For the conservation of native birds, other wildlife, and their habitats...
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nyone who has been to a Greater Sage-Grouse lek and seen the elaborate (and rather goofy) courtship display undoubtedly thinks, “Wow—what a sight.” And considering the effort it can take to get to the viewing spot, you might also say “Whoa—what a site.” Sage-grouse leks (the area where these birds congregate for courtship) aren’t just found anywhere. They are generally found in large, unfragmented healthy expanses of sagebrush habitat, sometimes with cows, fences, and even a few 2-track roads. Add too many fences, roads—and just about any energy development—and the birds disappear from the area.
Populations of Greater Sage-Grouse have declined severely over the last century. In fact, these grouse have entirely disappeared from their historic range in six western states and provinces. This grouse has been petitioned for protection under the Endangered Species Act; currently it is considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to be “warranted but precluded” from listing because of higher conservation priorities. The USFWS will review this status in 2014. In the meantime, we are using this time to strengthen our partnerships, enhance successful monitoring efforts, and develop new strategies for conservation. Montana still harbors healthy sage-grouse populations—and we’d like to keep it that way.
Montana Threats and Solutions The most significant and immediate threat to sage-grouse is habitat loss, either from the conversion of native habitat to tilled agriculture, or from energy development projects. Indeed, across the West, we are facing unprecedented energy extraction demands—from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Habitat can also be degraded by unsustainable grazing practices or the invasion of non-native plant species like continued on page 4
Support Montana Shares! Montana Audubon is a member of Montana Shares, your source for workplace giving through payroll deductions. Montana Shares is a partnership of 42 Montana-based nonprofit groups devoted to improving the quality of life in communities throughout the state. We greatly appreciate your support of Montana Audubon through this program! Watching a sage-grouse lek. Steve Sherman. Lonewolf Photography. Fall 2012
Montana Audubon
Dear Fellow Conservationists, Greetings! Thanks to your ongoing generosity Montana Audubon continues to advance its conservation programs across the state. I am incredibly passionate about everything we do, but our long-term effort to “save a place for birds” holds special significance for me. This newsletter is largely “for the birds.” It describes several of our citizen science projects, where we are engaging volunteers in gathering information about birds to help us learn WHICH birds may be in trouble, and WHERE rare or declining species maintain healthy numbers. For example, we are monitoring Greater Sage-Grouse through the Adopt-aLek program (cover story) and inventorying waterfalls for Black Swift nests (see page 6). In addition, we are involved in annual migration counts of Golden Eagles in the Bridger Mountains and monitoring birds along the Yellowstone River (see page 6). The 100-year Audubon tradition of the annual Christmas Bird Count is another fine example of where citizen scientists help us learn about changes in the abundance and distribution of Montana’s birds (see back page). In addition to our monitoring projects, a significant part of our conservation work is directed at protection of habitats. This work is showcased in our efforts to advance the global, science-based Important Bird Area (IBA) program here in Montana. Towards this end, one of our most recent conservation achievements at Kevin Rim IBA focused on moving wind turbines away from a significant raptor nesting area (see page 7).
Board of Directors Officers Dan Sullivan, President Fred Weisbecker, Vice-President Cary Lund, Secretary Bernie Rose, Treasurer
Delegates Bitterroot Audubon Becky Peters
Five Valleys Audubon Pat Little Carolyn Goren
Flathead Audubon Bob Lee
Last Chance Audubon Bob Martinka Coburn Currier
And finally, although monitoring birds and on-the-ground habitat conservation is the backbone of our efforts, we are currently gearing up for some of the most difficult work we engage in for birds and their habitats: in January we turn our attention to the 2013 Montana Legislature (see page 3). Much is at stake for wildlife during this whirlwind 90-day session.
Mission Mountain Audubon
Updates about these and many other conservation and education projects are provided in the following pages. Happy reading, and THANKS again for your ongoing support!
