Owls of Montana

Denver Holt is a wildlife researcher, biologist and one of, if not the world’s most renowned owl expert. Holt is also a graduate of the University of Montana. He is founder and president of the Owl Research Institute and the Ninepipes Wildlife Research Center, a nonprofit organization located in Charlo, Montana. As a dedicated field researcher, Holt believes that long-term field studies are the primary means to understanding trends in wildlife populations and key to

wildlife and conservation management.

Holt has been a leader in owl research, education, and conservation for over 30 years. While much of today’s research is conducted remotely, or builds on existing data, Holt has been unwavering in his commitment to boots-on-the-ground data collection. A classic, hardcore field researcher, he has spent a lifetime in the field with wild owls – observing, recording, measuring, and enjoying the natural world. The resulting body of work, and its implications to conservation, is an incredible gift and legacy. He is responsible for some of the longest running studies of their kind in the world.

Holt’s Snowy Owl research based in the Alaskan Arctic was featured as the cover story of National Geographic. Today, a new branch of this study tackles the effects of a changing Arctic climate to Snowy Owls –research that is being covered by Smithsonian magazine. In addition to publishing over scientific 100 papers, Holt’s work has been featured in countless magazines, films, and journals. Holt speaks around the world and enjoys guiding, meeting new people, and continuing to learn new things about wildlife and the natural world.

But on most days, you’ll find him in the field - pencil and notebook in his hand, binos around his neck, and a backpack full of nets, bands, and tools. If you happen to bump into him on a day like this, he’ll look at you –with a big smile on his face – and say “you know, not everyone’s doing this today.” And you know this is what he was meant to do.

Holt’s presentation will focus on Montana owls; he will also tell us about a Boreal Owl project at Lost Trail Pass. For many of us, owls are very special birds; join us to learn more about them from a World Owl Hall of Famer!

Hi there, You are invited to a Zoom meeting. 
When: Feb 21, 2022 07:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsduqvpzMiG9NGhTuuElpIE5Dx0LvKyiyW

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.