Applications sought for positions on WHIP advisory council

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is looking to fill three positions on the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) advisory council. The open positions are for a wildlife biologist, a member of an Indian Tribe within Montana, and a livestock producer or a representative of a livestock producer organization in Montana.

WHIP advisory council members are responsible for advising the department on WHIP administration and for reviewing, ranking and recommending proposed projects for funding. FWP completes the final review and determines the distribution of funding.

After the Montana Legislature passed House Bill 932 in last year’s session, WHIP will no longer focus solely on noxious weed projects. Montana’s newly established Habitat Legacy Account will fund projects that focus on restoring, rehabilitating, improving or managing land or waters as wildlife or aquatic habitat through habitat improvement and conservation.  More about WHIP can be found on the website fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/wildlife-habitat-improvement.

For the first year, WHIP council meeting frequency and dates will be determined as the program develops to align with HB 932. Council members are appointed by FWP Director Christy Clark.

To apply for the WHIP council, visit fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission-councils-committees/wildlife-habitat-improvement-advisory-council. Paper applications are also available by calling 406-444-7291. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 27. For more information, call WHIP Coordinator Andrew Amidon at 406-444-7291, or email andrew.amidon@mt.gov.