RAPTOR MIGRATION IN THE BIG BELT MOUNTAINS

fall 2017

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RIVERINITIATIVEUPDATE

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FALL 2017 3

THE VIEW FROM ABOVE

Board of Directors

OfficersRachel Van Wingen, PresidentJoe Batts, Vice-PresidentBernie McHugh, SecretaryRon Farmer, Treasurer

At-large Board MembersLana BattsCary LundHarriet MarbleDonald SeibertFred Weisbecker

Center Council DelegatesRobert MackinDon Roberts, Alternate

Chapter Delegates

Bitterroot AudubonBecky Peters

Five Valleys AudubonRose LeachCatherine Goodman, AlternateFlathead AudubonBob Lee

Last Chance AudubonJanice MillerStephen Turner, AlternateMission Mountain AudubonJim RogersJim Oates, AlternatePintler AudubonJack Kirkley

Sacajawea AudubonMike Vivion

Upper Missouri Breaks AudubonNora Flaherty-Gray

Helena Staff

Larry BerrinExecutive Director

Norane FreistadtFinance Director

Janet EllisSenior Director of Policy

Amy SeamanConservation Program Manager

David CronenwettDevelopment/CommunicationsSpecialist

Janet JohnstonOffice Manager

Cathie EricksonAccounting Specialist

Audubon Center7026 S. Billings Blvd.Billings, MT 59101Phone: 406-294-5099www.mtaudubon.org/center

Audubon Center Staff

Carolyn SevierCenter Director

Annabelle BrittonCommunity Outreach Specialist

Clarissa CerovskiRestoration Assistant

Sarah ChatwoodPreschool Coordinator

Heather BildenTeacher-Naturalist

Hannah FinchTeacher-Naturalist

Alina GarnerTeacher-Naturalist

Dawn NelsonTeacher-Naturalist

Julie OsslundTeacher-Naturalist

Claire OverholtTeacher-Naturalist

Jeanette RaschTeacher-Naturalist

Taisha RochaTeacher-Naturalist

Mackenzie RuppertTeacher-Naturalist

In just over a month’s time, I’ve been fortunate to witness the remarkable spectrum of MontanaAudubon’s work: children joyfully running through the Center’s meadows and their suddenconcentration when pausing for a lesson; hundredsof Sandhill Cranes staging in a lush pasture, criticalhabitat that a localAudubon chapter hopesto preserve in perpetuity;climbing up a ridge withconservation partners tosee firsthand where ourGolden Eagle migrationsurvey takes place.

After spending 25 years working across the countryin the environmental field, from Maine to Oregon,I’m excited to join such a talented staff anddedicated Board of Directors to help build on ourconservation legacy in Montana. Over the past four decades, this organization has worked toconserve our state’s remarkable wildlife and habitatthrough programs in conservation science, publicpolicy and education.

In the coming months, the board, staff, chapterleadership and supporters will collaborate on athoughtful examination of the future as we set thestrategic direction for Montana Audubon. Changes in ecological communities and their impacts on birdshighlight a need for us to expand our efforts andpoint to more ways to make a difference. Our 40 year history provides the foundation for futuresuccess as we enhance our role as a leader in theconservation of native birds, other wildlife andnatural ecosystems. Given the scale and pace ofchange that is occurring to habitats across the state,our work is needed now more than ever before.

This is an exciting time for Montana Audubon; I hope you will continue to support our vision andstrengthen our presence across this incomparablelandscape we all cherish. Together, we will build uponan impressive legacy of working across the state to protect Montana’s natural heritage.

Larry Berrin, Executive Director

More about our new Executive Director

Larry Berrin comes toMontana Audubon mostrecently from AsburyWoods Partnership in Erie, Pennsylvania where he served asPresident/CEO.

Previously, he acted asBranch Director forDiscover Your Northwestin Central Oregon. In thisrole, he was responsiblefor managing multiplevisitor centers, recreationsites and programs in theDeschutes National Forestand Newberry NationalVolcanic Monument.

Earlier in his career, Berrinserved as State EducationDirector in Vermont forNational Audubon wherehe oversaw centers andeducation programs inaddition to leading birdingtrips to Mexico, CostaRica, the Galapagos, theAmazon, and Kenya.fall 2017

Cover Story: Golden Eagle Migration Survey

River Initiative Update

Conservation Briefs

News from the Center

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Our mission is to promoteappreciation, knowledge andconservation of Montana’snative birds, other wildlife,and natural ecosystems tosafeguard biological diversityfor current and futuregenerations.

Founded in 1976, MontanaAudubon has built effectiveprograms in public policy,education, and birdconservation to serve itsmembers and Montana’snine community-basedAudubon Chapters.

Montana Audubon is a proudmember organization ofMontana Shares, a partnershipof Montana-based nonprofitsdevoted to improving thequality of life in the Big Skystate.

