Montana owns more than 5.1 million acres of school trust lands that are managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to generate revenue for the support of public schools, parts of the university system, and other endowed institutions. Conservation and protection of the natural resources on these lands are important components of the school trust responsibilities, tied not simply to short-term considerations but to long-term productivity.

In addition to logging, mining, and grazing, the school trust lands are also available for special uses such as: commercial, industrial, and residential development; wildlife habitat; preservation of open space; and development of public facilities.