The Montana Wildlife Center Educational Plans

Throughout our history, Montanans from all walks of life have made conscious decisions and sacrifices to conserve what is best about Montana today. And, as a result, Montanans have in fact the greatest conservation success story in the world to tell. FWP would like to tell that story and more about conservation. The new education facility will allow us to inform and educate our children, grandchildren, visitors and guests.

Painted turtles.

• Wildlife Rehabilitation
• Education Center Complex
• Nature Trails
• Living Stream Display
• Amphitheater
• Outdoor Classrooms

The site is located on the western edge of Helena, Montana within Spring Meadow Lake State Park.

• The Education Center will serve as a base to distribute educational programs to Montana students and schools. Educational programs will be scientifically based and encourage students to become life-long learners. Programs will incorporate creative and critical thinking skills to connect students to field-based activities and link classroom subjects, such as math and science, to practical applications.
• FWP received $3.2 million dollars of authority from the 2003 legislature to spend on the Education Center. The request includes authority to spend $2.6 million private; $500,000 federal and $100,000 FWP license dollars.
• In 2004 Crossman Whitney Griffin, P.C. Architects were selected for the project.
• The 2005 Legislature approved FWP’s request for staffing and operations of the Education component of the project.

• The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Foundation along with assistance from the Mikal Kellner Foundation is taking the lead to raise private funding to help complete the new education facility.

FWP wishes to thank MKFA, the MT Fish Wildlife & Parks Foundation, and the Helena National Forest who have been instrumental in making this project a reality.