I’m excited to join such a talented staff anddedicated Board ofDirectors to help build on our conservation legacy in Montana.

On the cover: Fall comes to central Montana.John Lambing photo.

PO Box 595, Helena, MT 59624 • Phone: 406-443-3949 Fax: 406-443-7144 • info@mtaudubon.org • www.mtaudubon.org

FALL 2017 54 MONTANA AUDUBON

COVER STORY

continued...

Rising prominently to the east of Helena, the undulating Big Beltrange forms an impressiveskyline. These mountains,comprised largely of ancient-seabed limestone, werefractured, twisted and thrust

into the sky by the earth’sincrementally slow, but unimaginably powerful

tectonic energy. The range trends northwest tosoutheast, and is home to peaks averaging between

6,000 to 9,000 feet in elevation. When autumn stormsgather against its spine, these mountains form part of a

continent-sized natural corridor,each year drawing thousands ofmigrating raptors. Species includeRed-tailed Hawks, NorthernHarriers, Goshawks, Rough-leggedHawks, several falcons as well asGolden Eagles, among others.

Many raptors are known to make long distance migrations,sometimes traveling thousands of miles between breeding andwintering habitats. Constant, wing-flapping propulsion onthese annual journeys is inefficient and would quickly lead abird of prey to exhaustion and death. An elegant adaptation tothis problem is to utilize migratory corridors where geography,weather and air currents combine to enable soaring. This typeof flight, where these magnificent birds gracefully ride thewind, is their preferred mode of travel.

GOLDEN EAGLE MIGRATION SURVEY

RAPTOR MIGRATION IN THE BIG BELTMOUNTAINS

The Golden Eagle Migration Survey, though named after onecharismatic species,collects data on all birds of prey observed from the count site, in an effortto understand populationdynamics over time.

Big Belt Mountains

flyway in the United States,” observer Jeff Grayum says, “and a great way tocollect long-term population data on birdsthat breed all the way up into Canada andAlaska.” Co-observer Hilary Turner citesthe significant outreach potential of theproject, “When conditions are right, thebirds come in directly over our heads. It’s a unique way to expose the public toraptors, and help people develop aninterest in wildlife and conservation.”

Raptors are considered “apex” predators by wildlife biologists and as such, canprovide important insights with regard tochanges in habitat. Allison Begley, AvianConservation Biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks explains, “Avianpredators are sensitive to a great number of things including human disturbance,environmental contaminants,development, and climate change. Byobserving their population trends, we canlearn a lot about what is happening to thehabitat out there.” When asked about“local” Golden Eagles in Montana sheresponds, “Our resident population appearsstable, but migratory populations may be declining. By continuing to collectinformation from the Big Belt site andacross the region, we’ll be able to betterassess their status.”

Sustaining a two-month migratory count at a remote mountain location is alogistical challenge, and has been especiallyso in 2017 when a powerful storm dumpednearly two feet of snow on the range inearly September. The operation requiresthat the two GEMS observers are kept safe,transportation and supplies are arrangedand data efficiently collected. Much of thiscritical support has been performed by LastChance Audubon (LCAS) that maintains a committee responsible for managing thecomplex logistical needs of the count.Project committee member Stephen Turnersums up the organization’s commitment tothe Golden Eagle Migration Survey, “LCASwishes to promote understanding of raptorsand other birds as a way to help interpretwhat is happening ecologically in ourworld.” The organization also helpspublicize the effort, and assists with gettinginterested groups to the site. He continues,“The GEMS project combines science andpublic outreach in a breathtaking naturalsetting. You can’t help but be moved bythese birds as they sail over your head ordrop from the sky to attack our owl decoy!”

The 2017 count will conclude on November 10.

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Golden Eagle Migration Survey, continued

In early autumn, before majorweather systems buffet thecountry, raptors ascend rising air columns (thermals), in alazy upward spiral. Whenaerodynamic lift dissipates,the birds will gain distancewith a descending glide tothe next thermal and then repeat the process.However, if larger stormsapproach ranges like the Big Belts, powerful,landscape-scale updrafts canoccur, enabling the birds tocoast along a river of wind,

with hardly any effort at all.Gusts may carry the birds hundreds

of miles per day.

Since 2015, Montana Audubon hasmaintained the Golden Eagle MigrationSurvey, a partnership with the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, LastChance Audubon Society and MontanaFish, Wildlife and Parks to monitor the impressive raptor migration nearDuck Creek Pass, in the Big Belt range. GEMS co-chair, Janice Miller, says, “The partners in this project work welltogether, each helping to ensure ourobservers are safe and have the supportthey need to accurately collect thisimportant scientific data.” The countsite was identified by recently retiredMontana Audubon executive directorSteve Hoffman in 2014.

