WILDLIFE EDUCATION EXTENSION PROGRAM 



In an effort to expand educational efforts in the field of wildlife 

 conservation, the Montana Fish and Game Department entered inti> 

 a cooperative program of Adult Education during the past biennium. 

 Under the terms of an agreement between the department and Montana 

 State University and Montana State College, the educational institu- 

 tions conduct forum type lectures on basic wildlife subjects with finan- 

 cial aid from the game department. The major purpose of this pro- 

 gram is "to develop a better understanding of advanced management 

 of the natural resources base to the end, that a more favorable environ- 

 ment for wildlife species may be attained and maintained." 



The -Adult Education program was developed at Montana State 

 University in 1949 and adopted by the Montana Wildlife Federation in 

 1952. Since the goal of this series is to further the objectives of good 

 wildlife management, the I'ish and Game Commission agreed to under- 

 write the costs of conducting the work. Under the existing memo- 

 randum of understanding, $7,500.00 is deposited with the treasurer of 

 each scliool. This fund is drawn upon to pay salaries and travel ex- 

 penses of the wildlife extensioiiists at each institution. 



The tcn-lccture course is designed to provide Montana citizens 

 with a fundamental understanding of natural resource management. 

 It includes discussions of all matters basic to tlic understanding of 

 wildlife needs, including soil, water, vegetation, and ecology. Sportsmen 

 who have taken advantage of the forum courses obtain a background 

 needed to understand and support the technical approach to modern 

 fish and game management. 



Since the program has been financed from Fish and Game funds, 

 the forum has been given at Libby, Kalispcll, Big Fork, Poison, Darby, 

 Whitcfish, Columbia Falls, Thompson h'alls, Anaconda, Butte, Deer 

 Lodge, Billings, Hysham. iMiles City, Sidney, and Glasgow. 



In addition to the regularly scheduled forum series many lectures 

 and si)ecial talks are given l)y tiu- extension personnel at civic meet- 

 ings, schools, sportsmen's clubs, and on radio and television. 



The impact of this series is being felt not only in Montana, but 

 has also gained national recognition. Qualified personnel with the 

 backing and facilities of the State University and State College have 

 added materially to the knowledge of persons interested in the man- 

 agement of Montana's wildlife resources. The extension program of 

 Conservation Education is considered a very far-sighted effort of the 

 Fish and Game Department. 



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