The Elk Foundation’s Elk Country Visitor Center is a state-of-the-art wildlife conservation center in Missoula, Montana.  It provides a vehicle for educating the public about wildlife and habitat management and conservation issues through interactive and rotating exhibits, videos and education programs.

The exhibits in the Visitor Center speak to a broad audience, teaching young and old alike the story of elk country, the threats it faces, the work of the Elk Foundation to mitigate those threats, and how individuals can get involved. Visitors learn about elk natural history, the role of wildlife management in determining elk populations and how American Indians and Lewis and Clark used elk in the past. In addition, the center introduces visitors to some of the leaders of the conservation movement, defines the role hunters play in conservation, and explains the North American Wildlife Conservation Model. Tours are either self-guided or guided by Conservation Education staff.

The Visitor Center also provides a classroom for our hands-on conservation education programs for K-12 students. Programs are carefully coordinated with existing curricula to ensure they meet state and national standards, as well as complement and enhance students’ current learning objectives. Content for younger students focuses on elk natural history, awareness and appreciation of wildlife habitat, and wildlife management techniques and strategies. Older students’ programs are similar but more comprehensive.