, Just a few weeks later, he was standing making them the perfect ambassadors to A MOVEMENT England, wildlands are largely a thing of on college campuses and street corners mobilize the masses for public lands. I the past. Brown bears, lynx, and elk were getting students and young professionals to extirpated 1,000 years ago, never to return. vote with public lands in mind. Despite While our work to mobilize advocates IN THE MAKING Growing up, an outdoor adventure challenges of campus and street corner has looked a little different in 2020 as consisted of ramblings across country lanes organizing in a pandemic, with the we shifted community events to digital We mobilize people and networks of walking paths, largely encouragement of Doug and four other engagement. But thanks to our new, across private lands. He covered his school organizers, an astonishing 98.7% of MWA’s more powerful data analytics and digital behind our work for textbooks with images of Montana’s peaks members and supporters in Montana cast a engagement tools, we’re able to leverage wildlands each and every and rivers. Today, he’s made Montana his ballot this year, well above the statewide individual connections in innovative day – identifying what home, and not only is he taking every average. Doug and our organizers’ energy ways, and build a broader, more engaged sparks a single person, chance he gets to speak-up on behalf of and passion for public lands are infectious, movement behind each of our campaigns. supporting them to be Montana’s world renowned wildlands, he’s grassroots advocates for mobilizing others to join in the movement. THANKS TO OUR MEMBERS, DONORS, ADVOCATES, AND VOLUNTEERS what they believe in, and Doug first came across our work last giving them the tools to summer, when an angling friend told him When the Bureau of Land Management Clark National Forest to protect areas along champion a wilder world. about efforts to protect the headwaters tried to classify electric motor bikes as non- the Continental Divide and island ranges, of the Blackfoot River via the Blackfoot motorized in the Pryor Mountains and and told the BLM that opening up 95% of Multiply that by Clearwater Stewardship Act (BCSA). Scratchgravel Hills, our community spurred its land to oil and gas development is He jumped straight in, volunteering to to action. More than 400 people submitted unconscionable. thousands of grassroots drive a hundred BCSA yard signs to comments with just a few days’ notice. advocates across the Bozeman, where he staked them out on More than 1,200 people are part of a state and country, and lawns in neighborhoods frequented by Nearly 2,500 of our members and team of people keeping a close eye on you have a movement our federal delegation when they are advocates spoke-up to shape management BLM management plans and proposed bills that cannot be ignored. home from D.C. of our public lands. Together, we called to make sure the BLM manages for wildlife on the Custer Gallatin National Forest to and recreation, not just corporate interests. protect the headwaters of Bozeman’s watershed, asked the Helena-Lewis & A future voter adds color to our MONTANA VOTER TURNOUT community-based get-out-the-vote IN THE 2020 ELECTION efforts.

Turnout 18 –29 year-olds among MWA members in the general 83% election was 68% an astounding 99%.

Statewide voter turnout Those who pledged to vote with MWA e l 6 a H

g u o D You represent my values LANDMARK CONSERVATION BILL and amplify my voice. “ Thanks to hundreds of conservation organizations, businesses, and community leaders nationwide who put their weight behind the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Congress enacted full funding for this landmark bill, the source of funds for conservation efforts ranging from community playgrounds to state parks to new public lands.

The headline news in Montana? The bill passed with the full support of Montana’s entire Congressional delegation.

This was a long time coming, with Sen. Daines and Rep. Gianforte initially opposed to the keystone conservation measure. We did our part to bring them round: We mobilized more than 300 people to contact our delegation, staged a rally in Bozeman at the LWCF-funded fishing access site where Rep. Gianforte had once threatened to block public access, and gained endorsements from communities as far flung as Big Horn, Belt, and the Bitterroot, ultimately earning our delegation’s full support.

To see more ways we’re leveraging our local, grassroots power for national change, see how we’re advancing the Leasing Market Efficiency Act on page 13. n a g i

Madison River n n

o 7 D

m i T FOR WILDLIFE

Countless species – grizzly bears and wolverines, snow geese and mountain bluebirds, pronghorn and elk – rely on public lands and waterways.

We’re proud to champion protections for connected wildlands that wildlife need to thrive.

I really appreciate the work MWA does, “especially the information provided to be effective at forest plan meetings and other lobbying efforts.

