Montana Audubon fall 2013 Magpie Muse by Amy Cilimburg

Get Outside Montana, originally launched by Montana Audubon, is a back-to-nature event in Billings, Red Lodge, and surrounding areas that is free and accessible for all ages. Participating families function as a team and are encouraged to engage in friendly competition as they explore local recreational areas.

Winners Tell It Like It Is “Fun! Really Fun! Way more fun than expected!” “We were clueless about the program and it made us totally involved in all the things that happen around Billings. We saw parks we never even knew existed and went to events we’d never heard of.” “We never would have hiked to Lost Lake without Get Outside Montana. It was long. It was hard. But our four-year-old hiked the whole thing because we told him the mushrooms were Smurf houses and he got all excited and kept running from one mushroom to another until suddenly we were there.”

“We saw a moose and her baby by a little waterfall. We saw woodpeckers. We couldn’t believe how many birds were along the river.” “My boys loved jumping on the suspension bridge.” “We helped build trails in the new park on Saturdays, and got to see all the new things that are coming. The whole family used pulaskis, shovels, and rakes, even our youngest.” “This year the wildflowers were more vibrant than any year I can remember. We made a photo album just of the hikes.” Fall 2013

“We hiked up to the lake and then got snowed on for a few minutes and even that was sort of fun.”

“We couldn’t believe there was so much happening in Billings and Red Lodge that we were clueless about. This program made us totally involved in what was already happening.” “This was our third year and we had a blast. We saw a lot of state parks that we would never have gone to see otherwise. Those parks are fantastic and so different from each other.” “We had to drag the kids out sometimes, then we’d get there and they’d say, ‘Oh, this is a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Let’s do another one tomorrow’.” “It was the best family time, ever. We had a blast. The Clark Days campout was way cool. My nephew got into the re-enactment continued on page 11

Top to bottom: Team Rupp; Charlie & Mike Getlinger; Sephora Jones (Photos by Casey Page, Billings Gazette), Team Montana Manske (Photo courtesy of Manske Family), Xander Whitford (Photo courtesy of Whitford Family).

Photo by Abby Weimer

For the conservation of native birds, other wildlife, and their habitats...

Officers

Dear Fellow Bird Lovers and Conservationists, I am pleased to report the recent completion of Montana Audubon’s new five-year strategic plan that provides a detailed road map for our bird and habitat conservation work. Thanks to the entire board and staff for their tireless work on this! Montana Audubon’s mission is to promote appreciation, knowledge and conservation of Montana’s native birds, other wildlife, and natural ecosystems to safeguard biological diversity for current and future generations. Our conservation focus will continue to be on wetland and riparian areas, grasslands, and sage-steppe. These habitats harbor exceptional bird diversity and/or a high proportion of rare and declining species in the state. We play a unique role via our work to protect wildlife (especially birds!) and their habitats in Montana, using education, grassroots advocacy, public policy, and science programs to inspire Auduboners’ enthusiasm and commitment to conservation action. As described in the plan, our work focuses on developing and implementing science-based solutions to conservation problems in order to: a) conserve priority habitats (especially designated Important Bird Areas); b) conserve birds and other wildlife, emphasizing endangered, threatened, and species of concern; c) reduce/eliminate significant, widespread threats (such as climate change, inappropriate agricultural expansion, invasive species, and poorly planned energy, residential, or industrial development); and d) educate, connect, and inspire Montanans to strengthen and sustain Montana’s growing conservation community. Specific to the Audubon Center in Billings, our new strategic plan calls for strengthening and diversifying our efforts to provide quality, science-based outdoor activities, events, and experiences that educate and empower participants (especially youth) to have a positive impact on the natural environment.

