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Volunteer News Chirps - July 2020
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Covid-19 has put many individuals and organizations in a hard financial place. One thing many non-profit organizations, such as the Montana Audubon Center, have in their favor is volunteers. Our volunteers have stepped up through the years, donated their energy and time to help make the Center an amazing place for outdoor learning and exploration. And at a time when most of our normal social practices where closed, the outdoors were still open, and the Center grounds welcomed those who took the opportunity to get outside and explore.
Being there for our community and giving them a place to relax, engage with nature and enjoy the outdoors has been a great honor and only accomplished by our amazing volunteers and dedicated staff. And just as you have been there for us, we are here for you. We are one family!
Thank you for being apart of our family,
Emily Chilcoat, Volunteer Coordinator
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A Look Through June
The Center is looking fantastic this month and will continue to change and transform through out the year, meaning there's always something new to see. Check out the link below for a snapshot of what's happening on-site!
Also, check out Montana Audubon's June ENews to see what is happening through out the organization.
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July Volunteer Opportunity List
Learn more about these opportunities below.
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Next Volunteer Meeting
Monday, July 13th 6-7 pm
Attached below are meeting notes from the June 8th, Volunteer Meeting, which includes the agenda and joining information for our next meeting. I hope many of you can join us!
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Volunteer Opportunities
Table of Content
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NEW- Fish Surveys
With so many changes in our landscape we're curious what our fish population looks like and need your help! We need volunteers to come out and fish the Center ponds, via catch and release. Those interested will be asked to record their catches. Training will be provided for those interested.
July 11th, 7:30-930 pm
Participants will learn about Chimney Swifts and how they can help to monitor local populations. Chimney swifts are fascinating birds that can be found in your backyard or, more accurately, a nearby chimney! However, little is known about their distribution in the state.
We are looking for eager volunteers that want to learn about chimney swifts and help locate them. There will be a presentation from 7:30-8:15 p.m., followed by an evening challenge to locate and identify local swifts by sight and sound. All ages are welcome, but youth under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Learn more about these amazing birds and help conduct vital research by
signing up here!
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 Opportunities in... Outreach Events
Kiwanis Kids Fishing Derby
July 11th, 9-1:30 at Riverfront Park
Join MAC staff in engaging fishing derby participants in fun hands on aquatic education activities! This year we will be focusing on macro invertebrates. Training is provided. To learn about macro invertebrate and how they impact water quality check out the video below.
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Opportunities in... Restoration
Tuesday Work Days
July 7th & 21st, 4-6 pm
Not able to come out during the day? Want to have your weekends to relax? Our Tuesday Work Days are just the key. Join us on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month to get your hands dirty and to help out our restoration program.
Restoration Saturdays
July 11th & 25th, 8-2 pm
This drop in work day allows volunteers to help out when they want for as long as they want during our Restoration Saturdays. Projects vary and are based on group size. You can sign up for the date and the time you'd like to volunteer for on the
Restoration Saturday Volunteer Sign up Form
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Restoration Project List:
- Planting over 1,000 trees and shrubs in the fall
- Fish Population Survey
- Invasive Weed Mapping and I.D
- Make straw swaddles for gray water tanks
- Weed Preschool Garden
- Seed cleaning
- Demonstration Garden Weeding
- Seasonal Flora and Fauna Observations using iNaturalist
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Lunch Buddies
Monday- Friday, 11:30-12:30, June- August
The Lunch Buddies program provides a trained watchful eye for camp participants in between camps each week. Lunch Buddies are needed from 11:30-12:30 Monday-Friday. Training is provided.
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Opportunities in... Virtual Engagement
Social Media Content Development
Through out the pandemic the Center has increased our social media presence to continue engaging and educating our members and community. Now that programs are starting back up we are looking for volunteers who would be interested in helping to create social media content for us. If you're interested, please contact Emily (
echilcoat@mtaudubon.org
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Seasonal Sightings
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Canada Goose
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New birds are coming back or
coming into the world everyday! |
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House Wren
- Black-capped Chickadee
- White-tailed Deer
- Fox
- Muskrat
- Snapping Turtle
- Painted Turtle
- House Finch
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- House Sparrow
- Cedar Waxwing
- Juvenile Bald Eagle
- Osprey
- Great Blue Heron
- Mourning Dove
- Killdeer
- Tree Swallow
- Goldfinch
- Red-eared Slider Turtles
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