8 ollowing the trail up to the Gallatin Crest, the tracks alone were memorable THANKS TO OUR MEMBERS, DONORS, AND ADVOCATES F– big pads with five round toe prints, claws out front. The family set up camp The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Our Kootenai Critters campaign, a on the ridge, drew water from the last Act would preserve the headwaters of Covid-adapted digital engagement effort remaining snow melt, then got front row the Clearwater River, one of the most complete with an online quiz, wildlife sunset seats. In the valley 500 feet below, productive lynx breeding grounds in the stickers, and monthly giveaways identified they watched for a full hour of gloaming lower 48 states. more than 1,000 new public lands while a grizzly sow foraged for her dinner, supporters ready to speak-up in support of digging grubs and roots with her long claws. Along the crest of the Continental Divide, adding 180,000-acres of new Wilderness, She’d pause as she caught their scent on we’re bringing communities together to which would protect habitat for the area’s the air, then continue her evening forage. call for Wilderness protections for Nevada bighorn sheep, westslope cutthroat, bald r

When they tucked into their sleeping bags e

t Mountain, an area critical for denning eagle, and grizzly bear populations. r that night, they said a prayer of gratitude o P grizzly bears and wolverines.

k

to the grizzly sow, thankful to be visitors c a for a night in her wild home. Z

Here, just north of Yellowstone National Park, the wildness of the Madison and intent of the GFP is to advance a legislative Gallatin ranges is palpable, and these package of new Wilderness and a stories of encounters with wildlife are not combination of permanent conservation uncommon. Decades ago, this same area designations, gaining permanent protection was eyed for development. Today, it’s on of these areas key to wildlife connectivity. the cusp of permanent protections. Today, thanks to our leadership and our The Madison and Gallatin ranges are home network of members speaking up to shape to elk, moose, and grizzly bears. Especially the future of this critical wildlife corridor,

in the face of a changing climate, thriving just north of Yellowstone grizzly bears and g n i

Yellowstone National Park wildlife will need elk will have more than 100,000-acres of b m a

to extend their habitat north, and Madison newly-Recommended Wilderness in the L

n and Gallatin ranges’ cool peaks and forested Madison and Gallatin ranges. These h o valleys will be key corridors helping animals protections, soon-to-be codified in J – and plants – to adapt. the forests’s new management plan to be finalized this year, The Gallatin Forest Partnership (GFP) joined will last 20 –30 years. together at the outset of the Custer Gallatin National Forest plan revision to develop a Looking ahead, we’re landscape-scale approach to conservation launching efforts recommendations in the Gallatin and to work towards Madison ranges. Forest plan revision will legislation to determine how these ranges are managed make sure these for the next 20 to 30 years, by which time protections endure the population around the and that this area is could likely double in size. The ultimate forever wild.

Grizzly sow and cub in the Bighorn Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Sheep 9 he waters of Seeley Lake’s backyard In August, an economic report showed successfully getting more than 2,800 FOR WATER sustain its wildness. Undammed rivers that when this bill becomes law, it will people to share their support with Sen. T support breeding harlequin ducks and protect the livelihoods of local outfitters Daines. Just a week later, the committee endangered bull trout that venture up the who provide a combined total of 9,361 held a hearing for the bill. Our public lands provide ’s mountain streams to spawn. guided fishing days on the Blackfoot River fresh water to homes Montana Wilderness Association, along each year, and add to the $919.3 million While it didn’t make it through the 116th and critical habitat for with dozens of local organizations and dollars anglers spend in Montana. Yet Sen. Congress, thanks to our work alongside spawning bull trout and businesses, has been working for more Daines continued to hold up the bill in the stalwart partners, more than 160 native cutthroat trout. than a decade to keep these headwaters Senate Energy and Natural Resources businesses and community leaders endorse wild. The locally-crafted Blackfoot Committee. We activated people across these conservation solutions – the local Clearwater Stewardship Act (BCSA), built the state to display BCSA yard signs. support needed to gain credibility in They’re the destination in partnership with Pyramid Lumber, We peppered the state with newspaper D.C. In this new Congress with new for family hikes to the former owner of Rovero’s, Jack Rich of articles, billboards, and social media ads opportunities, we’re confident Sen. Tester waterfalls or lakes, Rich’s Montana Guest Ranch, Clearwater asking Sen. Daines to listen to the 3 in 4 will continue to champion protections for places to cool off on a Resource Council, representatives from Montanans who support the BCSA, the area’s waters, wildlife, and wildlands. hot summer day, and Blackfoot Challenge, and so many other community leaders, would enhance where winter skaters area recreation opportunities, support enjoy glassy wild ice. forest restoration, and designate THANKS TO OUR MEMBERS, DONORS, AND ADVOCATES Wilderness for 79,000- And they’re often the acres at Blackfoot We’re securing protections at the In Northwest Montana, mist rises into centerpiece of our River headwaters. headwaters of the Yellowstone, Gallatin, clouds from the rumpled valley of the Yaak, and Madison rivers, the source of 80% of and the streams, rivers, and lakes feed into communities, where Bozeman’s drinking water supply and the one of the most important watersheds in the ebbs and flows site of world class angling in these the Lower 48. Our advocacy on the of lakes and rivers renowned waterways. is rooted in the are the rhythm water that gives life to this unique of daily lives. When the Helena-Lewis and Clark ecosystem. National Forest releases its new management plan, it’ll recommend In western states, more than 50% of the Wilderness protection for the Big Snowies, water supply comes from Forest Service source of some of the purest water in the lands. Our efforts to protect headwaters world, feeding the Big Spring Creek blue and fisheries via the Blackfoot Clearwater ribbon fishery and flowing to thousands of Stewardship Act, Lincoln Prosperity homes in and around Lewistown. Proposal, and Gallatin Forest Plan will protect water resources and the people and animals that rely on them. t r a g u h S

