Montana Climate Challenge

Sponsors

AARP Montana AARP Montana

AFL-CIO [MT] The mission of the Montana State AFL-CIO is to give organization, voice and political muscle to working families and to achieve economic and social justice in both work and family life. Many of our member unions have helped construct alternative energy facilities in Montana. We look forward to the opportunity to participate in other projects that benefit both the state’s workers and their environment.

Alternative Energy Resource Organization Alternative Energy Resource Organization

Big Hole River Foundation Big Hole River Foundation

Bob & Hopie Stevens We admire the work of the National Wildlife Federation and appreciate their wonderful work on this issue and this conference. It is past the time for people to understand the dangers of global warming.

BP America BP America believes that the science around climate change is at a state where precautionary action is warranted. There are still uncertainties in the science - there always will be - but business is used to working in circumstances where we don't know all the facts. There are no easy answers, but the work done by BP and others has begun to illuminate a pathway toward potential solutions. Our views on this issue are shaped, in an important way, through engagement and interaction with a diverse range of external entities including many represented at this conference. We look forward to a robust exchange of solution-oriented views and activities around the issue of global climate change.

Carpenters Union, Local 28 [two websites: www.local28.com or www.northwestcarpenters.org] The Carpenters Union is concerned about climate change because it will predictably affect the construction economy. Power plants either will not be built or will be built with new designs. Structures will be adapted to “green” technology. It is important for organized labor to be at the fore-front of up-coming changes in our industry and our communities.

City of Billings, MT City of Billings, MT

City of Missoula, MT City of Missoula, MT - "It's increasingly clear that we can't count on the federal government to tackle the challenge of climate change, but I do think we can count on engaged citizens to step up to the plate. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels is leading the way in addressing this truly global problem with local solutions. I am working to assemble a best-practices task force for the City of Missoula to ensure that we follow that lead. I hope to return from the conference with a suitcase full of new ideas for our local response." - John Engen, Mayor, Missoula, MT

Clark Fork Coalition Clark Fork Coalition

Corporation for the Northern Rockies Corporation for the Northern Rockies

Defenders of Wildlife Global warming has prompted serious concern over the potential consequences to the world's ecological systems and wildlife. The expected changes in wildlife habitat will have a significant impact on native plants and animals and their ability to adapt to changing climatic conditions. Defenders of Wildlife, one of the nation's foremost wildlife conservation organizations, is committed to addressing this threat through increased public education and mobilization and innovative partnerships with other concerned organizations, agencies, and officials. Our goal is the development of public policies that address the causes of global warming, while seeking real world solutions to help reduce its impact.

Exergy Development Group, LLC “Never mistake motion for action.” While others pontificate reducing their environmental footprint, Exergy Development Group [XRG] implements carbon mitigation and offsets. XRG is one of the leading renewables energy companies in the USA grounded in broad-based technology designed to reduce emissions for an ever growing population. XRG’s energy goal: Maintain and enhance our quality of life quotient without additional environmental impact to the planet. Exergy Development Group, LLC 40 West 14th Street Helena, MT 59601 877.336.9793 www.exergydevelopmentgroup.com

Foundation for Research on the Economics and the Environment (FREE) The Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment (FREE) is an organization devoted to social change that harmonizes environmental quality with responsible liberty and economic progress. We apply economics and scientific analysis to generate and explore alternative and innovative solutions to environmental problems. We focus on policy issues that are emotional and complex, and our work seeks to foster responsible and ethical choices. Since we live in a world where resources are limited, choices among competing goods and values must be made e.g., more health care, safer roads, or more funding for education. This reality forces us to balancing competing values and ask: in what combination and in what amounts should we seek the things we want? We believe it is irresponsible to pretend trade-offs don’t exist. FREE hosts conferences that feature some of America’s most distinguished policy analysts. We focus on four audiences: federal judges, law professors, state judges and officials, and environmental entrepreneurs.

Intermountain Forest Association Intermountain Forest Association

International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)'s mission is to improve the global environment through cumulative local action. ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection® (CCP) campaign engages over 200 local governments nationwide in a performance-based process that educates and empowers communities to take action on climate change. Formulating effective statewide efforts for climate protection, like the Montana Climate Challenge, is integral to the success of city and county efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy and fuel costs and improve community livability.

