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.”

h“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.”

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

h“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

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.

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Fall 2013

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

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).

Officers

Fred Weisbecker, President

Lou Ann Harris, Vice-President

Cary Lund, Secretary

Andy Roberts, Treasurer

Delegates

Bitterroot AudubonBecky Peters

Five Valleys AudubonPat Little

Carolyn Goren

Flathead AudubonBob Lee

Last Chance AudubonSumner SharpeJennifer Stadum

Mission Mountain Audubon

Bob BushnellJim Rogers

Pintler AudubonJack Kirkley

Sacajawea AudubonSharon Hanton

Upper Missouri Breaks AudubonNora Flaherty-Gray

Yellowstone Valley Audubon

Bill DeMeyerSheila McKay

At-large BoardMembers

Bob Mackin

Harriet Marble

Bob Martinka

Peter Norlander

Donald Seibert

Judy Tureck

Heidi Youmans

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.

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.

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!

Yours in conservation,

Steve Hoffman, Executive Director

MOntAnA AuDuBOn

PO Box 595, Helena, MT 59624Phone: (406) 443-3949

Fax: (406) 443-7144Email: mtaudubon@mtaudubon.org

Website: www.mtaudubon.org

AuDuBOn COnservAtiOneDuCAtiOn Center

7026 S Billings BlvdBillings, MT 59101

Phone: (406) 294-5099 Website: www.mtacec.org

Helena staff:Steve Hoffman

Executive Director

Janet EllisProgram Director

Norane Freistadt Development Director

Cathie Erickson Business Manager

Abby WeimerOffice & Program Support

CoordinatorAmy Seaman

Bird Conservation Associate

Bird Conservation/Global Warming:

Amy CilimburgDirector of Bird Conservation

& Climate PolicyPhone: (406) 465-1141

Audubon Conservation education Center staff:

Darcie Howard, Center DirectorHeather Bilden, Education Director

Mihail Kennedy Land Stewardship Coordinator

Carol Ward Naturalist & Volunteer Coordinator

2 www.mtaudubon.org Fall 2013

Fall 2013 www.mtaudubon.org 3

O 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.

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.

W 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.

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

Montana 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!

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F 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.

Complementing these efforts is a new grant to build capacity for wetland and riparian habitat conservation in the same area, improving conditions for myriad

shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds of conservation concern. We’ll do this in part by using our network of Important Bird Areas and Audubon volunteers. Key to these efforts are our connections with area experts, including biologist 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!

A 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?

Half the mercury found in Montana’s lakes

Biologist and conservationists look for nesting

Long-billed Curlews in the Mission

Valley, western Montana. Photo by

Amy Cilimburg.

Photo by Bob Martinka

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

4 www.mtaudubon.org Fall 2013

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 can all look forward to welcoming our Osprey back next spring while we work year-round to build cleaner energy systems across Montana.

t he 23rd consecutive season of daily scientific monitoring (Sept. 1–Nov. 5) of the hawk and eagle migration along Bridger Ridge (NE of

Bozeman) is now past the halfway point. MT Audubon is fortunate to have expert observers Kalon Baughan and Bret Davis back for a second straight year!

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 ever-popular 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

Male Greater Sage-Grouse dancing on their lek. Photo by Bob Martinka.

City Date Location

Dillon nov. 13, 6-8 pmuM-Western, 710 s. Atlantic, Lewis & Clark room, Mathews Hall

Billings nov. 18, 6-8 pmFWP region 5 Headquarters, 2300 Lake elmo Dr.

Baker nov. 19, 1-3 pmsenior Citizens Center, 420 West Montana Ave.

Miles City nov. 19, 6-8 pmMiles Community College, 2715 Dickinson, James P Lucas Bldg, room 106

Glasgow nov. 20, 6-8 pm Cottonwood inn & suites, 45 First Ave ne

Malta nov. 21, 1-3 pm First state Bank, One south First st east

Lewistown nov. 21, eveningFWP–Lewistown Area resource Office, 215 West Aztec Dr.

for monitoring the health and trends of Golden Eagle populations. The Bridger data is especially important because these counts [and similar counts conducted elsewhere in the West] are showing significant long-term declines in Golden Eagle numbers.” Follow-up studies in Canada and Alaska are needed to determine the cause(s) of the observed decline.

t he Audubon Conservation Education Center had another gratifyingly busy season and made progress on controlling the bullfrog problem in

our ponds. Along with technicians from U.S. Geological Service, we took nearly 100 adult bullfrogs out of the ponds, found no tadpoles in all of our searching, and disrupted more than a dozen egg masses. We were encouraged to observe a marked increase in leopard frog reproduction.