Harlequin t r u

Duck C Clearwater River near Seeley Lake

10 I am proud to be a member of a time-tested “organization that I trust has the best interest for not only the people of Montana, but the unspoken ones of Montana – the landscape and all that lives on it.

2 s a child, a few times a year Shane This creates challenges for public land all-indigenous panelists shared why the FOR PEOPLE Doyle would ride in the backseat of managers and for the conservation of Crazy Mountains matter and deserve to be A his family’s car, traveling more than the range. protected. From there, their clear message three hours from their hometown of Crow grew. Multiple newspapers printed opinion In communities big and Agency to Bozeman. Looking north out Beginning in 2019, we worked closely editorials and articles featuring Shane small, public lands provide the window, the perfect pyramid shape of with Shane as he raised this issue with Dolyle, A.J. Not Afraid, and Adrian Bird Jr. clean air and water to Awaxaawippíia, what many know as the fellow Apsáalooke, leading to the Tribal homes, and are places Crazy Mountains, loomed mysterious on Historic Preservation Office’s comments on And our networks amplified the message: where many people the horizon. His uncle and other Crow the Custer Gallatin National Forests’s draft 430 individual, personalized comments seek opportunities for Elders would tell him stories of his people, management plan: “It is with great on the Custer Gallatin National Forest’s Apsáalooke connections to the mountain concern for the protection of the forests, draft environmental impact statement recreation and resilience. going back millenia. It wasn’t until he wildlife, sacred plants, sacred ceremonial specifically called for the Crazies to be was a teenager that Shane got to sites, our ancestors’ gravesites, and hunting protected, and nearly all stated its Public lands have experience the power of these mountains rights, that I support the decision of importance to the Crow Nation. As a been stewarded by the himself, venturing into the backcountry for Alternative D for each of the Mountain result of this effort, the public is beginning Apsáalooke, Kanska, days of seeking, fasting, and connection Ranges in the Custer Gallatin National to see the Crazies as more than just a Piikani, and so many with his ancestors. Forest Revision.” Decision D: no roads, recreational playground, and calling on others for millenia, and no machines, no motors, 711,425 acres the forest to honor its cultural values. Today, Shane and MWA are of Recommended Wilderness. we’re again turning to leading efforts to sustain the While the final forest plan hasn’t been these original stewards power of this sacred place. Elevating these voices, MWA worked released yet, we’re confident that, in to listen and learn, and A legacy of railroad land with Shane to produce Awaxaawippíia: large part thanks to Shane and other to ensure a broader range grants has left the range with a The Crow Nation’s Sacred Ties . In January Apsáalooke leaders, and our members of values and insights checkerboard of public and 2020, we debuted the eight-minute film amplifying their message, the forest are reflected in private parcels. to packed-to-capacity audiences in has heard loud and clear that the Bozeman, Livingston, and Billings, where Awaxaawippíia must be protected. today’s . y k s f o g o n o B