The project, though named after onecharismatic species, collects data on all birds of prey observed from thecount site, in an effort to understandpopulation dynamics over time. Still,there are a lot of Golden Eagles thattravel through the corridor: 2,620individuals were counted last season. “It’s the biggest known Golden Eagle

Above: Rough-legged hawkRight: GEMS observers near Duck Creek Pass in the Big Belts

6 MONTANA AUDUBON

“Avian predators are sensitive to a great number of things including humandisturbance, environmentalcontaminants, development,and climate change. By observing their populationtrends, we can learn a lotabout what is happening tothe habitat out there.” –Allison Begley, Avian Conservation Biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

For more information about this project visiteaglemigration.org

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cutting, herbicides, and other controlmechanisms, a more recent tool has been the introduction of a biological agent, thesaltcedar leaf beetle (Diorhabda elongata).Although these beetles have producedhabitat concerns for the southwestern Willow Flycatcher, in Montana (which doesnot have this race of Willow Flycatcher), thebeetle may prove to be a promising control.The larvae and adult beetles feed on andremove the leaves from the salt cedar,ultimately killing the trees.

In spite of all the work to remove salt cedarthroughout Montana, this plant is tenacious:in southeastern Montana the infestations are entrenched and may be almost impossibleto remove.

Working TogetherWith guidance from the proverb “manyhands make light work,” this OctoberMontana Audubon is bringing togetherpractitioners from throughout the state whoare working to control Russian olive and saltcedar. Our plan is to develop a path forwardthat will increase the success of projectsdesigned to eradicate these invasive treesalong our waterways. We don’t know wherethis journey will take us—but we do knowthat our stream and river habitats, and thewildlife that depends upon them, require help to be successful.

This project is part of Montana Audubon’sRiver Initiative.

Almost everyone in Montana, especially eastof the divide, knows the silvery-green leavesof the Russian olive tree and the gray-green,scaly leaves of salt cedar (also known astamarisk). These trees decorate yards in our communities—but over time they havebecome invasive, especially along ourwaterbodies. Their transition from valuedornamental plants to invasive species reflectsa shift in our understanding of how plantsinteract with natural systems and what thatmeans long-term.

Russian oliveRussian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) wasintroduced into the Great Plains sometime in the early 1900s. This plant occurs as ashrub or a tree. Originally it was used as anornamental in neighborhoods or a shelterbelttree to block the wind around homesteads.Its ability to grow in areas with little waterand saline or alkali soils made it popular: it was planted throughout the plains andintermountain west where it expandedrapidly. It has even been touted as a foodsource for wildlife species.

Because it had no natural predators in North America, Russian olive beganoutcompeting native vegetation especiallyalong watercourses in cottonwood/willowecosystems. It has completely overtaken someriverside areas in Montana, particularly alongthe Yellowstone, Musselshell, and MissouriRivers. While small amounts of Russian olivecan be beneficial for some wildlife species,near-monocultures that inevitably emerge arehighly detrimental. Gradual displacement ofnative floodplain forests by Russian olive hasbeen documented to result in loss of habitatfor cavity-nesting and insect-eating birds.

Many government agencies and landownersworry that Russian olive has overstayed itswelcome, especially along our waterways.Eradication efforts have been ongoing for a number of years, particularly along the Marias and Yellowstone drainages.

Several Montana counties, includingTreasure and Powder River, have declaredRussian olive a noxious weed. In 2010,Montana Audubon and the Montana NativePlant Society successfully prohibited the sale of these invasive plants statewide.

Salt CedarSalt Cedar (Tamarix spp.) was also introducedin North America sometime in the early1800s as an ornamental tree. It also was usedfor erosion control and in shelterbelts. Theseplants have steadily spread, particularlythroughout the southwestern United Statesand Mexico—with extensive infestationsfound in the Pacific Northwest, includingMontana.

Salt Cedar can live in various environments,but thrives particularly along streams,floodplains, and in wetlands. It has beenconsidered invasive—and a noxious weed—since 2000 in Montana. These small treeswere first established around 1960 on theYellowstone and Big Horn Rivers. They havesince been found scattered around the state,primarily along the Yellowstone, Big Horn,and Powder Rivers. In addition, salt cedar are abundant at Fort Peck Reservoir.

There have been extensive efforts to removesalt cedar. In addition to using mechanical

RIVER INITIATIVE UPDATE

FROM VALUED TREES TO INVASIVE SPECIES

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Gradual displacement of native floodplain forests by Russian olive results in loss of habitat for cavity-nesting birds. Above: Marias River. left: American Kestrel

Salt Cedar

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Montana Audubon is bringing together practitioners from throughout the state who are working to control Russian olive and salt cedar.

