Education

Hunters Conservation Endowment Awards Scholarships and Grants

In March, the Phil Tawney Hunters Conservation Endowment and Montana Wildlife Federation (MWF) proudly announced the recipients of their annual grants and scholarship programs.  The MWF-Tawney Endowment offers a one-year grant of $500 to $5,000 to a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization as well as $1,000 college scholarships. Established in 1998, the endowment honors the late Phil Tawney, a third generation Montanan, lifetime sportsman and conservation leader that was a very active participant in MWF. The endowment gives away between $3,000 and $10,000 annually.

 Endowment recipients this year were presented their gifts in conjunction with local conservation, hunting and angling club meetings in Helena and Bozeman. Helena Hunters and Anglers (Helena), the Gallatin Wildlife Assoc (Bozeman) and Tawney Endowment board member Mike Meloy presented the awards to scholarship recipients William Moore, (MSU-Bzm) pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree and Anthony Smith (Helena) U of M Helena – College of Technology who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Resource Conservation.  Angela Herring, (Charlo) a student at Salish-Kootenai College pursuing Environmental Sciences/Wildlife and Fisheries was presented her award by Tawney Endowment president, Robin Tawney Nichols.

 The non-profit grant recipient, the Montana Game Warden Education and Charitable Fund was presented their funding support from board member Meloy for its “Mentoring Youth Program”. According to Game Warden Joe Kambic, the Fund is made up of active and retired wardens and members of the public that are dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of Montana’s fish, wildlife and parks. “We are thrilled with the support to move forward this new program that began last year in collaboration with the Cascade County Deputy Sheriffs Association to offer youth hunting opportunities on private lands; we would like to see the program expanded.”

 While looking at the program agenda for the local sportsperson club, Helena Hunters and Anglers, Meloy said, “this is what it is all about, this program is exactly what Phil would be engaged with, to perpetuate the sport of the hunt and conservation of wildlife and the habitats that sustain them at the local, grassroots level.”

 The endowment mission statement reflects Tawney’s passion and commitment to protecting Montana’s fish and wildlife, vulnerable habitat, and the future of hunting.

“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.”

 Land Tawney, Phil Tawney’s son and endowment board officer said, “My mother, Robin Tawney Nichols, and I are proud that the hunting legacy my father felt so strongly about can be perpetuated by offering these one-year grants and scholarships to further Montana’s outdoor heritage. In this way we offer significant contributions toward fostering a conservation ethic through the eyes of a hunter, a ‘living legacy’ through conservation projects and education”, said Tawney. 

 The deadline for grant and scholarship applications is in December or January each year. For more information contact Montana Wildlife Federation, P.O. Box 1175, Helena, MT 59624, or email or call Craig Share at (800) 517-7256, csharpe@mtwf.org. Students should contact college financial aid offices in the fall.

 If you would like to contribute to the Phil Tawney Hunters Conservation Endowment, please contact MWF.