s i x e l

Shane Doyle and A MWA are leading

efforts to sustain the r e t power of the sacred r o P

Awaxaawippíia. k Crazy Mountains c a Z

12 ot far from Lewistown, MT, g n i Musselshell Breaks and b FOR CLIMATE m a

poplar galleries host pronghorn, mule L

N n deer, elk, and sage grouse. We’ve spent h o

The hottest 10 years J decades working to shape management on earth just ended. of the area, and were appalled by the This, combined with BLM Lewistown Field Office’s draft habitat loss, is one of management plan, which eliminated the biggest reasons critical environmental and cultural scientists predict protections from beloved places like the Judith Mountains and Square Butte and the loss of a million failed to protect wild character. This was on species globally in our mind when, in those last few weeks the coming decades. pre-pandemic, we organized a town-to- town tour, an opportunity for neighbors to We’re leading efforts connect with neighbors and consider a future that celebrates the lands, wildlife, to reduce energy- and waters families enjoy across dominance management generations, rather than the boom-and- of public lands, and bust cycles of oil and gas. to protect “climate Dog Creek Breaks near Winifred pathways,” a network This conversation hit home with a couple of waterways and new dads from Scobey and Plentywood, who had each made the two-hour trek conservation lands from their family ranches to join our William Pendley Perry served illegally plants and animals will community conversations. They saw the as acting director of the BLM, and voided DID YOU KNOW? need as they chart a effects of boom-and-bust Bakken first hand. all decisions Perry signed – including the northward migration. And with new infants at home, they want to Missoula and Lewistown management From FY 2009 –2018, oil and gas operators share camping, hunting, and hiking with plans. Now we’re working to make sure reported venting 17 billion cubic feet of their kids, and they aren’t so sure an oil- the current administration revisits these methane gas in Montana. Montana wasted dominance agenda is right for nearby management plans, and that they take into more gas in that ten-year period than was BLM lands. account the public calls for conservation of produced by the state in all of 2018. We’re some of the areas’ standout wildlands. supporting legislation introduced by U.S. They aren’t alone. Over the past year, Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) to put an end they added their voices to the thousands On top of all this, noncompetitive leasing, to these wasteful practices. of people we mobilized to speak up to a century old practice that lets corporations shape the BLM’s Lewistown and Missoula buy leases at less than $1.50 an acre, Intact grasslands and sagebrush steppes management plans. Unfortunately, the ties the hands of the BLM to proactively are among the best natural carbon sinks Your organization fits final plans ignored the public and plowed manage for anything other than oil and gas. in the world. Via photosynthesis, they with my values. Keep forward to open 95% of the surface area In 2018 alone, the BLM leased more than effectively convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic compounds, storing “up the good work! to oil and gas development. 262,000 acres of Montana public lands for that absurdly low amount. To solve this carbon via extensive underground root Thanks to grasstops and grassroots problem, we laid the groundwork for Sen. systems, and releasing oxygen back into the advocacy, the story isn’t over. In Tester to introduce the Leasing Market air. Our work for grasslands via efforts like September, a Great Falls federal judge Efficiency Act last summer, a big step the BLM’s Lewistown management plan ruled that anti-public lands zealot toward reforming these outdated policies. and reforming noncompetitive leasing will help these natural services function long into the future. 13 $50,000 + David & Araceli Barclay Thomas & Melanie Ross* David Brown & Leea Pittenger Nina Heinzinger & David Krainacker THANK YOU... Anonymous Debra & John Beaver Ross Family Fund Sara Buley* Van Henson Conservation Alliance Andrea Blewett John & Katherine Schmid Joyce Carlough* Scott & Carolyn Heppel Donor Advised Fund at Fidelity Cornelius & Angela Bliss Leroy & Diana Schramm Gina Carolan Daphne Herling To each and every Charitable Raymond & Joyce Brown* Sabrina Shattles & Duane Day Susan & William Carpenter & Stephen Seninger* wildlands champion Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg Edward Callaghan Farwell Smith & Linda McMullen Reid Carron Suzanne Hildner Foundation & Valerie Hedquist Edward Sohl Alexandra Clemow Scott Hills for your investment North Star Charitable Foundation Susan Carstensen & Larry Haferman Timothy Speyer Michael & Kathleen Cok Jennifer Hodges in the future of Pew Charitable Trusts Dean Center