ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

1.   Wild Montana is a nonprofit organization with the mission of uniting and mobilizing communities to keep Montana wild. To accomplish this mission, Wild Montana works with volunteers on a variety of projects and during a variety of activities. Wild Montana also uses publications to inform and educate others regarding its projects and activities.
 

2.   Some of the projects and activities include personal risks. These risks include, but are not limited to: risks inherent in front country and backcountry trail work, travel, and being in an outdoor environment, including exhaustion, general personal injuries, slipping and falling, blisters, hypothermia, dehydration, heat stress, sunburn, injuries caused by lightning, wildlife encounters and attacks, insects, accidental shootings during hunting season, getting lost, giardia, hantavirus, coronavirus, COVID-19, and natural hazards such as fire; risks associated with manual labor and use of tools, such as injury from tool use, cuts, burns, injury to fingers, toes, and limbs, flying rock fragments, exhaustion, and muscle strains; risks associated with travel; and risks associated with interacting with other persons who may contribute to or cause injury due to any of the risks above. 

3.   Outings are led by volunteers whose role is to facilitate the meetup of participants and share educational information during the course of the activity. Volunteer leaders are not required to possess any minimum qualifications or are mandated any training ahead of leading activities. 

4.   The decision of a volunteer to participate in Wild Montana projects or activities is made freely and with knowledge of the existence of risks. By their decision to volunteer for Wild Montana, the person named above and whose signature appears below (the “Volunteer”), acknowledges and recognizes the risks. 

5.   In the event that the Volunteer needs medical care, persons associated with the project or activity likely will render or seek medical care as they deem necessary for the Volunteer's health. 

6.   Wild Montana has a need and desire to control some aspects of a project or activity. If Wild Montana decides to end a project or activity or the Volunteer's participation in the project or activity, the Volunteer must cease and depart and incur any expense related to that decision. Such decisions include, but are not limited to, decisions based on group safety, personal safety, and equipment safety. 

7.   Volunteer work does not begin until volunteers arrive at the trailhead and receive safety training. Wild Montana volunteers are responsible for providing their own transportation, insurance and liability to and from the worksite/trailhead. 

8.   Wild Montana is committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for people from all backgrounds, races, religions, genders, and sexual orientations. Discrimination or harassment by any volunteer is absolutely not tolerated and will result in immediate removal from a project.

AGREEMENT: 

In light of the acknowledgments listed above, the following agreement is made: 

1.   The Volunteer agrees they are engaging in this Wild Montana project or activity voluntarily, with no expectation of compensation, and agrees that nothing in this Agreement constitutes an employment agreement. The Volunteer acknowledges and agrees that they are not an employee of Wild Montana and will not receive wages, compensation or benefits of any kind. The Volunteer agrees that their decision to engage in the Wild Montana project or activity and enter into this Agreement is made with full consideration of the risks associated therewith; 

2.   The Volunteer agrees that they are entering into this Agreement with full knowledge of the terms of this Agreement, based on the Volunteer having read, understood, and agreed to the conditions of this agreement, and having been advised to retain a copy for their records. 

3.   The Volunteer accepts full responsibility for any and all injury, damage, loss, death or other consequences of actions while traveling to and from the Wild Montana project or activity. Further, the Volunteer agrees not to seek to hold Wild Montana or its agents, employees or officials responsible for any injury, damage, loss, death or other consequence of actions while traveling to and from the Wild Montana project or activity. In the event that such action to hold Wild Montana responsible is taken, the Volunteer agrees that this Agreement may be relied on to establish a complete defense. Wild Montana has no duty to the Volunteer to keep the Volunteer free from injury, damage, loss, death or other consequence of actions while traveling to and from the Wild Montana project or activity. 

4.   The Volunteer agrees that any legal action taken relevant to the Volunteer's actions related to a Wild Montana project or activity will be filed in Lewis & Clark County, Montana. Volunteer also agrees that, prior to the initiation of such legal action, they will engage in mediation with Wild Montana to resolve any disputes before a mutually acceptable Montana Mediator. 

5.   The Volunteer agrees that they (not Wild Montana) are responsible for their own transportation costs, medical costs, or other costs incurred before, during and after any Wild Montana project or Activity. 

6.   The Volunteer authorizes Wild Montana to obtain or provide medical care and transportation, in the event that it appears necessary to do so for the medical health of the Volunteer. 

7.   Wild Montana may take photos/videos of attendees throughout Wild Montana-led events. These photos/videos are for Wild Montana use only and may appear on Wild Montana websites, newsletters, publications, social media outlets, or other future Wild Montana promotional materials. By virtue of your attendance, you agree to the usage of your likeness in such media. For concerns about your image or likeness being used in this manner, please notify Wild Montana at hello@wildmontana.org including “Photo Release” in the subject line. 

8.   If any part of this agreement is deemed unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect. 

9.   Wild Montana reserves the right to terminate its relationship with the Volunteer at any time and for any reason. The Volunteer may also terminate their relationship with Wild Montana at any time, and for any reason. Notice of a decision to sever the volunteer relationship should be provided as soon as possible to the other party. Regardless of which party decides to end the relationship, Volunteer is responsible for any transportation or project-related costs associated with returning to Volunteer’s home.

10.Volunteers agree Wild Montana is not responsible in the event they are injured during their “off time” recreational activities on a project. 

11.Volunteer agrees to be respectful and cooperative with fellow volunteers and Wild Montana staff throughout the duration of project or activity. Failure to comply can result in removal from the project. 

In addition, to the full extent allowed by Montana law, I, for myself, my heirs, successors, executors, and subrogates, hereby knowingly and intentionally waive and release, indemnify and hold harmless Wild Montana, its directors, officers, agents, employees, and volunteers from and against any and all claims, actions, causes of action, liabilities, suits, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), which are related to, arise out of, or are in any way connected with my participation in this activity and which result from the inherent risks within this recreational opportunity or the ordinary negligence of Wild Montana (if the damage, loss, injury or death is not the result of the inherent risk of the recreational opportunity).