Pintler Audubon
For the birds,
Bob Bushnell Jim Rogers
Jack Kirkley
Sacajawea Audubon Wano Urbanos
Steve Montana Audubon PO Box 595, Helena, MT 59624 Phone: (406) 443-3949 Fax: (406) 443-7144 Email: mtaudubon@mtaudubon.org Website: www.mtaudubon.org Audubon Conservation Education Center 7026 S Billings Blvd Billings, MT 59101 Phone: (406) 294-5099 Website: www.mtacec.org
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Helena Staff: Steve Hoffman, Executive Director shoffman@mtaudubon.org Janet Ellis, Program Director jellis@mtaudubon.org Norane Freistadt, Development Director norane@mtaudubon.org Cathie Erickson, Business Manager cerickson@mtaudubon.org
Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon Bird Conservation/ Global Warming: Amy Cilimburg, Director of Bird Conservation amy@mtaudubon.org Phone: (406) 465-1141
Audubon Conservation Education Center Staff: Darcie Vallant, Center Director dvallant@mtaudubon.org Heather Ristow, Education Director hristow@mtaudubon.org Mihail Kennedy, Land Stewardship Coordinator mkennedy@mtaudubon.org
Bill Miller
Yellowstone Valley Audubon Bill DeMeyer Sheila McKay
At-large Board Members Bob Mackin Harriet Marble Peter Norlander Donald Seibert Judy Tureck
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s you read this, November elections are just around the corner—which means that Audubon is gearing up for the 2013 Montana Legislature. Once again, we will be well represented by veteran lobbyist Janet Ellis. Starting in January, Janet will be on the front line in our efforts to protect birds and other wildlife, their habitats, and our clean water and air. This session the stakes are high—with much to gain—and so much to possibly lose. Our main emphasis this legislature will be defending Montana’s current environmental laws, working hard to keep them from being weakened or repealed. We will also work on funding key wildlife programs, as well as supporting wildlife conservation issues. If you are interested in helping with our legislative work, here are two important things you can do: Donate to Montana Audubon—to help pay for face-toface time with legislators, send out action alerts at critical times, and research key issues to defend Montana’s natural heritage.
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Sign up for our action alert network—so you can contact your legislators at critical times (visit: mtaudubon.org/issues/act/activist.html).
“Montana Audubon is a critical voice at the legislature. Veteran lobbyist Janet Ellis is one of the best in the state—which is great for wildlife and other conservation programs.” ~ Howard Strause, Great Falls, MT
Montana Bird Distribution—New Edition Gets Rave Reviews
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ooking for a holiday gift for that special Montana birdwatcher in your life? The new 7th edition of P. D. Skaar’s Montana Bird Distribution is perfect. This book of maps is an excellent companion to field guides: for all of Montana’s 427 observed birds, maps show breeding and wintering areas. In all, Montana has 260 birds known to nest, 233 species reported during the winter, and 66 species considered species of conservation concern. First published in 1975, this book is a cooperative project among Montana Audubon; the Montana Natural Heritage Program; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks; and the Montana Bird Records Committee. The cost is $20 (includes shipping and handling). This edition is accompanied by a 2012 Bird Checklist for Montana. Books can either be ordered on our website (mtaudubon. org/birds/distribution.html) or by mail: Montana Audubon, P.O. Box 595, Helena, MT 59624.
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Adopt-a-Lek For over a decade, the “Adopt-a-Lek” sage-grouse project (AAL) has worked with citizen volunteers to monitor some of the largest remaining Greater SageGrouse populations in Montana and the West. Last spring this project, led by conservationist Ben Deeble, came to Montana Audubon from its former host, the National Wildlife Federation. We are currently gearing up for another successful volunteer season in 2013.
Greater SageGrouse drumming. Steve Sherman, Lonewolf Photography.
cheatgrass. And there are direct mortality threats like barbed-wire fences and West Nile virus (a disease predicted to increase as our climate changes). What can be done? First, based on a program developed by Audubon Wyoming, we are focusing our work in “core areas”—where populations are the strongest. These areas have been identified through our Important Bird Areas (IBA) program. Currently we are working to steer energy development on public lands away from these IBAs, as well as to prioritize conservation actions within the IBAs.
How does AAL work? Every April, citizen scientists travel to leks they have “adopted,” count the birds present (including other sage-obligate birds), and collect basic habitat information. Lek-adopters are selected based on their experience, availability, and willingness to conduct dawn counts in remote locations under (sometimes) adverse weather and travel conditions. We are currently looking for new volunteers to visit specific leks.
Last spring, AAL fielded 31 volunteers who surveyed 79 Greater Sage-Grouse leks in Montana, emphasizing leks in southwestern Montana, on the C. M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, and at a handful of other locations. These volunteers also collected To address habitat conversion, we are advocating grouse feathers for a genetics study. Additionally, they for such provisions as “sodsaver” in the upcoming had a lot of fun (see “Adopt-a-Lek Volunteers” article federal Farm Bill, where ranchers keep ranching on on page 5). private lands by promoting good stewardship practices The Bureau of Land Management is providing that work economically (see sagegrouseinitiative.com). much needed funding for Adopt-a-Lek, and we’re There are also on-the-ground projects we can help actively seeking additional matching funds. with—like marking fence wires so they are visible to flying grouse. And there is a bonus with Greater Sage-Grouse conservation: this “umbrella species” is so tightly tied to healthy sage habitats year round that, if we protect this grouse, we also safeguard a suite of other sageassociated birds and other wildlife. In a nutshell, a lot can be done for the sagegrouse if we work with landowners, agencies, other conservationists, and you. We also know that our efforts to get a handle on climate change—when pooled with those of many others—can reduce the need for more energy development. 4
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What can you do?