David & Patti Steinmuller* Anne & John Collins Halford & Kathy Holte Joseph & Elizabeth Davidson John & Susie Stephenson-Love Camille Consolvo & Mike Dannells George Howard Montana’s public Mary Starr The Kendeda Fund Brenda & Swep Davis Tara Stevens Susanne Crane James Hueftle lands, waterways, The William & Flora Hewlett David Dellwo Jack Stults & Daphne Crosbie Randall Crawford Terri & Jon Hunt* and wildlife. Foundation Jo Ann & Bert Eder Teel’s Marsh Foundation Virginia Cronk David Hunt Western Conservation Foundation Elizabeth Wakeman Henderson Carol Thomas Kimberly Dale* Ciara Huntington Wilburforce Foundation Charitable Foundation Thomas Winston - Dana Damron Paula Jackson David Erickson The Longview Foundation Karen Davidson Susan Jackson Fanwood Foundation Sally & Richmond Thomason James Day MD & Jean Day* Michael Jasumback Charles & Anne Ferrell Dennis & Michelle Tighe Carl Deitchman & Robert Morgan* Ann & Paul Jeremiassen Adrian Fisher Laurene Warfield & family Jon-Michael Deldin Robert Jesperson Raymond Geyer Richard Gordon & Cheryl Watkins* Denise Della Rossa* Winthrop & Minette Jessup & Jeanne Dussault-Geyer Alayne & Stuart Weber Karen Feather Peter Johnson & Carol Potera Alan & Deborah Gill Robert & Jacquinot Weisenbach Kenneth & Elizabeth Eden Samuel & Patricia Jones Kim & Kevin Gordon Winky Foundation Julia Ellison Norma Jones $10,000 –$49,999 Randall & Nora Gray Julie Wood Larry & Callie Epstein Gary Kachadurian* Anonymous (2) Greater Montana Foundation Yellowstone to Yukon Jay Erickson & Ann Gilkey Margaret Kennedy Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Daniel & Marjorie Harper Conservation Initiative Doug & Melinda Ferrell* Charles Ketterman & Ruth Kopec Chapman Hanson Foundation Barbara Harris Melvin Field Jonathan & Marianne Klein Cinnabar Foundation Helen Clay Frick Foundation $250 –$999 Janet Fiero Roberta & Michael Knapp Common Stream Helena Area Community Foundation Anonymous (17) Robert & Marylis Filipovich Robert & Ellen Knight Cross Charitable Foundation Christina Heliker Lenore Adams Susan Fletcher Jill Kolb Doris Duke Foundation Marcia Hogan & Karl Englund AmazonSmile Foundation Nick Fluge Britta Krause* High Stakes Foundation Charles & Bee Holder Laurel Anders Dick & Jan Franklin Jonathan Krauss Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation Mason Hunter Dorothy Anders Charles French & Ann Mary Norton* Patagonia Foundation Roger Jenkins & Suzanne McDonald Doug Anderson & Mary Miester Mary Frieze Michael & Jennifer Kunka Louise Pfister & Barr Edwards Kenneth & Barbara Kaufman David & Sandi Ashley Nicolle Fugere Caroline & Willis Kurtz Public Land Protection and Sidney Kurth* Timothy Baker Bradley & Deidra Fuller Vladimir Kustanovich* Defense Fund, a project of Marc Lee & Linda Olson David & Teri Ball Scott & Heidi Gaiser* Herschel Kwinter Resources Legacy Fund Albert Lindler & Kristi Dubois Lee & Genevieve Barhaugh Frances Galvin & Bill Clark* Walter Lajara-Nanson* Southwest Montana Resource Bess & Ted Lovec Rebecca & Steven Barkley John & Lynn Garberson Carol & Sal Lalani Advisory Council (RAC) Peter Markalunas & Linda Schmidt Marvin Beatty* Kalu & Douglas George Kirby Lambert & Rebecca Kohl The Louis L. Borick Foundation Addrien Marx Becky Beck* Stephen & Linda Gerdes John Lambing Weeden Foundation McBride Family Foundation Margaret Becker* Michael & Bettina Gilligan Mary Langenderfer Western Energy Project, a project Daniel McCarthy James Beeman Barbara & Jerome Glickman Todd Larson *Each of these of Resources Legacy Fund Peter & Kathleen Metcalf Tom & Brenda Beers James & Margaret Good John Larson & Carol Barnes contributors are among Western Organization of Resource Joshua Meyer Carol & Rod Bischoff Alan & Sallie Gratch Richard Latterell* the more than 400 Councils (WORC) Education Project Montana State Fund ACE Program Jill Blackmer Gayle & Robert Gregovich* Debra Lewis members who sustain Jim Munoz* Lex Blood & Judith Pressmar* Jason Grenfell-Gardner Greg Lind our work with monthly $1,000 –$9,999 Nemacheck Family Foundation Marshall & Tonia Bloom Brenda Gunn Fred Longhart & Marjory McClaren gifts. Thank you for your Anonymous (8) Nathaniel & Juanita Peters Karen Booker* Mark & Cathy Gunther Charles Lonsdale ongoing commitment! A Better Big Sky Tom & Teresa Quinn Jean Boone Scott & Krisy Hammond* Clint Loomis AGL Foundation If we’ve inadvertently William Rahr Bozeman Area Community Rita Harding Genevieve Lorick Stephen & Kathleen Anderson* omitted a name or made Robert Rasmussen Foundation Kathleen & Neil Harrington Jim Losey Lysbeth Anderson an error, please contact John & Beth Repke Roger & Noreen Breeding V. Lee Harrison Bret & Ruth Luedke* Darrell Baggs Kate at kgeranios@ Laura Reynolds & Walter Rowntree Christine Brick & Steven Sheriff John & Melissa Hart John Smillie wildmontana.org. Margaret Bailey Bernard Rose* William & Carol Bronson Robin Harvey & Margaret MacDonald

