LCAS presents 2008 Natural History Lecture Series on Montana Prairies
All talks begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at the FWP Commission Room at FWP Headquarters in Helena. People should access the building through the door on the west side of the building. Since this is a fund raiser to help protect Montana’s Important Birding Areas, there will be an admission fee. Cost is $5 per talk or $25 for all six talks. Admission is paid at the door.
March 4 - Richard Manning - “The Montana Prairie: It’s History, Biology, and Promise” - As author of Grasslands: The History, Biology, Politics, and Promise of the American Prairie (1995), Richard will lead off the series with an overview focusing on the biological importance of grasslands, their historic destruction, and plans for grassland conservation in Montana.
March 11 - David Ausband - “Swift Fox on the Northern Plains: A Success Story” - Dave is a Research Associate at the Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Montana currently working with wolves in Idaho. He will talk about his studies of Swift foxes on the Blackfoot Indian Reservation.
March 18 - Jack Taylor - “Plants of the Montana Prairies” - As range science researcher and teacher at Montana State University, Jack Taylor spent over thirty years studying grassland ecosystems. Taylor will discuss what he learned and its significance to birdwatchers.
March 25 - Bob Bramblett - “There’s Fish in Them Thar Cricks: Prairie Stream Research at Montana State University” - Bob is an Assistant Research Professor at Montana State University and has worked for 21 years on prairie fishes in eastern Montana and Colorado, as well as some misspent time in Alaska and the Grand Canyon. He will talk about fish, herptiles and even bird life in and along Montana’s prairie riparian corridors.
April 1 - Coburn Currier - “Grassland Birds of Northeastern Montana” - As Project Biologist for the Montana Natural Heritage Program, Coburn has been studying the grassland birds of northcentral and eastern Montana for the Program since 2003. He will provide an overview of grassland birds and their habits and habitat needs. Photos and sounds of these birds will be included in his talk.
April 8 - Mike Madel - “The Prairie Grizzly Bear” - Mike has been involved with research and management of grizzly bears since 1978. He has been in Choteau since 1983 as Grizzly Bear Management Specialist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. He will talk about grizzly use of the prairies and riparian areas along the Rocky Mountain Front.