Our grounds and trails are open to the public from dawn to dusk every day, free of charge.
Download our Montana Audubon Center Trail Map
Please respect the following guidelines:
Update:
The major dirt work is now complete, and while we’re putting the final touches on the Shepard Nature Play Space, it’s open and ready for play!
We’re deeply grateful to the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation and OP&WE for making this transformation possible.
Special thanks to Bob Macken for building the footbridge over the dry creek bed, to John Spencer for constructing a bench that will soon display the Shepard Nature Play Space sign, and Oxendahl construction for making the dirt work and dry river bed drainage happen.
Thank you to everyone who helped bring this project to life!
The Montana Audubon Center is proud to offer Billings’ first public, ADA-accessible Nature Play Space—
a special outdoor area where children can safely play and explore nature. In this space, kids can enjoy unstructured play in an environment designed to improve their physical and emotional well-being, while supporting important stages of mental and social growth.
Nature Play Spaces are designed to bring children back to nature. Built with natural elements like logs, water,
sand, mud, boulders, hills, and trees, these areas provide a safe, child-friendly introduction to the larger, wild world. Carefully integrated, child-safe features encourage creative play and exploration, helping young visitors build a lasting love for nature.
Our Nature Play Space was made possible through the efforts of local community members, parents, teachers, children, and generous funding partners. Site construction was completed by Good Earth Works, with key support from our primary partner, the Yellowstone River Parks Association.
Nick Cladis, Phillips 66, and the Harry L. Willett Foundation
West Billings Rotary and Peaks to Plains
Arrow Solutions, Billings Community Foundation, Bev Ross, Dr. Michelle Spenny, Good Earth Works, Lucky’s Market, Montana Dakota Utilities, and Stillwater Mining Company
Since its dedication in April 2018, “The Bird Garden” has become a keystone in our education programs. It is named in honor of Helen Carlson Cummins, a well-known and well-loved bird enthusiast in Billings. It is a place for all ages to observe and enjoy birds up close, and is the perfect overlay and complement to our native plant demonstration gardens adjacent the field lab. It is also a partner effort with Wild Birds Unlimited, Billings and Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society to highlight appropriate bird-feeding equipment and practices and encourage the joy of bird watching.
Our Bird Garden donation program helps us to maintain the bird seed supply and feeder maintenance through the year. Multiple support opportunities are available, and donations can also be made in honor of someone in your life who appreciates birds or backyard bird feeding. More info here!
Our building and grounds are available for your next workshop, conference, or meeting. We offer a large classroom, small meeting room, and ample outdoor space that can accommodate a variety of groups and needs. Please call us to learn more: 406.294.5099