PRESERVING 



A 



LIVABLE 



ENVIRONMENT 



Frank H. Dunkle 



Fifteen or 20 years ago most of us couldn't really visualize how rapidly the world was 

 shrinking, how dramatically the environment was changing, or how the philosophies and 

 standards of man were re-shaping. Many Montanans felt, and probably hoped, that our state 

 was so isolated, so big and backward that it would always be a land of small towns, open 

 range and clear streams. 



Not so! The small towns have been abandoned for cities which are becoming ever 

 larger. The open range has been fenced. The dwindling streams which yet remain clear are 

 eyed covetously by water-hungry states hundreds of miles away. Missile silos remind us that 

 we are part of a global society, like it or not. The appearance of "hippies" in our society 

 speaks of new philosophies and new standards. 



The course that mankind is taking, many say, is one of blundering rather than of 

 purposeful direction. The price paid for lack of direction is the deterioration of Montana's 

 big sky country. We have spread persistent poisons and radio-active materials widely. The 

 components of our atmosphere are being so radically changed that some scientists fear the 

 results will eventually spell doom for our state, our world. In this age of specialization, it is 

 difficult for the specialist to relate his actions to total water, land and air. 



We can progress. In economic and industrial evolution there is growing a demand for 

 direction. Gradually mankind is coming to realize that survival will ultimately depend upon 

 fitting himself into his environment rather than warping the environment to his whims. 

 Such things as air and water pollution and the maintenance of natural features are receiving 

 more and more concern. 



Over the years there have been some gifted persons with vision to foresee the loss and 

 destruction of our natural resources. These have been the great leaders in conservation 

 movements. Gifford Pinchot, Olaus Murie, and Rachel Carson are but a few of the 

 memorable ones. Over the years also, there have been agencies which by the very nature of 

 their responsibilities have fought to salvage from progress what we now term a "livable 

 environment". The fight to maintain a livable environment has been an uphill and often 

 lonely battle. Yet it is certain that the inhabitant of the future will breathe clean air. He will 

 have treasured fragments of wilderness, cool streams in which to fish, and forests in which 

 he may hunt. He will have the leaders and agencies of conservation in the past to thank for 

 forestalling complete deterioration of his world. 



We of the Montana Fish and Game Department are proud and honored in being able to 

 play an important role in the preservation of a "livable environment". 



Frank H. Dunkle 



Director 



Montana Fish & Game Department 