Fred Weisbecker, President Lou Ann Harris, Vice-President Cary Lund, Secretary Andy Roberts, Treasurer

Delegates Bitterroot Audubon Becky Peters

Five Valleys Audubon Pat Little Carolyn Goren

Flathead Audubon Bob Lee

Last Chance Audubon Sumner Sharpe Jennifer Stadum

Mission Mountain Audubon Bob Bushnell Jim Rogers

This new strategic plan will help us sharpen our focus so we can make the largest possible impact to conserve Montana’s beloved birds. Please let us know if you want us to send you a copy.

Pintler Audubon

Warmest wishes to each of you, and thanks so much for your ongoing support—we continue to make a difference for bird conservation in Montana because of your consistent, exceptional generosity!

Sacajawea Audubon

Jack Kirkley

Sharon Hanton

Yours in conservation,

Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon Nora Flaherty-Gray

Steve Hoffman, Executive Director Montana Audubon

Helena Staff:

PO Box 595, Helena, MT 59624 Phone: (406) 443-3949 Fax: (406) 443-7144 Email: mtaudubon@mtaudubon.org Website: www.mtaudubon.org

Steve Hoffman Executive Director

Audubon Conservation Education Center

www.mtaudubon.org

Norane Freistadt Development Director Cathie Erickson Business Manager

7026 S Billings Blvd Billings, MT 59101 Phone: (406) 294-5099 Website: www.mtacec.org

Janet Ellis Program Director

Abby Weimer Office & Program Support Coordinator Amy Seaman Bird Conservation Associate Fall 2013

Bird Conservation/ Global Warming: Amy Cilimburg Director of Bird Conservation & Climate Policy Phone: (406) 465-1141

Audubon Conservation Education Center Staff: Darcie Howard, Center Director Heather Bilden, Education Director Mihail Kennedy Land Stewardship Coordinator Carol Ward Naturalist & Volunteer Coordinator

Yellowstone Valley Audubon Bill DeMeyer Sheila McKay

At-large Board Members Bob Mackin Harriet Marble Bob Martinka Peter Norlander Donald Seibert Judy Tureck Heidi Youmans

ur Bird Conservation Program is now Team Amy! We are thrilled that Amy Seaman has joined our staff as our new Bird Conservation Associate, working primarily with Amy Cilimburg on our Important Bird Area Program.

Raptor View Research photo

Amy S. comes to us with a master’s in biology from the University of Nevada, Reno, where she studied rodent olfactory capabilities and taught a variety of classes, including field ornithology. Though she knows the back roads of Nevada well, she has also conducted Montana bird surveys along the Madison and Missouri rivers, in the Bitterroot Valley, and atop the Bridger Ridge. She has traveled throughout the West and currently resides in Helena with her husband and cat. Amy won us over with her knowledge of western birds and bird habitat, her science background, and her overall passion for sharing a love of birds and conservation with everyone she meets. You’ll be hearing more from Amy; please welcome her at aseaman@mtaudubon.org.

e are pleased to welcome Montana Audubon’s new Office & Program Support Coordinator Abby Weimer. Abby first became interested in conservation at age eight when the wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park. She grew up in Miles City along the Yellowstone River and was influenced by her father’s love of birds. Her fond memories include watching Great Horned Owls in the barn on the family ranch outside of Belfry, and helping her dad count birds each year during the Great Backyard Bird Count and Christmas Bird Count. Abby graduated in 2011 from MSU– Billings with a bachelor’s in business administration and worked at Eastern Montana Industries in Miles City. She comes to Montana Audubon with a great skill set and a passion for nonprofit conservation work. We are fortunate she has joined the Montana Audubon team.

M Our 2014 Bird Festival is coming to the spectacular Gallatin Valley! With Sacajawea Audubon, our partner,

ontana Shares is a Montana solution for workplace giving through payroll deductions. This partnership of 41 Montana-based nonprofit groups is devoted to improving the quality of life in communities throughout the state. We greatly appreciate your support of Montana Audubon through Montana Shares!

we are planning diverse field trips, a fun Friday evening kick-off event, dynamic speakers, and more activities to engage bird enthusiasts. The festival will be headquartered at Bozeman’s Best Western GranTree Inn. Mark your calendars, and stay tuned for details!

