Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks just put out the call: they’re looking for exactly one high school student to join the Future Fisheries Citizen Review Panel — and a two-year term. Basically, this high schooler could be voting on where nearly a million dollars a year goes to restore wild fish habitat across the state.
FWP’s Future Fisheries Improvement Program hands out roughly $1 million annually for projects that repair and improve Montana’s wild fisheries. Before any of that money moves, a 14-member citizen panel reads the grant proposals and sends its funding recommendations up to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. That panel covers everyone from conservation districts and farmers to legislators and anglers — and one spot is reserved for a high schooler. That’s not a token seat; it’s a real vote on real projects, appointed by the governor’s office.
The ask is to attend two meetings a year (mid-June and mid-December) plus reviewing proposals beforehand. It’s unpaid, but travel and per diem are covered — so the only thing it will cost you is your opinion, and they’re actively asking for that.
Want in?
- Call or email Bailey Duxbury at (406) 565-6995 or FWPFFIP@mt.gov
- Apply at svc.mt.gov/gov/boards/apply.aspx (look for the Future Fisheries Review Panel dropdown at svc.mt.gov/gov/boards)
- Open until filled — but the fish aren’t waiting, so don’t overthink it
If you know a Montana high school student who cares about clean rivers and healthy trout streams, forward this. Someone’s going to get this seat; it should be someone who’ll use it!
Montana's outdoor week, in your inbox at 7am Friday.