In addition, many of the plants that we have put in over the years are spreading naturally, and we planted 1,000 more, mostly native grasses that will bring in more grazers and birds.

G reater Sage-Grouse have been declining because of habitat loss in Montana and throughout the birds’ range. This decline has prompted federal

Endangered Species Act (ESA) petitions and litigation that seek protection for this bird under the ESA.

In April 2013, Montana Governor Steve Bullock appointed a 12-person citizen Advisory Council to “gather information, furnish advice, and provide to the Governor recommendations on policies and actions for a state-wide strategy to preclude the need to list the Greater Sage-Grouse under the ESA.” Montana Audubon’s Janet Ellis sits on this committee.

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 sage-grouse (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.

Fall 2013 www.mtaudubon.org 5

When the council completes its initial recommendations, public input is needed! Comments will be welcomed in writing or through testimony at a public hearing:

After the public comment period closes (scheduled for November 30), the council will then modify and finalize its recommendations for the Governor in early 2014.

For information on the Advisory Council, as well as a copy of the draft recommendations and hearing locations, visit: fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/management/sageGrouse/habitatConservation. In addition, you can call Janet Ellis in our Helena office (406-443-3949).

though the days are getting shorter and colder, and the fancy breeding displays of Montana’s birds seem far off, we’re busy planning for spring citizen monitoring. Our Adopt-a-Lek Greater Sage-Grouse

program needs volunteers to go afield in April, continuing a decade-long effort to monitor sage-grouse trends in Montana.

We are specifically looking for a pair of volunteers to survey leks between the towns of Havre and Zortman. It’s one of the more challenging places to work, requiring a 4x4 truck and camper, at least two weeks of time during April, and lots of outdoor competency around challenging weather and muddy roads. There are more than 25 leks to survey and the rewards are immeasurable.

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.

Hurray! 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!

6 www.mtaudubon.org Fall 2013

M 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 mtaudubon.org/birds/mbrc.html.California Quail, Photo by Gary Kramer, USFWS.

Baikal Teal, Photo by Sarefo

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 BaughanCandi BeaudryBart BildenDylan BodvigAlexis BonogofskyCarrie BukowskiCindy ButlerSarah ChatwoodDelaney ClementMartha and Hobart CollinsJeanette DavisBret DavisShari DaytonKirk EakinPaulette and Andrew Epple

Rachel GuidiNeal GunnelsAndrew GuttenburgEd HarperMatt KeeferGary KirchmarJack KirkleyJeff KitchensBoris KrizekStephanie LewisCharlie LokenRobert MackinHarriet MarbleKaren MartsBecca Mathias

Shelia McKayKatie Meiklejohn Kristian and Randy MesceJane Nelson-KrizekJohn ParkerJoe PlattLoreene ReidBen RosemeyerAli SapaChris SchmidtCheryl SchweizerMike ScottRenee SeacorPaige SpaldingPrecious and Bill Stearns

Colby and Wyatt StearnsDelight SullivanSuzanne ThweattBo WalkerCarol and Chuck WardVolunteers from these organizations:

Bridger Bowl Ski AreaJennifer Lyman and Rocky Mountain College studentsMontana State University–Billings Educational Talent Search ProgramRiverside Builders Club Saint Vincent Hospital Western Security Bank

s 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.”

Fall 2013 www.mtaudubon.org 7

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!

8 www.mtaudubon.org Fall 2013

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.

L ou Ann Harris, our new vice pres-ident, 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!

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, andDorothea Oesterreich.

. . . . .

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

L 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.

W 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 ReserveBureau of Land Management, Lewistown Field OfficeCity of LewistownC.M. Russell National Wildlife RefugeLewistown Chamber of CommerceLewistown Friends of the TrailMT Department of Natural Resources and ConservationMT Fish, Wildlife and ParksNorthern Plains Joint VentureNorthwestern EnergyPayne InsuranceUpper Missouri Breaks AudubonValley Bank of HelenaWestec, Inc.

