Montana’s wildife—grizzlies, elk, mule deer, moose—depend on the ability to move freely across the landscape to survive. Highways and railways like US-2 and the BNSF railway between Columbia Falls and East Glacier, pose serious barriers to wildlife movement, and collisions kill thousands of wild animals (and injure a few humans) every year in Montana.
That’s why Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and conservation partners are launching the Montana Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings License Plate Artwork Contest, inviting artists to help bring this story to life.
The Montana legislature took a significant step toward making our highways safer for wildlife and people this year when it passed House Bill 855 and established a new account to help fund the development and construction of wildlife accommodations in the 2025 legislative session. Securing funding for wildlife accommodations was a key priority of Montana hunters, anglers, and the broader conservation community.
The new specialty license plate will raise awareness and funding for the Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account, which will help build infrastructure that helps animals cross highways and keep motorists safe. MT FWP is looking for original artwork that highlights the importance of wildlife movement, features a highway crossing structure, and captures the beauty of Montana’s landscapes. The selected artist will receive a $1,000 prize and a commemorative sample plate.
Submissions are due by October 17, 2025, with the submission link going live on August 15. This is a unique opportunity to support conservation through creativity and help protect the future of Montana’s wildlife.
Find full contest details and submission guidelines HERE.