Inhabiting the Nexus of Wildlife Science, Policy and Conservation

As biologists, we have charismatic wildlife species, trials and tribulations from the field, data, and, hopefully, valuable conclusions. What is our role in connecting our work to conservation and policy issues and to the larger community? What and how can our scientific findings influence policy at the local, state, or federal level? In these times of climate disruption, dispassionate reiteration of our research makes less impact than revealing our research findings via a good story and message. For the past five years with Montana Audubon, Amy has worked at the nexus of climate policy, ornithology, wildlife conservation, and community organizing. She will share some best practices for climate communications, gleaned from the experts, so that different audiences (public lecture participants, cocktail party goers, skeptical uncles, newspaper readers, etc.) can take something away and be part of the solution. Citizen scientists, Black Swifts, and Corvids combine to provide examples of communicating wildlife science, climate impacts, and inspiring action and optimism

Citizen Scientists add to our Understanding of Bird Populations and Status Across Montana

Montana Audubon, our partners, Audubon Chapter members, and bird enthusiasts across the state are increasingly involved in contributing time and talents to understanding bird populations, habitat associations, and trends. Birders contribute sightings to eBird or Tracker, reporting their observations from field excursions and their backyards. This information helps inform Montana Species of Concern listings and influences bird conservation and science priorities in the state and beyond. Montana Audubon also encourages citizen monitoring projects for single species and guilds, from Black Swifts to Golden Eagles. We are now home to the greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Adopt-a-Lek program which coordinates citizen scientists to monitor sage-grouse on over 50 breeding leks across Montana every spring. Finally, our Audubon chapters adopt and monitor Important Bird Areas across the state in order to conserve species of conservation concern and their habitats. Find out more about these volunteer efforts

Citizen Scientists add to Our Understanding of Bird Populations and Status Across Montana

Montana Audubon, our partners, Audubon Chapter members, and bird enthusiasts across the state are increasingly involved in contributing time and talents to understanding bird populations, habitat associations, and trends. Birders contribute sightings to eBird or Tracker, reporting their observations from field excursions and their backyards. This information helps inform Montana Species of Concern listings and influences bird conservation and science priorities in the state and beyond. Montana Audubon also encourages citizen monitoring projects for single species and guilds, from Black Swifts to nightjars. We are now home to the Greater Sage-grouse Adopt-a-Lek program which coordinates citizen scientists to monitor sage-grouse on over 50 breeding leks across Montana every spring. Finally, our Audubon chapters adopt and monitor Important Bird Areas across the state in order to conserve species of conservation concern and their habitats. Find out more about all these volunteer efforts

Conserving Montana’s Birds And Their Habitats Through Partnerships

The Montana Bird Conservation Partnership is a consortium of representatives from state, tribal, and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and individuals who are dedicated to conserving birds and their habitats in Montana. Our goals are to work collaboratively to keep common birds common and to conserve, protect and restore sensitive species and habitats. We work to recognize the social and economic value of birds to the people of Montana. We also use the best available science to identify conservation opportunities. Over 300 species of birds regularly breed, winter, or migrate through Montana. Of these, 82 are considered to have sensitive or at-risk populations. Montana’s birds are threatened by habitat loss stemming from changing land use practices and energy and subdivision development. Global climate change may exacerbate these threats. We will present current Montana Bird Conservation Partnership projects, our action plan, focal species initiatives, and examples of successful conservation-in-action projects. Find out how you and/ or your organization can get involved at the local or state level. Learn more about the most exciting and forward-thinking bird partnership in the region

February 27: Sustainable Energy and Efficiency

This lecture panel included the following presenters. Presentation slides are linked at the bottom of this record. University of Montana Environmental Studies: Vicki Watson (introductory remarks) University of Montana Climate Change Studies: Peter McDonough (moderator) Sunrise Movement/350 Montana: Dan Carlino Montana Renewable Energy Association: Andrew Valanais Climate Smart Missoula: Amy Cilimburg Sierra Club: Caitlin Piserchi