Live Raptor Program Educates Billings Community on Wildlife Conservation

A Swainson's Hawk named Hayden brought conservation education to life this weekend for families at the Montana Audubon Center.

The impressive bird of prey, whose highway accident in Idaho prevented his return to the wild, now serves as a living classroom for visitors across the Western United States.

Educational specialists from Cody's Draper Natural History Museum traveled to Billings' 54-acre conservation site near the Yellowstone River to deliver the interactive presentation.

The program showcases how rescued raptors become powerful ambassadors for their wild counterparts, teaching audiences about the incredible diversity of birds of prey calling Montana home.

Event organizers emphasized the urgent need for community awareness about raptor migration patterns and conservation challenges.

"It's a really cool and rare opportunity to get a live hawk here," explained Halei Akins, the center's Events Coordinator.

The hands-on workshop addressed practical conservation strategies, including avoiding lead ammunition, driving responsibly through wildlife corridors, and eliminating poison-based rodent control methods.

These simple behavioral changes can significantly reduce human-caused raptor fatalities across Montana's diverse ecosystems.

Program manager Melissa Hill stressed how environmental improvements benefit both wildlife and local communities simultaneously.

The Montana Audubon Center lies within the 72,000 square mile Yellowstone River Basin and serves as a regional hub for conservation research and outdoor education.

The facility has coordinated raptor migration surveys across four Western Montana locations, including the Bridger Mountains near Bozeman and Jewel Basin near Bigfork.

Local wildlife conservation efforts have expanded significantly, with Montana Raptor Conservation Center reporting record rescue numbers as the state's population growth increases pressure on wildlife habitats.

Organizers hope the live raptor demonstrations will inspire deeper community engagement with Montana's natural heritage and foster long-term environmental stewardship.

The Montana Audubon Center continues hosting conservation education programs throughout the year, connecting families with the region's remarkable wildlife diversity.