Hosting its final monthly program of the season, Sacajawea Audubon Society will host conservationist Mark Mariano for a presentation entitled “The Last Best Flyway: Conservation in an Unexpected Landscape”. The event will take place on Monday, May 11th at Hope Lutheran Church. The evening doubles as the SAS annual meeting & potluck and begins at 6pm.
Montana Wetlands & Waterfowl, for whom Mariano serves as President, is a grassroots conservation organization based in Butte, focused on wetland health, waterfowl conservation, and public education across the state. The organization was founded to address a gap between scientific understanding and on-the-ground conservation, particularly in landscapes influenced by mining and restoration, like the Upper Clark Fork.
It was started with a simple goal: connect people to wetlands and waterfowl while contributing meaningful data and restoration work. Over time, that mission has expanded into a blend of education, applied science, and habitat improvement. Their work includes school and community outreach, wetland restoration projects, and collaborative research – such as ongoing efforts to understand contaminant exposure in local waterfowl populations.
Southwest Montana sits within a major migration corridor of the Pacific Flyway, where seasonal movements of waterfowl depend heavily on the availability and quality of wetlands. These habitats provide critical stopover, overwintering, and nesting areas, making their health essential not only locally but across the broader flyway. Ultimately, Montana Wetlands & Waterfowl exists to ensure that wetlands remain healthy, waterfowl populations remain strong, and communities across Montana remain connected to both.
This event is free and open to the public, with donations encouraged. Find additional information 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. •
