Montana Audubon presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Joe and Lana Batts
Montana Audubon was honored to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Joe and Lana Batts at our 2025 Wings Across the Big Sky birding festival.
This award is presented to individuals who have dedicated extraordinary effort, time, and energy to shape the activities and successes of a local Audubon chapter and/or Montana Audubon. It is presented to the Batts in recognition of their unwavering dedication and generosity in the service of bird conservation in Montana.
Joe and Lana, both Montana natives, met in the late 1960s at the University of Montana (UM). As Joe recalls, “We were debate partners on the UM debate team, traveling to tournaments across the state, spending a lot of time talking and getting to know each other.” Lana adds with a laugh, “We’ve even carried on the debating tradition in our marriage—with, at times, rather animated discussions… that still follow the rules!”
In 1973, the couple ventured from home and settled in the Washington, D.C. area, where they both pursued successful careers. Joe founded a database design consulting firm, while Lana held executive roles in various trucking associations, eventually starting her own company. It was during this time that they developed an interest in birding, thanks to mutual friends.
“We both have a deep love for nature,” says Joe. “When we discovered birding—an activity that combined travel, wildlife photography, and a strong social element—we were immediately hooked.” This sparked a lifelong love for birds and led to birding adventures around the world, including recent trips to Antarctica, Costa Rica, and Namibia. In 2013, after more than 40 years on the East Coast, they returned to Montana, where their commitment to conservation deepened.
Joe and Lana have quietly yet steadfastly supported Montana Audubon for years. Joe serves as an at-large Board member and has previously been Board President and Vice-President. He has also held leadership roles with Flathead Audubon. Lana has served as a Board member and Chair of the Development Committee for Montana Audubon. Together, they are pillars of Montana’s conservation community—more than just volunteers, they are true champions for wildlife and habitat protection. “Birds turned us into conservationists,” says Joe. Their contributions ensure the future of native birds and their habitats in Montana.
Through their generosity and leadership, Joe and Lana inspire others to get involved and make a difference. They remind us that conservation is not just about saving a place—it’s a shared responsibility and a collective effort.
Please join us in honoring Joe and Lana Batts for their tremendous contributions to conservation!
Joe and Lana receive a standing ovation as they are presented with Montana Audubon’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Wings Across the Big Sky Birding Festival.