We look to you, through our Armchair Activist program, to help when it comes to advocating for smart policies. You can also get to know local landowners, help with habitat enhancement projects, support our work with donations of any size, and consider adopting a lek! For more information about the Adopt-a-Lek program, visit our website or contact Ben Deeble at bddeeble@gmail.com.
Adopt-a-Lek Volunteers Love the Prairie
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ontana’s sagebrush prairies in April can be unforgiving places, but for the past eight years, that hasn’t kept Martha Vogt and Jim Greene from loading up their trailer and heading out onto rural dirt roads in search of elusive sage-grouse leks. As Jim says, “Monitoring Montana’s Greater Sage-Grouse has become a spiritual experience. We’re alone on the expansive central Montana prairie, initially in the dark, and then privileged to witness another day begin. It is silent at first, then Western Meadowlarks and coyotes begin their celebratory songs, sometimes drowning out the popping sounds of the courting sage-grouse. As the birds gather, our hearts quicken, and we begin our count, which has Breakfast is served on the prairie. Jim Greene photo. become a cross between a meditation and a prayer.” For these two enthusiastic lek observers, it started with an advertisement in The Missoulian calling for volunteers to help biologists get a better understanding of Montana’s sage-grouse populations. They were hooked after one weekend—and now look forward to bouncing along 2-track roads covering 32 square miles of sagebrush lands—come rain, shine, sleet, snow, and always wind. They have observed grouse at Bannack State Park, C. M. Russell Refuge, Baker, and Cow Island Trail in north-central Montana. Why are these star observers so dedicated? They had been avid birders for years, but became hooked seeing the morning light shine through the sage-grouse’s white tail feathers as they flew into their lek—not to mention experiencing the breathtaking Montana prairies as the sun peeks over the rolling expanse of land. It is Martha and Jim’s hope that their story will inspire people to find out more about this vital volunteer opportunity and to sign up to be lek observers. Not only can you witness these birds dancing on their ancestral grounds, you can also become a citizen scientist, contributing much information to biologists on the nation’s largest remaining populations of Greater Sage-Grouse. To hear about a day in the life of Jim and Martha as sage-grouse observers, read the ‘rest of the story’ at: mtaudubon.org/birds/aalek.html.
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o-authors Jeff Marks, Dan Casey, and Paul Hendricks have completed more than 80 percent of the species accounts for Birds of Montana, the new book that will summarize information on the status, distribution, biology, conservation, and historical aspects of the 427 bird species known to occur in the state. Samples of new accounts are posted at mtaudubon.org/birds/book.html. We are grateful to everyone who has donated funds (see mtaudubon.org/birds/sponsor.html) and to those who have provided information used in the species accounts. Signed, limited-edition prints of the Boreal Owl painted by Albert Gilbert (which will grace the back cover of the book) are available for sale through the Helena office at a discounted price of $200. See www.aba.org/birding/v43n4p5w1.pdf for information about Mr. Gilbert and his bird art. Townsend’s Warblers. Illustration by Shawneen Finnegan.
Birds of Montana is slated for completion by the end of 2013.
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The Mystery Birds: Montana’s Nesting Black Swifts
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here’s a reason people call the Black Swift both the “coolest bird” and the “mystery bird.” They’re always on the wing except when nesting behind a cascading waterfall, where they raise one lone chick. Until last summer, we knew of only three active nesting areas in Montana. Through our citizen science efforts, we’ve helped double that number. This past summer, Black Swifts were found at two new sites in western Montana. One site, found by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists and students from Northwest Connections, is behind Lower Holland Falls in the Swan Valley. More nest sites await discovery, though surveying behind most falls is more challenging than along a popular hiking trail. By now the swifts have headed south. But those of us who’ve caught the “swift bug” will be out again next summer and the one beyond that. Let us know of waterfalls we might want to check out or if you’d like to help. For more of the story, see the September/ Andy Robinson holds a Trumpeter Swan for release. Dan Sullivan October 2012 Audubon magazine article, “Out of the photo. Shadows,” on our website. of their historic range. Funding for this reintroduction effort is provided by Montana Audubon and several Trumpeter Swans in the individual donors. This project is possible only because Madison Valley of the successful O’Dell Creek wetland restoration hanks to a successful partnership spearheaded project, which began in 2003 and is being funded by by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and PPL Montana. Tom Hinz, and the commitment of landowner Jeff Laszlo, rare Trumpeter Swans may soon nest Yellowstone River Surveyed for again in the Madison Valley Important Bird Area! On August 15, volunteers and partner organizations Important Bird Area Program witnessed the inaugural release of five 10-week-old fter surveying songbirds along the middle swan cygnets onto the Grainger Ranch near Ennis. and lower Yellowstone River this summer, we Swan releases must continue here for at least 5 years are one step closer to nominating one or two before breeding swans are likely to be established. new Important Bird Areas (IBA). The IBA program This project holds great promise for re-establishing a identifies, monitors, and conserves areas critical to breeding population of Trumpeter Swans to this part bird species of conservation concern.