Becky Kington

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Citizen Science: Eyes andEars on the Landscape

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The Lake County Conservation District(LCCD), a local government bodycentered in the Mission Valley, voted inSeptember to continue its push for theMontana Department of NaturalResources and Conservation (DNRC) toassume management of about 60,000 acresof Flathead National Forest; an actioncalled the Swan Forest Initiative. Underthe proposal, DNRC would be asked tomanage commercial timber projects for the LCCD—even though the DNRClegally cannot and does not wish totake on this project.

Transferring management of federal land(owned by all Americans) to financiallybenefit a particular county governmentwould be a dramatic policy change in thiscountry. Consequently, a CongressionalAct must pass before this ‘take over’ could happen.

Montana Audubon and otherconservation organizations are working to try to prevent this issue fromproceeding. To keep up-to-date on thisand other conservation issues, sign up for our alert program on our website:mtaudubon.org

During spring and summer,groundwork was laid for a number ofcitizen science projects to betterunderstand the conservation status of“Species of Greatest Inventory Need”.These are defined by the MontanaNatural Heritage Program as organisms in need of population data across theirrange, to make an accurate determinationof conservation status. Only repeated,standardized surveys, using establishedand field-tested survey protocols arerobust enough to provide this data. With a state as big as ours, it takes manyeyes, ears, and “boots on the ground” toaccomplish this task, as well as a manyhours establishing the protocol, designingdata sheets, and understanding thebiology of each study species beforeentering its habitat.

While Montana Audubon annually leadsvolunteer projects on many diverse birdspecies, we took this year’s efforts to ahigher level, with in-person field trainingby professionals.

Our most concerted effort was establishinga baseline range for the Black Swift(Cypseloides niger) in Montana, increasingthe number of known nesting coloniesfrom about 17 at the beginning of theseason, to approximately 35 as of thiswriting. Twenty-six individuals rangingfrom agency personnel to seasonaltechnicians and volunteers, participatedin trainings in both Glacier National Parkand at Holland Lake. Hours were spentworking through survey details andtechniques, and generally interacting toget a collective feel for habitatcharacteristics. Each of the highlynuanced habitat aspects of a Black Swift’snesting waterfall is “scored” with

standardization of data being the goal, andscores later applied to sites in the field.

Understanding more about each of these species and the threats they faceenable conservationists to advocate forbetter management. The value of theinformation collected is shared bypartners and others around the stateespecially via the Montana NaturalHeritage Program that assigns a specie’sconservation status. Partnerships domuch of the behind the scenes work, butthe whole effort only happens if dedicatedpeople step up and engage. We’re happyto report that many did so in 2017!Support came from partnerships with The Glacier National Park Conservancy,Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, smallfoundations and committed individuals.

Montana Audubon will hit the groundrunning in 2018 with projects for Rosy-finches, Chimney Swifts, Black Swifts,cuckoos and others planned. As part of our River Initiative, the goal is tocontinue utilizing citizen scientists as theeyes and ears of our water-dependenthabitats from the headwaters to rivervalleys.

Please visit our website for blog posts,reports, factsheets, and how to getinvolved: mtaudubon.org

Keeping Public Lands in Public Hands—Montana Update

Horned Lark

You can enjoy a day outdoors this winter,and learn the basic birds in your area, by joining a Christmas Bird Count (CBC) near you.

These annual events have occurred continuously across the United States since 1900, and in Montana since 1908. Last year, Montana had 34 CBCs located throughout the state.

This year’s CBCs will take place between Thursday, December 14, 2017and Friday, January 5, 2018. MontanaAudubon will post locations, dates,leaders, and meeting information onits website in late November. Visit us at: mtaudubon.org

Birdwatchers of all experiencelevels welcome!

Join a Christmas Bird Count Near You!

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Wind, Fires, and Oil & GasDevelopment: What’s a Sage-Grouse to do?

Snow Geese and the Berkeley Pit

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Conservation efforts for the Greater Sage-Grouse are on a roller coaster thesedays. As you may remember, these birdshave NOT been listed for protectionunder the federal Endangered Species Act(ESA) largely because of the significantconservation efforts in 11 western statesthat are underway. Montana Audubonworks collaboratively on our state’sprogram. Our goal is to conserve thesebirds, which we believe can occur withoutprotection by the ESA.

Sage-grouse are very particular; the statedefines the bird’s habitat as consisting ofCore Areas, where approximately 76% ofMontana’s sage-grouse live on 10 millionacres, and General Habitat, where 24% of the birds can be found on 24 million acres.

The biggest cause for sage-grouse declineis habitat fragmentation: these birdsthrive in open sagebrush country withvery little development. Unfortunately,the Trump Administration is proposing toincrease fragmentation on Bureau of LandManagement (BLM) sage-grouse habitat.This is significant because in Montana theBLM owns 32% of our Sage-Grouse CoreAreas and 15% of our General Habitat.Management changes for the BLM maybring more oil and gas development and resulting disturbance, and lessscience-based management. Instead ofempirically-based habitat protection andrestoration, programs may focus on grousepopulation numbers, predator control,and captive breeding—which are notscientifically beneficial for these birds.

