By Chris Nixon

With Valentine’s Day approaching, Program Chair, Ken Sinay, has lined up a great presentation by nature photographer and author, Carol Polich. Her presentation of “Condor Courtship on the Balance Beam” at our February 10th membership meeting is one I’m certain you will “LOVE”. (page 1)

And I want to express that I “LOVE” the dedication exhibited by our SAS Board Members. The SAS Board is not a board where one just shows up and has a discussion each month. Our’s is a WORKING BOARD–always going above and beyond. I want to point out a few examples you will see in this newsletter.

Board Member Vicki Saab heads up the annual Avian Point Count Surveys of the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve (IAWP). Read about the new birds documented at the IAWP in 2024 on page 3. Two other Board Members, Doug McSpadden and Ben Goodheart are among several volunteers that helped with this 3rd annual point count in 2024.

Board members often contribute articles for this newsletter. Be sure to read Mikaela Howie’s article on Avian Flu and your Bird Feeders: The Long and the Short. (page 7) 

Board Member Frank Marchak led the development of our new Wetland Master Naturalist Course which will be offered for the 2nd time this Summer. This is the only place to become certified as a Wetland Master Naturalist in Montana. (page 5)

Program Committee Chair, Ken Sinay, promotes the wonder of the Freezout Waterfowl Management Area, especially in March for the free “Wild Wings Choteau” event. (page 6) 

Don’t miss this month’s Pecha Kucha Feb 19 & 20 at the Ellen Theatre as both Frank and Ken take to the stage. Frank Marchak will introduce us to today’s beavers in Bozeman and Ken Sinay will portray Bozeman’s past when William Clark & Sacagawea made their trek through our valley.  (page 3)

I am very pleased to announce that I have appointed Halle Nienhaus as our newest SAS Board Member. See page 4 to learn all about Halle and what she brings to your Board.

Rarely do your Board members just simply disappear after their time on the board. A great example is the Blue Bird Trail article by former Board member, and Past SAS President Lou Ann Harris. Lou Ann continues to head up our Blue Bird Trail Program and serves as Co-Chair of our Conservation Committee. (page 9)

I encourage you to read every word in the following pages….or you may miss out on one of the upcoming programs or activities offered through SAS. Look to future newsletters to learn about what other SAS members and Board Members are doing.