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Partnering with the Yellowstone River Conservation District Council, our Yellowstone River survey was funded by the Northern Great Plains Joint Venture and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Three seasoned bird surveyors braved mosquitoes, ticks, snow, and many, many days over 100°F as they collected data. We are currently analyzing volumes of information to determine what birds were found where. However, it was thrilling to find good numbers of Red-headed Woodpeckers (a species for concern). Other species of interest include Black-billed Cuckoos, Willow and Least Flycatchers, Ovenbirds, and Red-eyed Vireos. Stay tuned for more results as boundary lines along the Yellowstone are determined for the IBA nomination.
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Kevin Rim: Wind Farm & Raptor Update
n August 16, Montana Audubon and wind developer NaturEner signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), pledging their commitment to work together to protect the nesting raptors at Kevin Rim Important Bird Area (IBA), located 20 miles north of Shelby. The agreement puts in writing that NaturEner will move its wind turbines within the IBA from ¼ mile to at least ½ mile away from current and historic raptor nests. In other words, Montana Audubon was able to get NaturEner to Wind tower construction near Kevin Rim. NaturEner photo. double the distance between the turbines and nests. In addition to moving turbines, Audubon and NaturEner will also work together to monitor the impact that this wind farm may have on nesting birds. This work will include sharing the results of research studies through longer-term monitoring efforts. Kevin Rim is known for its high density of nesting eagles, hawks, and owls, with ten species of nesting raptors documented, including four species that are of Global (Ferruginous Hawk), Continental (Swainson’s Hawk, Prairie Falcon), or State (Golden Eagle) conservation concern. In addition to these species, the IBA has also hosted nesting American Kestrels, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, Peregrine Falcons, Great-horned Owls, and Burrowing Owls. For more information on this project, maps of the wind farm and raptor nests, and a copy of the MOU, visit our website at mtaudubon.org/birds/kevin.html.
“Moving a wind farm at the 11th hour in order to protect nesting raptors was no small feat. Thanks to Montana Audubon for this impressive victory!” Bryce Pierce, Russell Seeley, and Rya Rubenthaler had a great summer surveying birds along the Yellowstone River. MT Audubon photo.
~ Fred Weisbecker, Hamilton, MT
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Center. In addition to the Outdoor Explorer’s camp, we also held a Raptor Rapture camp, which taught students about the special adaptations of birds of prey and included viewing Osprey through binoculars before a trip to ZooMontana to see Bald Eagles up close and personal. The summer staff at Audubon’s camps is a diverse combination of college and high school interns, two AmeriCorps service members, and a year-round Audubon staff member. Each staff member brings his or her unique interests and background to the camps, making for an exciting collaboration and mingling of ideas. The dedication of our staff members shows in the quality of the programming. As the mother of one of our campers said, “I loved the teachers and how personable they all were.”
Summer camp was fun for all. MT Audubon photo.
Get Outside Montana
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uring a hot August morning in Billings, ten campers clambered aboard the Vehicle for Adventures in Nature (VAN for short). As the students pieced together Billings’ natural and cultural history, this Outdoor Explorers camp taught them how early explorers survived in Montana. The campers spent one morning at the Bureau of “This is one of the best Land Management’s Four Dances field trips I’ve been on. property, where nesting raptors can be viewed along cliffs over the The activities and lessons Yellowstone. Next they visited the were well-organized, historic Will James cabin, later thought-provoking, heading to the Yellowstone Art and super fun! Now our Museum to look at James’ paintings. They also visited Pompey’s Pillar students are better able to understand the land, and the new Yellowstone River animals, and nature State Park.
