Montana Audubon - who we are
Montana Audubon Staff
Steve Hoffman, Executive Director, has 28 years of professional experience in wildlife conservation and nonprofit administration. Steve earned a Master’s degree in Wildlife Ecology from Utah State University (1979). After 10 years of government service (US Bureau of Land Management & US Fish & Wildlife Service) as a wildlife biologist in the Southwest, Steve founded HawkWatch International (HWI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to raptor conservation. After 12 years as Executive Director of HWI, Steve became the State Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon Pennsylvania. In 2004 Steve moved to Bozeman, Montana, to serve as the Executive Director of Predator Conservation Alliance. Steve was hired by Montana Audubon in December 2006.
Janet Ellis, Program Director, has coordinated Montana Audubon’s legislative and public policy work on behalf of Montana’s wildlife and wildlife habitat since 1983. She became Program Director when the office opened on a full-time, year-round basis in 1989. Previously, Janet was a ranger and naturalist for Yellowstone and Zion National Parks, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park. She has received several awards for her work, including “Conservationist of the Year” from the Montana Environmental Information Center, Montana Wildlife Federation, and Montana Audubon. She holds a degree in biology from the University of Montana. Janet lives in Helena with her husband and son.
Paul Belanger, Director of Education, is based out of the Bitterroot Valley in Western Montana. Paul believes that connecting people and communities to Montana's rich natural and cultural heritage is fundamental to building a culture of conservation. Paul completed a one-year graduate program in the Professional Residency in Environmental Education (PREE) program of the Teton Science School located in Kelly, Wyoming, received his M.S. in Science Education from the University of Montana Environmental Studies program, and graduated from Denison University with a B.A. in Biology. When not working, Paul enjoys hunting, fishing, skiing, and spending time with his family.
Amy Cilimburg, Global Warming Outreach Coordinator, began with Montana Audubon in August 2007. She works to educate and inspire action around issues related to climate change, birds, wildlife, and energy both here in Montana and nationally. Amy works closely with Janet Ellis on these policy issues. She currently splits her time between Montana Audubon and her work as Assistant Director of the University of Montana's Avian Science Center. She received a M.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana in 2001. Prior to this she spent 10 years teaching with the National Outdoor Leadership School both around the west and internationally. She lives and strives to reduce her carbon footprint in Missoula with her husband and young daughter.
Sandy McIntyre, Office Manager, has 25 years of experience with progressive national, state and local non-profit organizations in staff, volunteer, board and consultant capacities. Her activist career, consulting and volunteer endeavors have entailed working with environmental issues, the elderly, human rights, recreational therapy for disabled children, the arts, and a local humane society. She graduated with honors from Montana State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, with a natural resources emphasis. After living and playing in the Gallatin Valley for 30 years, Sandy recently moved to Helena. Her hobbies include fly fishing, writing, reading and gardening.