Dear Montana,

February: That sometimes dreary in-between month, where we're still in the winter doldrums, but seeing more and more blue sky that reminds us that spring is just around the corner.

This spring, we're starting a new Citizen Science project: Screech-owl surveys. Sign up for the training session and learn more about our other 2024 Citizen Science projects below.



Spring is also a great time to renew your membership for the Montana Audubon Center in Billings. There are some great spring and summer educational programs that you won't want to miss!

Finally, we are also excited to share the keynote speaker for the Wings Across the Big Sky Festival: Tiffany Kersten. We hope you can join us in Helena this summer to hear her presentation Birdie Big Year: Elevating Women Birders.

Yours in Conservation,

Larry Berrin

Executive Director

On February 2, 2024, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced that two additional senators—U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)—have joined them as cosponsors of their bipartisan legislation, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA). This legislation dedicates significant resources toward state-, territory-, and Tribe-led conservation work to support the long-term health of fish and wildlife and their habitats across America. 

As leaders of the Montana Coalition for Recovering America’s Wildlife, we applaud these senators for supporting this important legislation.

Learn more about RAWA and the Montana Coalition for Recovering America's Wildlife on our website:

On Jan. 28, PBS News Weekend aired a segment titled ‘Preserving Prairies,’ produced by Stan Parker with Montana PBS.

The segment features Montana ranchers who are partnering with national and state conservation groups, including Montana Audubon and the Audubon Conservation Ranching (ACR) program, to achieve common goals of protecting and improving critically threatened grassland habitats for the benefit of the people, livestock, and wildlife that depend upon them. 

Watch the segment here:

Help contribute valuable observations to science- and have a great time doing it! Montana Audubon is recruiting volunteers to help with four different surveys this year, including a new project surveying for Screech-owls.

2024 Montana Audubon Citizen Science Projects:

• Western and Eastern Screech-owl surveys | March - April
• Long-billed Curlew surveys | April – May
• Climate Watch surveys | May 15-June 15
• Chimney Swift surveys | June - July

Screech-owl survey training is on Feb. 27@ 6:30 pm via Zoom. If you would like to participate, fill out the interest form here.

Curlew training is scheduled for March 26 @ 6:30 pm, via Zoom. To sign up, or for more information about any of the projects, email Gwynne at gwynne@mtaudubon.org.

Learn more about each of these projects on our Citizen Science website: 

Now that we’ve made it through the darkest months of the year, it’s time to welcome back the sunshine with open arms!

Our excitement continues to soar this month with a lineup of exhilarating activities at the Center. Our ANTS winter field continues to dive into the wonders of tracking, birding, and exploring animal adaptations.

Meanwhile, Homeschool Science is flying wild with amazing bird-related activities, including the creation of various paper airplanes to test their aerodynamics and exploring owl pellets, thanks to the Montana Raptor Center. Even our inquisitive Fledglings Preschoolers are pondering the unseasonably warm weather and questioning the need for their winter gear. 

For those eager to join the fun, mark your calendar! The fall Fledglings Preschool lottery opens to the general public on February 14th, with the drawing set for March 1st. Plus, get ready to secure your spot at our Summer Camp as registration opens for Center Members on March 11th and for non-members on March 18th. 

Now is the perfect time to become a Center member and unlock a world of spring and summer fun! Members enjoy exclusive benefits, including 10% off many programs, early registration for select popular programs, and complimentary canoeing during our Evening Explorations Open House from late spring through early fall. Plus, gain free entry to a range of Community Programs such as Nature Nuts, Bird Strolls, Weekend Wonder Family Programs, and more.

Don't miss out on the excitement—join us as we embrace the changing seasons and embark on new adventures together!

Upcoming Programs: 

• Nature Nuts- Toddler & Me program, every Tuesday @ 10 am 
• Owl Prowl - Feb. 23 and March 15 @ 6:30 pm
• Bird Stroll- March 9 @ 8:30 am

The Administrative Assistant (part-time) is responsible for the smooth operation of the Helena office, which includes general office organization; administrative support for staff (Helena and Billings); making deposits and accurate data entry of all gifts; providing information to donors, volunteers, and the general public; overseeing office machinery and systems; and purchasing equipment, supplies, printed material, and postage. The position also assists staff in the coordination of the annual bird festival, other events, and facility logistics for the organization.

Learn more about the position and how to apply on our website:

May 31 - June 2, 2024

Montana Audubon and Last Chance Audubon are pleased to announce the keynote speaker for the 2024 Wings Across the Big Sky Birding Festival: Tiffany Kersten!

About her presentation: Birdie Big Year: Elevating Women Birders

Tiffany Kersten didn't set out to do a Big Year, but after a series of unanticipated and serendipitous events, she suddenly found herself amidst one. As a sexual assault survivor, she spent 2021 traveling to all corners of the Lower 48 States, tallying birds and gifting personal safety alarms to women she met along the way. Her goal was to see 700 species, and to raise awareness of women's safety in the outdoors. She ended up surpassing her goal and setting a new record, of 726 species. In her presentation, Tiffany will lead us through the fear, empowerment, struggles, and healing that all played vital roles in the personal growth she experienced on this wild adventure.

Learn more about Tiffany and the Festival on our website:

Winter can be a great time to watch hawks and other diurnal raptors in Montana.

Follow Montana Audubon on Facebook and Instagram as we share ID basics for some of the most common species you may come across during your winter birding.

We're rounding out the series with Falcons- can you name all 5 species found in Montana?



Follow along and view previous posts on our social media:

Jan 18: Local organizations create online guide to living in the Flathead (Flathead Audubon collaborated on the guide) | Kate Heston, Daily Inter Lake

Jan 28: Montanans band together to save an iconic American landscape (News segment about partnerships between Montana ranchers and conservation groups working to conserve grassland habitats. Also featured on PBS News Weekend) | Stan Parker, Montana PBS

Jan 29: Community Leaders Launch ‘Living in Flathead’ Guide to the Valley | Tristan Scott, Flathead Beacon

Feb 4: Heinrich, Tillis Announce More Bipartisan Support for Recovering America’s Wildlife Act | Press Release on Sen. Heinrich's website

Feb 18: Sagebrush seas targeted as high priority for conservation investments in Montana, Wyoming (Great news for sagebrush conservation!) | Brett French, Billings Gazette

Feb 20: Endangered species could help us survive the great American political divide. Here's why (RAWA and other bipartisan conservation legislation are gaining support on Capitol Hill) | Bill Frist and Jennifer Morris, Fortune

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