Thanks to our newly acquired 14-passenger VAN, this year the grade teacher Audubon Center was able to take campers on several field trips, visiting parks and museums across Billings, including the Western Heritage Center, the Yellowstone County Museum, and the Dino Lab. Field trip experiences build upon campers’ hands-on discoveries at the Audubon
around them.” ~ 4th
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or the second year the Get Outside Montana competition encouraged families to be more physically active, and to enjoy the many recreational opportunities in Billings, Red Lodge, and surrounding areas by competing in a free 8-week outdoor exploration. The competition is a collaboration among several conservation organizations, government agencies, and local businesses. Fifty-eight participating families competed to be one of the top three teams eligible to win up to $1,500 in prizes. The final event, held at Lake Elmo State Park, hosted 11 teams who came Get Outside Montana 2012 Winning to swim, cook-out, Team, The Goofballs. MT Audubon photo. and turn in their nature passports in hopes of winning some prizes. The first place team, The Goofballs, completed 35 out of the 39 activities, winning a $100 gift card to Montana Cycling and Ski, along
with four new bikes from The Spoke Shop! Second and third prizes went to The Fantastic Four and The McKevitts, respectively. Teams explored local parks, hiked in the Pryor Mountains, fished at Red Lodge, and visited a variety of nature/outdoor centers. “We loved this program!” said a team leader. “It’s a great way to have fun and explore the outdoors with the family—for free!” Thank you to all the Get Outside Montana partners, supporters, and especially our sponsors who made this event possible.
Day of Caring 2012
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his year’s United Way Day of Caring was a huge success. Over 80 volunteers from Billings, including many from the business community (see list on page 15), converged on the Audubon Center to plant more than 400 trees and shrubs as part of our ongoing restoration work. NorthWestern Energy brought out heavy equipment to help us prepare for the installation of our new and improved Heritage Brick Walkway in front of the Center. With their skid steer and mini excavator, in four hours we accomplished what it would have taken our staff a week to do. United Way’s Day of Caring has been a wonderful event over the last 20 years. We are extremely grateful for all the
Day of Caring volunteers 2012. MT Audubon photo.
help the volunteers provided—and look forward to many more years of participation.
Evening Under the Big Sky The Audubon Center’s inaugural fundraising event, Evening Under the Big Sky, was a resounding success. We hosted 161 guests who drank, dined on a delicious spread donated by Chefs and Cooks of Montana, danced to bluegrass by Kemmick and Friends, and enjoyed conversations with other Center supporters. The highlight of the evening was keynote speaker Monte Dolack, a Missoula-based artist whose conservation passion was evident in his engaging program. Folks purchased auction items ranging from one-of-a-kind locally crafted birdhouses, to exotic getaway adventures, to financial support of core Center programs like ANTS (Audubon Naturalists in the Schools). We raised more than $20,000 in much-needed funds to support our conservation education programs! We would like to thank the Audubon Center’s Advisory Council and other volunteers who helped make this event such a success. In addition, thanks are extended to our event sponsors: Yellowstone River Parks Association, Chefs and Cooks of Montana, ExxonMobil, NorthWestern Energy, McCall Homes, Wild Birds Unlimited–Billings, Sunburst Consulting, and Ninkasi Brewing. Fall 2012 www.mtaudubon.org
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ontana Audubon and Flathead Audubon teamed up to organize another exceptional Wings Across the Big Sky Bird Festival in Kalispell, June 8–10. The rainy weather failed to dampen anyone’s spirits in the field, and as always, our festival speakers were most entertaining and informative.
audience to identify a variety of bird songs he so deftly imitated! After Saturday morning’s field excursions, participants were treated to the lunch keynote address by scientist Peter Sherrington. Peter summarized two decades of migrant Golden Eeagle studies along Alberta’s Rocky Mountain Front. His data document the largest known flight of Golden Eagles on earth (up to 6,000 eagles per season)! Unfortunately, his counts also show alarming declines in northern eagle populations; Peter gave a number of plausible explanations for these sobering trends. Saturday afternoon talks were punctuated by Brian Sullivan’s discussion of eBird, a user-friendly tool for all birders. Other diverse topics included: birding in West Africa’s Gambia region, hawk watching across western Montana, studies of nesting colonial waterbirds on the Flathead Indian Reservation, and results of recent bat surveys in Glacier National Park.
Festival birdwatchers did not let the weather dampen their experience. Jan Wassink photo.
Festival field trips visited the diverse wetlands and forests of northwestern Montana, including Glacier National Park; the Mission, Flathead, and Swan River Valleys; and the shores of Flathead Lake. Some trips were especially designed to meet the needs of beginning birders and families; others focused on wildflowers or birding-by-ear. Overall, festival attendees tallied nearly 200 species of birds, and everyone had lots of fun.
Friday’s pre-festival workshops explored two significant conservation topics: 1) the exciting, highly successful “River to Lake” land conservation partnership in the Flathead Valley; and 2) the consequences and solutions for climate change in terms of the region’s birds and natural habitats. On the lighter side, Friday evening’s humorous “Professor Avian Guano” provided Many thanks to all who helped make the festival amazing, little-known insights into the natural history of our feathered friends. He also challenged the such a tremendous success (see list on page 11)!
