For its first program of the new year, Sacajawea Audubon Society will host local nature photographer, storyteller and naturalist guide Kyle Dudgeon for a presentation entitled “Saving Bozeman’s Great Gray Owls.” The event will take place on Monday, January 9th at Hope Lutheran Church. The evening begins with a social at 6:30pm, followed by the program at 7pm.
Despite being the largest owl by length in North America, the Great Gray Owl is one of the most difficult to find. However, the forests of the Bozeman area have long been known for holding some of the best habitat for great grays in Montana.
Nearly five years ago, photographer and avian enthusiast Kyle Dudgeon set out to locate these owls on his own. After months of searching he was able to find a nesting territory on the east side of the Bridger Mountains and document two chicks growing up in the forest with the help of an adult male.
The story took a turn shortly after discovering the birds, as the Forest Service had plans to soon log the trees in which the owls lived. After countless phone calls and emails to contacts at the Gallatin National Forest, Kyle and some friends managed to halt logging operations until the young owls were capable of leaving the area. The story repeated itself the following year in a different nesting territory. It was then that Kyle landed on the idea of creating a film to tell the story, The Trees With Orange Rings.
This event is free and open to the public. The presentation will also be available to view virtually with advanced registration. Find additional information and webinar registration details at www.sacajaweaaudubon.org.
Sacajawea Audubon Society programs are free and open to the public. The organization’s mission is to build on an interest in birds to promote the conservation of our natural environment through enjoyment, education and action. •
