Missoula, MT – Hundreds gathered at the Montana State Capitol Rotunda on Monday to voice their opposition to both state and federal proposals they believe could jeopardize the future of the state’s public lands. The annual Rally for Public Lands drew attention this year to the impact of federal actions, particularly under the Trump administration, and state-level legislative measures that threaten to redirect funds from conservation programs.
Ryan Callaghan, director of conservation at the outdoor lifestyle company MeatEater, addressed the crowd, emphasizing that the stakes were higher than political squabbles in Washington. “This is about Montana. It’s our future, it’s our children’s future. Let’s get out there, make our voices loud,” Callaghan urged.
A focal point of the rally was criticism directed at the Trump administration for its decision to lay off workers at agencies responsible for managing public lands, such as the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Hilary Hutcheson, a local fly-fishing outfitter, shared a personal story highlighting the direct impact these job cuts have had on Montanans. Her daughter, a newly hired BLM range scientist, had her position rescinded before even beginning her first day of work. “She worked so hard, she had such passion for the work… and her future was in front of her,” Hutcheson said, visibly moved by the experience.
On the state level, one of the main legislative concerns at the rally was Senate Bill 307, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Sen. Tom McGillvray (R-Billings). The bill seeks to redirect marijuana tax revenue away from wildlife conservation programs and toward substance abuse and law enforcement efforts. Currently, the first $6 million in marijuana tax revenue funds behavioral health services through the HEART Fund, while another portion supports the Habitat Montana program, which works on wildlife habitat improvements, as well as state parks and recreational initiatives.
SB 307 would remove these allocations, potentially destabilizing funding for public lands and recreational activities. Opponents of the bill argued that the funding for conservation and wildlife programs is a commitment already made by voters and should not be altered. “It’s amazing to hear people say, ‘This could be this, and this could be that,’ when we already have something that is important, that people have already asked for, that people have voted on,” Hutcheson stated.
McGillvray defended his proposal, arguing that programs like Habitat Montana already receive sufficient funding, and that marijuana tax revenue should be used to address the perceived harms of marijuana legalization. He compared the allocation of smoking tax revenue to funding anti-smoking initiatives, asserting that marijuana taxes should similarly fund prevention and enforcement.
Another legislative concern raised during the rally was a proposed joint resolution sponsored by Rep. Tom Millett (R-Marion). This resolution expresses support for a lawsuit aimed at questioning the federal government’s control over “unappropriated public lands.” Proponents of this resolution point to the potential benefits of state management over federal lands, while opponents argue that it could pave the way for privatization and the loss of public access to vital natural resources. A similar lawsuit backed by Utah’s state government has already been declined by the U.S. Supreme Court, but the matter remains unresolved at the state level, with Montana potentially becoming involved.
As the rally came to a close, participants made it clear that the preservation of public lands is not just a matter of politics—it’s about safeguarding Montana’s environment, economy, and future for generations to come.
With SB 307 set for a hearing next week and Millett’s resolution still in the works, Montanans will continue to monitor the situation closely, hoping that their voices are heard in the decisions that will shape the future of their state’s cherished landscapes.