14 Calypso Orchid Robert Mackin* Thomas Power & Pamela Shore* Margaret & Bob Stringer* Thank you to our Thank you for gifts in loving memory of Robert & Julie Mackley James Rafferty Sunset Point Fund of Dean Malencik Randal Rake The Minneapolis Foundation Business Members Anonymous (3) Amadeus Moe Kathryn & Philip Duncan Nancy Malo Kassia Randzio & Zack Porter* Patrick & Sharon Sweeney Solberg Manufacturing, Inc. Barbara Geller Katy Branston Karen & Vann Manly* Albert & Debbie Randzio Melanie Symons* Clearwater Montana Bob Anderson Laurence “Erick” Walker Helenka Marcinek Timothy & Jennifer Redlin Ward & Susan Taleff Properties, Inc Carol Shannon Lee & Elaine Collins Dave & Arlene Mari Adam Reichert William & Susie Taylor First Interstate Bank Cheryle Chandler Levi Abel Dean Marsh & Anita Ho James Reid The Benevity Community Good Food Store Christopher Meyer Lewis & Char Holzheimer Middleton & Nancy Martin Karen Renne* Impact Fund Highline Adventures, LLC Cleo Sutton Lorraine Samuel Brian McDonald* John & Mary Robbins Don & Christina Thelen* IFG Timber LLC Clint & Loretta Peck Lyall Stott Erin McGlinchey Mark Roberts Norma Tirrell Montana State Parks Daniel Pentelute Marilyn & Sidney Smith Vanessa McGuire Peter Romatowski John & Whitney Todd Pheasant Farms, LLC Dave Downey Mark Wade William McLaughlin & Suzanne Bonner Romatowski Lance Trebesch REI Co-Op Billings Dave Gates Matt Fitzsimmoms & Janelle Kuechle Richard Romeis Spencer Van Meter* REI Co-Op Bozeman Doris Milner Merle L. Hoyt Dennis Heinzig & Iona McMillan Marion Rosa Beate Von Stutterheim Dorothy Cormany Noel Weaver REI Co-Op Kalispell Mi’chelle McNamee Tom & Susan Roy Pattie Wacker* Doug Booker Paul Busch Valley Veterinary Hospital Serena & David Mercer Kate Sako & Kendall Flint Sara Walsh & Frank Hagel* Elvis Lane Paul Delaney Absaroka Energy LLC Curtis & Rolane Meyer Elaine Samuel Bruce Weide & Patricia Tucker Ernie Samuel Richard Roberts Anderson Zurmuehlen Terry & Kathryn Meyers & Rebecca Boslough Timothy Weill Evelyn Stroud Robert Leonard Glacier Outfitters Loren Miles Kelsey Sather* Jeff Welch & Kelly Niles Floyd (Tiny Man) Heavy Runner Ruby Tanner PayneWest Insurance & Kathy Oligmiller Miles Lisa & Mark Sather Alan & Lynn Weltzien George & Betty Heliker Ryan Kendall A Peace Baker Molly Miller & Mark Jungerman* Jill Schaunaman & Paul Burns Jacob & Kama Werner George Risi Jr., MD Shazam Conlan Aunt Bonnie’s Books & Gifts Marcia Miller Alexander Shaffer & Becky Homan Aaron Wernham & Jana McAninch Jack Severns Tim Meloy Riverbend Publishing Co. Susan Miller & Elon Gilbert Karel Shane* Gordon & Janet Whirry Jan Roberts Vern Thompson Missoula Community Foundation Mark & Karen Sheets* Gary Wiens Jennifer Donovan W. Terry French Christopher Moore Clifford & Catherine Sheets Kathleen Wilke Thank you to businesses Jerry Pierson Weedy Beezler & Jan Jackson-Moore* George Sherman Norm Williamson* supporting our work Jim Posewitz Wes Marshall David Morey & Janet Tatz & Katherine Kendall Jeannine Willison with Business for Joy Hunt Wilbur & Frances Ross Sheri Morrison* Dwight & Lois Short Stephanie Wilson* Montana’s Outdoors Paul & Leslie Mulligan* Spencer Shropshire Kay Wilson Adelos Marilyn & Don Murdock & Susan Epstein Fritz Wollett* BAC Consulting Linda & William Musser Christopher & Jeannie Siegler Joe & Morgan Woodward* Buchanan Capital, Inc. Norwood & Dani Nedom Mark Slovak Michael Young Dropstone Outfitting, LLC Patricia Neifert Kim & Will Smith Richard & Janet Young* Eventgroove Robin & William Nichols Sara Smith Hugh & Karen Zackheim Lewis & Clark Trail Expeditions Paula Nielsen Jody St John Andrew Zimmerman* MHayes Consulting David Nimick James & Diane Stauffer Montana Access Project Susan Nimick Heather Steele $1 –$249 NorthFork Financial Susan & Roy O’Connor Ralph & Betsy Stephens Thank you to the more than Oboz Footwear Jim & Donna Onstott Michael & Catherine Stephenson 3,500 household members who Stonefly Studio Fred & Judith Opperman John Stephenson are the foundation of Montana The Base Camp Taylor & Sally Orr* Marvin & Rebecca Strenge Wilderness Association. The Zaneray Group Roger & Patricia Otstot Trail Head River Sports Scott Paling Wild Path Consulting Eva & Duncan Patten Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures Dale Pedersen Thank you to those who made planned gifts in 2020 Katie Pellett Margaret Perryman Timothy Baker To learn more about how you A special thank you to all Jan Michael Philips Mary & Peter Carparelli can contribute to wildlands who support our work with Gretchen Platt Doug & Marsha Okland protection via a bequest, payroll deductions and Polly Plimpton Roger & Bonnie Savage IRA rollover, or other pledges through Montana n r

