Montana Audubon - who we are
Montana Audubon Annual awards
“Over the fruitful earth and across the sea goes the bright gleam of noble deeds.” (Pindar)
Each year Montana Audubon proudly recognizes select individuals (or groups) for their special achievements for birds, other wildlife, and their habitats. Valuable wildlife and habitat conservation is often the result of two things—a person’s passion for wildlife and their committed action.
These awards were presented at our annual Bird Festival in Missoula. Please join us in recognizing these individuals and groups for their excellent work:
- Lifetime Achievement Award ~ Jim Brown
- Educators of the Year ~ Sue Reel & Dick Hutto
- Conservationist of the Year ~ Dr. Steve Running
- Special Achievement Award - The Bitterroot Audubon Chapter - Important Bird Area
Jim Brown ~ Lifetime Achievement Award.
We honor Jim for his efforts as a long-time supporter of Five Valleys Audubon, Montana Audubon, Five Valleys Land Trust, and other local and statewide conservation organizations to which he provides enthusiasm and wise counsel. His background as a professional researcher, knowledge of local flora and fauna, understanding of land management practices, and generosity in sharing that expertise have led to many conservation achievements. Jim has been the key player in identifying and protecting the Clark Fork River-Grass Valley Important Bird Area (IBA), where nearly 1000 acres are protected by conservation easements. An unparalleled coalition-builder, Jim spends hundreds of hours educating landowners and county planners about the importance of these lands for birds. The volunteer bird surveys Jim organizes and conducts are critical in securing funding for conservation easements as well as to the scientific integrity of the IBA.
As a Board member of Montana Audubon, Five Valleys Audubon (including past president), and Five Valleys Land Trust, Jim has tirelessly shared his professional knowledge and sincere commitment to conservation. Jim is willing to pitch in, no matter the task. Jim has always maintained an inspiring vision towards the future as well as an ability to see the bigger picture. But perhaps his greatest contribution has to do with his calm, unassuming manner and enduring optimism about what can be accomplished. We honor Jim because of his life-long work for wildlife and wild places. Montana is a much better place for all of us because of Jim.
Dick Hutto & Sue Reel ~ Educators of the Year.
We presented this year’s award to two individuals who have connected people of all ages to birds and science, each in their own right and as a dynamic duo who often educate as a team.
Dr. Dick Hutto is recognized for his many years of lively wildlife educational efforts. Since 1977 when Dick began his professional career with the University of Montana’s Biology Department, he has turned many–students and retirees alike – on to the wonders of birds, ecological disturbance, and science as a way of understanding the natural world. He has taught Ornithology to thousands, and it’s not uncommon to hear students say “I was going to study fish until I took Hutto’s class”. These students are scattered across Montana and the country, many working as wildlife biologists or educators, passing on his enthusiasm for birds, ecology and science. Five years ago Dick established the Avian Science Center with the mission of using his research to reach and educate a broader public. Dick has built his career around helping to explain ecology to land managers, teachers, and curious Montanans.
We honor Dick’s enthusiasm to teach beyond the classroom walls… As Dick is fond of saying, ’Birds have a lot to tell us about land stewardship, and all we have to do is listen…’, and then he whistles your favorite bird song, and you wonder how that bird got in.
Sue Reel is a biologist in her own right who has made educating everyone – kids and adults – her career. Sue has worked as a Wildlife Educator for the Lolo National Forest for over 20 years, where she has made her mark by sharing her excitement for the birds, bugs, and native plants. She has just created a pollinators’ guide for backyard wildlife gardening. She’s also an interpretive writer, responsible for compelling wayside educational exhibits, and she has received numerous national awards for her leadership in ‘watchable wildlife’. Sue organizes many events; earlier this month over 400 Missoula area 3rd graders got out of the classroom and took part in Nature Walk 2010 because of her efforts.
Sue is perhaps most famous for being one of a few educators who had the vision to create the Montana Natural History Center. With Sue’s leadership over the years, the Center has become an incredible resource for schools and the public. Without Sue’s passion, time and talents, so many kids would never get outside, get muddy or stop to listen to the birds.We believe that Montana’s future depends on people who appreciate and understand nature, and Dick and Sue continue to be integral to creating that future. Their shared passion for birds and big-picture thinking that links birds to habitat conservation is truly making a difference across Montana.
Steve Running ~ Conservationist of the Year. Dr Running is recognized as an individual who has taken a giant step beyond his job description and duties to give voice to the wildlife, ecosystems and people who inhabit this planet. Steve readily accepts invitations to speak about the implications of global warming– both in his hometown of Missoula and around the State (and beyond). He tirelessly gives presentations to explain what the science says and why it matters. Not many scientists step out and engage the public as frequently or as effectively as Steve.
Steve also makes his case formally – testifying at hearings, meeting with our elected officials and the media, explaining how climate science and policy should be inextricable linked. Steve is honored for his work as Regents Professor of Forest Ecology in the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana, and as Co-Chair of UM’s Task Force that recently formed the interdisciplinary Climate Change Studies Program.Steve serves on the board of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. The award was given to the IPCC "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change". Steve not only helped lay those foundations, but then hit the ground running.
When the IPCC was awarded the Nobel Prize, Steve stated that the path we are on is unsustainable and the whole world needs to change course. Since that time, he has continued to help all of us understand this complex issue. We still need to wake up and change course, and we need Steve to help show the way.
Bitterroot Audubon - Important Bird Area ~ Special Achievement Award.
Select areas in Montana are precious because of their significant scenic,
scientific, and biological values. These areas are of fundamental importance and should be protected as natural areas for the benefit of this and future generations. To protect such an area is a great service to birds, other wildlife, and the state of Montana.
For their efforts to protect the Bitterroot River Important Bird Area, Montana Audubon recognizes the Bitterroot Audubon Chapter with its 2010 Special Achievement Award.
The Bitterroot River Important Bird Area—or IBA—is made up of approximately 30,000 acres of cottonwood forests, wetlands, and willows located along the Bitterroot River. Over 240 species of birds have been found in the area and 115 of these species breed along this 31 mile stretch of the river! This IBA has significant scenic, scientific, and biological values. These areas are of fundamental importance to birds, other wildlife, and the state of Montana, and they should be protected as natural areas for the benefit of this and future generations. To protect such an area is a great service.
Key species include Lewis’s Woodpeckers and Red-naped Sapsuckers in the cottonwood forests along the river, and significant numbers of Bald Eagle, Willow Flycatcher, and Red-eyed Vireo—which are all species of Conservation Concern.
Bitterroot Audubon is working hard to protect this area. Efforts include conducting bird surveys, and developing and distributing a brochure to help communicate with the over 1,100 landowners within the IBA. Chapter members have begun meeting with landowners to discuss the importance of this area for birds and forming partnerships to make protection of the Bitterroot River IBA a reality.
All of us—not just residents of the Bitterroot Valley—are excited that Bitterroot Audubon has begun this large conservation effort.
For more about this IBA go here >>
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