Highlights from the May 6th Board Meeting

  • The year end financial reports were reviewed, and the 2019-20 budget was approved.
  • Thirteen Bluebird boxes were installed at or near the West Valley viewing area by a crew from Flathead Audubon.
  • Work is underway on the Birds of Prey Festival this coming September. Coffee Traders is a new sponsor, Whitefish Credit Union has donated money, and a grant application has been submitted to the Maki Foundation.
  • There will be some new members on the management team for Owen Sowerwine Natural Area. Kay Mitchell and Pam Willison will be assuming the duties that Linda Winnie has been fulfilling for many years (many thanks for those many years Linda!).
  • The Education Program Strategic Plan for the coming year has been completed, and it will be a busy year working with the public at various events, and using the resources of Owen Sowerwine for education programs for school-age kids.  Denny Olson outlined plans for infrastructure work to be completed in Owen Sowerwine during the summer, including creating 2 deer exclosures, placing 16 plot point posts, installing 6 duck houses, and creating the new trail to the outdoor classroom area.

The legacy of Jim Jokerst

We lost a loyal and talented Audubon member this past winter. Jim Jokerst, renowned West Glacier artist, generously donated his time and talent to organizations, like ours, that promote appreciation and conservation of wildlife and their habitats. In his memory, Jim’s wife Gail has donated some of his inspiring wildlife books to Flathead Audubon. The intent is that these treasured books will be distributed to schools and other locations where they will encourage others to cherish our natural heritage as Jim did.

2019 OSNA Work Day

The long-awaited 2019 annual workday for the Owen Sowerwine Natural Area is scheduled for Saturday, 28 September. We’ll gather at the Montessori School on Willow Glen Drive starting at 0830. We’ll carpool around 0900 to OSNA from Montessori and should be done by noon or so. Many hands make light work, so please come with work gloves and wearing old clothes appropriate for the weather (cloth gloves are not good with hounds tongue!!). Bring water that you can carry with you in a pack or fanny pack. Hand nippers, dandelion diggers and trowels are handy.

There are a few of the usual projects that need to be tackled – some trails cleared and mowed, some old fencing removed, and, of course, as always weeds to be addressed. We will focus some work near the west fence line (to the west of the trails. Some of these areas are a little jumbled and inaccessible, so be prepared to bushwhack some. Others will divide into 4 groups and go in through the four entrances (Montessori, Treasure Lane, Greenridge Drive, and Howard Drive). Note: only one vehicle can go in Treasure Lane due to parking issues.

This should be a fun and quick day as well as sprucing up OSNA. If you have any questions or suggestions or need directions, please contact Bob Lee at 270-0371 or RML3@centurytel.net.

Two OSNA Thank You’s

Thank you to the Flathead Conservation District for providing funding for two herbicide applications at the Owen Sowerwine Natural Area this summer. Flathead Audubon greatly appreciates this financial assistance in support of our OSNA management.

We are grateful also to the DNRC Kalispell Office for helping Flathead Audubon pay for herbicides being used at the Owen Sowerwine Natural Area. A special thanks to DNRC’s Anne Moran for assisting with arranging this funding.

Audubon Members Support Local Audubon Activities

Fall months always mean campaigns. Nope, not political campaigns, but annual community support campaigns. Some campaigns include nonprofit organizations all around Montana and some include strictly Flathead nonprofits. You look over the list and choose which organizations you want to receive your donation dollars. Flathead Audubon is listed with the Flathead United Way campaign and the Montana State Employees’ Charitable Giving Campaign (SECGC). Please direct your donation to Flathead Audubon Society, to help our local birds and nature education programs. It’s a good investment! 

To Bee or Not to Bee? Creating Pollinator Habitat in Your Backyard

Come join the Flathead Conservation District for a free workshop and learn about pollinator conservation in your backyard on Thursday, 8/29/19 at 6:30pm. During this two hour workshop, we’ll focus on how you can use native plants to provide forage, nesting, and overwintering habitat for our native pollinators – no matter how big or small your garden is! This workshop will take place at the Flathead Conservation District’s newly constructed demonstration garden. For more information visit the Flathead Conservation District page, contact Hailey Graf at (406) 752-4220 or hailey@flatheadcd.org.