Dear Montana,

Spring is in the air, and with it comes an exciting lineup of opportunities to connect with Montana’s incredible landscapes and wildlife! We’re thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the Wings Across the Big Sky Birding Festival (May 30 – June 1 in Missoula). With over 30 field trips, this year’s event promises to be unforgettable. Don’t forget to spread the word about our student scholarships, making it easier for young birders to participate! Meanwhile, our Citizen Science projects still have open slots—your help is vital in gathering essential data for conservation efforts.

On the advocacy front, we’re keeping a close eye on the legislative session, where critical bills affecting wildlife and water quality are in play. Stay informed and engaged with our Action Alerts—your voice makes a difference! And if you’re looking to deepen your connection with nature this season, join us at the Montana Audubon Center, where spring programs are in full swing, from Fledglings Preschool to the Master Naturalist Course. Plus, young artists in Yellowstone County can submit to this year’s Enviro-Art Program, exploring the theme “Roots of Change.”

As always, thank you for being a part of our conservation community—we can’t wait to share these experiences with you!

Yours in Conservation,

Larry Berrin

Executive Director

Lead Sponsor: University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab

May 30 - June 1, 2025

Missoula, MT

Whether you're a seasoned birder or just starting, Wings Across the Big Sky is about celebrating the joy of birds, the wonder of Montana's landscapes, and the connections we share through nature. 

This year, our local partners Five Valleys Audubon have put together an amazing list of over 30 field trips led by local birders- including a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hellgate Osprey Nest (pictured above in 2024). Sign up today, space is limited!

For more information and to register online, visit the Festival website:

So far during the Legislative Session, we've seen a slew of bills threatening sound wildlife management practices and water quality & quantity. On the flip side, several great pieces of legislation still have a good chance to make it through both houses.

Stay up to date with our Action Alerts, which give regular updates on the issues we're following, and information on how you can participate. Thank you to all of our members for their dedicated participation and hard work. Your commitment to the process is vital to shaping the future of our state!

Screech-Owls

There is still time to join in the Screech-Owl Survey fun! While many sites have been claimed, there are still spots along the Hi-Line that are up for grabs. Help us fill these survey gaps!

Long-Billed Curlew

There are still many routes available, especially in the Helena & Mission Valleys- sign up today!

Nightjars

We're in the final stages of preparing survey resources, and will have them ready soon! Keep and eye out for an email with more information in April.

Interested in learning more about any of these projects?

Visit our citizen science website at www.montanabirdsurveys.weebly.com or email Gwynne at gwynne@mtaudubon.org to get started.

Warmer days are on the horizon, and March and April are bringing fresh energy and new opportunities to the Montana Audubon Center.

Our Fledglings Preschool continues to thrive through hands-on outdoor adventures, embracing the unpredictable spring weather.

Meanwhile, our Audubon Naturalists in The Schools (ANTS) program wrapped up another successful winter field trip season. Over the years, our partnership with Rocky Mountain College has grown through the ANTS program, providing college education students with hands-on experience teaching portions of the winter curriculum. This collaboration allows RMC students to gain valuable teaching experience in birding, tracking, and animal adaptations — an opportunity that continues to inspire the next generation of educators.

We’re also thrilled to kick off our Master Naturalist Course in April, running through November, offering 40+ hours of immersive instruction for adults looking to deepen their understanding of Montana’s ecosystem.

Our Homeschool Science program is in full swing with "Marvelous Mimics," where students explore nature’s incredible adaptations. Later this month, the program will transition to "Creepy Creatures" for an exciting deep dive into the wild.

Additionally, our Leadership Institute for Nature, Kids, and Stewardship (LINKS) mentorship program is gearing up to resume this fall, connecting high school mentors with younger students to foster a love for the outdoors.

This spring also brings the return of the Enviro-Art Program, in partnership with Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate and the Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, sponsored by Billings Clinic Kids.

The 2025 theme, "Roots of Change: A Closer Look at Climate Change," encourages K–12 students in Yellowstone County to express their thoughts and feelings on climate change through art. All submissions will be incorporated into a vibrant 2025 collaborative mosaic, proving that every little effort builds up to a big difference. Select individual pieces will be displayed across the city, with all contributions featured in the final mosaic.

Submissions are due by April 17, and all participants and their families are invited to a celebration event on May 17, hosted at the Montana Audubon Center. Visit our website to learn more and participate!

Upcoming Programs

• Native Plant Symposium: March 29 — Celebrate and learn about Montana's native flora.
• Audubon Summer Adventure Camps: Registration is Open!
• Healthy Kids Day Event: April 11, 3:30-7:30 pm - Stop in and say hi!
• Master Naturalist Classes Start: April 17
• Party for the Planet at ZooMontana: April 19, 10 - 4 pm - Come say hi!
• Keep America Beautiful Great American Clean Up in Billings: April 26, 9-1 pm. 
• Nature Nuts (Ages 1–4): Every Tuesday, 10–11 a.m.
• Evening Under the Big Sky: Save the date — September 13, 2025.

Whether you're joining a program, volunteering, or simply enjoying the trails, your support makes it all possible.

We look forward to seeing you at the Center this spring!

2025 State of the Birds report- Produced by the U.S. Committee of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative, a coalition of conservation and scientific organizations working to advance bird conservation. This report is a status assessment of the health of the nation's bird populations, delivered to the American people by scientists from U.S. bird conservation groups.

March 25: New nest cam: All eyes on Iris the Osprey's return to Missoula (take a special behind-the-scenes tour of Iris's nest during the Wings Across the Big Sky Bird Festival!) | Robyn Iron, KPAX

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