Dear Friend,
Ah, the arrival of spring! A time when many birds are migrating back to Montana and wildflowers are starting to spring back up. What a wonderful time of year.
During this wonderful month of March, we are thinking about our recent successes, our current projects, and future endeavors. The Legislative Team was able to help bad bills get defeated and are getting ready for the second half of the session. The Science Team reflects on the importance of surveying Long-billed Curlews and how the public can get involved. Audubon Conservation Ranching (ACR) is enrolling additional ranches with the goal of protecting grassland birds, and the Montana Audubon Center is busy wrapping up winter classes and preparing for summer camps and courses.
As the temperatures start warming this season, we hope you are able to get outside and enjoy the returning birds and buds. And as always, thank you for supporting Montana Audubon!
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Larry Berrin
Executive Director
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Legislative Update: Successes to Date & Moving Forward |
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On March 3rd, the 68th legislature went into a nearly week-long recess after both the House and Senate spent two days conducting final committee and floor votes. During that time, we were glued to the Capitol video feed waiting for debates on key issues that affect predators, stream access, wildlife habitat funding, and clean water. Through the flurry of legislation, we advocated against several bad bills that were fortunately defeated. |
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We have gotten back to work and we need your continued help and dedicated civic engagement!
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Director of Policy & Science Amy Seaman (aseaman@mtaudubon.org), or Legislative & Conservation Ranching Assistant Peter Dudley (peter@mtaudubon.org).
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Montana Showed Up for Public Lands |
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On a bitterly cold February morning, hundreds of Montanans (including Montana Audubon) came together on the Capitol steps for the Rally for Public Lands. Folks from all walks of life showed up to make one point clear - Protect our public lands!
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Thank you for making your voices heard this legislative session! Your support is invaluable, and we look forward to your involvement after the transmittal break. If you weren’t able to attend the Rally for Public Lands, check out the recording from Wild Montana.
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Long-billed Curlews in Montana - Spring Update! |
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Three years ago, while working in the expansive grasslands between Malta and the Missouri Breaks, an old rancher pulled up beside our bird research team, curious to know what we were up to. I would have been curious too: the sight of a small fleet of pickup trucks parked on the shoulder of a remote two-track in the early evening, miles away from the nearest ranch house, and a handful of people slowly creeping through the grassland nearby would have been unusual, to say the least. When we told the old-timer we were searching for Long-billed Curlews, his suspecting demeanor instantly changed and his eyes lit up. “Oh, I see them all over the place! They hang out in the pasture next to my house, make a lot of noise when I drive by.” He asked a few curlew-related questions and was happy to offer information about recent sightings in the area. It was a pleasant encounter, and we appreciated the rancher’s excitement and curiosity. |
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So what can you do to help with Long-billed Curlew conservation in Montana? As mentioned, Montana Audubon is looking for volunteers to help monitor our existing survey routes, especially in the Mission and Helena Valleys. We are asking volunteers to carry out two driving surveys between April 8 and May 31, each survey usually requires about 2.5 to 3 hours to complete. If you would like to sign up or want more information, please contact Peter Dudley (peter@mtaudubon.org) or Cassidy Dinkle (cassidy@mtaudubon.org).
Keep an eye out for these remarkable birds, Long-billed Curlews will be returning to spend the summer with us starting around the end of March!
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A Look Inside Montana Audubon
Christian Meny Discusses Conservation Ranching
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Christian Meny, the Director of Audubon Conservation Ranching, recently had a meeting with Montana's Board about ACR. And since ACR is growing and becoming more and more important for grassland birds, we wanted to share the video with you! The purpose of this meeting was for Christian Meny to explain all things ACR. We hope you watch it and get a glimpse inside of our organization! |
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At the Center, we are all excited to plan all of the fun educational events coming up! Summer Camp registration opens March 13th for members and March 21st for the public. Also, our 10-month Master Naturalist Course registration is open from now until April.
March marks the last month of our Winter programming. ANTS Spring class visits and Home Schools Nature Relationships session begin. Participants will learn about the dynamics of predator/prey relationships and how some organisms can work together for a common goal. Preschool registration has started, and we have some fun community programs happening this month!
Upcoming programs include:
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Montana Master Naturalist Registration: Open now
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Summer Camp Registration: Open now
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Nature Nuts: Parent and toddler program every Tuesday at 10am
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Morning Bird Stroll: 2nd Saturday of the month at 8:30am
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Weekend Wonders Family Program: 2nd Saturday of the month at 10:30am
For more information of programs, visit our website.
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Keynote Announcement
Registration Opening Soon!
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June 9 - 11, 2023
Heritage Inn, Great Falls
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Keynote Speaker
Our keynote speaker for the festival is acclaimed author, Sneed B. Collard III, who has written more than ninety books for young people. Sneed is a popular, award-winning speaker, and has spoken at numerous birding festivals and events.
During the presentation, Sneed will recount the entertaining adventures behind his humorous, award-winning memoir Warblers and Woodpeckers: A Father-Son Big Year of Birding (Mountaineers, 2018) and other bird books and articles. Along the way, participants will travel to some of America’s best birding hotspots as well as South America, the Galápagos, the Middle East and, COVID willing, Japan. Sneed will share highlights of his son’s and his “accidental Big Years” of 2022 starring Pinky, America’s most famous flamingo.
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Donate $100 or more and receive our new Wildlife Guide, or our popular Bird Guide. Give $200 or more and get both!
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