Parks & Recreation

Introducing the Montana State Park Foundation.

Montana’s state lands comprise iconic landscapes, unique recreation opportunities, and treasured historical sites, yet they get far less attention—and funding—than their high-profile counterparts in the public-lands system. “Investing in our state parks hasn’t been a priority for decades,” says Marne Hayes, coordinator for the Montana State Parks Foundation, a new nonprofit dedicated to supporting these undervalued assets. “Compared to our peer states, Montana has the most state parks at 55, and almost the smallest budget at $8.5 million.” While the foundation’s focus right now is to raise funds for “a backlog of maintenance and brick-and-mortar improvements,” it will ultimately provide a platform for enhancing the visitor experience. Donations are appreciated, but Hayes says that volunteering and writing letters to elected officials are great ways to help, too. For more info, visit montanastateparksfoundation.org.