When Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission Chair Lesley Robinson announced “motion carried” at last week’s commission meeting, the future of the Stafford Ferry Conservation Easement was secured.

Chair Robinson’s simple phrase put a smile on the face of Sonja Anderson, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Lewistown area wildlife biologist who poured her passion into the project for the past few years. Anderson led the way for FWP in fostering landowner relations and collaborating with a diverse group of external stakeholders, who were pivotal in getting the project approved.

“Success in conservation grows over time—developing strong relationships and building on past efforts are what allow a ‘conservation footprint’ to take root, build momentum, and expand,” Anderson said. “While conservation easement projects require years of work and commitment, when a project succeeds, it can inspire the next, and hopefully, this success begets more success.”

The 1,080-acre Stafford Ferry conservation easement (CE) will help protect important habitat for the Southern Missouri River Breaks bighorn sheep herd, which is part of the largest herd in the state. The CE will also allow public access opportunities.

“The Stafford Ferry conservation easement preserves wild sheep habitat at a desperate time for the species,” FWP Director Christy Clark said. “Securing this easement ensures the public can access this incredible area for hunting and recreation.”

In April, the commission closed bighorn sheep hunting in hunting district 622 due to a dramatic loss of population. HD 622 is located on the north side of the Missouri River Breaks in northeast Montana. Concerns over bighorn sheep populations in the hunting district have mounted over the past two years as biologists have noted a decline during aerial counts, and in 2024 hunters noticed sick sheep and a decline in numbers within the hunting district.

Working with private landowners and other stakeholders in protecting wildlife habitat represents a core value for Anderson who sees her conservation work as a way to ensure wildlife and habitat for future generations.

“In our roles within FWP or as conservationists, we must safeguard habitat, support working lands and secure open space and opportunities for future generations of Montanans,” Anderson said. “The decisions we make today will determine whether people 100 or more years from now look back on us with gratitude for our foresight.”

During her 14 years with FWP, Anderson has held onto the words of her first supervisor: “The single most impactful thing she can do as far as leaving a conservation legacy is completing conservation easements.”

Species plans, habitat improvements, surveys, season structures and research are important, but temporary. The Stafford Ferry Conservation Easement preserves critical big horn sheep habitat and is permanent.

“While conservation easement projects require years of work and commitment, when a project succeeds, it can inspire the next, and hopefully, this success begets more success,” Anderson said.

Funding for the project includes Habitat Montana, Northwestern Energy, the Wild Sheep Foundation and the Montana Wild Sheep Foundation. FWP thanks all of their partners in this project.