LCAS Program, February 13, 2018, 7:00PM

Cookies and Conversation 6:30PM – 7:00

Montana WILD, 2668 Broadwater Ave.

Birds and Wetland Mitigation in Montana

Birds often seen at wetland mitigation sites in Montana will be the focus of this presentation by Larry Urban, Wetland Mitigation Specialist.  A variety of shorebirds, waterfowl, cranes and neotropical migrants, can be seen in these restored habitats, plus other wildlife including amphibians and reptiles. Larry will describe the comprehensive Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) wetland mitigation program which since 1996 has restored or created over 2,000 acres of wetlands and will share bird and wildlife photos from his annual site visits to monitor the development and health of statewide aquatic resource projects.

Larry Urban has over 30 years of experience in wetland delineation, assessment, monitoring and mitigation site development for both the New Jersey and Montana DOT.   He developed MDT’s annual mitigation and monitoring programs for managing aquatic resource mitigation sites on private, state, federal and tribal lands. He participates in continuing education and collegiate courses as an instructor in wetland regulations, endangered plant species, mitigation monitoring, and aquatic resource restoration. Larry is a member of the Association of State Wetland Managers.  He is also the recipient of the 2017 Montana Wetland Stewardship Award for his untiring efforts to protect, preserve and restore wetland ecosystems. He is an avid birder, fly-fisherman, likes to tie flies, and works with veterans from the Fort Harrison VA hospital