Dedicated To Making Things Happen For Montana

Bruce Auchly, FWP Region 4 Information Officer

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            To Margaret Moddison, Montana’s State Parks are a reason to go on living.

"Parks are my heart throb," Moddison says.

Moddison, a native of Great Falls, currently sits on the boards of the State Parks Futures Committee II and the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Foundation.  Moddison chairs the State Parks Futures Committee II and is the only member of both the new Committee and the 1989 State Parks Futures Committee.

"I firmly believe in public-private partnerships to make things happen," she says.

Moddison’s involvement with preserving Montana’s natural resources began in 1973, when as a 21-year-old, she worked to establish a Great Falls area park. Parks, she discovered, provide the public with access to the outdoors and a guarantee of  open space in the future.  Her passion for parks combined with lifelong interests in hunting and fishing helped focus Moddison on projects that put her in a position today to influence the future of the State’s natural resources and cultural heritage.

Moddison currently serves on the State Parks Futures Committee II, a group charged by Governor Martz to assess where state parks are and should be going. The committee started last October and will wrap up its work with recommendations to the 2003 Legislature.

Moddison’s commitment to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Foundation has no such deadline.  Created in 1999, the MFWP Foundation works to provide private support for fish, wildlife and parks projects that emphasize education and aim to preserve the resources that contribute to  "the magic that is Montana."

With a background in private enterprise and public service, Moddison has strong beliefs that energize everyone around her.

"She has a passion for the resource," says Spencer Hegstad, who serves as liaison between the Department and FWP’s Foundation. "She is willing to give freely of her time, to contribute financially and to help raise funds for the Foundation."

Among the Foundation’s work is an effort to help raise funds for the new Montana Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, which will replace the deteriorating wild animal shelter in Helena. The new facility for injured and orphaned wildlife is under construction next to Spring Meadow State Park.

Another Foundation project is the Partners in Life program, which teaches bears and people to coexist.   Bears too accustomed to people are re-taught  wild ways using trained Karelian bear dogs and other aversive conditioning. 

Moddison’s business background stretches back to 1979, when she was one of the founders of North Country Media, a video production company, in Great Falls. She’s been able to use her communications skills and contacts to assist both the Foundation and the Parks Futures Committee II.

Her company put together a seven-minute video about the Foundation, as well as feature length videos about Lewis and Clark Caverns, Makoshika and Bannack State Parks, donating many of the related production costs and services.  The video production on Makoshika State Park won the 1995 "Telly Award."   In 1999, Moddison was recognized by Montana State Parks as an outstanding contributor.  Currently, Moddison is helping with a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks cookbook, a natural offshoot of her enthusiasm for hunting and fishing.

But parks remain her first love.

"Montana State Parks are the best we have to offer," Moddison says. "They provide access to the wonders of Montana, while ensuring those natural and historical features will be protected, maintained and interpreted for future generations."