Audubon's annual Bird Festival -- Wings Across the Big sky
Our June 2009 festival was a smashing success. We plan to post photos soon.
Check out our friend Bob Martinka's blog on the festival HERE >>.
Montana Audubon and the Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon Chapter celebrated Montana’s diverse birds, wildlife, habitat and communities at our annual festival. This year we met in Great Falls -- and the rain didn't dampen our spirits a bit!
Next year's festival will be June 4 - 6, 2010 -- Missoula & Surrounding Areas.
_____________
2009 DETAILS from the Great Falls festival:
BROCHURE: A copy of the brochure can be downloaded HERE >>. Feel free to call the office if you would like a brochure mailed to you (406.443.3949).
REGISTRATION is closed...
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
FRIDAY
Vince Yannone. Montana Wildlife. Vince is a biologist, researcher, and educator who has worked with Montana wildlife for over 30 years. He began Yannone Wildlife Communications and has appeared on Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. Vince rehabilitates injured and orphaned animals at the Montana Wildlife Shelter. Friday evening will feature Vince sharing his story with live birds.
SATURDAY
David Allen Sibley. Birding and Art. The Process of Creating the Field Guide. David Allen Sibley is a renowned American ornithologist. He is the author and illustrator of The Sibley Guide to Birds. David began seriously watching and drawing birds at age seven. He has written and illustrated articles on bird identification for many prestigious bird publications and books. He will tell his story during a lunch-time talk with a book signing after.
Alan Nelson. Places I've Been and Birds that I've Seen.
Alan Nelson combines the eye of anartist with the training of a scientist. His photos have appeared in Time-Life books, Ranger Rick, Time Magazine, Audubon Magazine & field guides, National Geographic books, Montana Outdoors Magazine and many other publications. He will share his slides at the Saturday evening banquet.
Senator Jon Tester. Senator Tester was elected to the U.S. Senate in
2006 after a long history of public service in the Big Sky State. Senator Tester serves on many Senate committees including Appropriations. He also runs an organic farm in Big Sandy, Montana. He is now confirmed for a Saturday evening keynote address!
back to top
FIELD TRIPS: Wow! We have an amazing line-up of field trips, many that are family-oriented. The biggest problem will undoubtedly be deciding which trips to join. Trips leave early (times vary) Saturday and Sunday mornings. Read all about them HERE >> (pdf).
TALKS: Saturday afternoon's seminars promise a wide-variety of stimulating conversations about birds, wildlife and conservation. We will run three concurrent tracks of talks from 1:30-4:30 pm. Read about presenters and topics HERE >>.
LODGING: Festival Headquarters & Lodging -- Holiday Inn, 400 10th Ave S # 1.Great Falls, Montana.
For Hotel Reservations Call 1 800-257-1998 (let them know you are with the Montana Audubon Festival).
Visit the Great Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau for other information on Great Falls including camping, transportation, attractions and more.
back to top
GREENING the festival & carbon footprint offsets: We are working to create a climate-friendly event. Help us by considering your carbon footprint. Optins include:
Offset your carbon emissions through the non-profit CarbonFund. Use the "event" page, add up the miles travelled to and from the festival. It's easy. It's not much money. It's all HERE >>
Carpool. Call up your friends, work with your friends, and local chapter. We have also set up a special service with "PickupPal" so you can link to others attending. Check it out HERE >>
Donate to Montana Audubon's Global Warming program so we can help make the changes we need to reduce emissions at home and across the world. Use your registration form!
We'll post other ideas we have to make this gathering green. Of course, bring your own coffee mug and refillable water bottle!
T-Shirts: 2009 Bird Festival T-Shirts are available in Men's and Women's sizes S-XL. The shirts are natural in color, made of organic cotton and will feature the logo below. Order now (on your registration form)!
For more information about the festival, contact mtaudubon@mtaudubon.org or call or write: (406) 443-3949, Montana Audubon, P.O. Box 595, Helena, MT 59624.
Bluebird Celebration: The Mountain Bluebird Trails 35th Anniversary Celebration will be held the next weekend in Great Falls (June 12-14). For more on this event visit www.mountainbluebirdtrails.com or download their brochure (6.38 mb) HERE>> .
For a GREAT list of things to do in between these two festivals click HERE >>.
back to top