FALL 2014
To inspire,
educate, and
demonstrate
conservation
in action.
Photo By Perry Backus, Reprinted by permission of the Ravalli Republic
INSIDE
Summer at Teller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Nature Connections Camp . . . . 3-4
Lucy’s Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Women’s Flyfishing. . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Youth Conservation Expo . . . . . . . 6
Walk for Wildlife. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Volunteers at Teller. . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Bird Surveys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
TnT Thank You . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
New Board Member . . . . . . . . . . 10
Stocking Thomas Pond. . . . . . . . 10
Education Resource Library. . . . . 11
Stewardship Society. . . . . . . . . . . 12
www.tellerwildlife.org
Notes
from
Teller Wildlife Refuge
SUMMER AT TELLER
What did you do on your summer
vacation? I hope you were able to enjoy
some time having fun with friends and
family.
To inspire, educate,
and demonstrate
conservation in action.
Board of Trustees
John Talia, Chair
Corvallis, MT
Lucy Tompkins, Vice Chair
Portola Valley, CA/Hamilton, MT
Ron Premuroso, Treasurer
Missoula, MT
Allen Bjergo, Secretary
Corvallis, MT
Nina Bonnie
Prospect, KY/Hamilton, MT
Herb Depp, Hamilton, MT
Judy Estler, Darby, MT
Dan Huls, Corvallis, MT
Nader Shooshtari, Missoula, MT
Anne Teller
Glen Ellen, CA/Hamilton, MT
Board Emeritus
Keith Johnson
San Diego, CA/Darby, MT
Here at Teller Wildlife Refuge, we had
a great summer. In
May, we hosted
our second Youth
Conservation and
Education Expo,
which was attended
by nearly 500
youth and adults.
We kicked off the
summer season with
our 20th Annual TnT BBQ and Auction
in June, where we enjoyed socializing
with many of our friends and donors. A
huge THANK YOU to all who supported
Teller at TnT! And in July and August,
we hosted two summer day camps, where
32 youngsters spent time at Teller, playing
outdoors and learning about our natural
world. Another huge THANK YOU goes
to Amanda Bestor, who developed and led
our summer camps this year.
We also made some changes to our
Board of Trustees this summer. Nader
Shooshtari stepped down from his
position as board chair in June, though
he continues to serve on our Board of
Trustees. It was my pleasure to work with
Nader as our board leader these past two
years. Long-time board member and
supporter, Keith Johnson,
also stepped off the
board, but I’m grateful
that he will remain
involved with Teller as a
board member emeritus.
Congratulations to our
new board leadership:
John Talia, Chair; Lucy
Tompkins, Vice Chair;
Ron Premuroso, Treasurer; and Allen
Bjergo, Secretary. We also added a
new board member – Herb Depp, of
Hamilton, Montana. I’m lucky to work
with these individuals, and the rest of our
wonderful board and staff, to continue
the good work of Teller Wildlife Refuge.
As you’ll read in the pages of this
newsletter, we had a busy and fun
summer at Teller. Fall is now upon us,
and we’re looking forward to the beauty
and activities of a new season!
Kim Vietz
Executive Director
Grant Parker, Missoula, MT
Paul Thomas
Rancho Santa Fe, CA/Hamilton, MT
Staff
Kim Vietz, Executive Director
Lauren Rennaker, Development Manager
Pete Lindbergh, Lands Manager
Karin Mayn, Administrative Assistant
All photos Teller file photos
unless otherwise credited.
Post Office Box 548
Corvallis, Montana 59828
Phone: 406.961.3507
Fax: 406.961.4489
www.tellerwildlife.org
2 Teller Wildlife Refuge – Fall 2014
www.tellerwildlife.org
Notes
from
Teller Wildlife Refuge
TELLER WILDLIFE REFUGE HOSTS FIRST
NATURE CONNECTIONS SUMMER CAMP
By Perry Backus, Reprinted by permission of the Ravalli Republic
In single file, they move out along the
narrow trail lined on each side with long
grass that comes nearly to their hips.
to keep their eyes open for a series of
photographic cards with depictions of
birds they might see here sometime later.