Festival Presenters:Janet Bender-KeigleyBill BergSusan BonfieldAmy CilimburgTed HawnDennis JorgensonRichard Keigley Beverly SkinnerAnne TewsDoc Wild (Denny Olson)Festival Volunteers, Raffle and Auction Donors:Abbott Valley Homestead Tomas AndersonBill BallardJim BrownJeri BrowneLou BrunoCindy ButlerMarilyn ByrneChuck Carlson

Susan ColvinMatt ComerCottonwood Log CabinsJerry & Lois DaltonJeannette DavisJerry DirnbergerRob Domenech of Raptor View Research InstitutePaula DrissellKristi DuBoisDuane FerdinandJim FradetteSteve Gniadek Dan HarrellDenver Holt of Owl Research Institute Sarah JaegerDennis JorgensonLynn & Beth KaedingRichard Keigley Aleen Kienholz of Turtle Tracks

Jack Kirkley Nate KohlerDebbie Larson Mike LawlerDana LeiningerRandi LevinBert LindlerClint LoomisDiane LutzHarriet Marble Randy MatchettBrad McCardle Jacqueline MercenierJanice Miller Cathy Moser Kris MoserKenneth NeumanPeter NorlanderKen Olson PatagoniaWayne Phillips

Doug Powell Joe Regan & Poody McLaughlinBarbara RossSusan & Robert RussellChris RyeMark Schaefer Gene & Linda SentzSumner SharpeSandy Shull of Birds & Beasleys Bob Skinner Dan & Delight SullivanGary Swant Suzanne Thweatt Judy Tureck Elsie TussLarry WeeksJackie Wichman Wild Bryde JewelryRobin & Richard WolcottLee Woodward

Fall 2013 www.mtaudubon.org 9

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

10 www.mtaudubon.org Fall 2013

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

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.

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!

t 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!

Heather Bilden with students at the Audubon Center.

Fall 2013 www.mtaudubon.org 11

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

h “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.”

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

h“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

Billings Parks and Recreation

Montana State Parks

Pompey’s Pillar

Bureau of Land Management

Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary

BikeNet

Yellowstone River Parks Association

Sponsors

The Spoke ShopThe Base CampSunshine SportsMontana Wilderness AssociationCabela’sSylvan Peak Mountain ShoppeMeier ChiropractorWalleyes ForeverThe Planet

Mosaic Threads

visit getoutsidemontana.com

Thanks to all those who participated!

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

HOGAn’S HeROeS: Christie

MacDonald; Kelly, Jett, and Reef Hogan; Colleen Kriskovich; (not pictured:

John and Jessyka MacDonald; Keilee

Kriskovich)

AwAHu TRiBe: Jeff, Becky, Kody, Alison, Kayla, and Tyler Mitchell

Montana AudubonP.O. Box 595Helena, MT 59624

NonprofitOrganizationus Postage

PAiDGreat Falls, MtPermit no. 151

Printed on FsC Certified stock with 100% soy-based ink.

The snow is coming, so it’s time to start planning the next Montana Audubon summer tours! After a three-year hiatus, we will again host the popular Centennial Valley & Red Rock Lakes tour, with details below.

Centennial Valley & Red Rock Lakes—May 30 – June 1, 2014

This weekend adventure explores Montana’s Centennial Valley and Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Late May is the best time of year to visit this remote, scenic, bird-rich area because it’s still early for mosquitoes, with optimal diversity of migrant and resident birds. In addition to Trumpeter Swans, we will see abundant shorebirds, waterfowl, waders, grebes, songbirds, raptors, and more.

$485/person includes lodging, meals, and transportation from Bozeman or Helena. $100/person deposit reserves your place. This trip always fills up fast, so please reserve as soon as possible.

We’ll send you a tour flyer with final dates and details later this fall, but here’s a preview of other tours we are considering:

Missouri/Marias Birding Tour—June 2014

Raptor weekend in Montana—September 2014

For more information please go to: mtaudubon.org/birdwatching/tours. For reservations call the Montana Audubon office 406-443-3949 or email norane@mtaudubon.org.