FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 5, 2022

MCV Hosts Annual Member Celebration with Senator Tester, State Legislators and Local Elected Leaders

(HELENA, Mont.) – Over 150 people gathered at Montana Conservation Voters’ Annual Member Celebration at the Holter Museum of Art in Helena on Friday, March 4. Montana’s Senior Senator, Jon Tester, joined several state legislators, local elected leaders and conservation partners from across the state to support MCV’s mission to protect Montana’s climate, clean air and water and public lands.

“MCV is a critical partner in the fight to defend Montana, our public lands, and our outdoor way of life,” said Senator Tester who keynoted the event. “For decades, they’ve fought in the trenches for commonsense conservation policies and the thousands of jobs that sustain Montana’s outdoor recreation economy. They also do a darn good job holding elected officials like me accountable to the people of our state, and we’re lucky to have them.”

MCV Board Chair Jock Conyngham also addressed the crowd and reiterated the urgency of protecting Montana’s constitution.

“Our mission to defend Montana for future generations has never been more critical,” stated Conyngham. “Protecting our constitutional right to a ‘clean and healthful environment’ will be front and center as we navigate the next year.”

The event featured dozens of sponsors at all levels, including platinum-level sponsor, The Messina Group, a strategic consulting firm founded by Montanan Jim Messina.

“We’re proud to support MCV during such an important election year in Montana,” said Messina. “The work they do ensures conservation issues, like defending Montana’s air, water and public lands, are front and center for Montana’s elected officials, here and in DC.”

A recent poll found 87% of Montanans say that issues involving clean water, wildlife and public lands are important in deciding whether to support an elected public official.

“Montana is at a crossroads and conservation will be on the ballot this year,” stated MCV Executive Director Whitney Tawney. “The stakes have never been higher with the threat of an anti-conservation supermajority only two seats away but MCV is ready to fight like hell to protect Montana’s outdoor way of life for generations to come.”

Gold level sponsors of MCV’s 2022 Annual Member Celebration included: Clearwater Credit Union, League of Conservation Voters, MCV & MCV Education Fund Boards, Robin Tawney Nichols & William Nichols, Renewable Northwest and Tenacious Campaigns.

The Annual Member Celebration takes place every spring in the state’s capital. This year’s event also featured live music from Montana’s Jackson Holte of the Jackson Holte & the Highway Patrol.