Fall 2013 www.mtaudubon.org

all and winter are good times to get our ducks in a row and, in this case, our curlews, too. We’re helping to spearhead the Long-billed Curlew Initiative, and initial work has taken us to the Mission Valley. Partners gathered last spring, strategically using the curlew as a focal species to protect grasslands and agricultural lands, and from there we’ve developed landowner guides, looked for nests, and begun conversations with many locals.

and rivers comes from human activities. Montana now has pollution controls to capture mercury emissions at its coal-fired power plants, but China’s power plants release large quantities of mercury which finds its way back to us via the prevailing winds. Clearly, working to keep coal in the ground not only reduces carbon pollution, but mercury too, allowing a healthier environment for Montana’s fish and the birds that eat them.

Go to mtaudubon.org and click on the Osprey to learn more about these complex relationships. We Complementing these efforts is a new grant to build can all look forward to welcoming our Osprey back capacity for wetland and riparian habitat conservation next spring while we work year-round to build cleaner in the same area, improving conditions for myriad energy systems across Montana. shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds of conservation concern. We’ll do this in part by using our network he 23rd consecutive season of daily scientific of Important Bird Areas monitoring (Sept. 1–Nov. 5) of the hawk and and Audubon volunteers. eagle migration along Bridger Ridge (NE of Key to these efforts are Bozeman) is now past the halfway point. MT Audubon our connections with area is fortunate to have expert observers Kalon Baughan experts, including biologist and Bret Davis back for a second straight year! Janene Lichtenberg, who has worked for many years for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Wildlife program and is now instructing the next batch of field biologists at Salish and Kootenai College. Together we’ll host workshops, craft outreach materials, and inspire on-the-ground bird conservation activities that benefit our feathered friends. Stay tuned!

Biologist and conservationists look for nesting Long-billed Curlews in the Mission Valley, western Montana. Photo by Amy Cilimburg.

Bret Davis and Kalon Baughan at their observation post atop the Bridger Ridge.

Half the mercury found in Montana’s lakes

Montana Audubon played an especially critical role in this year’s Bridger RaptorFest, with Steve Hoffman giving the keynote address Friday evening at the Museum of the Rockies, as well as his everpopular raptor identification workshops at Bridger Bowl. Steve emphasized the importance of the counts up on Bridger Ridge: “The Bridger Project is the most important migration site in the western United States

lthough most of Montana’s Ospreys have headed south for the winter and the Osprey “nest cams” along the Clark Fork River no longer show live video, the University of Montana research labs are still busy. And they’re finding high levels of mercury in some Osprey. Where does this mercury, a potent neurotoxin, come from?

www.mtaudubon.org

Fall 2013

Photo by Bob Martinka

for monitoring the health and trends of Golden Eagle When the council completes its initial recommendations, public populations. The Bridger data is especially important input is needed! Comments will be welcomed in writing or through because these counts [and similar counts conducted testimony at a public hearing: elsewhere in the West] are showing significant longCity Date Location term declines in Golden Eagle numbers.” Follow-up UM-Western, 710 S. Atlantic, Nov. 13, 6-8 pm studies in Canada and Alaska are needed to determine Dillon Lewis & Clark Room, Mathews Hall the cause(s) of the observed decline. FWP Region 5 Headquarters,

