Wonderlust Wonderings...
The course was fabulous! The teacher was professional, engaging,
and so smart! 
Course Participant, Introduction to Weather & Climate
READY TO GO OUT ON THE TOWN?
Our community is filled with talent. From software start-ups, to snow scientists, paleontologists and artists. For some, like many members of the Bozeman artists guild, the Coronavirus pandemic is fueling innovation. If you’re beyond ready to listen to live music or view live theatre, the new Bozeman Arts Live site is offering a calendar of weekly events, streamed live. The good side? Your favorite adult beverage may only cost a fraction of the price while enjoying these arts performances at home.  Stream local entertainment & arts here .
SOCIAL DISTANCING IS FOR THE BIRDS
While most of us are staying home and practicing social distancing, the avian population is busy navigating their annual spring migration and nesting activities. Even if birding is not your passion, it’s difficult not to be in awe of these amazing animal feats. You may find that participating in citizen science or tracking bird migration is another way to connect with a larger global audience during these times of social isolation. Enjoy!
MIGRATION
Here are some interesting reads on   Montana’s winged migrators .
Longest winged migration - Upland Sandpiper
Smallest migrator- Calliope Hummingbird
Shortest migrator- Ruffed Grouse

More feathered facts from Montana
In 1930 Montana’s schoolchildren voted for the western meadowlark as the bird that best represented the state. The following year, the Montana Legislature made it official. Then in 1998 several lawmakers proposed, unsuccessfully, to replace the meadowlark with the magpie, a “more deserving” non migrant year round resident. The state bird remains the meadowlark.
(source: fwp.mt.gov)
CITIZEN SCIENCE OPPORTUNITIES
Great Blue Heron Rookeries
Join Montana Audubon to learn how to survey Great Blue Heron Rookeries. The Great Blue Heron Rookery survey season will take place from May 1- June 30. Montana Audubon will be hosting a free  online training  on  April 23rd at 6 pm  with a follow-up FAQ session on April 30th at 6 pm. To review the Great Blue Heron citizen science research and training materials prior to the April training call,  click here .  
CORNALL LAB eBird course
The largest biological citizen-science program in the world can help you with your birding. The eBird community gathers more than 100 million bird sightings each year from people like you .  eBird helps you find more birds  and  keep track of your sightings. Collectively, these sightings are now empowering a global scientific community and  helping answer pressing conservation questions .  Full of video tutorials, this course will get you ready to confidently store and share your sightings with  eBird .
LIVE CAMS, ID TIPS, SOUNDS
In Montana, we are fortunate to have the great outdoors as a reprieve to these homebound days. When the spring weather temporarily turns back to winter, these resources may provide entertainment, learning and an opportunity to hone (or launch) your bird ID skills.  How To Make These Next Few Weeks A Little Easier, Courtesy Of Birds
GREAT DECISIONS
Another global educational resource offered free during the pandemic crisis. This short introductory film on  India and Pakistan  is I one of 8 Foreign Policy Association 2020 Great Decisions topics.
 
FPA Brief:   India and Pakistan   by Barbara Crossette
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi rode a wave of Hindu nationalism to a historic reelection in 2019. His first order of business was to revoke the special status granted to the Kashmir region, inflaming the rivalry between India and Pakistan. How will the Kashmir situation affect the region, both economically and politically?
Video:  India & Pakistan
For additional resources on this topic visit   here .
 
Great Decisions will be offered by MSU-Wonderlust during the Winter 2021 semester, featuring a new lineup of 8 topics and briefings selected by a Foreign Policy Association panel.
COVID-19 UPDATED AND RESOURCES
Exciting News!

Wonderlust is soon to become the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Montana State University.