Courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
HELENA, Mont. — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will begin construction this fall on a new avian education building at Montana WILD in Helena. The project aims to modernize care for the facility’s ambassador raptors and expand educational opportunities for visitors.
“We’re so excited about this long-awaited addition,” said Sara Meloy, FWP education bureau chief. “The new building will upgrade our housing for resident birds and give the public more chances to learn about Montana’s raptors year-round.”
The project is led by Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation, which raised funds with help from individual donors, businesses and the Foundation for Animals in Helena. Construction is expected to be completed next spring.
The new building will connect the Education Center, which hosts student and public programs, with the Wildlife Center, where injured and orphaned animals are rehabilitated.
It will also serve as a permanent home for Montana WILD’s ambassador raptors — including owls, falcons, hawks and eagles — that can’t survive in the wild due to injuries. These birds take part in public education programs and enjoy daily enrichment activities with staff and volunteers.
Once the project is finished, visitors will be able to view the raptors on demand and learn about their species through new interpretive displays.
For updates on the project or to meet the ambassador raptors, visit Montana WILD’s event calendar or call 406-444-9941.