HELENA – The Association for Conservation Information (ACI) awarded Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and its flagship magazine, Montana Outdoors, top honors in five communications categories at the organization's annual awards ceremony in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 23.
Montana Outdoors has won numerous awards over the years for its compelling articles and beautiful design. This marks the eighth time it has won first place in ACI's magazine category.
"A state conservation magazine is only as good as the agency it represents," says Paul Queneau, Montana Outdoors editor. "Our long history of success reflects the excellence of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and its staff across the state whose work we feature in every issue."
FWP took first place in:
- Magazine: Montana Outdoors
- Graphics: Interconnected, Montana Outdoors September/October 2025 issue. The unique design of this article highlighted the mounting problem of wildlife diseases in Montana without grossing out readers with brain and blood samples, necropsies or other harsh imagery. It used white space to help create an airy feel, with custom graphics to capture the main ideas of the article.
- Magazine: General Interest Article: Absorbing the Blows at Flathead Lake, Montana Outdoors November/December 2025 issue. This article focused on a novel new work-with-nature approach to protect Flathead Lake's shorelines from erosion during storms and high-water events when powerful waves strip away soil and cause banks to collapse. The innovative design now installed at state parks around Flathead Lake has attracted national interest.
- Magazine: Wildlife Article: Get Smart, Montana Outdoors September/October 2025 issue. This article profiled the efforts of Missoula, Montana, to become the nation's largest certified Bear Smart Community by securing trash and other bear attractants.
FWP also took third place in:
- Magazine: Fisheries Article: Stream Savers, Montana Outdoors July/August 2025 issue. This article celebrated the success of Montana's stream access law as it marks its 50th year.
Formed in 1938, the ACI is a nonprofit organization of communicators working for state, federal and private conservation agencies and organizations. In vying for the honors, FWP's staff competes against states across the country.
For more information on Montana Outdoors and to subscribe, visit the FWP website.