Wings Across the Big Sky 2023 Report

by Lauren Smith, Montana Audubon Communications Specialist

It may be late summer now, but we’re still reminiscing about the 22nd annual Wings Across the Big Sky Festival! What an incredible June weekend in Great Falls, co-hosted by the Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon chapter. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us in exploring the stunning variety of bird species that call Montana home. On Saturday alone we spotted about 147 different bird species! 

Special thanks to keynote speaker Sneed Collard for an engaging presentation! His insights and knowledge about birding and nature were truly inspiring, and Montana Audubon was grateful for his participation. 

This year, we were honored to present Senator Jon Tester with Montana Audubon’s Conservationist of the Year award. His dedication to preserving Montana’s natural beauty is truly commendable, and we are honored to have his support as we advocate for Montana’s birds, wildlife, and natural ecosystems. 

Looking ahead, we’re excited for next year’s festival in Helena, and have already started planning field trips with our co-hosts the Last Chance Audubon chapter. Please save the date: May 31-June 2, 2024. 

We hope to see you in Helena!