With binocular in hand, the young corps
of budding bird watchers swivel their
heads in rapid fire fashion in hopes of
being the first to spy something avian.
One group after another spots the cards
stuck in the bark of downed trees or
hanging from branches. While one makes
use of the binocular, another takes note
of what they see.
Once in a while, one stops to gaze
through their binocular at cottonwood
branches waving in a light breeze.
For this short period of time, the Teller
Wildlife Refuge is uncharacteristically
quiet. Not a single bird makes its
presence known.
“There’s a woodpecker hole,” one says,
his finger pointing at a tree. “Look. Right
there. See it?”
“Shhhh,” comes the answer. “We’re
supposed to be quiet.”
Amanda Bestor smiles. She came
prepared for just this contingency.
The Teller’s first-ever Nature Connections
Summer Camp director tells her charges
406-961-3507
It’s the second day of the refuge’s
inaugural summer camp adventure for
youngsters ranging in age from third to
fifth grade.
On the first day they focused their
efforts on learning all sorts of interesting
facts about mammals. Through a series
of games, stories and observations, the
youngsters came to understand dynamics
of deer populations, how animals employ
adaptive coloration and use scent to track
their game.
The second day was all about birds, with
opportunities to explore the refuge’s
beautiful native habitats.
Before the camp was over, they’d come
to learn even more about aquatic life and
the importance of native habitat for all
sorts of critters.
Bestor knows just how valuable it can be
to get kids out of a classroom and into
the wilds when it comes to learning.
During the school year, Bestor teaches
Corvallis fifth graders about math and
science. Every year, she makes it a point
to get her students out of the classroom
and onto the refuge for a fall ecology
adventure.
A Wisconsin native, Bestor earned a
bachelor’s degree in natural resource
management, with an emphasis
in environmental education and
interpretation. She followed that with
a stint as an outdoor educator working
with all ages of young people.
“I try to do as much of this kind of thing
as possible with my fifth grade classes,”
Bestor said. “Some of these kids don’t get
out in the woods very much and others
continued on page 4
Teller Wildlife Refuge – Fall 2014 3
Notes
from
Teller Wildlife Refuge
SUMMER CAMP, CONTINUED
Each day, Teller’s
summer campers were
asked to note one
thing they learned and
one thing they were
thankful for. Here are
some of our favorite
responses:
One thing I learned:
“I learned that wildlife
is more important than
I thought.”
“Birds in different
places build different
nests.”
“What adaptation
means!”
“I learned that there
are many different
adaptations.”
“That Teller is the
best camp I have
been to.”
One thing I am
thankful for:
“I am thankful for
having fun.”
“A grate [sic] teacher.”
“I am thankful that we
got to play outside and
ride our bikes to the
pond.”
“I am thankful for this
awesome camp.”
Photo By Perry Backus, Reprinted by permission of the Ravalli Republic
are out there all the time with their families.”
It doesn’t matter how little or how much kids
get outside on their own.
“These real life experiences are what’s
important,” she said. “They learn more when
they can be outside and see, hear and touch it
for themselves.”
The Teller Wildlife Refuge provides a perfect
setting for that kind of experiential learning.
The refuge’s development manager, Lauren
Rennaker, said the non-profit hopes
to continue creating new educational
opportunities for both young and old.
“This is such a beautiful location,” she said.
“Teller can offer an experience for these kids
that hopefully they’ll never forget.”
This year was the first for the Nature
Connections Camp. The refuge offered two
sessions with 16 openings in each session.
“Once the word got out, they filled up
quickly,” Rennaker said. “We were really happy
with the response…so far, the camp has been
wonderful. Right now, I can’t imagine that we
won’t offer at least two camps again next year.”
At $40 a child, the four-day camp is a good
deal for parents.
