Schedule of 2011 Events (click on times for more information)

Join Cindy for readings on raptors. Geared toward youngsters - of all ages!

Gary Ferguson, noted author, will be kicking off the Raptor Festival at the Museum of the Rockies, with his Keynote Presentation, "The Land Inspires: Nature for a New Generation". Doors open at 6:00 pm. In America we stand at a crossroads. The same remarkable technologies that offer us countless new opportunities for education and entertainment, also threaten to undermine the very experiences long thought to be essential touchstones on the road to adulthood. For most of our history it was widely believed - by everyone from Teddy Roosevelt to Albert Einstein - that becoming an empowered human being depended on experiences in the larger world. And furthermore, that a significant portion of those experiences were best rooted in the mysteries and wonders of nature. Yet today the words of Swiss writer Max Frisch seem painfully close to the mark: "Technology," he suggested, "has become a way of organizing the universe so that man doesn't have to experience it."
The answer isn't a return to some mythical golden age. Rather, our challenge is to carry into modern times the essence of what we learned long ago. To many of the best minds of the past, it would likely come as no surprise to find a staggering wave of current scientific research suggesting that time spent outdoors is enormously helpful in dealing with a wide range of modern challenges - from attention deficit disorder, anger and addiction issues, to the building of critical thinking skills and self esteem.
This presentation, a mix of science and history and personal story, is both a celebration of our longstanding relationship to the natural world, as well as a ray of hope for how the potential of that relationship can be more fully realized in these times.
This event will be held at the Museum of the Rockies, doors open at 6:00 P.M., with the presentation starting at 6:30 P.M. $5 donation at the door.

Join Gary for a hike along the Drinking Horse Trail

Live Birds, Family Activities, Nautre Walks and Lectures both days. Food, beverage and Bridger Bowl Season Pass sales will be available all day throughout the weekend.

Meet the ambassador birds of Montana Raptor Conservation Center. This is a chance to observe owls and hawks up close.

Face painters from Montana Outdoor Science School will be transforming bird lovers of all ages into their favorite raptor. $3 per face.

"Identification and Natural History of Montana's Diurnal Eagles, Hawks & Falcons". How many times have you looked at a hawk and wondered what species you were observing? Join Montana Audubon Executive Director Steve Hoffman to learn identification tricks of our 15 most commonly observed diurnal raptor species.

Join Montana Outdoor Science School Executive Director Steve Eshbaugh on a family-oriented nature hike up Bridger Bowl.Meet on the Jim Bridger Lodge Deck.

Meet the raptors and learn about the unique and interesting behaviors of native Montana birds of prey. Investigate raptor artifacts including feet and feathers.

Join Montana Outdoor Science School Executive Director Steve Eshbaugh on a family-oriented nature hike up Bridger Bowl.

Every autumn, the other group of raptors make their south along the spine of the Bridger Range – the falcons. With their narrow wings and fearsome beaks, they represent the fastest of the raptors, yet they are distantly related to hawks and eagles. Learn a bit about each of falcon species encountered in the Bridgers, their surprising evolutionary relationships, and how they utilize the mountains of our backyard.

Meet the raptors and learn about the unique and interesting behaviors of native Montana birds of prey. Investigate raptor artifacts including feet and feathers.

Beer, food and live music by the Montana Road House Band.

Bridger Bowl Season Pass sales will be available all day.

Meet the ambassador birds of Montana Raptor Conservation Center. This is a chance to observe owls and hawks up close.

Face painters from The Children's Museum of Bozeman will be transforming bird lovers of all ages into their favorite raptor. $3 per face.

How many times have you looked at a hawk and wondered what species you were observing? Join Montana Audubon Executive Director Steve Hoffman to learn identification tricks of our 15 most commonly observed diurnal raptor species.

Join Montana Outdoor Science School Executive Director Steve Eshbaugh on a family-oriented nature hike up Bridger Bowl.

Meet the raptors and learn about the unique and interesting behaviors of native Montana birds of prey. Investigate raptor artifacts including feet and feathers.

Join Montana Outdoor Science School Executive Director Steve Eshbaugh on this popular hike that takes a look at some of the less pleasant sides of nature. Meet on the Jim Bridger Lodge Deck.

Every autumn, the other group of raptors make their south along the spine of the Bridger Range – the falcons. With their narrow wings and fearsome beaks, they represent the fastest of the raptors, yet they are distantly related to hawks and eagles. Learn a bit about each of falcon species encountered in the Bridgers, their surprising evolutionary relationships, and how they utilize the mountains of our backyard.

Meet the raptors and learn about the unique and interesting behaviors of native Montana birds of prey. Investigate raptor artifacts including feet and feathers.