HELENA, Mont. — A new chapter is taking flight at Montana WILD, as Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) prepares to begin construction this fall on a modern raptor education center in Helena. The facility will serve as a bridge between wildlife care and education, offering improved housing for birds and immersive learning experiences for visitors.
“We’re so excited about this long-awaited addition,” said Sara Meloy, FWP education bureau chief. “The new building will upgrade our housing for resident birds and give the public more chances to learn about Montana’s raptors year-round.”
The project, spearheaded by Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation, has been made possible through fundraising efforts from private donors, local businesses, and the Foundation for Animals in Helena. Construction is slated to begin this fall and reach completion by spring of next year.
Once complete, the new avian education building will physically connect the Education Center, which hosts classes and school groups, with the Wildlife Center, where injured and orphaned wildlife are treated and rehabilitated. This connection will enhance how visitors experience Montana WILD — bringing them closer to both wildlife education and active conservation in one setting.
The new structure will also provide a permanent, upgraded home for Montana WILD’s ambassador raptors, including owls, falcons, hawks, and eagles that cannot return to the wild due to injuries. These birds play a key role in FWP’s educational outreach, helping teach students and visitors about the vital ecological role raptors play in Montana’s environment.
The facility will include modern aviaries, interactive interpretive displays, and viewing areas that allow visitors to observe the birds up close. The design emphasizes both the well-being of the resident raptors and year-round accessibility for the public.
Meloy said the new center will make it possible for Montana WILD to expand its already popular wildlife education programs, which reach thousands of students, families, and visitors each year. The building’s design incorporates sustainable materials and will allow for more frequent and weather-independent programming.
“This project is really about connection,” Meloy added. “It connects our visitors to the incredible wildlife around us, connects our staff to better tools for teaching and care, and connects our community to conservation in a more personal way.”
For updates on construction progress or to learn more about the resident ambassador raptors, visit Montana WILD’s event calendar or call 406-444-9941.
Originally reported by Anita Hollier, Non Stop Local Digital Producer in Non Stop Local.
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