Observe a bird banding station in action! Montana WILD and Spring Meadow Lake State Park are thrilled to host bird banding events throughout the summer with public opportunities to observe birds - and scientists - up close! Montana WILD staff and volunteers will provide education for adults and kids at the events. Those interested in dropping by can meet at the gazebo on the back lawn of Montana WILD. No registration required.

Please join Montana WILD and Last Chance Audubon Society for our 1st Wednesday Bird Walks! During the summer, each first Wednesday of the month a Last Chance Audubon member will lead a guided bird walk around Spring Meadow Lake State Park. The walks start at 8am and usually take about an hour and a half. Meeting place is in front of Montana WILD. Participants of all skill levels are welcome, and leaders will assist with identification of the birds we see and hear. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your binoculars (or borrow a pair from Montana WILD) and join us for a leisurely morning of birding! Please contact Montana WILD for additional information. No registration required.

Spread your wings and move your paws! We will be doing Sun Salutations and talking about wildlife. This free class is designed for 4 to 9 year-olds. Participants are welcome to bring a mat or towel, but it is not required.  No registration required.

Come and explore the fascinating world of bats! After a brief bat presentation in the Montana WILD auditorium, we will walk down to Spring Meadow Lake where participants will search for bats and use special equipment to hear their echolocation as the navigate and forage over the lake. Spaces are limited. Registration required, call 406-444-9941 

Join Montana WILD and Last Chance Audubon Society for the beginner-friendly workshop on using eBird, a powerful tool for bird observations and contributing to global research. After an introduction to the app, we will head out to Spring Meadow Lake to practice birding and data entry. Participants should have a smartphone (iOS or Android, download the eBird app in  advance and create a free Cornell Lab eBird account. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required, call 406-444-9941

Journey back to the age of dinosaurs and discover Montana's prehistoric past! Learn about fossil discoveries, meet ancient fish that still swim in our waters today, explore real fossils, and create your own “fish fossil” Gyotaku print. Great for the whole family! Registration required, call 406-444-9941

Before you head out to camp, hike, backpack, trail run, mountain bike, fish or float this season, take some time to brush up on bear safety. FWP's Bear Awareness instructors will address each of these outdoor pursuits in detail and teach you how to: 

• avoid bear encounters
• avoid attracting bears to a campsite
• identify signs of bear and understand bear behavior
• deal with bear encounters (read bear behavior and respond appropriately

This training will also include hands-on instruction in the use of bear spray, plus discuss special issues posed by dogs in the backcountry. The training begins at 7 p.m. and will be suitable for outdoorsy adults, as well as kids 12 and older (with an adult). Spaces are limited. Registration required, call 406-444-9941

This July, dive into the wonderful world of reptiles and amphibians at Montana WILD! Together, we will discover the fascinating lives of snakes, salamanders, turtles, frogs, and toads. Through engaging stories and hands-on activities, young explorers will learn how to tell reptiles and amphibians apart, explore their unique habitats, and follow their life cycles. Every session kicks off with an interactive story, followed by a creative craft or activity that brings the lessons to life. Stories are geared toward children ages 4-10, but bring the littles too! The Critter Tales Summer Reading Series will happen every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. through August 27. No registration required. 

Each day, volunteers stroll the Montana WILD grounds with our raptor ambassadors: hawks, owls, eagles, and falcons. These walks provide valuable enrichment for the birds and offer visitors a unique chance to meet them up close and learn about these incredible species.

All month long we will have crafts and educational activities set up in our classroom. Stop by any time Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.