For more information about science-basedsage-grouse management, visit theWestern Association of Fish and Wildlifeagencies at: www.wafwa.org/initiatives/sagebrush_ecosystem_initiative/

If increased development on 20% of ourstate’s sage-grouse habitat is not enough,there are at least two proposed wind farmsthat would expand fragmentation in sage-grouse habitat. Because Montana has nowind farm regulations, wind developmentcompanies can essentially do whateverthey want, wherever they want:• The Mud Springs Wind Farm would

construct 155 turbines in a Sage-GrouseCore Area east of Red Lodge. Surveysconducted during 2015 found 18 activeGolden Eagle nests within 10 miles of the project and 13 sage-grouse breedingleks within four miles. This project mayapply for a Golden Eagle “take” permit.For more information, visit:www.fws.gov/mountainprairie/wind/Mud_Springs_Wind_Energy_Project/1.• The Clearwater Energy Wind Farm

near Forsyth would place about 200turbines in Sage-Grouse General Habitat,and punch transmission lines through aCore Area. Because this project is movingslowly, we currently do not know thepotential impacts to sage-grouse or other wildlife.

Montana’s fires also affected sage country in 2017: an estimated 358,000acres of sage-grouse habitat burned thissummer—another source of habitatfragmentation.

We are always open to your ideas on how to influence decisions on theseprojects and issues: contact Janet Ellis atjellis@mtaudubon.org or 406-443-3949.

Mass die-offs of Snow Geese—and otherbirds—in Butte’s highly toxic Berkeley Pitis unacceptable. The Pit, which has beenfilling with water since mining pumpsstopped in 1982, is now a mile in diameter.Last November, approximately 10,000Snow Geese landed there, and about 3,000 later perished. The last large die-offat the Pit was in 1995 when 342 Snow Geese were killed from contact with itscontaminated water.

As a result of the November 2016 event,Montana Resources and Atlantic Richfield(ARCO) assembled a committee taskedwith developing solutions to preventsimilar bird mortality from happening inthe future. Montana Audubon has a seatat that table; Sacajawea and YellowstoneValley Audubon are also participating. To date, the committee has maderecommendations on spring and fall 2017preventative measures. The standingcommittee will continue to evaluate on-the-ground events and scientific literatureto ensure that the companies are usingstate-of-the-art technology available toprevent future bird die-offs.

This fall, the companies will strive for earlydetection of any large bird migrationsheaded toward Butte. If such an event isdetected, many different hazing deviceswill be employed: from drone boats andaircraft to fireworks.

There is even a cannon that blasts air at200 miles per hour and lasers designed tokeep birds from stopping at the site.

In terms of preventing large-scale birdmortality, the situation at the Berkeley Pitis challenging. To begin, most hazingequipment is not effective over longdistances—and the Pit is a large, growing,toxic water body (the largest SuperfundSite in the world). Adding to thecomplexity, most birds migrate at nightand travel rather quickly (ducks and geesecommonly fly 40–50 miles per hour,making the trip from Helena to Butte injust over an hour); these facts make itdifficult to give company staff adequatewarning to prepare and deploy hazingequipment. However, this work will helpconserve birds by creating and testingstate-of-the-art hazing systems that can be used around other contaminated or dangerous industrial sites anywhere in the world.

The first test of the new 2017 hazingsystem occurred over the weekend ofSeptember 22, when 1,100 coots, grebes,and Ruddy Ducks landed on the Pit—butwere successfully hazed off before theycould be negatively affected by thewater. In addition, we want to thankvolunteer Gary Swant for teachingidentification classes to company staff so that birds at the Pit are more accurately recorded.

FALL 2017 13

Above: Mitigation systems to protect migratory birds are being established at Butte’s toxic Berkeley Pit.

Left: Snow Geese take off by the thousands at Freezeout Lake.

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14 MONTANA AUDUBON

Fall is a fantastic time at theMontana Audubon Center.Asters and sage are in bloom,cottonwoods and cattails changecolor, and our share of migratingbirds pass through, like pied-billed grebes, Wilson’s warblersand coots.Our programs also see a big change, moving fromsummer camps and familyprograms to field trips andpreschool. Many of our summervisitors are surprised to hearthat our programs operate year-round, but in fact, fall andspring are just as busy assummer, and winter isn’t farbehind.

From the beginning of our programs in2008, the Center made it a priority toprovide opportunities for all students andfamilies to connect with nature. Outdoorexperiences are critical for childdevelopment, and can be particularlybeneficial for those who lack opportunitiesin many areas—low-income, minority, kidswith differing abilities, and other at-riskpopulations. Those same children,however, often have less access to theoutdoors than their peers. MontanaAudubon Center programs are frequentlythe first or only intentional outdoorexperiences for many of our participants,and much of our work is designedspecifically to reach these populations.