M+R Strategic Services M+R Strategic Services

Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society The Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society is the professional organization of wildlife biologists living and working in Montana and is the Montana affiliate of the national professional organization, The Wildlife Society. We have 350 members most of whom work for state, tribal, or federal wildlife management agencies, for academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and consulting firms. As managers of wildlife habitats and populations, we are very concerned about the potential impacts climate change will have on the resources we are charged with managing. We welcome the Montana Climate Challenge as part of the effort to develop understanding and actions to address the challenges that climate change will pose.

Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund

Montana Department of Environmental Quality Montana Department of Environmental Quality

Montana Farmers Union Montana Farmers Union

Montana Grain Growers Association The Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA) membership consists primarily of wheat and barley producers and related industry businesses. Our function is to be an advocate for Montana's small grain producers on issues that affect their profitability. Climate change can certainly affect grain production in Montana and, subsequently, the lives of the people we represent. An awareness of the pressing issues surrounding climate change can, and will, be the first step in learning to deal with the reality.

Montana Logging Association Montana Logging Association

Montana Renewable Energy Association Montana Renewable Energy Association

Montana Trout Unlimited Montana Trout Unlimited

Montana Wildlife Federation Montana Wildlife Federation

Montana Wood Products Association Montana Wood Products Association

Montanans for a Healthy Climate Montanans for a Healthy Climate is dedicated to safeguarding Montana’s unique outdoor heritage. By bringing together conservation, recreation, agriculture, business, and other communities concerned about Montana’s future, Montanans for a Healthy Climate aims to protect our way of life as we know it.Unfortunately, climate change severely threatens the Montana lifestyle. Though we may wish it weren’t so, higher temperatures and decreased levels of precious precipitation are expected, carrying with them the ability to cripple important aspects of Montana’s economy -everything from agriculture to tourism, including hunting and fishing.On the flip side, proposed solutions and available technologies provide double the benefits for Montanans. Not only can devastating climate changes be avoided, but Montana’s unique ability to provide innovative solutions can, and will, bring economic incentives to the state. From a cap of carbon dioxide emissions to increased use of wind and biofuels, Montanans for a Healthy Climate aims to help facilitate these necessary changes in order to avoid the devastating ones.

National Carbon Offset Coalition The National Carbon Offset Coalition (NCOC) supports the Climate Change Conference as an initiative that will provide information and education on the issue of climate change. The NCOC is primarily engaged in the development of carbon offsets through forestry and cropland carbon sequestration projects. The NCOC believes that such a project creates opportunities for forestry, agricultural, and wildlife interests to work together to create real solutions to the increase in greenhouse gases. Conferences such as the Climate Change Conference provide the opportunity to create understanding among differing groups about our common concerns and the potential to work together to address climate change.

National Center for Appropriate Technology The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has a 30-year history of empowering people and communities to enhance their quality of life and their environment by using resources sustainably. We are a principle sponsor of this conference because climate change is, and will, increasingly inhibit the possibility of a sustainable future for Montana. Though a national organization, our first office was based in Butte, Montana and over the years we have worked closely with Montanans to meet the challenges of a sustainable agriculture and food system, a renewable energy future and conservation of its natural resources. We know there are multiple ways to meet the impacts of climate change, but we must act now or we may soon pass a tipping point into a set of irreversible problems. Montanans are leaders on this issue and this conference will move us forward to constructive action.

National Environmental Trust National Environmental Trust is excited to help sponsor this conference because it will bring together diverse voices to discuss how global warming is affecting Montana and offer a venue to pinpoint and act on real solutions. Global warming is not a distant, far-off problem ... it is here now and is directly impacting Montana. We have seen more frequent wildfires and intense droughts, reduced snowpack, declining river levels and even shrinking glaciers in Glacier National Park. This symposium will advance international, national, state and local global warming solutions, preventing irreversible harm to our health, economy and climate.

