Montana Celebrates 100 Years of State Forests
HELENA, Mont — Governor Greg Gianforte today recognized January 2025 as the centennial of Montana’s state forests with a proclamation recognizing the stewardship of The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).
When the state legislature designated seven state forests in 1925, their goal was to promote forest management and watershed protection. Today, DNRC manages Montana’s forested state trust lands with these priorities to produce an average of $10.5 million per year in revenue for public education and designated public institutions.
“We’ve been focused on sustainably managing Montana's forested state trust lands to promote healthy forests, safe communities, and maximize long-term revenue for our students,” said Gov. Gianforte. “Resilient state forests that continue to produce sustainable inventories directly helps fund K-12 schools and support responsible resource management.”
The seven state forests are located on state trust lands in the western part of the state and range from the dry and warm conditions in the Clearwater, Lincoln, Sula and Thompson River State Forests, to Coal Creek State Forest’s colder stretch of wild country where dense timberlands meet pristine wildlife habitat. The Stillwater and Swan River Forests are characterized by cool, moist mixed conifer forests.
“Montana is fortunate to have a dedicated group of forest managers and service foresters, joined by hydrologists, biologists and planners, all of whom are committed to actively addressing forest health through projects and programs throughout the state,” said DNRC Director Amanda Kaster. “Forest management is a prized part of the DNRC’s portfolio, and we remain committed to managing these acres for our trust beneficiaries for generations to come.”
DNRC manages 5.2 million acres of state trust land and generates millions of dollars annually for K-12 public education, including school facilities and classroom technology. Revenue generated by the state forests comes primarily from timber sales, along with leases and special use licenses.
To learn more about the individual state forests, visit https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2ca4ef2cb9044a4e872c6bec69b1ed2e to view a story map that details their characteristics and history.
To view Governor Gianforte’s proclamation declaring January 2025 as “Montana’s State Forests Centennial Celebration,” visit: State of Montana - Montana's State Forests Centennial Celebration here.
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About DNRC:
The DNRC’s mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. For more information visit dnrc.mt.gov.
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