by Denny Olson In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to take our Conservation Education Program in a “virtually” entertaining direction, with a both light-hearted and serious video series, with our primary bird education messages front and center.  Professor Avian Guano, Bir.D. is our eccentric, slightly off-the-wall narrator — doing his own brand of “edu-tainment”…

By Denny Olson “Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine down on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other — no matter how difficult…

by Denny Olson You have heard a lot of us Audubon-types referring to the 29% drop in North American bird numbers in the last 50 years. We have also mentioned that we think climate change is real, and because of it, our grandchildren may be missing somewhere between 26 and 63 bird species in the…

by Denny Olson Our COVID-cancelled Birds of Prey Festival — which has often gathered 800-plus people on a single day, was spread this year over a week, with smaller, or virtual, groups gathered for educational events. Kathy Ross did two small-group presentations with live birds at Wild Wings (see page 4). Montana Audubon’s Amy Seaman…

From Susan Matter, Director of FVCC Library Services If you love birds, FVCC library has a lot to offer you.  Did you know that as a resident of Flathead Valley you can get a library card? If you are interested in doing this, email library@fvcc.edu or call 756-3856 for more information. Although we have many…

by Denny Olson Virtually everything seems, well, virtual. Sequestered at home, for the most part, I have been scrambling to convert most of my education efforts  — programs, PowerPoint presentations, new video productions to complement Birds Rock!, dredging out the non-hands-on parts of our educational trunks so at least part of them will be useful…

by Denny Olson  None of us had a playbook called COVID 2020. Hunkering down at home with only the closest ones to you (or completely alone), internet TV subscriptions and binge-watching, too-easy access to recreational beverages, adults/kids/pets all sick of each other, and when you go out in masked anonymity, no hugs, shaking hands, or…

by Denny Olson Fifty years ago this month, I was well on the way to becoming a biologist. I was learning about populations of wildlife, complex food webs, natural selection of the fittest, and the oppositional pressures of reproductive rates versus carrying capacity. That last concept was especially fascinating, because it made perfect sense to…

By Denny Olson Learning About Where We Live Place-learning has built-in relevance. Local politics affects us at a much greater rate and intensity than state, national or global politics. Local air, water and food conditions affect us much more than those on larger scales. Local people are the ones with which we must have relationships….