In our Audubon Naturalists in the Schools(ANTS) program, 86% of particpatingschools qualify as Title I schools, that is,those with the highest percentages ofethnic minorities, including NativeAmerican students. The core of ANTSstarted with the schools on Billings’ SouthSide, which has the highest number ofunderserved students. In our public and

family programs, we provide $10,000 in financial assistance to those individualsand families who could not otherwiseparticipate.

Representing and honoring the culturaldiversity of our community is also a highpriority for the Center. South CentralMontana is home to two IndianReservations, the Crow and NorthernCheyenne, and there is a significant NativeAmerican population in Billings. In ourANTS program, education related toculture is fully integrated in all lessons. Wework closely with the Indian Educationoffice in the Billings School District toensure culturally-appropriate programming,and the ANTS program was featured atthe 2017 Indian Education for All BestPractices Conference. This work hasexpanded to the high school level as well,in our hosting of cultural presenters fromboth the Crow and Northern Cheyennetribes in an ethnobotany-focused field tripfor the Environmental Science students atall three Billings public high schools, nowplanned for a second year.

Outreach to diverse populations is alsoreflected in our LINKS (LeadershipInstitute for Nature, Kids, andStewardship) program and in ourwork with students with physical anddevelopmental disabilities. LINKSprovides mentor development trainingfor local high school students, who thenpartner with after-school students fromFriendship House in Billings for outdooreducation and exploration on-site at theCenter. Friendship House programswork directly with underserved and low-income students and families in theBillings area, and the LINKS program is,through sponsorship and grant funding,provided free to participants.

In addition, our Shepard Nature PlaySpace is specifically designed to beADA-compliant, ensuring thatindividuals with mobility assistanceneeds have a safe place to playoutside. Students in the schools wework with who have disabilities arefull participants in our field tripprograms, whether following the trailto the river or canoeing in our ponds. In recent years, we have welcomedchildren from Eagle Mount Billings,which enhances the lives of individualswith disabilities through recreation. The Montana Audubon Center also has dedicated groups of volunteers fromCOR Enterprises and from Billings WestHigh Special Education, who havecontributed immeasurably to ourrestoration program in the last year.

During a recent roundtable, one ofour program staff said, “It is so greatto be employed by an organization thatworks with people of all abilities socomfortably.” The Montana AudubonCenter continually strives to includeall people, regardless of background orability, in our nature-connectionprograms. To learn more, visitmtaudubon.org/center.

Diversity and Inclusionin EnvironmentalEducation

MONTANA AUDUBONCENTER STAFF UPDATES

Our team of teacher-naturalists at the Center,along with our restoration specialist and supportstaff, are key to the strength of our programs.Three of these staff have recently taken onadditional leadership roles at the Center :

Heather Bilden is a familiarface to many at the MontanaAudubon Center. She servedas its first Education Directorfrom 2007–2013 beforemoving north to Lavina tohelp run the family ranch. Shereturned to the Center part-

time as a Teacher Naturalist in2016, helping out with our Fledglings

Preschool and the LINKS program, and has nowmoved into managing our public and familyprograms and teaching the Master Naturalistadult education course. She has a Master’s inEducation degree from MSU-Billings, with hergraduate residency at the Teton Science Schoolsin Wyoming. Heather firmly believes that natureprovides an endless educational opportunity forthe curious minds and active bodies of youth.

Alina Garner comes to Billingsfrom Walla Walla Washington,having worked in a variety ofoutdoor education positions in the Pacific Northwest since 2012. She has anundergraduate degree inBiology from Whitworth

University. She has a passion foroutdoor activities, with a particular

interest in fly fishing, a pursuit well suited to hernew home in Montana. In her expanded role, sheis coordinating the ANTS school program andoften lends her keen artistic eye to projects atthe Center.

Hannah Finch has worked atthe Center for a year and half,beginning work on our 2016summer camp staff. Herimmediate past position wasat the Rock Eagle 4-H Centerin Eatonton, Georgia, in schoolprograms similar to those we

provide here in Billings. Hannahis particularly knowledgeable about

raptors, having worked with live birds at theGeorge Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center at the University of Oklahoma. Hannah is nowleading our Out-School programming, includingsummer and break camps.

Representing and honoring the cultural diversity of our community is a high priority for the Center.

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Growing up in a city just across the riverfrom Boston, exposure to nature was not a large part of Bernie McHugh’s day-to-day life. “Although I loved animals, I wascompletely a city kid and literally thoughtall the wildlife left in the world was inAlaska or Africa. I never saw anythingwilder than suburban woodlots because I never traveled outside southern NewEngland until I was in my thirties.” By thattime, he was well into his long associationwith W.J. Grosvenor & Company, a flooringand tool distributor that he’d worked withsince 1975. But despite coming from abackground with virtually no formativeoutdoor experiences or awareness, he quicklyturned a corner when he met his wife-to-be,Frances Clark. “I married a botanist” he said,“and had to find something to do outside.”