4 Teller Wildlife Refuge – Fall 2014
The refuge wouldn’t be able to keep that cost
low without a good deal of financial help from
its supporters. That support comes through
the annual TNT fundraiser and Lucy’s Fund,
named for 20-year board member, Lucy
Tompkins.
“She has always been so supportive of our
educational efforts here at the refuge,”
Rennaker said.
Bitterroot Audubon also sponsored two
children.
“Without the support that we receive from the
local community, we wouldn’t be able to do
any of this,” she said. “We are so thankful for
that.”
They aren’t the only ones who are thankful.
After the first day wound down to its end, the
youngsters gathered together and were asked to
name one thing they learned or were thankful
for after the event-packed day.
One girl raised her hand right away.
“I loved what she had to say,” Rennaker said,
with a smile. “She said; ‘I’m going to thank my
mom for letting me come to this camp.’
“That made all of this worthwhile,” Rennaker
said.
www.tellerwildlife.org
Notes
LUCY’S
FUND AT
TELLER
WILDLIFE
REFUGE
In 2013, Teller Wildlife
Refuge established
Lucy’s Fund, a women’s
philanthropic annual giving
group created to support
educational activities on
Teller. It is named in honor
of Lucy Tompkins, a Teller
board member for over
20 years, and a champion
of Teller’s educational
programs.
For more information, or to
join Lucy’s Fund and help
support Teller’s educational
programs, please contact the
Teller office at (406) 9613507.
We have officially launched
Teller’s Facebook page! In
addition to event and activity
information, our page will
give insight into everyday
life here at Teller including
up-to-date happenings on
the property posted weekly
by Teller staff. Please visit our
page and like us!
406-961-3507
from
Teller Wildlife Refuge
WOMEN’S
BEGINNER
FLYFISHING
“A CAST FOR CONSERVATION” CLINIC
Nearly twenty women enjoyed a spring Saturday at Teller Wildlife Refuge learning flyfishing
basics from local guide, Jenny West. On May 31, Teller Wildlife Refuge hosted “A Cast for
Conservation” course for the tenth time. The women gathered in Teller’s historic Slack Barn
for a morning of instruction on fly casting techniques, fish habitat, knot tying, fly selection
and entomology, and local Bitterroot River fishing knowledge. The group shared stories while
they enjoyed a catered lunch from Red Rooster. The afternoon included hands-on casting
lessons on the banks of Teller’s Thomas Pond, where Jenny and fellow fishing outfitter, Eddie
Olwell, helped hone the participants’ casting techniques. Jenny generously donated proceeds
from the course registration fees to Teller and the Bitter Root Water Forum. Thanks to Jenny
and Eddie for leading this enlightening event!
We look forward to hosting the Women’s “A Cast for Conservation” Clinic every May. Let us
know if you are interested in participating in the 2015 class!
LODGING AT TELLER WILDLIFE REFUGE
Teller’s historic farm houses and rustic fishing cabins are
booking fast for the 2015 season!
There are plenty of great dates remaining, but the time to reserve is now.
For rates, details, calendars and online booking, please visit:
www.bitterrootcabins.com/teller-wildlife-refuge
Teller Lodging is proudly managed by:
Bitterroot Cabins, LLC • 866-992-2246 • info@bitterrootcabins.com
Teller Wildlife Refuge – Fall 2014 5
Notes
from
Teller Wildlife Refuge
YOUTH CONSERVATION & EDUCATION EXPO
2014
Youth Conservation
& Education EXPO
The second annual Youth Conservation & Education
Expo at Teller’s Slack Barn on Saturday, May 10 was a
huge success. Over 350 kids, and approximately 500
people total, attended this event. A heartfelt thank
you to the Rapp Family Foundation, Montana’s
Outdoor Legacy Foundation, National Wild Sheep
Foundation and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
for sponsoring much of the event and camp costs.
