Montana Audubon Center News
June 2022
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Greetings!
Spring flowers are appearing in abundance thanks to the recent and much needed moisture! Arriving with the flowers are foraging insects, working hard to find food and doing their part to enhance the landscape; creating the perfect place for wildlife and human exploration.
Over the last month staff have also been working hard, wrapping up school year programs and diving right into summer preparations, even some fall planning. Summer for our staff brings on a renewed excitement of getting kids and adults outside exploring and observing our natural world.
Throughout the next few months, the Center will be bustling with summer camps, community programs, restoration work and much more. All in an effort to provide opportunities for learning and promote nature-based exploration.
We can't wait to have you exploring and learning with us this summer!
Keep adventuring,
Emily Chilcoat
Center Director
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A Note from Anthony, MAC Land Stewardship Coordinator
Over the last 3+ years I have been able to grow and thrive in my own personal conservation mission, while guiding and pursuing the land stewardship goals of the Montana Audubon Center.
Much of this was made possible through the amazing support of the friends I have made and the Billings community.
Just as the spring grows and reinvigorates the ground, I am looking to do a bit of growing myself. I will be leaving the Montana Audubon Center this month in pursuit of new adventures and continued personal growth. I will still be at Two Moon Park growing the saplings and tackling Buckthorn, and would enjoy having some of you out to join me.
I want to thank all who personally helped me with my work, were patient with me, and took time to teach me over the years. I greatly appreciate it and I will never forget my time at the Montana Audubon Center.
Take care and thank you all for everything,
- Anthony
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We're Hiring!
We are currently excepting applications for our Volunteer Coordinator position, you can check out the position description here. We'll be excepting applications until the position is filled. If you have questions please reach out to Emily Chilcoat, echilcoat@mtaudubon.org.
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Community Programs
Family Programs
Evening Exploration: 1st Tuesday of the month, April-August, 4:30-7:30pm
Bring your friends and family down to the Center to celebrate the change of seasons in nature! Explore and enjoy the ponds, the wildlife and the changes in our plants as we move from winter to spring and spring to summer. Ask a naturalist your essential questions about animals and plants. Borrow field guides, insect nets, and binoculars. Or get in a canoe and explore the ponds with the setting sun. Choose your own adventure and enjoy this special time outside with your friends and family.
Suggested donation $10/canoe, Free for members
Nature Nuts Preschool Program: Every Tuesday, 10-11am
Nature exploration comes naturally, especially for kids! Children ages 1 to 4 (and an accompanying adult) join our teacher naturalists for guided outdoor play and learning about nature in Billings and beyond. Please see our website for weekly themes!
Suggested donation $5/child
Free for members
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Weekend Wonders Family Program: 2nd Saturday, 10:30am-12pm
This expert led program is perfect for people of all ages! Every month features a nature theme, an outdoor adventure, and a hands-on learning experience from an expert in their field. Time to get some fresh air, learn something new, and have some fun in nature with your friends and family.
Suggested donation $5/person or free for members.
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Special Programs
Chimney Swift Night Out: Tuesday, June 21st, 2022, 7-9:30pm
Celebrate citizen science with us while we learn about chimney swifts with experts from Montana Audubon. The program will start with a free pizza dinner and ice cream. Then, we'll discuss the project and how you can participate before heading out to look for swifts just before sunset. Participants will have all the skills and knowledge they need to continue collecting data independently through the summer. Program is free and open to all ages!
Bat Night Hike: Friday, June 17th, 8:30-10pm
Dive into the mesmerizing world of bats! Join us for a fun night learning cool bat facts, then heading out with special acoustic equipment to find them. Bring a flashlight and good walking shoes.
Suggested donation $5/person
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Adult Programs
Bird Stroll: 2nd Saturday of the month, 8:30 - 10am
Enjoy a morning stroll by the river and learn a few birds along the way.
Great for beginning birders! On this monthly birding adventure, we will cover some birding basics, learn some bird calls/songs for ID by ear and work on our description skills to visually ID the species that we see. Come with your own gear or borrow some from us; we have binoculars and guidebooks available to check out. Rain, snow or shine, we'll be out there birding. We hope to see you there!
Suggested donation $10/adults, $5/students, or free for members
Walk with a Naturalist: 4th Tuesday of the month, 6:30 - 8pm
April- September 2022
The weather is warming up, plants and animals are waking up, and we’re ready to get outdoors exploring! Join us to make observations, follow our curiosity, and share naturalist knowledge with each other. This month we’ll meet at Four Dances Natural Area, a BLM property overlooking the Yellowstone River. The parade of wildflowers will continue with new species in bloom this month!
Please bring any naturalist tools you like to use (binoculars, field guides, magnifying glasses, journals, etc.). We’ll also have some equipment you can borrow.
Suggested donation $5-10/person.
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Montana Master Naturalist Course: Week Long Intensive Course
June 27th-July 1st, 2022, 8:30am-4pm
This course is designed for adults who want to deepen their knowledge of the natural world. We'll explore everything from birds and insects to mammals and plant ID. You’ll hone your naturalist skills as we practice birding, journaling, making connections in nature, and the art of observation.
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Nature Trivia Nights: Once a month, Mondays, June- October, 6-8pm
Join us for an outdoor nature trivia night at the Montana Audubon Center. Come ready to put your naturalist knowledge to the test with local natural history questions, sensory bonus rounds, and much more! Bring your fellow nature nerds for a trivia night unlike any other. BYOB and snacks.
Suggested donation of $5/person, free for members
No pre-registration required.
Dates:
July 11th, 2022*
August 1st, 2022
September 12th, 2022*
October 3rd, 2022
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Don't forget to renew your membership!
Summer camp registration opens in March, and Center members have the opportunity to register for camps a full week before the general public, and they receive 10% off the cost of camps and other programs! If you're due to renew your membership in the next month, make sure to do it soon to receive the special discount code for members.
Member Benefits include:
Free entry to recurring programs
Free canoe use at Saturday Open Houses
Discounts on classes and programs
Early registration for select programs
Montana Audubon printed newsletter (2x/year)
Not to mention the joy of supporting the high quality outdoor, nature-based programs that reach thousands of people yearly, in Billings, Montana.
Membership levels start at just $30/year
For more details and to sign up to be a member, visit our website.
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Thank you!
We appreciate all those who share in our vision and our work - we truly couldn't do it without you and your support!
Thank you to the following individuals, organizations, and corporations that made contributions to our programs, including through membership in the month of May.
Justine Waggener
Kirsten Lynagh
James and Margaret Good
Todd Kowalski
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The osprey protecting it's new nest. |
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Montana Audubon Center
406.294.5099
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