The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) today announced the Crow Tribal Fish & Game of Montana as its newest Affiliate, strengthening a growing network of partners dedicated to the conservation of wild sheep and their habitats.
"The wild sheep family continues to grow," said Gray N. Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. "We are thrilled to forge this important partnership with our neighbors in Montana and to work alongside the Crow Tribe in advancing bighorn sheep and other wildlife conservation efforts rooted in both science and tradition."
The Crow (Apsáalooke) Tribe has approximately 14,000 enrolled members, of whom about 6,000 reside on the Crow Indian Reservation in south-central Montana. At 2.3 million acres, the reservation is the largest in the state and encompasses significant wildlife habitat, including species vital to the region's ecological and cultural heritage.
"Just as important, this affiliation puts the Crow Tribe in a position of leadership in Indigenous wildlife stewardship. It ensures that our traditional knowledge and our sovereign authority are carried alongside state and federal partners in regional bighorn sheep management. This is about protecting our sheep, strengthening our program, and making sure we are leading these efforts moving forward," stated Emerson Bull Chief, Ph.D., Biologist, Crow Tribal Fish & Game Department.
Founded in 1977 in response to historically low populations of wild sheep—particularly Rocky Mountain and desert bighorn sheep—WSF has grown into a leading conservation organization with eight Chapters and more than 40 Affiliates. The Crow Tribe becomes the tenth North American tribal Affiliate, joining Blackfeet Nation (MT), Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (OR), Kluane First Nation (YT), Navajo Nation Department of Fish & Wildlife (UT, AZ, NM), Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe (NV), Shoshone & Arapaho Fish & Game Department (WY), Tahltan Wildlife Department (BC), Taos Pueblo Department of Natural Resources (NM), and the Wind River Tribes (WY).
"Tribal wildlife agencies bring a unique cultural, historical, and ecological perspective to wild sheep conservation and management," Thornton added. "Their deep connection to the land and wildlife, combined with their sovereign authority in wildlife stewardship, makes them invaluable partners in ensuring the future of wild sheep. We welcome and encourage other tribes—especially those with current or historic wild sheep populations—to join us in these efforts."
About the Wild Sheep Foundation: The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), based in Bozeman, Montana, is a leading international conservation organization dedicated to wild sheep and their habitats. Founded in 1977 by sportsmen and conservationists, WSF has invested more than $156 million in conservation efforts worldwide.
Through initiatives focused on habitat enhancement, population restoration, scientific research, education, and advocacy, WSF works to fulfill its mission to "Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain®." These efforts have helped restore North American bighorn sheep populations from historic lows of approximately 25,000 in the mid-20th century to more than 85,000 today.
WSF serves a global membership of more than 11,000 supporters and collaborates with partners across North America, Europe, and Asia to ensure a sustainable future for wild sheep. Learn more at www.wildsheepfoundation.org.