Billings

Nov. 18, 6-8 pm

Baker

Nov. 19, 1-3 pm

2300 Lake Elmo Dr. Senior Citizens Center, 420 West Montana Ave.

he Audubon Conservation Education Center had another gratifyingly busy season and made Miles City Nov. 19, 6-8 pm Miles Community College, 2715 Dickinson, James P Lucas Bldg, Room 106 progress on controlling the bullfrog problem in Glasgow Nov. 20, 6-8 pm Cottonwood Inn & Suites, 45 First Ave NE our ponds. Along with technicians from U.S. Geological Malta Nov. 21, 1-3 pm First State Bank, One South First St East Service, we took nearly 100 adult bullfrogs out of the ponds, found no tadpoles in all of our searching, and Lewistown Nov. 21, evening FWP–Lewistown Area Resource Office, 215 West Aztec Dr. disrupted more than a dozen egg masses. We were encouraged to observe a marked increase in leopard After the public comment period closes (scheduled for November frog reproduction. 30), the council will then modify and finalize its recommendations for In addition, many of the plants that we have put in the Governor in early 2014. For information on the Advisory Council, as well as a copy of over the years are spreading naturally, and we planted 1,000 more, mostly native grasses that will bring in the draft recommendations and hearing locations, visit: fwp.mt.gov/ fishAndWildlife/management/sageGrouse/habitatConservation. more grazers and birds. In addition, you can call Janet Ellis in our Helena office (406-443-3949).

reater Sage-Grouse have been declining because of habitat loss in Montana and throughout the hough the days are getting shorter and colder, and the fancy breeding birds’ range. This decline has prompted federal displays of Montana’s birds seem far off, we’re busy planning for Endangered Species Act (ESA) petitions and litigation spring citizen monitoring. Our Adopt-a-Lek Greater Sage-Grouse that seek protection for this bird under the ESA. program needs volunteers to go afield in April, continuing a decade-long In April 2013, Montana Governor Steve Bullock effort to monitor sage-grouse trends in Montana. appointed a 12-person citizen Advisory Council to We are specifically looking for a pair of volunteers to survey leks “gather information, furnish advice, and provide to the between the towns of Havre and Zortman. It’s one of the more challenging Governor recommendations on policies and actions places to work, requiring a 4x4 truck and camper, at least two weeks of for a state-wide strategy to preclude the need to list time during April, and lots of outdoor competency around challenging the Greater Sage-Grouse under the ESA.” Montana weather and muddy roads. There are more than 25 leks to survey and the Audubon’s Janet Ellis sits on this committee. rewards are immeasurable. In the last 5 months, the council has spent long hours putting together their draft recommendations on how Montana should address the threats facing sage-grouse. Primary threats to these birds, as identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, include habitat fragmentation and a lack of regulatory mechanisms to conserve sagegrouse (sagebrush) habitat. Secondary threats include issues related to unsustainable livestock grazing, collisions with fences and power lines, wildfire, conifer and weed expansion, commercial wind development, and disease (West Nile Virus). In addition, predation and hunting are also identified as potential threats.

Additionally, we need technicians to survey leks near the C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge along the Missouri River, a much easier assignment. Learn more about these opportunities and available reimbursements by contacting our Adopt-a-Lek coordinator Ben Deeble: bddeeble@gmail.com.

Male Greater Sage-Grouse dancing on their lek. Photo by Bob Martinka. Fall 2013 www.mtaudubon.org

ontana’s official bird list just added 2 new birds, bringing the grand total to 429 species. The Montana Bird Records Committee recently evaluated 2013 rare bird reports. That review added the Baikal Teal (first found by Radd Icenoggle southwest of Missoula). Additionally, the committee voted to add California Quail to the state list: these birds have been present and self-sustaining in the Bitterroot Valley for at least 10 years, the required length of time for naturalized populations. The State List, along with information about the Montana Bird Records Committee, can be found at Baikal Teal, Photo by Sarefo mtaudubon.org/birds/mbrc.html. California Quail, Photo by Gary Kramer, USFWS.

urray! Evening Under the Big Sky raised upwards of $34,000 to support the Audubon Center’s conservation education programs! Thanks go to the artists who donated unique pieces of artwork, all who donated auction items, and our sponsors. And of course, we couldn’t do it without the Advisory Council and other volunteers who do the hard work to make the evening a great success!