Passion for Birds on License Plates!
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t would be hard not to notice the Montana Audubon Bird Habitat license plate as you travel around our state! This eye-catching plate, sporting some favorite Montana bird species—American Avocet, Ruddy Duck, Lewis’s Woodpecker, and a trio of Black-billed Magpies—is becoming more popular each year as people choose their favorite specialty plate at their local DMVs. By purchasing this plate, you are directly supporting our work to ensure the long-term protection for critical wildlife habitat. With an initial cost of only $35 and an annual renewal rate of $20, it is the easiest way to advertise your passion for birds and their habitats. Make a meaningful impact for the birds of Montana by choosing the Bird Habitat license plate! For more details, visit www.mtaudubon.org/support/store.html#plate. 10
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e want to thank everyone who contributed time, energy, and expertise to make Montana Audubon’s 2012 Wings Across the Big Sky Bird Festival a success! Special thanks go out to the Flathead Audubon Society as our outstanding co-host, and to those who donated terrific raffle prizes, live and silent auction items, and custom tours. The donation of these items helped tremendously with our festival fundraising. We are deeply indebted to the following sponsors and volunteers who went the extra mile to ensure that the event was awesome:
Festival Volunteers:
Sponsors: Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Tess Barker
Lois Drobish
Jane Lopp
Tracy Schiess
Lisa Bate
Dan Fagre
Bob Martinka
Paula Smith
Flathead National Forest
Kalon Baughan
Christie Ferruzzi
Ashley Mason
Kate Stone
Jolene Bebich
Carol Free
Janice Miller
Brian Sullivan
Glacier National Park Fund
Marilyn Bennett
Steve Gniadek
Brent Mitchell
Dan Sullivan
Hilton Garden Inn
Karen Berry
Chris Hammond
Kay Mitchell
Delight Sullivan
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Robert Berry
Lou Ann Harris
Debbie Moon
Bruce Tannehill
Gael Bissell
Dennis Hester
Kathy Myerowitz
Dick Thweatt
Barbara Boorman
Sheryl Hester
Mary Nelesen
Suzanne Thweatt
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Ted Brewer
John Hughes
Karen Nichols
Judy Tureck
Lou Bruno
Ryan Hunter
Denny Olson
Carla Wambach
Montana Loon Society
Dan Casey
Pat Jamieson
Maggie Olson
Jan Wassink
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Peggy Casey
Leslie Kehoe
Marylane Pannell
Fred Weisbecker
Mattie Clark
Lynn Kelly
Trish Peebles
Becky Williams
Gail Cleveland
Reed Kuennen
Betty Powell
Linda Winnie
Karen Coleman
Richard Kuhl
Dean Robbins
Marilyn Wood
Joshua Covill
Bob Lee
Jim Rogers
BJ Worth
Kate Davis
Janene Lichtenberg
Kathy Ross
Ben Young
Linda DeKort
Bob Lopp
Paul Rossi
Lewis Young
Plum Creek Timber Company U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Valley Bank of Helena
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: Al Bishop, Anne Cowan, Arlene Hilden, Thomas Hurtle, Elizabeth Johnston, Mary Munsell, Jean Smith, Suzann Stickney, and Gordon Weber
You can ensure an abundant future for Montana’s birds and wildlife—please remember Montana Audubon in your estate plans.
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In June, Montana Audubon recognized four Montanans for their exemplary conservation work. Read more about these champions on our website: mtaudubon.org/about/awards.html. Bob Lopp was honored with our Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of work for Flathead Audubon, Owen Sowerwine Natural Area, and the Flathead Valley. As one of his fellow chapter members noted, “Bob’s advice, always offered gently, keeps us realistic but always inspired to do more.”
John Parker received our first Citizen Scientist of the Year Award because of his dedication to carefully documenting birds in the greater Bozeman area, thereby contributing significantly to our knowledge and understanding of birds and their habitats, including the newly-established Harrison Lake Important Bird Area.
Ashley Mason was chosen as Educator of the Year because of her inspiring work as a conservation education professional in the Flathead Valley for over 20 years, including two years as Flathead Audubon’s Conservation Educator. We are all lucky to have such a dedicated educator in our midst.
Linda Winnie was recognized as Conservationist of the Year because of her outstanding work for Flathead Audubon and Owen Sowerwine Natural Area. Linda plays the role of lynchpin, worker bee, and facilitator in numerous conservation projects.