Ovando, MT. These
camp scholarships
are funded by
many of the
participating
organizations who
will also give away
additional prizes
Shooting  Hunting  Ethics  Education
including
other
This year’s highlights included a special presentation
summer
camp,
from the legendary Smoke Elser, Montana’s most• Drawings for Teddy Roosevelt Outdoor Adventure Camp, Jack Creek
fishing and(Luhunting
Preserve Summer Youth Camp and Montana Natural Resources
famous horse packer, and
opportunities.
brecht State Forest) Camp
Dale Burk, one of Montana’s
“Thank you Teller Wil
dlife Refuge for
• serv
BB Gun Shooting and Archery Ranges
most widely published
Teller gave away a
putting on the con
ation Expo. I loved
•
FWP
Poaching
Trailer
&
FWP
Laser
Shooting
Range
writers and photographers,
slot
to Ellie Craig
the guessing for animal tracks and pelt
s.Tying Clinics
•
Fly
Casting
&
Fly
on the 1964 Wilderness
for our Nature
Because of your Expo, I got a free sum
mer & Elk Calling
• &
Duck,
Goose,
Turkey
Act and its importance to
Connections
Summer
camp to the Boone
Crockett Teddy
future generations. Free-ofCamp held this summer (see page 3). We also are
Roosevelt Ranch.”• Horse Packing Clinic
• Big Game Scoring, and MORE!
charge, a popular 25-foot
partnering with Ducks Unlimited and the Five Valleys
-Alex Winker
climbing wall was on-site
Chapter
of Pheasantsfor
Forever
to host onsite!
youth waterfowl
cost to attend & food available
purchase
‘Dear Friends at Teller,No
Our grandson
for young and old alike.
and pheasant hunts on Teller again this year. The lucky
had a wonderful experie
Over 30 local and national
winners
were 
selected
fromam
those- who
attended
nce both at theMay 10,
Saturday,
2014
10:00
4:00
pmthe
con
servation Expo and as a lucky camper.
wildlife and conservation
Expo.
Thanks to all of you, your volu
Red
Barn,
Teller Wildlife Refuge
organizations hosted
nteersSlack
and
Many thanks to Tom Powers, Jon Miller and the rest of
the huge support of the vendors. You
educational booths and
1180
Chaffin
Lane,committee
Corvallis,
MT organized and
all are
the volunteer
who planned,
very appreciated!”
activities and gave away
requested donations for the Expo.
Questions?
Tom
(406-531-4224)
or Jon (406-546-5995)
-Grand
mother of Alex Win
prizes throughout the
ker
day. Activities included
paintball, BB gun and
Sponsored in part by archery ranges, Montana Fish Wildlife &
Parks’ poaching trailer and laser shooting
range, fly casting clinics, game calling,
horse packing clinics, big game scoring
and much more.
RT ENR
S
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AL
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RI
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Mon
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HA
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Youth 11-18 years of age who participated
in 12 or more of the required series of
demonstrations and hands-on applications
were able to enter into a random
drawing to win one of 50 summer camp
scholarships. The three camps included
the Wildlife Conservation Skills Camp at
The Elmer Rasmuson Wildlife Center on
the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch,
Dupuyer MT; the Jack Creek Preserve
Summer Camp, Ennis, MT; and the
Montana Natural Resources Youth Camp
at the Lubrecht Experimental Forest,
CL
UB INTERNA
TI
O
Missoula Area Ducks
Unlimited Chapter
Also, participating is MSU Extension.
6 Teller Wildlife Refuge – Fall 2014
www.tellerwildlife.org
Notes
from
Teller Wildlife Refuge
alk
W
for
ildlife
W
Sunday, September 28
2:00 p.m.
Start at Teller Wildlife Refuge Slack Barn,
1180 Chaffin Lane, Corvallis
2 mile or 5K
Family Fun Walk or Run
A Benefit of Wildlife
4 informative stops on Teller’s main property
to learn about wildlife, habitat and Teller programs
First 30 paid registrants receive a free Teller water bottle!