www.mtaudubon.org

Fall 2013

hari Dayton has made volunteering a significant part of her life since she was a teenager, holding leadership positions in a dozen or more community, student, and nonprofit organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and The Golden Apple Award board. Shari has served on the Audubon Center’s Advisory Council for the past three years and as chair of the Evening Under the Big Sky Committee for two years. In addition, she is serving her twelfth year as president of the board of United Campus Ministry at MSU-Billings. “I have always loved the outdoors,” Shari said. “While I was studying for my master’s I vowed to get outdoors every weekend. Sometimes it was a day of hiking or just doing my classwork by a stream, but I honored that vow.” In her twenties, after teaching fourth grade in California, she returned home to Montana and, with her parents, purchased land at her childhood outdoor paradise, Flathead Lake. “Best thing I ever did,” Shari said, as she sat outside her cabin and watched an eagle eat a fish. “Volunteering at the Audubon Conservation Education Center allows children the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the outdoors,” she continued. “Also, I just love all our council members and staff—they make it fun.”

Sincere thanks to these star volunteers whose tasks ranged from helping out with the Bridger Raptor Festival and Project, interning, volunteering at the Audubon Center or serving on the Advisory Council, and assisting with daily tasks in the Helena office. Your efforts make a huge difference in our important work! Kalon Baughan

Rachel Guidi

Shelia McKay

Colby and Wyatt Stearns

Candi Beaudry

Neal Gunnels

Katie Meiklejohn

Delight Sullivan

Bart Bilden

Andrew Guttenburg

Kristian and Randy Mesce

Suzanne Thweatt

Dylan Bodvig

Ed Harper

Jane Nelson-Krizek

Bo Walker

Alexis Bonogofsky

Matt Keefer

John Parker

Carol and Chuck Ward

Carrie Bukowski

Gary Kirchmar

Joe Platt

Cindy Butler

Jack Kirkley

Loreene Reid

Volunteers from these organizations:

Sarah Chatwood

Jeff Kitchens

Ben Rosemeyer

Delaney Clement

Boris Krizek

Ali Sapa

Martha and Hobart Collins

Stephanie Lewis

Chris Schmidt

Jeanette Davis

Charlie Loken

Cheryl Schweizer

Bret Davis

Robert Mackin

Mike Scott

Montana State University– Billings Educational Talent Search Program

Shari Dayton

Harriet Marble

Renee Seacor

Riverside Builders Club

Kirk Eakin

Karen Marts

Paige Spalding

Saint Vincent Hospital

Paulette and Andrew Epple

Becca Mathias

Precious and Bill Stearns

Western Security Bank

Bridger Bowl Ski Area Jennifer Lyman and Rocky Mountain College students

Fall 2013 www.mtaudubon.org

ou Ann Harris, our new vice president, has served enthusiastically on Montana Audubon’s board of directors since 2009. Lou Ann grew up in Bozeman, moved to the Seattle area for a few years, and returned to Bozeman in 2006.

Lou Ann recently retired from a successful career in television and radio production. She joined the local Sacajawea Audubon Board six years ago, and currently serves as the chapter’s vice-president and chair of its 2014 Bird Festival Committee. She also maintains a local bluebird trail for the chapter, checking 100 nest boxes biweekly and banding all the nestlings each year. Her favorite Montana bird is the American Dipper, and she loves birding regularly at nearby East Gallatin Recreation Area. An avid birder for 25 years, Lou Ann was “bitten by the birding bug” shortly after her husband, John, gave her a bird book. She fondly recalls watching Evening Grosbeaks visiting her backyard bird feeders for the first time—these colorful birds really got her hooked! Lou Ann said that her recent trip

to Costa Rica with Montana Audubon was “one of the best birding experiences of my life!” Montana’s birds will continue to benefit from Lou Ann’s tremendous commitment and volunteerism in support of the Audubon cause!