Robert Poole Dennis & Michelle Tighe planned gift, you can reach a

Shares, as well as those W Tony & Deborah Porcarelli development manager Kate e n Karen Porter Geranios at (406) 303-4070. who have donated time, i a l

goods, or services. E

15 2020 FINANCIAL SUMMARY

On September 30, 2020, Montana Wilderness Association had:

• Total assets of $4,514,722, liabilities of $853,470, In 2 020 , 84% and net assets of $3,661,252. of expenses went directly • $2,633,904 in unrestricted and $1,027,348 temporarily restricted assets. to conservation • $772,494 in fixed assets. programs.

• $1,022,991 in permanently restricted endowment funds. Revenues for the year were $2,522,370 and expenses were $2,609,379.

REVENUE EXPENSES

34% 84% Individual Giving Conservation Programs $864,749 $2,180,604

54% 8% Foundation Grants Administration $1,364,142 $211,137

11% 8% Investments Fundraising $273,365 $217,638

<1% Total Expenses Businesses, Sales, Events $2,609,379 $20,114

Total Revenue $2,522,370

Notes to Financial Statements: n e s i

• Montana Wilderness Association is a nonprofit, tax-exempt e h T

organization under 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. t s e r r

• o This financial information is drawn from audited financial F statements by the accounting firm JCCS.