Youth
Adult
• FREE–10 & under
• $10–Ages 11-17
• $20–Pre-registration, September 2-20
• $25–After September 20 & at the door
Call 406-961-3507 or email Karin@tellerwildlife.org to register
406-961-3507
Teller Wildlife Refuge – Fall 2014 7
Notes
from
Teller Wildlife Refuge
VOLUNTEERS CRITICAL TO TELLER SUCCESS
So far in 2014, Teller staff communicated with over 285
volunteers and coordinated over 50 projects for volunteer
completion for a total of at least 2,000 hours of donated time.
We simply cannot do so much to benefit the fish and wildlife
that call Teller home without your help. Here are volunteer
accomplishments from 2014:
•
•
Aspen Exclosures – An aspen exclosure built in 2008 is so
successful that with the help of volunteers we expanded the
exclosure. Volunteers also installed a new exclosure around
a struggling aspen grove.
Debris/Fencing Projects – Volunteers helped fix and
remove hazardous fence and debris from the property. Large
rocks were removed from one of our farm fields along with
trash on Woodside Cutoff and Chaffin roads.
•
Duck Blind Clean-Up and Dressing – Each fall volunteers
reset camouflage netting, cut and place cattails and repair
blinds, enhancing volunteer and donor hunts and learning
about blind and decoy placement for a successful hunt.
•
Equipment Organization – Teller purchased 20 plastic
round and 8 foot tables and 200 plastic chairs. Volunteers
assisted with unpacking, cleaning and storage facilities.
•
Flower Bed Maintenance – Teller homes’ lawns and
flowers beds have never looked better thanks to a number
of volunteers who have maintained them throughout the
season.
•
Goose Nesting Platforms – Volunteers used an old sheep
chute to create a new goose nesting platform. Teller already
hosts 8 goose nesting platforms that are cleaned and
prepped with straw by volunteers. The geese utilize every
one each year.
•
Headgate Bridge Repair – Handrails were replaced and
the bridge deck repaired and widened on an important
wetland headgate bridge.
•
Irrigation Improvements – Volunteer Dyllon Hall cleaned
our irrigation ditch, dug up a leaking main line and cleared
our intake pond of silt and cattails.
8 Teller Wildlife Refuge – Fall 2014
•
Riparian Exclosure Bird Surveys - For seven years, Sherry
Ritter has conducted quarterly bird surveys both inside and
outside the riparian electric fence exclosure. See her update
on the project on page 7.
•
Teller Trail – Volunteers routinely walk the Teller Trail
in order to help regulate trespassers, watch for dogs
without leashes and pick up litter while distributing Teller
brochures.
•
TnT BBQ & Auction – Over 30 volunteers contributed
their time to a variety of tasks before, during and after
another successful TnT event.
•
Upland Exclosures – Volunteer Gary Decker removed
weeds and repaired fence on 8 small shrub exclosures.
•
Weed Pulls - Noxious weeds, Houndstongue in particular,
were attacked with shovels throughout most of the
property. Seeded houndstongue was bagged and the plants
will be burned in the fall.
•
Weekly Volunteer – Chuck Burrier once again spent
his Tuesdays at Teller assisting Pete Lindbergh, Teller’s
Lands Manager, and performing various tasks during
staff absences. He was recently recognized by the Ravalli
Republic as a Hometown Hero because of his efforts and
dedication to Teller. Thank you, Chuck!
•
Wood Duck Nesting Boxes – Led by volunteer, Jim
Hamilton, a group of volunteers built and installed 6 new
wood duck nesting boxes. Throughout the summer they
have mapped and surveyed location and use of the boxes.
They are currently planning improvements and more boxes
for 2015.