National Parks Conservation Association (Northern Rockies Regional Office) Montana's Glacier National Park is perhaps one of the easiest to understand and most graphic examples of global warming in the world. In 1850 there were 150 glaciers in the park, today only 27 remain. Less evident, but perhaps more pervasive, are the climate induced changes in the basic elements of the park's ecosystem, like vegetation and water, which are evidenced as changes in forage and aquatic invertebrate communities. In turn, these changes cascade up the food chain to impact large mammals and native fish. The National Parks Conservation Association is dedicated to protecting our national parks for future generations. In part, that means finding innovative solutions to human induced climate changes. We are glad to be included as solution-seeking conference sponsors.

Natural Resource Conservation Service As climatic changes occur, land management practices must evolve as well. The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is in a position to help landowners cope with the inevitable changes occurring across the landscape. NRCS provides both technical expertise and financial incentives to help private landowners address resource concerns ranging from water quality and wildlife habitat to soil and rangeland health. NRCS’s voluntary conservation programs are guided in part by local working groups that help to identify pressing local resource concerns and set programmatic priorities. With a field office located in nearly every county in Montana, NRCS conservationists are able to work directly with landowners to tailor conservation plans specifically for their situations. In an effort to keep pace with a changing conservation setting, NRCS is also involved in many partnerships that produce innovative approaches to varied ecological issues. These partnerships also provide multiple venues for communicating the importance of conservation for future generations. Find more information about NRCS by visiting your local NRCS office or the NRCS website. NRCS - Helping People Help the Land

Natural Resources Defense Council Higher temperatures worldwide have dangerous consequences including drought, disease, floods, and lost ecosystems. In Montana, global warming's effects likely have already begun, from disappearing glaciers, to alteration of plant and animal communities, to continued drought. Events like the Montana Climate Change conference help enable Montanans to better understand how global warming will impact Montana, shifting the perception of global warming from abstract threat to pressing reality. This is vital. With awareness of the threat of global warming will come a commitment to addressing the problem. And solutions are in sight. We know where most heat-trapping gases come from: power plants and vehicles. And we know how to curb their emissions: modern technologies and stronger policies and laws. NRDC is pleased to co-sponsor the Climate Change conference and to join with individuals and organizations to implement measures that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stabilize the earth’s climate.

National Wildlife Federation The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) recognizes the increasing challenges we will face if the current shift in the global climate continues unchecked. Climate change will have a significant impact on our lifestyles and livelihood, as well as wreaking havoc on the health of our wildlife and the stability of our ecosystems. Answering this call to action, NWF has become a leader in climate change education, advocacy and policy. NWF believes this conference will serve as an invaluable tool in forging Montana’s answer to the climate challenge. Fueling the Fire: Global Warming, Fossil Fuels and the Fish and Wildlife of the American West (September 2006)

Northern Plains Resource Council Northern Plains Resource Council

Policy Institute, Montana Human Rights Network (no website available) The mission of the Policy Institute is to frame public debate and change public policy to reflect progressive values. The Policy Institute does this by developing and advocating for policy initiatives that frame public discussion in terms like sustainability, economic security, equality, and justice for all. We see the Montana Climate Challenge conference as being consistent with our mission.

Stranie Ventures, LLC Stranie Ventures, LLC

The Nature Conservancy of Montana The mission of The Nature Conservancy of Montana is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Together with our conservation partners, The Nature Conservancy is developing achievable solutions to slow the rate of global warming and finding viable options for the Earth’s natural diversity, human communities and economic investments to survive its inevitable impacts. Link to us to learn about our most recent successes, developments and news on global warming.

University of Montana College of Forestry and Conservation University of Montana College of Forestry and Conservation

Western Sustainable Agriculture Working Group The Western Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (WSAWG) is a non-profit organization bringing together diverse individuals and groups working in sustainable agriculture and food systems in the West to share successful models, realize our collective strengths, build regional capacity, and inform the agriculture policy debate. We seek to understand and act on federal farm policies in ways that promote sustainable agriculture and help our member organizations to build local food systems. Climate change will increasingly inhibit the possibility of a sustainable future for Montana and for the West. Climate change will have a significant impact on agriculture, in terms of temperature extremes, water availability, extreme weather events, as well as creating greater instability of complex ecosystems upon which all life depends.