Bernie’s story demonstrates that although hegrew up without an outdoor family culture, itwas still very possible to develop a passionfor nature and wildlife later in life, throughcontact with enthusiastic birders. “Francesand I spent a number of our early yearstogether participating in MassachusettsAudubon classes, workshops and outings anda lot of time in the field. Great MeadowsNational Wildlife Refuge was a favoritehaunt of ours.” He asserts that spotting hisfirst Wood Duck in 1984 is what quickly ledhim to the world of birding. From there, likemany people, a commitment to wildlife andhabitat conservation soon followed.

From 1999–2011, he served as theCoordinator for the Massachusetts LandTrust Coalition, an association of over 100 land and wildlife conservation groupsdedicated to promoting land protection, andfrom 2006–2008, he concurrently served asCitizen Education Coordinator for theEnvironmental League of Massachusetts.Frances’ longstanding connection to JacksonHole, as well as the couple’s many trips tothe Yellowstone region and Bernie’s supportfor the Yellowstone to Yukon conservationinitiative, made the area a natural choice for them when deciding to “unplug from the East.” They have resided in Wilson,Wyoming since 2011. Bernie came intocontact with Montana Audubon during the organization’s bird festival in Glasgow,Montana, that same year. “I reallyappreciated the culture of the organizationand was encouraged to join the board, whichI eventually did in 2015 after wrapping upseveral other nonprofit commitments.”

Now serving as Secretary on the ExecutiveCommittee of Montana Audubon, his visionfor the future is plain: to strengthen theorganization’s ability to perform on-the-ground bird conservation projects. “MontanaAudubon is the only organization that usesthe tools of conservation science, policy, andeducation to protect the remarkable diversitythat exists in our region. And we have to acttoday because extinct is forever.”

Board Profile

Bernie McHugh

Serving as Secretary on theExecutive Committee of MontanaAudubon, Bernie’s vision for thefuture is plain: to strengthen theorganization’s ability to performon-the-ground bird conservationprojects.

16 MONTANA AUDUBON

As seasonal change is upon us in thenatural world, we also have changes withinthe Board of Directors. The election at ourrecent board meeting resulted in Rachel VanWingen (Ennis) as president, Joe Batts(Lakeside) as vice-president, BernieMcHugh (Wilson, WY) as secretary, andretaining Ron Farmer (Bozeman) astreasurer. We are very appreciative of theexceptional commitment these four officersare making in their leadership roles.

Special thanks to Cary Lund and FredWeisbecker for their many years of serviceas officers—we are pleased that they bothhave chosen to remain on the board as at-large members. We extend a welcome toCatherine Goodman, who will serve asFive Valleys Audubon Chapter alternate.

We are bidding adieu to two long-time boardmembers, Judy Tureck and Bob Martinka.Bob has been an active and dedicated Boardmember, having served as the Last ChanceAudubon Chapter delegate as well as an at-large member over his 12-year tenure.

He participated in multiple committees, led numerous tours, and donated thestunning photographs seen on mosteverything Montana Audubon publishes. His infectious curiosity of the natural worldhas been a welcome delight.

Judy has also devoted many years to ourboard. Her deep conservation ethic manifestsitself in she and her husband Hugo’sstewardship and commitment to their ranchnear Stanford, Montana. They have devotedtheir lives to enhancing the quality of itsnatural habitat as much as possible whilebalancing with agricultural production. Her representation on the board provided anagricultural perspective that is an importantpart of bird conservation across the state. We thank them both for their dedication and support for the conservation cause in Montana.

FALL 2017 17

Rebecca HamilnShane SaterCarol WilburnDanny StarkBoo Curry

Jeff Van Tine Jesse DevoeBen TurnockAlissa AndersonKaitlyn Farrar

Jill DaviesAustin RiceChristine PetersonWeston RoemmichMatthew Keefer

Gerard ByrdLoretta ByrdJack TorielloJessica Swanson

Center Volunteers

Special thanks to ourcommunity partners,especially the YellowstoneRiver Parks Association,without whose supportand collaboration theCenter would not exist.Also a big thanks to the Yellowstone ValleyAudubon Society for their continuedcommitment to ourshared goals.

Advisory CouncilJohn MillerShari DaytonMarian Lyman KirstLucinda ButlerGordon LemmelDonald SeibertLara GuercioDon Roberts, Montana Audubon Board

Bob Mackin, Yellowstone River Parks Association

Sheila McKay, Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society

Megan Poulette, Rocky Mountain CollegeSusan Gilbertz, MSU-Billings

Volunteers and InternsTheodore HamptonChuck WardJohn SpencerRon SmithBruce LarsenNorm SchoenthalKen ReiterHarold SilkwoodDeb Magilke

These Montana Audubon volunteers have offered time, expertise, passion, elbow grease, advice, and a sense of humor as they’ve helped with recent events, projects, programs, and more. Thank you!

