National Conservation Legacy & Education Center
Creating a state-of-the-art showcase for Forest Service history
The National Museum of Forest Service History’s goal is to have a physical, interactive museum the public can visit to learn about the Forest Service, its people and its legacy. Preparations for constructing the National Conservation Legacy and Education Center are underway in Missoula, Montana. Help us reach our goal!
Green Building Design
The National Conservation Legacy & Education Center is designed to welcome more than 100,000 visitors a year. The 30,000 square foot building features a lookout tower rising 46 feet above the lobby, a main floor with exhibit galleries and a theater, and a lower level to manage our collections and provide resources and classrooms for researchers, school groups, meetings and more.
The entire structure was designed with conservation in mind, and will use green building practices to keep a minimal footprint. Energy efficient design, using recycled and low-emission materials, reducing construction waste, and efficient plumbing systems are just a few examples. The design features abundant natural light and The roof will reflect summer heat. Habitat and open space will be protected and restored on the Center’s grounds.
The Missoula Campus
While we work on our goal to build the National Conservation Legacy & Education Center, you can explore these locations on our Missoula, MT campus.
The Visitor’s Center
The Bungalow Ranger Station Cabin was moved from Clearwater National Forest in Idaho. Today it is our Visitor’s Center and a temporary place for exhibits. When the NCLE Center is complete, this historic building will be refurnished to pay tribute to the role families played in the development of the Forest Service.
Fire Lookout
The L-4 Fire Lookout is based on 1930’s era plans. It was originally a display for the Smithsonian’s Folk Life Festival, celebrating the US Forest Service Centennial in 2005. It is an iconic symbol of individual heroism in wildfire management, and a reminder that the extreme forces of nature and the behavior of mankind can — in an instant — dramatically change the landscape.
Memorial Grove & Champion Trees
The Memorial Grove trees have been planted to honor the contributions of individuals nominated through the Honor Roll program. The Champion Trees planted on the grounds share the DNA of the nation’s greatest trees — groves like these are planted at selected sites throughout the nation to protect them from loss to fire, insects, drought and the acts of man.
The Visitor’s Center
The Bungalow Ranger Station Cabin was moved from Clearwater National Forest in Idaho. Today it is our Visitor’s Center and a temporary place for exhibits. When the NCLE Center is complete, this historic building will be refurnished to pay tribute to the role families played in the development of the Forest Service.
Fire Lookout
The L-4 Fire Lookout is based on 1930’s era plans. It was originally a display for the Smithsonian’s Folk Life Festival, celebrating the US Forest Service Centennial in 2005. It is an iconic symbol of individual heroism in wildfire management, and a reminder that the extreme forces of nature and the behavior of mankind can — in an instant — dramatically change the landscape.
Memorial Grove & Champion Trees
The Memorial Grove trees have been planted to honor the contributions of individuals nominated through the Honor Roll program. The Champion Trees planted on the grounds share the DNA of the nation’s greatest trees — groves like these are planted at selected sites throughout the nation to protect them from loss to fire, insects, drought and the acts of man.
Nearby Attractions
The NMFSH’s neighbors are the Missoula International Airport, the Smokejumper Visitor Center, USFS Fire Sciences Laboratory, and Museum of Mountain Flying. Please be sure to visit them when you make plans to explore the National Conservation Legacy & Education Center!
You Can Help!
The NMFSH has prepared the National Conservation Legacy & Education Center site for construction, developed the architectural plans, and envisioned the exhibits and programs. Now it’s time to build. We estimate about $10.6 million is needed to construct the National Conservation Legacy and Education Center and create the exhibits and theater presentations.
- Fundraising Goal 43%
Goal: $10,583,223
Goal: $10,583,223
Raised: $4,570,792
Raised: $4,570,792
With new matching grant opportunities, every dollar donated can attract $3 in public support, $2 in foundation grants and $1 in corporate contributions. That’s $6 for every $1 you contribute. Your support can make a big difference! Help us build the NCLE Center and preserve the Forest Service legacy.
Thanks to Our Funding Partners
Aero Tech, Inc.
Air Tractor
Estate of Richard B. Anderson
Aspen Skiing Company Family Fund
Beaudette Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Bell Helicopter
Ben Meadows Company
Bibb Engineers Architects & Constructors
Big Sky Mobile Catering
Bitterroot Trails, LLC
Boone and Crockett Club
Buck Knives
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation
CBP Port of Roosville
Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation
Devon Energy Corporation
DJ&A, P.C. Consulting Engineers
Eastern Forest Service Retiree Association
Emerald Chapter SAF
The Charles Engelhard Foundation
ESRI
Firewise 2000, Inc.
Forest History Society
Forest Service Reunion 2009 & 2012
Forest Stewardship Concepts
Forestry Suppliers, Inc.
Friends of Smokey Bear Balloon
Great Northern Midstream
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Kiewit Power Engineers
Lambda Bioremediation Systems
Los Compadres Retirees Group
Martin J. Lauridson Jr. Trust
Minuteman Aviation Inc.
Mt. Hood Meadows, Oreg., Ltd
National Ski Areas Association
National Smokejumper Association
National Wild Turkey Federation
Northern Rocky Mountain Retirees Association
N.P.I., Inc.
The Ohrstrom Family
George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Foundation
Oregon Society of American Foresters
OZ Architects
Pacific Northwest Forest Service Association “OldSmokeys”
Pacific Southwest FSX Club
The Pack Shack, Inc
Perkins Coie Charitable Foundation
Phos-Chek
Rainier Seeds, Inc.
Raley’s Forestry & Wildfire Management
Robwen, Inc.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Rocky Mountain Forest Service Reunion Association
Royal Gold, Inc.
Safe Fire Program, Inc.
Sentinal Orchards
Sierra Pacific Airlines, Inc.
Ski Apache
Snowbird Corporation
Snowbird Renaissance Center
Southern Forest Service Retirees Association
Stillwater Mining Company
Max & Betty Swanson Foundation
Union Pacific Foundation
US Forest Service
Waterous Company
Western Heritage Company
Whitefish Mountain Resort
Wildfire Environmental, USA, Inc.
Wildfire Group
