

.•y 



CONSERVATION EDUCATION DIVISION 



j~^ The Department's activities continue to generate considerable 

 interest and news. The Conservation Education Division, through 

 its Helena office and seven regional information officers, is the 

 public relations arm of the Department. Primary areas of 

 responsibility include disseminating public information, 

 producing audio visual materials, producing publications, 

 brochures and news releases, conducting youth education programs, 

 providing reception services for the Helena office, producing all 

 hunting and fishing regulations and maps, and coordinating the 

 Department's Hunter Education, Snowinobiling and Boating Education 

 and Safety Programs. This Division publishes the Department's 

 magazine, Montana Outdoors, maintains a film lending library, 

 produces 16 mm color films and produces television and radio 

 public service announcements. During the summer, the Division 

 maintains an Animal Shelter for injured and/or orphaned animals . 



Montana Outdoors , the Department's bi-monthly magazine, maintains 

 a paid subscription of about 35,000. In addition, 3,000 copies 

 of each issue are distributed through other means, such as 

 newsstands. In 1986 and 1987, the magazine continued to produce 

 an annual photo issue. 



Through the Film Center, black and white photographs and other 

 photographic materials were produced on a variety of Department 

 topics. In addition, slide duplication and distribution were 

 provided. Through our film catalog, we estimate that the 120 

 different film titles maintained in our film library were booked 

 in excess of 1,800 times a year. Approximately 83,700 people per 

 year viewed these films or those housed in regional offices. The 

 Department's newest documentary film, "The Last Parable," was 

 released during 1987. 



News releases were sent to an average of 32 recipients per week 

 from the Helena headquarters. In total, 580 news releases were 

 printed in Helena and our regional offices for the two-year 

 period. These releases were used by newspapers and radio and 

 television stations, and many were distributed via the Associated 

 Press (AP) wire. Outdoor writers also used many of our releases 

 in national outdoor sports magazines. 



A weekly feature item entitled "Montana Outdoors Newspaper 

 Column" was produced and sent to newspapers, radio stations, 

 sportsmen's clubs, outdoor writers and other interested persons. 



Information Desk personnel in Helena processed an estimated 

 38,000 telephone calls and mailed out answers to 5,000 requests 

 for information. In addition, personnel greeted about 8,000 

 visitors to our headquarters office in Helena and sold about 

 $197,000 in licenses during the two-year period. 



11 



