Cans for Conservation: Brewing Up Support for Wildlife and Water
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — In East Helena, Montana, conservation is getting a flavorful twist — one that pairs cold beer with conservation. Through an innovative partnership between the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Missouri River Brewing Company, Cans for Conservation is turning craft beer into a tool for conservation, one six-pack at a time.
The collaboration features a limited-edition can wrap on Missouri River Brewing Company’s popular Doc Holiday Huckleberry Blonde Ale. The design isn’t just eye-catching but also gives back to the lands and waters that define the region. For every six-pack sold, a portion of the proceeds is donated directly to the NWTF to support its critical conservation work in Montana and beyond.
To celebrate the launch, the Montana NWTF State Chapter and the NWTF Last Chance Gobblers Chapter hosted a Bingo for Conservation night on Aug. 2 at the Missouri River Brewing Company taproom. Each round of bingo gave attendees a shot at winning a firearm, and proceeds from the evening went back into the NWTF’s mission. The special-edition cans also feature a QR code that gives customers a chance to enter a raffle for a $200 Missouri River Brewing Company gift card.
This isn’t just about beer — it’s about impact. In recent years, the NWTF has made a measurable impact in Montana, helping open more than 9,400 acres of public access and conserving or enhancing 80,000 acres of wildlife habitat. These projects don’t just benefit wild turkeys — they improve the landscape for countless species while supporting healthy forests, clean water and resilient communities. Funding from creative partnerships like Cans for Conservation allows the NWTF to keep this momentum going.
Most recently, the NWTF and partners invested $2.7 million into water conservation through the NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife Initiative, supporting critical, water-focused conservation efforts across the Great Plains. Of the 14 funded projects, three will take place in Montana, aiming to enhance riparian habitats through invasive species removal, native vegetation planting, prescribed fire, beaver dam analog construction and more.
The Cans for Conservation effort represents a broader recognition that conservation is a shared responsibility. For breweries like Missouri River Brewing Company, it’s also personal. Their craft depends on clean, reliable water, which is increasingly under threat from wildfires, climate change, urban development and more. Conserving that resource is critical for their business — and for the future of Montana’s landscapes.
“Clean water is one of the most valuable resources across much of the West,” said Jason Tarwater, NWTF regional director for Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. “The NWTF’s conservation efforts, from the alpine forests to the sagebrush grasslands, positively impact our water resources and showcase this great collaboration.”
With new and innovative partnerships, the NWTF is tapping into diverse audiences to show what is possible when organizations like the NWTF and communities come together with a shared vision for the future.
After all, water connects everything — from wild turkeys to the brewers crafting small-batch ales in the Big Sky State. Ensuring that clean, abundant water remains available for generations to come means making smart, sustainable choices today.
So next time you’re near East Helena, swing by Missouri River Brewing Company, grab a six-pack of Doc Holiday Huckleberry Blonde Ale, and raise your can to conservation.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.