Montana Legacy Trust

Hunters, biologists and landowners are asking lawmakers to set aside $200 million of Montana’s historic budget surplus to establish a permanent trust account that would dramatically expand the pace and scale of stewardship and restoration treatments in rural Montana.

Montana is exceptional, and we want to keep it that way.  The Montana Legacy Trust would create a permanent account Montanans could bank on, to improve our land, wildlife, and water resources in the face of drought, wildfire, invasive species, and deteriorating wildlife habitat conditions.  

The Trust would facilitate funding partnerships between ranchers, Tribes, hunters, local government, conservation districts, land managers, wildlife managers, and agricultural and conservation non-profits through annual grant-based applications that fund restoration, improvement and stewardship treatments on public and private lands in every County of Montana. 

Expanding the pace and scale of this work will boost Montana’s proud legacy of land stewardship and bolster the State’s two most important and reliable industries: agriculture and the outdoor economy.

Investment in Rural Montana

The Montana Legacy Trust would make resources available directly to local people who know the land and wildlife best.

It would be available for all lands and reservations across every County of Montana. Any stewardship and restoration projects that would enhance wildlife habitat on public or private lands, improve or develop water resources, or boost the productivity and profitability of small farms and ranches would be eligible for funding support through the Legacy Trust.



Growing Need

Montana has many tools to conserve public and private lands, but we lack one critical tool: A robust funding mechanism for restoration and stewardship work. But that’s more important than ever

Prolonged drought, invasive species, poor forest health, and declining soil quality are impacting Montana’s wildlife and people who depend on the land.

Ranchers are experiencing lower productivity, hunters report less harvest success on public lands, invasive species compete with native species, and poor habitat conditions are partly responsible for driving more wildlife to private irrigated fields.

Modeled After Successful Program

The Montana Legacy Trust would be modeled after the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, which has helped Wyoming plan for and respond to these same issues. 

Since 2006, Wyoming’s Trust Account has funded over 750 treatment projects to improve wildlife habitat and water resources and given landowners the tools to improve the condition of their land. No project has been litigated, and all projects have seen remarkable support from a wide variety of stakeholders.




Flexible & Accessible Stewardship

Funding applications would be evaluated and awarded by a diverse 7-member citizen-board appointed by the Governor. The most successful applicants would establish new partnerships and leverage additional resources from private citizens, non-profit organizations, and other government funding sources to expand the impact of treated lands. 

Examples of specific treatments that would be eligible include: 

  • River Restoration: Fish Passage Enhancements and Irrigation Efficiency Projects

  • Rangeland Enhancements: Water Retention Work, Soil and Grassland Restoration, and Water Development Projects

  • Habitat Improvement: Fence Modification, Aspen Enhancement, Wetlands Development, and Invasive Species Management Projects. 



Establishing The Legacy

During the upcoming budget cycle, Montana is projected to have a $1.8 billion surplus. 

This represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest a portion of the surplus into a permanent trust fund.  An initial investment of $200 million into a Legacy Trust could conservatively yield $4-$8 million annually in interest to fund the program, fund the necessary staffing, and help local Montanans pass on our land and wildlife legacy to the next generation. 





What Montanans Are Saying

  • "It’s an idea worthy of consideration, because it could help the land, and its stewards, in rural Montana, over the long haul.

    Senator Jeff Welborn, R-Dillon

  • "As the oldest conservation organization in North America, the Boone and Crockett Club is proud to support robust investments in conserving our natural resources, like the Montana Legacy Fund. With our headquarters and Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch located in MT, we know that programs like this are critical for our state."

    The Boone and Crockett Club

  • “The restoration and improvement of habitat throughout the State is at the core of solving Montana’s most complex wildlife issues. I see the Legacy Trust as an excellent opportunity to make meaningful change in the improvement of our natural resources.”

    Matt Wickens, Central Montana Rancher and Outfitter

  • We all learn about the importance of Habitat from a young age and how critical it is for maintaining vibrant wildlife populations. Despite the importance of habitat, funding for habitat enhancement is severely lacking in Montana. The Montana Strong Act is a big step in the right direction. Reinvesting in Habitat will ensure strong and diverse wildlife populations that are core to our Montana heritage and way of life.”

    Ian Wargo, Montana Elk Management Citizen Advisory Group

  • "The Montana Wild Sheep Foundation is committed to building relationships with Montana's public and private landowners to improve habitat and wild sheep distribution. We are endorsing the Legacy Trust because we believe that this program will foster new public-private partnerships for the betterment of wildlife habitat. We are very excited about the possibilities that could extend to the expansion of wild sheep in Montana under this proposal."

    Montana Wild Sheep Foundation

  • “During my career at FWP I found it was local people who knew the land and wildlife best. This is designed to give local people - landowners, hunters, anglers, and just plain Montanans, tools and resources they need to utilize their knowledge in ways that are sustainable and reflect their values and natural land ethic.”

    Mike Korn, retired Fish, Wildlife and Parks Deputy Chief.

  • “Our ranch has quality elk hunting because we have quality habitat. We allow substantial public hunting but turn away many requests due to limited space. If habitat were improved on public lands those lands would hold more wildlife which would increase hunter opportunity. By holding more elk those lands would also relieve negative impacts ranchers experience from large elk numbers.”

    Scott Hibbard, Sieben Livestock in Cascade County.

  • “Our best ideas are often our boldest ideas which is why I view this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to establish a legacy. This is an investment in the next generation of hunters, farmers, and ranchers. This is an investment in rural Montana and our way of life.”

    Chris Marchion, Hunter and member of Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame

  • “The Legacy Trust could support any project, brought forward by any Montanan, anywhere in the State. It could be used to enhance wildlife habitat on public or private lands, improve or develop water resources, boost the productivity and profitability of small farms and ranches, or mitigate against the impacts of wildfire and invasive species.”

    Craig Jourdonnais, wildlife biologist

  • "High-quality habitat is critical for putting and keeping wild sheep on the mountain. The Wild Sheep Foundation is proud to support the Montana Legacy Trust to improve wildlife habitat across our home state."

    Wild Sheep Foundation

  • "The National Association of Forest Service Retirees understands the important of investing in wildlife habitat and public access on our public and private lands today and into the future. The Montana Legacy Fund could be a generational investment in an amazing Western state."

    -Steve Ellis, Chair NAFSR

  • “Ensuring the future of wild deer and our hunting heritage depends on high quality wildlife habitat nationwide. The National Deer Association is proud to stand in support of the Montana Legacy Fund to provide such habitat to Montana deer’s and a plethora of other species.”

    -National Deer Association