Last Thursday, two brave freshmen from the University of Montana Backcountry Hunters & Anglers club skipped classes and braved single-digit temperatures to attend the Rally for Public Lands organized by a coalition of organizations. The rally was held to advocate for habitat conservation funding and defend our outdoor heritage.

Claire McAtee and Joe Graff listened intently to speakers Mariah Gladstone, Cole Mannix, Hannah Muszkiewicz and Ryan Callaghan as they shared their enthusiasm for the crowd, reminding us of what makes Montana so special and why it’s important to hold those in our elected offices accountable.

After the rally, the students changed out of their camouflage and Carhartt for business casual clothing and BHA Montana chapter lobbyist Matt Leow toured the Capitol. They sat in the plenary sessions of the Senate and the House where a variety of bills were voted on. In addition, they tuned in to the House Fish, Wildlife, & Parks committee hearing where the Montana BHA was providing testimony on four bills.

One of the goals of the BHA College Program is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to be able to defend our public lands and hunting heritage effectively. This visit to the Capitol was the beginning of a larger effort to immerse our students in public lands policy and equip them with the education and confidence they will need to be a future voice for our public lands and waters.

Claire and Joe got involved in the UM club after participating in the university’s Big Sky Experience, which immerses freshmen in community organizations. BHA hosted morning hikes and fly fishing as a way to introduce new students to our local public lands and waters. Claire and Joe also chose to move up as club leaders, serving on the club’s board, effective at the beginning of the spring semester. Both hail from the East Coast and specialize in wildlife biology.

Last Thursday, two brave freshmen from the University of Montana Backcountry Hunters & Anglers club skipped classes and braved single-digit temperatures to attend the Rally for Public Lands organized by a coalition of organizations. The rally was held to advocate for habitat conservation funding and defend our outdoor heritage.

Claire McAtee and Joe Graff listened intently to speakers Mariah Gladstone, Cole Mannix, Hannah Muszkiewicz and Ryan Callaghan as they shared their enthusiasm for the crowd, reminding us of what makes Montana so special and why it’s important to hold those in our elected offices accountable.

After the rally, the students changed out of their camouflage and Carhartt for business casual clothing and BHA Montana chapter lobbyist Matt Leow toured the Capitol. They sat in the plenary sessions of the Senate and the House where a variety of bills were voted on. In addition, they tuned in to the House Fish, Wildlife, & Parks committee hearing where the Montana BHA was providing testimony on four bills.

One of the goals of the BHA College Program is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to be able to defend our public lands and hunting heritage effectively. This visit to the Capitol was the beginning of a larger effort to immerse our students in public lands policy and equip them with the education and confidence they will need to be a future voice for our public lands and waters.

Claire and Joe embarked on their journey with the UM club after participating in the university’s Big Sky Experience, which immerses freshmen in community organizations. BHA hosted morning hikes and fly fishing as a way to introduce new students to our local public lands and waters. Claire and Joe also chose to move up as club leaders, serving on the club’s board, effective at the beginning of the spring semester. Both hail from the East Coast and specialize in wildlife biology.