Montana Audubon Center News
July 2022
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Greetings!
Summer is off to a great start! We kicked off the month of June with our Wings Across the Big Sky Bird festival in Lewistown, where birders from all over the state came to see some amazing birds and learn about upcoming initiatives. Here at the Center, Summer Camps are in full swing with campers learning how to fish and build fort, amazing adaptations, and so much more.
Community programs are also getting individuals and families out learning this summer. We had the first of our Bat Night Hikes which these fun evening programs teach all about the bats around us and then take a group out on a hike to try and find the species they learned about. We also hosted a Chimney Swift monitoring presentation. Chimney swifts have moved into Montana and we need research to find out just how many there are. This presentation provided information on how to take part in this citizen science project and took participants out to try and find some Chimney Swifts. Topping it all off, our week long Master Naturalist course was teaching students about the world around them and making them masters of the outdoors.
We're just getting start with our summer activities, be sure to check out what's on the horizon this month such as our Nature Trivia Nights, Evening Explorations and land restoration volunteer opportunities.
We are excited to see you out having a fun and wonderful summer!
Enjoy the outdoors,
Nick Goelkel
BSWC Member
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UPCOMING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Family Programs
Evening Exploration, July 5th & August 2nd 4:30-7:30pm
Bring your friends and family down to the Center to celebrate the change of seasons in nature! Explore and enjoy the ponds, the wildlife and the changes in our plants as we move from winter to spring and spring to summer. Ask a naturalist your essential questions about animals and plants. Borrow field guides, insect nets, and binoculars. Or get in a canoe and explore the ponds with the setting sun. Choose your own adventure and enjoy this special time outside with your friends and family.
Suggested donation $10/canoe, Free for members
Nature Nuts, every Tuesdays 10-11am
Nature exploration comes naturally, especially for kids! Children ages 1 to 4 (and an accompanying adult) join our teacher naturalists for guided outdoor play and learning about nature in Billings and beyond.
Program is every Tuesday from 10:00 - 11:00 am
Suggested donation $5/ child, FREE for Center Members
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Weekend Wonders Family Program
July 9th 10:30-12
Join us Saturday, July 9th for a canoeing adventure on Deep Millennium pond. We will search for turtles, birds, and fish as we paddle our way between our deepest pond and our most shallow pond. Bring your own life vests if you have them and catch a glimpse of the wonder only found here.
Suggested donation $5/person or free for members.
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Special Programs
Bat Night Hike July 15th 8:30-10pm
Dive into the mesmerizing world of bats! Join us for a fun night learning cool bat facts, then heading out with special acoustic equipment to find them. Bring a flashlight and good walking shoes.
Suggested donation $5/person
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Adult Programs
Morning Bird Stroll July 9th 8:30-10am
Enjoy a morning stroll by the river and learn a few birds along the way. Great for beginning birders. Binoculars and guidebooks available to check out.
Suggested donation $10/adults, $5/students, or FREE for members
Walk with a Naturalist July 28th 6:30-8pm
The weather is warming up, plants and animals are waking up, and we’re ready to get outdoors exploring! Join us to make observations, follow our curiosity, and share naturalist knowledge with each other. Each month we’ll explore a different natural area in and around Billings.
Please bring any naturalist tools you like to use (binoculars, field guides, magnifying glasses, journals, etc.). We’ll also have some equipment you can borrow.
Suggested donation $5-10/person.
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Nature Trivia Night July 11th & August 1st, 6-8pm
Join us for an outdoor nature trivia night at the Montana Audubon Center. Come ready to put your naturalist knowledge to the test with local natural history questions, sensory bonus rounds, and much more! Bring your fellow nature nerds for a trivia night unlike any other. BYOB and snacks.
Suggested donation of $5/person, free for members!
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Don't forget to renew your membership!
Summer camp registration opens in March, and Center members have the opportunity to register for camps a full week before the general public, and they receive 10% off the cost of camps and other programs! If you're due to renew your membership in the next month, make sure to do it soon to receive the special discount code for members.
Member Benefits include:
Free entry to recurring programs
Free canoe use at Saturday Open Houses
Discounts on classes and programs
Early registration for select programs
Montana Audubon printed newsletter (2x/year)
Not to mention the joy of supporting the high quality outdoor, nature-based programs that reach thousands of people yearly, in Billings, Montana.
Membership levels start at just $30/year
For more details and to sign up to be a member, visit our website.
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Thank you!
We appreciate all those who share in our vision and our work - we truly couldn't do it without you and your support!
Thank you to the following individuals, organizations, and corporations that made contributions to our programs, including through membership in the month of June.
Walt and Terra Gusler
Shasta McCorry
Christine Rice
Britani Grundhauser
Sarah Schwartz
Katrina Hilario
Scotti Moser
Breann Robbins
Andrea Bushnell
Jordie McMeekin
Judy Quick
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Camp Counselor Aly holding a garter snake |
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Montana Audubon Center
406.294.5099
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