Missoula staff joined University of Montana BHA students for a public land pack-out on Lolo National Forest as a part of BHA's goal to pack out 10,000 bags of trash from public lands in the month of September. Plant Creek is a chunk of U.S. Forest Service land that has experienced high rates of legal - albeit irresponsible - recreational shooting that has left the area in desperate need of attention. Shells, casings, electronics, cans, paper targets, and thousands of pounds of microtrash litter the ground here, but thanks to the hard work of BHA volunteers, Plant Creek is looking better.
In total, volunteers packed out 28 bags of trash not counting several piles of wood and a truck topper. After putting in the hard work, volunteers indulged in BBQ pulled venison to celebrate a job well done. President and CEO Land Tawney led the group in a Go, Fight, Win to close out the night but not before reminding everyone of the importance of this work and being stewards of our wild places.
University of Montana BHA joins over 20 other student clubs across the U.S. celebrating Public Lands Month by cleaning up their local public lands. However, stewardship is only a component of the work they do. Many clubs will go on to host seminars and workshops for new hunters, fundraise for our mission, and speak up for important conservation policy like this semester's priority, the Recovering America's Wildlife Act.
To learn more about BHA's Collegiate Program and how they're engaging the next generation of conservation leaders, visit https://www.backcountryhunters.org/collegiate_program or follow them on Instagram @BHA_CollegiateProgram.
Keep up with the University of Montana BHA on Instagram: @umbackcountryhunters.
About Kylie Schumacher
Kylie is a self-identified “mediocre hunter, terrible angler, wild game eater, wannabe chef, and dog mom.” When she’s not at the office, you’ll find her in the backcountry, on the water, in the kitchen, or somewhere romping about with her black lab, Holt