Application Deadline Approaching
for MWF Grants and Scholarships

October 30, 2006

Contacts:
Jan Cronin, MWF Development Director; (800) 517-7256 - jcronin@mtwf.org
Land Tawney, Vice President, Tawney Endowment: (406) 721-6705 - tawney@nwf.org

Helena—Applications for grants and scholarships honoring the legacy of the late Phil Tawney, a third generation Montanan and lifetime sportsman and conservationist, are due by December 1, 2006. One-year grants from $500 to $5000 are being offered to 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organizations and $1000 scholarships are available to Montana college students through the Phil Tawney Hunters Conservation Endowment and Montana Wildlife Federation.

The Endowment will be awarding grants for projects that emphasize one or more areas that promote healthy wildlife habitat, hunting and the recruitment of youth. Applications will be considered that stress the interface between hunting and wildlife management, especially those issues that affect children; strategies to promote healthy wildlife habitat; approaches for public policy changes to improve habitat conservation; methods to improve and promote hunting ethics, fair chase, values, and safety; and activities to stimulate the recruitment, mentoring and involvement of youth in hunting and conservation activities.

Scholarships will be awarded to college students with an academic major in a field related to conservation. Successful applicants will exhibit a commitment to general public hunting ethics, like fair chase, and support values that perpetuate hunting through efforts to conserve habitat and wildlife. Scholarship materials have been distributed to all college financial aide offices and appropriate departments. The Endowment was established through the Montana Wildlife Federation in 1998 to honor Phil Tawney’s passion and commitment for protecting Montana’s fish and wildlife, their vulnerable habitats and the future of hunting which are the heart of the Endowment Mission Statement: ‘To educate and inform the general public about hunting ethics, fair chase, and values to perpetuate the sport of the hunt through efforts to conserve habitat and wildlife; and to stimulate the recruitment, mentoring, and involvement of youth in hunting and conservation activities.’

“My mother and I are excited that Montana students and non-profit groups will benefit from these awards,” said Land Tawney, Phil Tawney’s son and Endowment board officer. “These awards are a ‘living legacy’ and a great tribute to my father who committed his life to Montana’s rich wildlife and hunting heritage.”

For more information contact Jan Cronin, Montana Wildlife Federation, P.O. Box 1175, Helena, MT 59624, or call (800) 517-7256. The application deadline for both the grants and scholarships is December 1, 2006. If you would like to contribute to the Endowment, please contact MWF.

Thank you for all you do for Montana's public lands, wildlife, and fair-chase hunting and fishing heritage.

Montana Wildlife Federation, with nearly 7,000 members, is the largest and oldest statewide nonprofit wildlife conservation organization of hunters and anglers who work to protect Montana's lands and waters and its hunting and fishing heritage.

To learn more about MWF, go to www.montanawildlife.com.

This message is brought to you by the Montana Wildlife Federation ... Montana's largest, statewide wildlife conservation organization with over 7,000 members.