FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2024

MCV hosts Annual Member Celebration with Sen. Tester, Montana Poet Laureate Chris La Tray

(HELENA, Mont.) – Over 200 people gathered at the Montana Conservation Voters’ Annual Member Celebration at the Windsor Ballroom on March 1 in Helena. Montana’s senior U.S. Senator, Jon Tester, and Poet Laureate and Little Shell Member Chris La Tray joined state legislators, local elected officials and conservation partners from across the state at the event to support MCV’s mission to protect Montana’s clear air and water and public lands.

“At a time when outside special interest groups and multimillionaires are ramping up their efforts to parcel off and sell Montana, I’m proud to stand alongside MCV to defend the Last Best Place,” said Senator Tester. “Our public lands and outdoor legacy not only generate countless well-paying jobs but also priceless memories for Montana families. MCV and its members have tirelessly fought to keep our public lands in public hands and protect our wild spaces.”

“In Anishinaabe we have the same word for great-grandparent as we do for great-grandchild because it’s all happening, we’re still in the middle of all of that, we are still fighting the same battles,” said La Tray. “We still have people with power and influence and money taking what is rightfully all of ours. It’s the battle we fought and it’s the battle that more and more of you are finding yourselves in the position to fight for. That’s why I said yes to come out here, because I want to be around people who are willing to fight for me.”

MCV Board Chair Sally Ericsson also addressed the crowd, highlighting some of the threats to Montana’s environment and constitution coming from anti-conservation candidates.

“We’re thrilled to welcome conservation supporters from all across Montana getting together before gearing up for a really tough and important election year,” Ericsson noted. “The robust turnout for MCV underscores our shared commitment to safeguard Montana’s identity as the Big Sky State, and we’re grateful for the strong support.”

The Annual Member Celebration takes place every spring in the state’s capital, and this year’s event featured dozens of sponsors at all levels.

“2024 is a pivotal moment for Montana, and the overwhelming support from communities statewide to protect Montana as the Last Best Place is truly remarkable,” expressed Whitney Tawney, Executive Director of MCV. “In this critical election year, we all must work together. By uniting, we can elect pro-conservation candidates up and down the ballot to steadfastly defend our treasured outdoor way of life.”