Four Dances Natural Area on the Yellowstone River 16 CURRENT COUNCIL & STAFF

BOARD OFFICERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS FIELD STAFF CHAPTERS

Debo Powers, Polebridge Addrien Marx, Seeley Lake Mark Connell, Missoula To reach field staff by phone, BOZEMAN GREAT FALLS Eastern Wildlands Chapter President Immediate Past President Camille Consolvo, Great Falls dial 406-443-7350 , plus their [email protected] Jeanette Hall, Bozeman extension. John Todd , Ext. 107 Zach Angstead, Ext. 118 Tim Lynch, Helena Patti Steinmuller, Bozeman Nora Hohenlohe, Missoula Deputy Director Central Montana Field Director Flathead-Kootenai Chapter President-elect Secretary John Larson, Kalispell MISSOULA [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Andrew McKean, Glasgow Larry Epstein, Essex Kayje Booker, Ext. 106 Ted Brewer, Ext. 108 WHITEFISH Southwestern Treasurer Advocacy and Communications Director Wildlands Chapter Engagement Director [email protected] Matt Bowser, Ext. 120 [email protected] HELENA OFFICE [email protected] Stewardship Director Noah Marion, Ext. 119 [email protected] Island Range Chapter 80 S. Warren St. Laura Parr, Ext. 110 Kassia Randzio , Ext. 103 Jacob Foster, Ext. 102 State Policy Director [email protected] Helena, MT 59601 Operations Director Interim Development Director Development Manager [email protected] Sonny Mazzullo, Ext. 121 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Stewardship Manager Emily Cleveland, Ext. 114 Madison-Gallatin Chapter 406-443-7350 [email protected] [email protected] Carl Deitchman, Keely Damara, Ext. 112 Erin Clark, Ext. 117 Conservation Director Ben Gabriel, Ext. 104 406-422-3008 Communications Manager Senior Field Director [email protected] Allie Maloney, Ext. 116 Shining Mountains Chapter Executive Director Senior Accountant [email protected] [email protected] Northwest Montana Field Director [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Alex Blackmer, Ext. 109 [email protected] Darlene Hill, Ext. 111 Kate Geranios, Ext. 105 Communications Manager Wild Divide Chapter Bob Ronan , Ext. 101 Executive Assistant Development Manager [email protected] BILLINGS [email protected] Database Manager [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Aubrey Bertram, Ext. 115 Staff Attorney [email protected]

A SPECIAL FAREWELL TO JOHN GATCHELL AND MARK GOOD Mark and Gatch radiated a passion Last summer, we bid fond farewells to that they’ve committed themselves to to advance conservation for wild places that And their achievements Mark Good and John Gatchell, two for decades. goals across western was an inspiration alone don’t do justice to Montana conservation legends, as they Montana. He worked with to so many. the full impact that Mark stepped into well-earned retirements. Since 1994, Mark has been the loggers to end Montana’s and Gatch made on driving force behind MWA’s efforts in timber wars by signing the Lolo and Montana’s conservation movement. We’re sad to see Mark and Gatch go, central and eastern Montana. He played Kootenai Forest Accords in 1990 They mentored a generation of wildlands and we’re overwhelmed with gratitude a key role in passing the Rocky Mountain and with snowmobilers to lay the advocates. They radiated a passion for for all that they’ve Front Heritage Act, which permanently groundwork for the Blackfoot Clearwater wild places that was an inspiration to so done for MWA and protected almost 300,000 acres along Stewardship Project. He’s supported the many. And more than once, Montana’s wild the Front. He was instrumental in the completion of the their jokes and stories had places during effort to secure national monument and protected the wild and connected the entire staff crying tears their combined designation for the Missouri River Breaks, places along the Continental Divide. of laughter during an six decades and he helped protect Montana’s all-hands meeting. of public lands wilderness study areas from what would Along the way, both Gatch and Mark advocacy. They’ve have been the biggest rollback of public built networks of conservation advocates While we miss working made indelible lands protection in Montana history. and cultivated wilderness supporters in with both Mark and contributions to surprising places. These networks Gatch, we’re proud Montana’s conservation Gatch began working at MWA in continue to play a key role in our work, to carry on their movement, and we’re 1985 after years of volunteering at the and it’s thanks to Gatch and Mark that legacies. indebted to them for the chapter and state level. Since then, he’s we can count on folks to stand up for tireless frontline work helped build groundbreaking coalitions wild places all across Montana. 80 S. Warren • Helena, MT 59601 • 406-443-7350 wildmontana.org