Big Sky Times

Montana's Habitat Legacy Account aims to provide sustainable funding for conserving wildlife habitats, enhancing working lands, and supporting outdoor heritage. The initiative, spearheaded by Fish, Wildlife & Parks and funded by recreational marijuana tax revenue, seeks to address ongoing environmental challenges such as drought, wildfires, and invasive species.

The Habitat Legacy Account builds on previous efforts, notably the 2021 legislative allocation of marijuana tax revenue to fund conservation programs. This new initiative proposes expanding the scope and flexibility of conservation efforts in Montana.

According to the press release, Montana's current lack of a robust funding mechanism poses significant challenges in maintaining and restoring land, wildlife, and water resources. Stakeholders in Montana have recognized the need to establish the Habitat Legacy Account to enhance the state's conservation and access programs, ensuring long-term stability.

The Montana legislature is considering two bills to formally establish the account, with backing from local conservation and hunting communities. These legislative measures aim to provide comprehensive and flexible conservation strategies by securing proper funding.

The initiative includes expanding the Habitat Montana program, recognized as a crucial tool for wildlife conservation and public access. Projects funded by Habitat Montana include conservation easements, land acquisitions, and access improvements.

The Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) is also set to benefit from expanded funding through the WHIP Legacy initiative, which focuses on landscape-level restoration and stewardship efforts. Additionally, Montana ranks second in the nation for wildlife-vehicle collisions, highlighting the need for wildlife crossings funded by the account to enhance public safety while preserving wildlife.

Given the growing climate and land-use pressures, the Habitat Legacy Account offers a promising solution. Importantly, it provides funding and resources to local stakeholders, including ranchers, Tribes, and land managers, who are directly involved in conservation efforts.

In closing, the press release emphasizes widespread public support for these initiatives and urges citizens to contact their legislators to support the proposed bills. The account represents a strategic investment to protect Montana's natural heritage for future generations.

Jeff Lukas, the Conservation Director, highlights the importance of bringing people into broader conservation conversations, demonstrating his commitment to preserving Montana's unique landscapes and wildlife.

To get involved and provide feedback, interested individuals can visit the participation portal at https://participate.legmt.gov. Additionally, donations to support conservation efforts can be made through the Montana Wildlife Federation, contributing to preserving Montana's ecosystems and opportunities for future generations.