Our role is to help fund and build-out our local/regional network. In the United States, the Motus System is a patchwork of privately and publicly funded projects pieced together by national and local partners. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MTFWP) has done a great job of getting this system going through out the state. With SAS funding the receiving stations in our area, it allows MFWP to erect receiving stations in other parts of the state that do not have the population/funding base to support this project. We also have funding available to tag birds in our area, which increases the likelihood of data collected on “our” birds, and the tagging dovetails nicely with our Kestrel, Bluebird and wetland projects.

A simplified explanation of the statewide strategy is to create a radio frequency “fence” with the receiving stations across the High-line to the north, and across the Yellowstone River corridor to the south and west to the Dillon area.

The American Bird Conservancy, a national partner in the Motus network, reached out to SAS to see if we would like to partner with them and MTFWP to help fill a gap in the southern fence from Paradise Valley over to the Jefferson River, as well as fund some tagging efforts. Our original funding goal was to erect three receiving stations, but with the generosity of our SAS donors during the 2025 campaign we are planning on a fourth!

With the access generosity of Tim & Mary Barnard, one receiving station will be located above and to the east of the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve to help collect data for the wetland, Story Mill Park, and the East Bozeman drainage. Another tower is located at Missouri Headwaters State Park, an Important Bird Area (IBA) at the confluence of the Gallatin, Madison and Jefferson Rivers. We will also be covering the Gallatin drainage from the west and the Lower Madison from the east with the generous access given by the Turner Ranch and Foundation. These locations will provide endless educational opportunities for the public to engage in science and conservation happening right here in our valley and our region; including opportunities to  track the movements of our wetland migrants on the open source Motus website (Motus.org)!