THANK YOU to all of our volunteers for your support and
dedication this year. We are so very appreciative of all you do
for Teller!
www.tellerwildlife.org
Notes
from
Teller Wildlife Refuge
SEVEN YEARS OF BIRD SURVEYS
AT TELLER’S LARGEST EXCLOSURE
By Sherry Ritter
In 2007, Teller put up an electric fence excluding deer from a 4-acre area of riparian cottonwood
bottomland. That fall, I started doing bird surveys each season to document similarities and
differences between habitats within and outside of the exclosure.
l
an
I’ve done an eyeball analysis of the bird data and haven’t detected any big differences between
the numbers of bird species seen. There have been 40 species detected over the seven years, 9
in winter, 18 in spring, 29 in summer, and 14 in fall. Overall, there were more individuals inside
the exclosure, but there was a lot of fluctuation over the years. Bird counts vary year to year, day to
day, even hour to hour due to lots of factors like temperature, breeding cycles, cloudiness, and
birds deciding to forage here one time and there another. That’s what makes bird surveys so
interesting, and results so hard to evaluate.
Ap
ple
bur
y
We recognized that because of the two areas’ proximity, birds would use both areas, and
that turned out to be true. For example, sometimes I would enter one area and flush a Great
Horned Owl into the other. When my survey took me into the second area, the owl would
flush back to the first.
to
Pho
A
By
Winter is a good example of that. There have been years when I detected no birds on a plot,
and one year when I counted 13. It depends on whether a mixed flock of woodpeckers,
chickadees, and nuthatches happens to be moving through that part of the refuge when I’m
there. I’m always hoping a flock does go through, otherwise it’s a cold, silent morning.
406-961-3507
l
an
One big change I’ve noticed is the difference in the habitat thanks to the prevention of deer
browsing and the plantings that Teller and its volunteers did back in 2008. The alders have
really come back, providing a shrubby understory that eventually will support nests and
food for birds throughout the year. As I pulled weeds there this summer, I noticed lots of
young cottonwoods, and many fallen older ones. In contrast, the area outside the plot has
no young cottonwoods to replace the old ones as they age and fall over. Without new trees
at Teller and elsewhere along the Bitterroot River, we could lose many of those cavity nesters.
That’s the value of keeping deer and elk out of an area long enough for shrubs and trees to
grow beyond the reach of nibbling teeth.
Ap
ple
bur
y
I’ve found that 41% of all species detected during the summer survey are cavity nesters. Both
plots have mature cottonwoods, many of them dead or dying, making perfect homes for cavity
nesters like woodpeckers, swallows, chickadees, wrens, swifts, nuthatches, ducks, and the nonnative starling. Of the 12 species that showed up on at least four of the annual summer counts, 58%
are cavity nesters. This highlights the importance of cottonwoods to the diversity of species in the
area.
to
Pho
A
By
Teller Wildlife Refuge – Fall 2014 9
Notes
from
Teller Wildlife Refuge
NEW MEMBER JOINS TELLER BOARD OF TRUSTEES
We are pleased to welcome Herb Depp to the Teller
Wildlife Refuge Board of Trustees. Herb joined the
Teller board in July 2014. He currently serves on the
National Advisory Group for Griz Athletics at the
University of Montana, and on the board of Advanced
Metallurgical Group. He is a long-time supporter
of athletic programs at his alma mater, California
20th TnT BBQ & Auction
June 14, 2014
State University, Fresno, as well as the University of
Montana. Herb retired from General Electric, where
he served as Vice President of Commercial Aircraft
Programs for GE Aviation. He retired from the U.S.
Air Force Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel. He and his
wife reside on their ranch near Hamilton, Montana.
Herb became involved with Teller Wildlife Refuge as he
strongly believes we must maintain the beauty of
nature in its present form for the enjoyment of
future generations, and he will do whatever he
can to ensure that occurs.
THANK YOU to our sponsors, donors, attendees and volunteers who supported Teller Wildlife
Refuge’s TnT BBQ & Auction, a special 20th celebration gathering at Teller’s Slack Barn in the
name of wildlife conservation and conservation education in the Bitterroot Valley.
