The 2023 Wildlife Speaker Series Is Going to be EPIC!!
9 topics, 9 locations, 9 opportunities to learn something amazing!
(In case you need a Beatles-inspired homage to the number 9, here you go)
The 2023 Wildlife Speaker Series is going to be amazing with 9 presentations around southwest Montana. The dates and times are evolving, but here’s what we know so far:
Date: June 7, the Madison-Jefferson MSU Extension Agency will host a presentation on Feral Swine at the Whitehall Community Center (11 North Division St., Whitehall, MT). MSU Extension Wildlife Specialist, Dr. Jared Beaver, will share updates on the imminent threat these invasive creatures pose. There will be an ice cream social at 5:30, and the presentation will be at 6:00.
Date: June 14…The Big Hole Watershed Committee sponsors a presentation on Macroinvertebrates. There will be a potluck dinner at the Melrose Bar. Speaker will be Teal Taylor (that’s in flux as of 3/13/23….but we are pretty confident) from the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program. There will be a potluck dinner starting at 6:00 with the main course provided, and the presentation will follow.
Date: June 28, 6:00 Potluck meal with main dish provided, and 7:00 Presentation…the Centennial Valley Association will sponsor a presentation on Mountain Lions at the Taft/Nicholson Center in Lima (27700 S. Valley Rd., Lima, MT–in the Centennial Valley). Jim Williams, formerly with FWP and now with the Heart of the Rockies Initiative, will present.
Date: July 8, 6:00 social time with snacks and beer from Burnt Tree Brewing, and 7:00 presentation. The Jack Creek Preserve will host a presentation on Osprey with Marco Restani from Northwestern Energy presenting. Location is Jack Creek Preserve’s Outdoor Education Center, located at 1206 Jack Creek Rd., Ennis, MT.
Date: On July 20, starting at 5:30 with a BBQ dinner provided, and with a presentation starting at 6:30, the Ruby Valley Conservation District & Watershed Council will host a presentation on Grizzly Bears. Cecily Costello, PhD, from Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks will provide a presentation on these interesting wildlife neighbors.
Date: July 27.…Join Beaverhead Watershed Committee at 5:30 for a meal and then at 6:30 for a presentation on Whitetail Deer and Chronic Wasting Disease at the in Dillon Depot Theater. Speakers will be Austin Wieseler and John Miller with MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Date: August 9, the Ruby Habitat Foundation will host a presentation on Raptors and Lead. Join us for a BBQ meal & Potluck (BBQ provided, free…please bring a side dish or dessert) at 5:30 and a presentation by Kate Stone and Mike McTee from the MPG Ranch in the Bitterroot for a discussion of raptors, their movement patterns, and the impact of spent ammunition on their relative health.
Date: August 16, the Madison Valley Conservation District will host a presentation on Mountain Goats with Julie Cunningham presenting. This will be in the Madison Theater (115 West Main St., Ennis, MT). There will be pizza (FREE!) and beer, wine, and popcorn will be available for purchase from The Alley Bistro in Ennis. 5:30 food, 6:00Presentation.
+++++++++++++++++
Most of these events will mix food with learning by providing a meal or some type of refreshment during the event.
++++++++++++++++
The mission and vision of the Wildlife Speaker Series of SW Montana is as follows
•Mission: To provide free, fun, unbiased and fact-based presentations educating the public about wildlife of SW Montana and the issues facing these animals. These events are organized and sponsored by a collaborative of local, conservation-oriented groups.
•Vision: We will educate and inspire people to care more about local wildlife and the ecosystems we share with them.
Your donations of financial support are very much appreciated and can be made by clicking here.
+++++++++++++++++
We are all proud to host these events which provide both educational and inspirational content. And, we could not do this alone. We appreciate your financial support, and wish to recognize those outside our groups who have supported us. These include:
