To give back to a community who supports us so enthusiastically; we have introduced a new Education Conservation Fund (ECF). This fund will provide scholarship opportunities for area high school students as well as contribute a donation to their school. The new fund will be supported by a general admission fee increase of $.25 cents went into effect in January. The additional fee, along with one dollar from every new or renewed membership, will go directly into the ECF. Our newly renovated Jr. Zoo Crew program intended for middle school students to explore the four “R’s”(reduce, reuse, recycle and restore) will also benefit from the new fund through activities and support in annual science fairs. What’s more, ZooMontana will use the ECF to work with local elementary educators to provide much needed support for science and math programs. Through the Education Conservation Fund, we hope to connect students to their natural world and encourage them to become conservation crusaders in their own back yard.