Starting July 1, Montanans can purchase a new specialty license plate that raises funds and awareness for wildlife crossing structures on highways. These crossings help animals move safely over and under busy roads, reducing collisions and maintaining important movement and migration routes.
Based on expected sales, the plate could raise around $100,000 annually to support these efforts.
Crossing structures such as overpasses and underpasses, combined with fencing, can reduce vehicle collisions with deer, elk, moose and other wildlife by more than 90 percent. They provide safe passage across highways for Montana's diverse wildlife and help save lives, while also avoiding millions of dollars in vehicle damage, medical bills and other costs.
The plate features artwork by Kylie Bute, a June 2025 graduate of Gallatin High School in Bozeman who won the Montana Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings License Plate Artwork Contest.
"My passion for art has always been about telling stories, and this design is a way to spread awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation and movement," Bute said.
Each sale of the new specialty plate will generate a $20 contribution to the Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account, created by the 2025 Montana Legislature and administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to help fund wildlife connectivity and wildlife collision-reduction projects across the state.
For more information on purchasing Montana license plates, go to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division website.