Montana State Parks capital improvement projects preserve our state's historic and cultural resources, improve park facilities, promote public safety, and enhance visitor experience for the benefit of all our park users and local communities.
Contact
(406) 444-3750
Enhancing Heritage Resources in Montana State Parks
In 2016, Montana State Parks developed a system-wide heritage resource plan with extensive staff and stakeholder input. The plan addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of heritage sites in the park system, including the seven National Historic Landmarks as well as 25 National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) sites and NRHP-eligible sites. The final strategic plan was approved by the Montana State Parks & Recreation Board on February 17, 2017.
The heritage resources strategic plan:
- Evaluates strengths, challenges, options, responses of internal/external stakeholders, and effectiveness of the heritage resource program and its existing capacity.
- Assesses and prioritize the most critical heritage resource needs and issues in state parks consistent with the park classification system.
- Develops direction for heritage resource program priorities for management across the park system as well as recommendations for improving statewide coordination and management.
Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder engagement was an important part of developing the Heritage Resources Strategic Plan. Public feedback, received from a survey, workshops, and comments on the draft plan, is reflected throughout the key findings, goals and recommendations.
Questions?
Contact Rachel Reckin, Heritage Resources Program Manager, 444-3756, Rachel.Reckin@mt.gov
Montana’s five-year strategy and vision for outdoor recreation management.
The Montana Outdoor Recreation Plan, also known as the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), is the state’s comprehensive plan for outdoor recreation and conservation management and planning. The document helps all levels of public land managers and private recreation providers meet needs pertaining to outdoor recreation. SCORP represents a collaborative effort between Montana’s diverse recreation providers, the tourism community, and residents; and provides a strategy to guide management of Montana’s outdoor recreation resources in a holistic and effective manner.
The plan:
- Identifies major outdoor recreation trends, needs, and issues of statewide importance, both at the state and regional level
- Evaluates the supply and demand of recreation facilities and resources
- Provides guidance to direct Montana’s stateside apportionment of the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program
- Provides strategies, priorities, and actions for implementation to enhance recreation over the next five years
2020-2024 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)
Montana 2014-2018 Outdoor Recreation Plan
Executive Overview and Ch. 1: Introduction
Ch. 2: Supply and Preference of Outdoor Recreation Resources
Ch. 3: Recreation Landscape in Montana
Ch. 4: Trends and Usage Patterns
Ch.5: SCORP Regional Profiles
Ch. 6: Priorities
Ch. 7: Recommendations
Appendices
Facility and Natural Resource Recreation Area Needs: Facility Manager Responses
Public Recreational Use Study
Resident Travel for Outdoor Recreation in Montana
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System: Outdoor Recreation and Resident Health
The 2014-2018 SCORP is an update of the 2008-2012 plan, and was approved by the Governor and the National Park Service at the end of 2013. The plan provided guidance through 2018 and was extended through 2019.
For more information on the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program, visit our LWCF Recreation Grants page.
A Collaborative Process
This planning process places a strong emphasis on public participation in the development of Montana’s outdoor recreation plan. Montana State Parks staff worked closely with fellow state agencies, local government representatives, federal recreation management partners, and non-governmental organizations to gather input and develop materials at key milestones throughout the process.
A SCORP advisory committee was established to help guide this process, and included members representing Montana State Parks, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Montana Trails, Recreation and Parks Association, Montana Office of Tourism, U.S. Forest Service, National Parks Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and University of Montana, as well as local city and county officials.
Public involvement in the process was vitally important to reflect the values and concerns of Montana residents, and to make the plan easy to use. Montana State Parks partnered with the University of Montana’s Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research to conduct a public use survey in fall 2012. The results helped identify recreation usage, demand, and key priorities from Montana residents.
Contact
Kyan Bishop
Montana State Parks & Recreation Planner
P.O. Box 200701
Helena, MT 59620-0701
Phone: 406-444-3364
Kyan.Bishop@mt.gov