Montana Conservation Council

The Montana Conservation Council formed in 1948 to educate Montanans about the wise use of their natural resources by bringing together public and private agencies with citizens to "harmonize and integrate" interest in resource management. The group was originally organized as a region-wide group known as the Northwest Conservation League. Kenneth Davis, Dean of Forestry at Montana State University (The University of Montana), became the first Council president. In 1951, the Council formed a board of directors that directed the Council's affairs throughout its existence. The membership was made up of middle-class men and women concerned about dwindling resources.

The organization focused on soils, forests, wildlife, reclamation efforts, the work of women (including garden clubs and women's clubs), range management, and conservation education. One of the Council's programs, beginning in 1949, was its annual Conservation Caravan, in which members and interested citizens traveled by chartered bus around Montana observing good and bad resource management techniques. The final caravan took place in 1958.

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