Volunteer News Chirps - February 2021
Greetings  ,

    A note from Anthony, 
'The cold doesn't seem to want to stop our awesome volunteers! We have had work groups out almost every other weekend and an increase in individual volunteer numbers, helping to make the Center better. I can't express how thankful I am for those that donate their time to volunteer with us. Our community support helped to make the best out of a weird 2020, and both staff and program participants have all remarked on the notable beautification that has occurred on site. By building on what we created in 2020, I am excited for our future potential. Stay warm and keep in touch.'  - Anthony. 

Thanks for helping us do amazing work!
Emily Chilcoat
MAC Volunteer Coordinator
Say "hello" to our new Big Sky Watershed Corps Member- Miranda Hernandez! 


Miranda is from a foothill suburb outside Los Angeles and attended university in the redwoods of northern California at Humboldt State University. There she earned a B.S. in Environmental Science with a focus in Ecological Restoration. Miranda appreciates all aspects of ecology and nature, but has a particular attraction to plants. She has worked on a conservation field crew throughout southern and eastern California, interned as a field technician for BLM in eastern Oregon, and apprenticed as a horticulturist at a native plant nursery in Los Angeles. We are excited to add her to our MAC family!
Check out our Monthly Newsletters! 


To stay up to date on current Legislative Action Alerts at mtaudubon.org/news
Meetings, Trainings, and Learning Opportunities 

Monthly Hike with Volunteers
Thursday, February 4th, 11-12:30
Join other volunteers and staff for a hike among some of the Center's 3 miles of trails. This casual hike allows for wonderful chats and a way to connect with others. Meet in the lower parking lot, at the picnic table.    

Great Backyard Bird Count & Climate Watch Hike 
Friday, February 12th, 10-11:30
Participate and learn about both of these fun bird focused citizen science survey opportunities while stretching your legs outside. 

COR members and staff working together to make salt dough for our Homeschool Program. 
Volunteer Opportunities 
    Table of Contents 
Opportunities in... Citizen Science 

Contact Emily if interested. 

Great Backyard Bird Count (February 12-15th)
Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online citizen science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real-time. For at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, February 12-15, 2021, simply tally the numbers and kinds of birds you see. You can count from any location, anywhere in the world, for as long as you wish! Learn more here. 

Project Feeder Watch (November- April) 
Conduct feeder surveys at the Center or from home. These yearly surveys help staff and scientists gather information on species migration and weather conditions, along with population size and range. Surveys at the Center will be conducted Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the day. Contact Emily to learn how to conduct a Project Feeder Watch Count. 

Journey North - Seasonal Sightings (Year-round)
Help scientists and our local community understand the phenology in our area through Journey North. They offer a seasonal list of flora and fauna that you can help collect data on right from your own home! 

iNaturalist (Year-round)
We want to know what you see when you're on site! The Montana Audubon Center is using iNaturalist to help catalog the flora and fauna seen on site. This is a free app that you can use virtually anywhere, providing a helpful identification system and helps with research all around the world. 

Montana eBird (Year-round)
A great way to keep year-round track of your bird lists and contribute bird data for science! Learn what Montana Audubon is doing to help!
OutreachOpportunities in... Outreach Events

There are no outreach event scheduled at this time. 
Opportunities in... Restoration
 
No work days are scheduled at this time. However we invite everyone to visit the site and let us know what you see! 
Restoration Project List: 
  • Seed cleaning and packaging
  • Flora and fauna observations using iNaturalist
  • West End Pollinator Garden clean-up
  • Demonstration Garden Weeding

Contact Emily if interested.
 
Homeschool Science Volunteer Aides; 2-3 Needed
March 1st - 25th, Topic: Nature CSI
Class days are Monday, Tuesdays, Thursdays, from 2-3:45pm. Engage with K- 6th graders in fun interactive earth science activities. 
 

Afterschool In Nature Volunteer Aides;  1-2 Needed 
February 3rd-26th, Topic: Winter Wonders
Explore the outdoors this winter with our afterschool kids! Participants engage in fun outdoor play and interactions that can only be done in winter. 
Opportunities in... Virtual Options

Contact Emily if interested. 

Grant Research 
Much of what the Montana Audubon Center is able to do is made possible by grants. Volunteers are needed to help staff find appropriate grants so we can continue to provide amazing program and restoration efforts for years to come. Time asked is 1-2 hrs a week. Training is provided. 

Web Design 
The Center is looking for someone with web design knowledge to help update and monitor our virtual content.

Social Media Content Development
Facebook is becoming the fastest way for participants and the community to connect with the Center. Social Media Volunteers help write up content or gather photographs for staff to post as part of our weekly social communications plan. Time asked is 1-2 hrs a week. Training provided. 
WoodworkingandBuildingOpportunities in... Woodworking and Building

Enjoy building things? We are searching for woodworkers/ building skills to help with some upcoming projects. Contact Emily if interested. 
  • Breezeway Storage Area 
Opportunities in...Office and Administration

Contact Emily if interested.

Building Host; 1 Needed, 
October- May, 9-3:30, Every 3rd Saturday
Help staff answer phones, greet guests and set up for programs and activities. 

Thank you to Dr. Marco Restani and NorthWestern Energy for coming out and cleaning off the Osprey platform at the Center! This yearly task helps secure the platform for Osprey breeding, deterring Canada Geese from nesting their first. Check out the Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society webpage to learn about Osprey Monitoring efforts and other activities happening in Yellowstone County. 
Seasonal Sightings
    • House Wren 
    • Black-capped Chickadee
    • White-tailed Deer 
    • Fox
    • House Finch
    • Ring-necked Pheasant 
    • White-breasted Nuthatch 
    • House Sparrow 
    • Cedar Waxwings                                
    • Mourning Dove
    • Goldfinch 
    • Belted Kingfisher 
    • American Coots
    • American Robin 
    • Downy Woodpecker 
    • Dark-eyed Juncos
    • Sharp-shined Hawk
    • Red-Tailed Hawk
Montana Audubon Center
406.294.5099

Like us on Facebook

View on Instagram