Education United States Project #19666

Help Yellowstone-Area Youth Discover Nature!

by Montana Audubon, Inc.

Project Report | Aug 26, 2015
Overwhelming Support Funds Nature Discovery Center

By Stephen W. Hoffman | Executive Director of Montana Audubon

4th graders learn about fish at Montana Audubon

Thanks to you, our generous donors, Montana Audubon's Nature Play Space at our Center in Billings has reached its funding goal! Hundreds of children, including those with mobility handicaps, have been enjoying the strategically placed trail, obstacles, benches, musical drums, bird houses and wildlife lookout areas, and each other. It has been an exciting summer as these children discover nature and learn to feel at home with plants, animials, birds, and fish in a natural, protected setting.

Montana Audubon's vision to create a place for all children to learn to love nature has been realized. We have welcomed those with learning or mobility set-backs, and watched them be all that they can be in our wonderful outdoor playland. We have invited families to join us here at the Audubon Center and to share their children's excitement. We have opened our doors to low income families and children, and have witnessed their joy of discovering nature.

Your timely gifts ensured that this project would be built in time for late spring and summer enjoyment. We now have a stipend set aside to fund any upkeep needed, or to fulfill the next level of enhancing our natural environment to aid accessibility.

Since our Global Giving Project "Help Yellowstone-Area Youth Discover Nature!" is fully funded, it will be retired from receiving donations. You may still view our past report and pictures and links. We invite you now to go directly to www.mtaudubon.org to view our projects being run from our state office in Helena, and also to see news from our Montana Audubon Center in Billings.

As the opportunity arises, Montana Audubon will return to Global Giving for help with specific needs, such as encouraging conservation, promoting habitat protection, and assisting with species monitoring. We will continue our mission to give both children and adults in Big Sky many memorable outdoor experiences. Montana Audubon knows being at home with nature builds a lifetime connection to our beautiful state and our planet's natural treasures.

What has been so rewarding is to not only find our loyal supporters backing us on a world-respected online funding site, but also to find kinship with new friends and inspiring each of you to support Montana Audubon. THANK YOU!!

Let's keep in touch. Visit Montana Audubon on Facebook and share with your family and friends.

Kingfisher male on wire

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Jun 12, 2015
6-Year-Old Shepard Cuts Ribbon to Open Play Area!

By Stephen W. Hoffman | Executive Director of Montana Audubon

4th Grader with his Pond Turtle Discovery

Namesake Shepard, Grandson of Major Donor for Shepard Nature Center Cuts Ribbon

It was a festive day for the grand opening of Montana Audubon's Billings Nature Play Area as namesake Shepard flew into Billings from Colorado with his family to do the honors. Shepard was excited cut the ribbon as he exclaimed, "It's open! Let's play!"

"Nature Nuts" and "Fledglings" are Flocking to the Audubon Center to Sign-up for Summer Camp

We're proud to offer some of the finest nature training for the very young at the Nature Center. Our week-long programs and full summer schedule are bringing in the kids by the hundreds! Part of their experience will be to utilize the new ADA top-of-the-line play and discovery space. We'll have to wait and see how young children use their imaginations to negotiate the nature course and make music with the special drums.

Offering Experiences for Entire Families

One of the best things about our new Nature Center and the whole native wildflower area adjoining our building is what it offers for native species: cover and nesting grounds! Entire families can become involved in our programs, such as the evening owl prowl. The Montana nature center complex has ponds and is in close proximity to the natural wildlife corridor of the Yellowstone River. All children and parents learn about and become respectful of the birds and all wildlife in their homes.

30% Matching Bonus Day July 15th

Take part in giving to Montana Audubon on this Global Giving platform on Wednesday July 15th & receive a 30% bonus for your donation! There are a few key days for us as Global Giving Partners to receive extra help from Global Giving and their partners. This is so important to our success as part of the online fundraising community--helping our neighbors and our planet! Please give early, starting at 7:00 a.m. Montana time, to have the best chance of this project receiving the bonus as funds do tend to run out later in the day.

We could not have completed Phase I of our new Nature Play Area without your support and your sustaining gifts. Thanks so much!

Yours in Conservation,

Stephen W. Hoffman, Executive Director Montana Audubon

Nature Enthusiasts at the Pond

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