Hello & Good-bye to Board Members Welcome, incoming Montana Audubon board member Sharon Hanton (Bozeman’s Sacajawea Audubon representative) and returning Great Falls Upper Missouri Breaks representative Nora Gray. Departing at-large board members include Bernie Rose (former board treasurer) and Dan Sullivan (who served as board president for the past four years). Bernie and Dan will be sorely missed, and all of us at MT Audubon thank them for their many years of dedicated service and exceptional support for the Audubon cause in Montana!

You may love to sit under a chickadee-filled tree and read this newsletter, but we invite you go a little further: check out several new features that tell our story—and yours. Head to mtaudubon.org for links to: Telling Stories, Connecting People, Conserving Birds. This short film tells the story of the Clark Fork River–Grass Valley Important Bird Area, featuring Jim Brown (left) and beautiful photos. In Other Birds. One-hour radio show produced by Amy Cilimburg featuring five colleagues who educate, protect, and inspire by paying attention to birds year-round. Hidden Life of Water. An 11-minute film about Missoula’s water system, produced by a professional videographer and featuring lovable kids. Amazing photos, articles, and stories on our Facebook page. 8

www.mtaudubon.org

Fall 2013

Nearly all of the species accounts are written for Birds of Montana, and Jeff Marks is on track to complete the remaining 12 before Thanksgiving. Our book designer is formatting the waterfowl section, including range maps and illustrations for selected species, to submit to Oregon State University Press’s reviewer. We are grateful to everyone who has donated (see mtaudubon. org/birds/sponsor) and/or provided species information. Stay tuned!

e want to thank everyone who contributed time, energy, and expertise to make Montana Audubon’s 2013 Wings Across the Big Sky Festival a success! Special thanks go out to Beverly Skinner, our star local coordinator, the Lewistown community who rallied to accommodate over 225 attendees, and to those who donated terrific raffle prizes, silent auction items, and custom tours. The donation of these items helped tremendously with our successful festival fundraising. Many thanks to the incredible young artists from the Lewistown schools whose original artwork was used in our festival materials. We are deeply indebted to the following sponsors and people who went the extra mile to ensure that the event was superb:

Sponsors: American Prairie Reserve Bureau of Land Management, Lewistown Field Office City of Lewistown C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge Lewistown Chamber of Commerce Lewistown Friends of the Trail MT Department of Natural Resources and Conservation MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks Northern Plains Joint Venture Northwestern Energy Payne Insurance Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon Valley Bank of Helena Westec, Inc.

Festival Presenters: Janet Bender-Keigley Bill Berg Susan Bonfield Amy Cilimburg Ted Hawn Dennis Jorgenson Richard Keigley Beverly Skinner Anne Tews Doc Wild (Denny Olson) Festival Volunteers, Raffle and Auction Donors: Abbott Valley Homestead Tomas Anderson Bill Ballard Jim Brown Jeri Browne Lou Bruno Cindy Butler Marilyn Byrne Chuck Carlson

Susan Colvin Matt Comer Cottonwood Log Cabins Jerry & Lois Dalton Jeannette Davis Jerry Dirnberger Rob Domenech of Raptor View Research Institute Paula Drissell Kristi DuBois Duane Ferdinand Jim Fradette Steve Gniadek Dan Harrell Denver Holt of Owl Research Institute Sarah Jaeger Dennis Jorgenson Lynn & Beth Kaeding Richard Keigley Aleen Kienholz of Turtle Tracks

A gift given to Montana Audubon in memory of a special person helps preserve our birds and their habitats for perpetuity. We owe a special thanks to those of you who have made a tribute in memory of the following people: Jane Ann Ellis, Lee Hurt, Ted Smith, Clara Phelps, Bob Morrison, and Dorothea Oesterreich. .....

