Collaborating for a Successful Montana Legislative Session

Montana became my home the day I moved into a basement apartment in Great Falls almost 25 years ago. At the time, I would have said fish, mountains, and wildlife – that’s why I love Montana. Now I know it is the people that make Montana so special.

Montanans are folks of all kinds – ranchers, farmers, business owners, outdoorspeople, conservationists, and everyone in between. The Montana Legislature is a place where we all come together to make decisions about our home, and whether we agree or not, I see Montanans as folks who can disagree and remain friends. This attitude embodies the Legislature. We wrap up a lively session with a number of critical wins for Montana's lands and wildlife. 

Thank you advocates, lobbyists, and lawmakers for a successful legislative session. Because of GYC’s advocacy, nearly 1,000 Montanans made their voices heard on wildlife, environmental laws, and our public lands. If you spoke up, you made a difference for Montana.

Montana Conservation Manager Sally Schrank and Wildlife Program Manager Shana Drimal at the 2025 Montana State Legislature. (Photo GYC/Sally Schrank) 

Safeguarding Iconic Species 

The session started out with a series of bills aiming to cut Montana's wolf population in half and extend the wolf hunting season. GYC’s wildlife team, led by Matt Cuzzocreo, was concerned that these bills would limit the ability of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) to manage wolves on a regional basis that reflects the needs and wants of Montana communities. Business owners in Gardiner, Montana were concerned about the implications for the state’s $82 million wolf-watching economy and that hunting would focus too much on Yellowstone National Park wolves, dramatically impacting these rural communities’ businesses. After a lot of conversations with legislators, considerations of amendments, and public testimony these bills failed to pass. It was a huge success for wolves and all the advocates who raised awareness about this issue.

Wolf howling in Yellowstone National Park. (Photo NPS/Jim Peaco) 

Throughout the West, wildlife overpasses, underpasses, and fencing have supported wildlife movement across highways while making our roads safer for people. Montana’s high rate of wildlife-vehicle collisions poses a significant threat to public safety and the conservation of species like bison, elk, deer, and more. This session, we were pleased to take an active role in establishing the FWP Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account. GYC’s Wildlife Program Manager Shana Drimal worked with partners and the public to advance the bill through the many twists of the Legislature.  

In addition to establishing an account, this law will result in a new state license plate that could generate $160,000 annually. The account could also receive funds from other sources to increase the amount available annually. This bill currently awaits Governor Gianforte’s signature to be signed into law.    

Protecting Montanans’ Right to a “Clean and Healthful Environment” 

Montana lawmakers have passed multiple bills that take away Montanans’ constitutional right to a “clean and healthful environment.”  

Our way of life in Montana relies on clean water, clean air, and access to the incredible places that make this state the Last Best Place. From irrigating multi-generational family farms and ranches, to breathing healthy air as we camp, hike, and hunt, and ensuring our multi-billion-dollar tourism economy continues to support local communities, we need clean water, air, and land.  

We don’t want to go back in time to when heavy metals filled our rivers, smoke from smelters polluted our air, and mining waste was prevalent.

The Yellowstone River. (Photo USDA NRCS Montana)

Led by GYC Climate and Water Conservation Manager Sierra Harris, we worked to stop these bills, but unfortunately, they all passed. These bills are an attack on our constitutional rights and jeopardize the Montana way of life today, and for future generations. We expect many of these bills will be signed into law and litigated, but we must raise awareness about what happened during the session and find better ways to prevent harmful legislation from moving forward in the future. GYC is committed to working with all people to protect our lands, waters, and wildlife, and we’ll continue to stand up for a clean and healthful environment.   

Keeping Public Lands in Public Hands 

Overwhelmingly, Montanans made it clear that public lands need to be protected and belong in public hands. A resolution asking Congress to roll back protections on 7 million acres of federal Wilderness Study Areas and Roadless Areas in Montana was tabled. Montana lawmakers also acted to keep public lands in public hands, voting down a resolution that supported Utah's land grab lawsuit. GYC partnered with a diverse group of partners and supporters to bring about this strong support for keeping public lands in public hands. We will be taking this dispute to the national stage, encouraging Montana’s Congressional delegation to keep public lands in public hands.  

We’ve seen tremendous success in early 2025, and still we have challenges to face in the coming months and years. It was a full GYC Montana Team effort spearheaded by Kali Wicks, President at Treasure State Strategies, and most importantly, you. Thank you for advocating for wildlife, public lands, and a clean and healthful environment. I encourage you to continue speaking with fellow Montanans about what you care about and find those areas of agreement.   

—Sally Schrank, Montana Conservation Manager (Bozeman, Montana)