The Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society

The Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society was chartered in 1962 and formally organized with the election of the first officers in 1963.  Adoption of chapter bylaws occurred in 1964.

The mission of the Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society is to serve and represent wildlife professionals in all areas of wildlife conservation and resource management.  Goals of the Montana Wildlife Society include:

1. Develop and maintain a program that facilitates continuing education and professional development of wildlife professionals.

2. Promote sound stewardship of wildlife and their habitats through the application of scientific information.

3. Increase public awareness and appreciation of wildlife.

4. Develop an active and diverse membership and maintain an organization that provides excellent service to members.

The Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society sponsors a winter conference each year.  The conferences provide a forum for invited speakers and member presentations.  Topics focus on those issues of particular importance or interest to Montana.

The Montana Chapter of TWS is governed by a five member executive board made up of a president-elect (or vice president), president, past president, treasurer, and secretary.  
View the current board members bios. 

The MTTWS is here to serve you as wildlife professionals. At the same time, in order to be effective and to influence circumstances for Montana’s wildlife resource, we must have an active and committed membership. So, please volunteer, or when one of the current Board members calls on you to help in some fashion, please leap in and help however you can!

Current Committees:

• NOMINATING AND ELECTIONS current MT TWS President (Chad Bishop, mttws.president@gmail.com) 

• MEMBERSHIP current MT TWS Treasurer (Heather Brower, mttws.treasurer@gmail.com)

• PROGRAMS current President-Elect (Katie Benzel, mttws.preselect@gmail.com) 

• EDUCATION AND INFORMATION  Brent Lonner (blonner@mt.gov)

• RESOLUTIONS AND PUBLIC STATEMENTS Executive Board – Find email addresses:  http://wildlife.org/montana-chapter/

• SCHOLARSHIPS . Committee Co-Chairs:   Dave Willey (MSU) willey@montana.edu and Chad Bishop (UM)  chad.bishop@umontana.edu

• FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT current MT TWS Treasurer (Heather Brower, mttws.treasurer@gmail.com) 

• AWARDS  Megan O’Reilly (moreilly@mt.gov)

• CONSERVATION AFFAIRS  Committee Chair:  open

• GRANTS  Claire Gower (cgower@mt.gov)

• EFFECTS ON RECREATION  Bryce Maxell (bmaxell@mt.gov)

• SPECIES OF CONCERN  Dan Bachen (dbachen@mt.gov)

The MTTWS currently has six position statements.

• MT – Public Trust and the North American Model in Fish and Wildlife Conservation
• Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Delisting
• Wild Bison in Montana
• Game Farms
• Motorized Recreation in Wildlife Habitat
• Exurban development

Current and past correspondence and issue statements that have been endorsed by the Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society.

Below you will find current and past correspondence and issue statements that have been endorsed by the Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society.  These statements are consistent with the Chapter bylaws and also adhere to the appropriate policies of the Parent Society.  Click on the title to view the document.

• Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies – Public Trust Doctrine
• Montana – Public Trust and the North American Model in Fish and Wildlife Conservation
• Endangered Species Act Interference
• Predator Control in Wilderness
• Swan Valley Land Conservation Support Letter
• Forest Highway Program
• OHV Plan Amendment
• Proposed Rule for Designated Routes
• Clean Water Restoration Act

Please view the MT TWS bylaws here.  

Please view the MT TWS Strategic Plan here.