Jack Kirkley Nate Kohler Debbie Larson Mike Lawler Dana Leininger Randi Levin Bert Lindler Clint Loomis Diane Lutz Harriet Marble Randy Matchett Brad McCardle Jacqueline Mercenier Janice Miller Cathy Moser Kris Moser Kenneth Neuman Peter Norlander Ken Olson Patagonia Wayne Phillips

Doug Powell Joe Regan & Poody McLaughlin Barbara Ross Susan & Robert Russell Chris Rye Mark Schaefer Gene & Linda Sentz Sumner Sharpe Sandy Shull of Birds & Beasleys Bob Skinner Dan & Delight Sullivan Gary Swant Suzanne Thweatt Judy Tureck Elsie Tuss Larry Weeks Jackie Wichman Wild Bryde Jewelry Robin & Richard Wolcott Lee Woodward

ooking for fun during the holidays? Join one of Montana’s 32 Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) and tally birds for a day. This public event is FREE and beginning birders are welcome! CBCs will take place between December 14, 2013 and January 5, 2014. By early December our website will tell you where, when, and how to participate in each CBC: mtaudubon.org/birds/cbc.

Hairy Woodpeckers are common on many Montana Christmas Bird Counts. Photo by Bob Martinka.

You can ensure an abundant future for Montana’s birds and wildlife—please remember Montana Audubon in your estate plans. Fall 2013 www.mtaudubon.org

Each year, Montana Audubon recognizes the good work of Montanans who protect birds, other wildlife, and natural ecosystems. The following people recently received awards from us:

Kristi DuBois— Conservationist of the Year Award Montana Audubon honored Kristi for her outstanding work on behalf of Montana’s native wildlife, specifically her emphasis on “nongame” wildlife such as raptors and bats. Kristi has made a career—and a difference—in wildlife management for more than 30 years.

Heather Bilden—Educator of the Year Award

He has spearheaded many helpful additions to the program over 25 years, as well as contributed significantly to our knowledge of Montana’s birds in other ways, including as a member of the Montana Bird Records Committee since 1995, participant in numerous Christmas Bird Counts, and more.

Bob and Beverly Skinner— Special Achievement Award Montana Audubon singled out Bob and Beverly Skinner for their outstanding work on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and the community of Lewistown. Both are biologists who have contributed to new management strategies and educational work that benefits wildlife. Beverly also wrote the successful $70,000 grant proposal for the city of Lewistown to receive a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Urban Conservation Bird Treaty Grant, competing against large cities such as Chicago.

Congratulations and thank you to all!

Heather Bilden with students at the Audubon Center.

Montana Audubon recognized Heather for her conservation education work at the Audubon Conservation Education Center in Billings. In the last five years, she has expanded programs, ensured that science-based lesson plans are always used, and developed strong, well-trained teachers to lead programs.

Dan Sullivan— Citizen Scientist of the Year Montana Audubon applauded Dan for his dedication as the volunteer coordinator of the state’s Breeding Bird Surveys.

www.mtaudubon.org

Fall 2013

he Montana Native Plant Society recently recognized Montana Audubon’s Janet Ellis for “30 years of continuous and tireless effort working with the Montana Legislature and the public and private sectors to conserve Montana’s natural resources, especially in the field of wetlands and riparian habitat protection.” We congratulate Janet, who deserves this—and more!

and asked all sorts of questions. It really sparked his interest in our history.”

“The kids learned so much, and not just about nature. You don’t have to go everywhere as a full family, just grab whoever is available that day and get out there.” “It was a lot of fun just getting out and seeing what Montana has to offer. All the hikes were great, we loved ’em, so we ended up doing a lot more hiking than we expected and now we’re making plans to go hike in other parts of Montana.”

Team J-Rex: Jen, Eric, and Xander Whitford; Rachel Lahm

“We walked to Timberline Lake with a two-year-old and an infant. It was so nice just to spend time together.”

“We’ve already recruited a whole bunch of friends, we’ve been telling people to get their kids away from the TV, and they’ll never be bored.” “We will definitely do this again!” “Oh yes, sign us up for next year!”

Thank You! Get Outside Montana is coordinated by the Audubon Center with our partners and sponsors. Partners