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e wish to welcome incoming Montana Audubon Board members Jim Rogers (Mission Mountain Audubon chapter alternate), and Sheila McKay (Yellowstone Valley Audubon’s alternate). Departing Board members include Elsie Tuss (Secretary of Montana Audubon for the past 8-plus years!), Jim Brown (AtLarge Board member and former Board President), Rita Harding (Yellowstone Valley Audubon), Craig Barfoot (Mission Mountain Audubon), and Nora Gray (Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon). Many thanks to each of you for your dedicated service and exceptional support of the Audubon cause! We will miss you.
And finally, we recently said good-bye to Montana Audubon’s office manager for the past two years, Larissa Berry. Many of you met her through her dedicated work on our annual Bird Festival. We wish Larissa much success and happiness in her future endeavors! Long-time Board member Elsie Tuss.
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e know Becky Peters as the enthusiastic “sparkplug” on both Montana Audubon’s Board and Development Committee. Three years ago, after Becky’s retirement from teaching in Spokane, she and her husband Bill were thrilled to make the Bitterroot Valley their home. They both were interested in birds and could be found with binoculars in hand, but when Becky was asked to serve on the Bitterroot Audubon Society’s (BAS) board, she asked herself, “What could I possibly offer?” Fred Weisbecker quickly suggested the perfect role as chapter representative to Montana Audubon’s Board of Directors. Lucky for us, she agreed to give it a try. Becky proudly describes herself as an activist, with past experience on the Spokane YWCA Board, as well as the Hanford Education Action League (FBI, armed guards, Geiger counters—oh my!). This experience makes Audubon seem tame, and it taught her to appreciate democracy in action and the need for fundraising. Now, along with her Development Committee involvement, Becky’s promoting a BAS calendar project featuring local photographers, kids’ drawings, and information about local birds—all to raise funds for BAS’s educational scholarship fund. We welcome Becky’s keen commitment and eagerness to tackle new projects to benefit all levels of Audubon!
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Wildlife Grants Available—Apply Today
ontana Audubon is offering small grants ($500 maximum/approximately $1,600 total) for wildlife research and education projects, with an emphasis on nongame wildlife. Grants come from our Audubon Wildlife Fund of Montana endowment. The funds can be used for mileage, equipment, printing, and communications. Ineligible uses include salaries, stipends, and personal equipment. In 2012, grants funded the 7th edition of Montana Bird Distribution (see article on page 3), a Yellowstone River research project on Osprey as indicators of water quality, and a Black Swift monitoring study in western Montana. To apply for an Audubon Wildlife Fund grant, visit our website (mtaudubon.org/about/grants.html). Applications must be postmarked or emailed by Friday, December 14, 2012. Grant recipients will be announced by February 1, 2013.
Fall 2012 www.mtaudubon.org
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etting conservation done means working at the scale that provides the most opportunity for success. For our work on climate solutions, this means providing leadership at the community level where efforts are driving solutions from the ground up.
to showcase the Hidden Life of Water—how water in the Missoula area travels, is treated, and returns to the Clark Fork River, and how much energy is used along the way. The film release date? Sometime before the warblers return in Spring 2013.
Secondly, she’s developing an action project targeting youth and their families to directly reduce home energy and water use. With the help of a “Kill-aThere’s nothing better than watt,” which measures energy use, kids will track energy when effective conservation use. They’ll then sleuth out reasons behind month-toleadership is both recognized and month variation, and make efforts to conserve. supported with funding, training, Finally, Amy will use this Fellowship to continue and other support. For the past five working with local leaders on climate action planning. Amy Cilimburg. MT years, National Audubon has partnered with Toyota One of Amy’s Montana co-Fellows this year is Audubon photo. to sponsor TogetherGreen Fellowships that do both. Sacajawea Audubon’s Wano Urbanos, the founder Amy Cilimburg, Montana Audubon’s Director of a fledgling Montana conservation organization of Bird Conservation and Climate Policy, was recently known as the Western Environmental Leadership awarded this Fellowship to help motivate people League (WELL). For his Fellowship, Wano is to save energy and water at the community level, spearheading the development of a core team (dubbed where outcomes are not only long lasting, but also “WELL drillers”) to create place-based conservation inspirational. leadership training tools and exercises to develop a Amy’s TogetherGreen project has three parts. First, new watershed training program. in cooperation with the Clark Fork Coalition and Congratulations TogetherGreeners! featuring Missoula-area kids, Amy is creating a video
A Hearty Thanks to Our Supporters! We haven’t forgotten to recognize all of our fantastic supporters who make our efforts to conserve bird habitat possible! We will be publishing our first annual report in February 2013, where a complete listing of all Montana Audubon supporters—individuals, foundations, corporations, organizations, and agencies—will appear!
