Members of FWP staff honored by Montana Wildlife Federation

Each year, the Montana Wildlife Federation honors exceptional conservation efforts across our state. 

This year’s award recipients include Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff who were honored for their remarkable contributions to Montana’s wildlife and natural resources.

Les Pengelly Conservation Professional of the Year Award
Neil Anderson, FWP Region 1 wildlife program manager, received this prestigious award at the recent FWP Region 1 Citizen Advisory Committee meeting in Kalispell. 

Named after Dr. Les Pengelly, a distinguished leader in wildlife biology at the University of Montana, this award recognizes individuals who embody excellence in scientific research, mentorship and community outreach. 

His 21-year tenure at the FWP Bozeman Laboratory, including 10 years as supervisor, included groundbreaking work on brucellosis in deer and elk, pneumonia in bighorn sheep and chronic wasting disease, earning him national recognition. 

Since taking on the Region 1 wildlife program manager role in 2015, Anderson has led over 40 surveys and studies, refined monitoring efforts, and fostered collaboration by being highly accessible and responsive to staff, partners and the community.

Plaques of Appreciation
At the Flathead Wildlife Annual Meeting in Kalispell recently, Green Diamond Resources, Trust for Public Lands and Leah Breidinger, FWP habitat conservation specialist, were recognized and celebrated for their pivotal roles in the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement project. 

This landmark project could protect 82,000 acres west of Kalispell as working forestlands, ensuring sustainable timber production, jobs, wildlife habitat and public access in perpetuity. 

Leah’s expertise in collaborating with landowners, securing funding, conducting environmental assessments, and navigating public and regulatory processes—often over three years per easement – has been instrumental in this success.

Julie Cunningham, Region 3 wildlife biologist, Gallatin-Madison area wildlife biologist, was recently honored with the prestigious Les Pengelly Conservation Professional Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication to wildlife conservation in Montana. 

Since joining FWP in 2007, Julie has led numerous large-scale projects in the Gallatin and Madison valleys, including critical pronghorn-, elk- and bighorn sheep-collaring efforts. Her collaborative approach has been evident in her work with landowners and hunters to address challenging elk management issues in the Madison Valley, as well as her partnership with Gallatin County to manage recreation and preserve vital wildlife habitat in the Bridger Mountain range. 

Julie has played a pivotal role in the development and leadership of the Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance, serving as a science advisor and helping to guide the organization’s conservation initiatives. 

Julie’s leadership, scientific expertise, and unwavering commitment have made a lasting impact on Montana’s wildlife and the communities who value these resources.