Star Volunteers

Board Members’Comings andGoings

Northern Flicker

Bob Martin

ka

Bernie M

cHugh

18 MONTANA AUDUBON

Montana Audubon recognized the followingoutstanding entities and individuals duringour Bird Festival in Great Falls:

The Montana Natural HeritageProgram received our Conservationist ofthe Year Award for the critical role they play in wildlife and ecosystem information inthe state of Montana. Many governmentagencies and private consulting firms use thisinformation to better understand the impactsof development projects on our naturalenvironment. The bird data is especiallyimportant for Montana Audubon. Learnmore at their website: mtnhp.org

Beth Hill received our LifetimeAchievement Award for her countless hours of volunteer work over many years for the Upper Missouri Breaks Audubonchapter. Beth has served the chapter in manyroles (President, Treasurer, MembershipChair, Newsletter Editor, and EducationChair). She has also been involved inactivities like field trips, the annual GreatBackyard Bird Count, by submitting bird

sightings to theHeritage Program,and more.Volunteers likeBeth helpAudubon chaptersrun smoothly!

Gail Englerreceived anOutstandingAchievement Awardfor her tireless workand dedicationtoward establishing a permanent endowment fund for Montana Audubon that honors her parents, George and LaureneEngler. Both parents were deeply involvedwith conservation issues, especially in theGreat Falls area and Rocky Mountain Front.To learn more about George and Laurene,

and the memorial fund in their honor, visitmtaudubon.org/support/our-endowments/.

We also recognized Chuck and JeanCarlson with an Outstanding AchievementAward for their lifelong devotion to birds.Their achievements include running the Fort Peck Christmas Bird Count for 40 years,submitting thousands of records to eBird and the Montana Natural Heritage Program,as well as playing a pivotal role in birdmonitoring and conservation in northeastMontana. Sadly, Chuck passed away inAugust. See adjoining memorial article.

Save the Date!

June 8-10, 2018 in Kalispell

Plan on joining us for our 18th annual bird festival at the Kalispell’s Red Lion Hotelnext June! Montana Audubon and Flathead Audubon are already laying plans foranother fun, bird-centric event! Check mtaudubon.org for festival updates in the coming weeks!

Each year Montana Audubon awards small grants from the Audubon Wildlife Fund of Montana, a permanent endowment.

Projects that were funded in 2017 included a citizen science study onoverwintering eagles in the Bitterroot Valley, a project with high school andcollege students that will identify nocturnal bird calls, and two others thatdeveloped curriculum for elementary students using birds as a hook.

The application deadline for next year is December 14, 2017.For information and a grant application, visit

mtaudubon.org/about/wildlifegrants/

Chuck and Jean Carlson, left, with Montana Audubon’s Janet Ellis

Gail Engler, left, with MontanaAudubon’s Norane Freistadt

Beth Hill

Congratulations to our2017 Award Winners

Wildlife Grants Available

Montana Audubon would like to take this opportunity to mark the passing ofpioneering bird advocate Chuck Carlson,who died at the age of 81 on August 28, 2017.

Chuck and his wife Jean moved toFort Peck, Montana in 1965, wherehe worked for the Bureau ofReclamation. They would live inthe community for over 50 years,contributing tremendously tothe understanding of birdpopulations in east-central Montana. A few of Chuck’s manyaccomplishmentsinclude: maintainingthe Fort PeckChristmas Bird

Count for nearly four decades; submission of over 6,500 bird records to the MontanaNatural Heritage Program; entering an astonishing 27,000-plus records(accumulated over fifty years) into the publiceBird platform; serving on the MontanaRare birds committee for many yearsand as Secretary on the MontanaAudubon board from 1992-2003.

Chuck’s warm nature,commitment to educationand conservation of birdsand habitat in Montanawill be deeply missed.He is survived by his wife Jean, sonJohn and daughtersChris and Cathy.

IN MEMORIUM: CHUCK CARLSON

FALL 2017 19

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit #144

Helena MT

PO Box 595

Helena, MT 59624

Where’s the envelope?

In this issue, you may have noticed the absence of a small remittance envelope that was regularlyincluded in our print newsletters over the yearsas another way for members to support Montana Audubon.

In an effort to streamline the organization (andsave resources) we’d like to take this opportunityto direct your desire to support us by visiting ourwebsite.While there, you can also explore ourNews page for current happenings and events,join our Online Network to receive timelyconservation alerts and learn more about ourPublic Policy, Science and Education programs.

Visit us today at mtaudubon.org