Mike Penfold

With over 30 years of dedicated service at Our Montana and nearly 60 years of experience in conservation and heritage leadership, Mike Penfold has significantly shaped Montana’s natural landscapes and cultural legacy. His career is highlighted by transformative initiatives in public access, historic preservation, and community engagement.

Key Contributions & Leadership:

• Historic & Cultural Preservation
 – Advocated for public access on the Lower Yellowstone River by partnering with the Lower Yellowstone Coalition to secure $4 million for enhanced river access. He also led public meetings and legislative tours, showcasing more than 40 miles of previously inaccessible river stretches.
 – Directed the development of the Explore Yellowstone River mobile app, which provides legal access points, fishing sites, historic information, real-time river flow data, and hazard alerts.

• Conservation Initiatives
 – Championed the creation and expansion of public fishing access sites, including the Blue Creek project in Billings, balancing recreational opportunities with habitat conservation.
 – Conducted comprehensive studies on river geomorphology and right-of-way improvements that have informed long-term conservation strategies.

• Heritage & Trail Preservation
 – Played a key role in securing National Historic Trail designation for the Bozeman Trail, collaborating across Montana and Wyoming to promote heritage tourism and educational initiatives.
 – Led extensive battlefield and historic trail research through grant-funded studies, significantly contributing to Montana’s documented historical narrative.

• Community Engagement & Outreach
 – Produced and hosted over 50 documentary-style programs on Community 7 TV, covering topics from the Bozeman Trail and Pryor Mountains to climate change, effectively engaging communities on environmental and historical issues.
 – Spearheaded the Clean Up the Yellowstone Initiative, coordinating volunteer efforts to preserve sensitive riverbank ecosystems.

Mike’s career includes leadership roles as State Director of the Bureau of Land Management across multiple states, National BLM Assistant Director for Land and Renewable Resources, and National Forest Supervisor. His early work as a smokejumper in Missoula sparked a lifelong passion for the outdoors and environmental advocacy.

Residing in Billings, Montana, Mike continues to champion innovative conservation strategies, ensuring that Montana’s natural beauty and historic sites are protected and accessible for future generations.