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www.mtaudubon.org
Fall 2012
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e want to THANK the following volunteers for donating their time and expertise to specific Montana Audubon projects, including working at the Audubon Center in Billings in any number of capacities: as an animal keeper, assisting with programs, working to make the Evening Under the Big Sky event a great success, and/or helping with site restoration work; assisting with the design, data management, and other tasks associated with the new Montana Bird Distribution; helping with policy work; performing various tasks for the Helena office; and more. We want to recognize these individuals—and thank them for their important work. Individuals Neal Gunnels
Derek Nichols
Robert Berry
Alex Howard
Becky Peters
Candi Beaudry
Kenedi Howard
Loreene Reid
Janie Bierzonski
Mary Johnson
Susan Russell
Bart Bilden
Cedron Jones
Norm Schoenthal
Alison Blee
Matt Keefer
Donald Seibert
Jeremy Brooks
Boris Krizek
Bill Sterns
Jim Brown
Jane Krizek
Wyatt Sterns
Cindy Butler
Colby Sterns
Steve Butler
Heather Landsdown
Precious Sterns
John Carlson
Cary Lund
Howard Strause
Jeannette Davis
Jennifer Lyman
Tom Davis
Tom Lyman
Dan and Delight Sullivan
Shari Dayton
Bob Mackin
Suzanne Thweatt
DD Dowden
Bob Martinka
Bo Walker
Nate Evans
Sheila McKay
Jenna Watters
Kelsey Flathers
Kristian Mesce
Chrissy Webb
Rachel Guidi
Diane Nickman
Severin Willis
Organizations that Provided Volunteers for the Day of Caring Restoration Work:
First Interstate Bank Hydrosolutions
NorthWestern Energy Riverside Builder’s Club Target West Billings
Costa Rica Birding: March 12–20, 2013 Southwest Montana Sage-Grouse Lek Tour: May 3–5, 2013 Eastern Montana Prairies and Wetlands: May 22–31, 2013 Alaska Denali/Kenai Peninsula: June 2013 (specific dates TBA)
Details are set – Make your plans now!
Karen Berry
Castlerock Middle School Honor Roll
Save these 2013 Tour Dates
True North Steel United Way Yellowstone County Courthouse
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osta Rica has earned its reputation as one of the premier destinations for birdwatchers and others seeking ecologically responsible types of ecotourism. Montana Audubon is offering a 9-day natural history excursion to this tropical paradise, with a major focus on seeing the wide variety of birds and other wildlife that inhabits the country’s varied Slaty-tailed Trogon. habitats. We will be staying at several Paul Loehnen photo. outstanding sites and will be led by local guide, Orlando Vargas, who is trained in Costa Rican natural history and culture and who specializes as a birding guide. Past participants of Montana Audubon’s international tours led by Professor Jack Kirkley will attest to the fact that these tours offer a wide spectrum of experiences, including exploring local foods, native markets, archaeological history, and the local culture. Co-leading this tour will be Montana Audubon’s Executive Director, Steve Hoffman, a seasoned birdwatcher whose strong background in tropical birding will greatly enhance the tour. Costa Rica is a “must-see” destination for anyone who loves the Central American tropics, and our tour promises to be an outstanding introduction to this fascinating country. The cost of this tour is $2,500/person for doubleoccupancy lodging (single supplement is $400 extra), which includes all meals, entrance fees, and transportation from San José, Costa Rica. Participants are responsible for making their own international travel arrangements. A $500 deposit is due upon reservation, with the balance due by February 1, 2013.
Fall 2012 www.mtaudubon.org
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Nonprofit Organization US Postage PAID Great Falls, MT Permit No. 151
Montana Audubon P.O. Box 595 Helena, MT 59624
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reat news: the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is coming to a location near you! This year’s CBC will be conducted between December 14, 2012, and January 5, 2013. Montana offers more than 30 counts, from Libby in the northwest to Miles City in the east. In November, we will post details about exactly where, when, and how to participate on our website (www.mtaudubon.org/birds/cbc.html). And there is even more good news: National Audubon no longer charges $5.00 for each CBC participant. Now you can bring your family and friends with you, and not worry about awkwardly telling them that it will cost them to help with this long-standing citizen science effort. We look forward to seeing you at one of Montana’s CBCs this winter. Have a wonderful…FREE…Christmas Bird Count!
Mark Your Calendars!
Montana Audubon’s 2013 Bird Festival
June 7-9 in Lewistown
Our 2013 Bird Festival is coming to the grasslands, sagebrush, island mountains, and marshes of central Montana. The festival will be headquartered at Lewistown’s Yogo Inn. Stay tuned for details on speakers, field trips, and more.
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