Last Chance Audubon Society
Promoting understanding, respect, and enjoyment of birds and the natural world
through education, habitat protection and environment advocacy.

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CHAPTER PROGRAMS

Each month from September to May the Last Chance Audubon Society offers presentations on natural history and on local, state and national issues of interest to the Helena community. Chapter programs are free and open to members and nonmembers.

Meetings are held on the third (3rd) Monday of the month, September through May, at the Montana Wild Center beginning at 7:00 PM. The Discovery Center is located on Broadwater Ave off Euclid Ave across from Kessler Elementary School on the west side of Helena.

December Program: -- "Birds and Culture of Gambia" presented by: Bob Martinka

NOTE: Meeting Date is Monday January 16, 2012.

The Last Chance Audubon Society monthly program -- "Birds and Culture of Gambia" --will be presented by Bob Martinka.

The Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa and lies on the west coast, southwest of the Sahara desert. In the late 16th through early 18th centuries, this region was a major center of the slave trade. The Gambia River is the primary geographical feature of the country and the riparian habitats that it supports are one of several factors responsible for the country's great diversity of birds, with about 580 species in a country the size of Connecticut.

Over the past decade, MT Audubon has been at the forefront of leading birding trips to The Gambia in West Africa. Dr. Jeff Marks has been instrumental in organizing these adventures. Bob Martinka, an avid birder and photographer, participated in the latest trip, which took place from October 28 through November 12, 2011. His PowerPoint presentation will cover more than just the birds of The Gambia. The people, culture, scenery, villages, and other wildlife will also be emphasized. This was a wonderful trip and Bob's photos are not to be missed

Bob Martinka worked for nearly 30 years with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. He began his career as a Field Biologist and worked in a number of administrative positions including Deputy Director of the department. In his retirement years Bob became an avid birder and photographer, traveling widely to pursue these interests.

Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Where: The Montana Wild Center, On 2668 Broadwater Ave off Euclid Ave on the west side of Helena (Across from Kessler Elementary School and south of Spring Meadow Lake State Park)(map)