Special Thanks To:
Master of Ceremonies: Sam Lawry
Auctioneer: Rick Peverley, RLP Auctions
Music: Tod McKay & Rob Lynn, bagpipers
Parr Sound
Wildlife Table Sponsors
Anonymous
Ned and Nina Bonnie
GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals
Frank and Agnes Godchaux
Keith and Kelly Johnson
Nader and Nancy Shooshtari
Anne Teller
Lucy Tompkins and Stanley Falkow
Event Sponsors
Allegra
Bitterroot Spraying
Bill and Edie Dagley
Herb and Melinda Depp
Empire Landscaping
Dick and Judy Estler
First Security Bank
Glenn Construction Company, Inc.
JCCS, P.C.
Montana Party Time
Nick Nichols and Robin
Tawney-Nichols
Northwestern Energy
PayneWest Insurance
Private Wealth Partners
Ron and Sherry Premuroso
Dick and Maryan Schall
Paul and Pat Shirley
John Talia
Paul and Ann Thomas
Donors
Armida Winery
Art Focus Fine Arts & Custom
Framing
Dick & Martha Bermingham
Marshall & Tonia Bloom
Bella Boutique
Bradley O’s Steakhouse
Kate Bucklin
Will Bucklin
Bitter Root Brewing
Catering: Silk Road Catering
Table Wine: Mark West
Bar Service: The Rainbow Bar
TNT Volunteers
Bitterroot Disposal
Blacksmith Brewing
Bob Ward & Sons Sporting Goods
Bradley O’s Steakhouse
Brent Cotton
Custom Wood Designs
Daly Mansion Preservation Trust
The Depot
David & Christine Decker
Mark Dickerson
Estancia Winery
Dick & Judy Estler
Finn & Porter
Cynthie Fisher
Fishs Eddy O, Eddie Olwell
JoAnne Gibbons
Gilmore Metalsmithing Studio &
Forging Atelier
Good Eatin’
The Grizzly Scholarship Association
Huls Dairy
Kelly Price Pottery
Mark Lagerstrom
Sam Lawry
Land Lindbergh
Latitudes Global Hunting & Fishing
Outfitters
Lolo Peak Brewing Company
Toby McCracken
Missoula College Culinary Arts
Montana Shirts and Hats
Montana Trout Unlimited,
Bitterroot Chapter
Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation
Natural Habitat Adventures
Osprey Outfitters Fly Shop
Quack ‘em and Wack ‘em Waterfowl
Gear, LLC
The Rainbow Bar
Red Bird
The Rhino
Rooster Ridge Pheasant Club
Brent & Judy Russell
Sponsored by the
10 Teller Wildlife Refuge – Fall 2014
Scotty’s Table
Second Street Sushi
Paul & Pat Shirley
Nader & Nancy Shooshtari
Silk Road Catering
The Spa at the Peak
Mike & Trudie Spangler
Spice of Life Café
Storm Creek Outfitters Glamping
John Talia
Douglas E. Taylor
Anne Teller
Toasted Head Winery
Lucy Tompkins & Stanley Falkow
Triple Creek Ranch
Valley Furniture
Victor Steakhouse
Wapiti Waters
Jenny West
Mark West
Wildwood Brewing
Volunteers
Teller’s Board of Trustees
Chuck & Paula Burrier
David Deck
Bob DeYoung
Dick & Judy Estler
Mike Fredrickson
Greg Fritz
JoAnne Gibbons
Wally Grewe
Jim Hamilton
Robert and Lisa Jewett
Dick Kice
Joni Lodmell
Ron MacDonald
Jim McCray
Susan Nolan
Don Pussehl
Donna Rennaker
Kristy Schlimgen
Pat Shirley
Diane Williford
STOCKING
THOMAS
POND
Teller’s Thomas Pond has a few more residents
thanks to a generous donation from the
Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks Jocko River
Trout Hatchery. On August 26, the hatchery
donated 50 12-inch rainbow trout which are
certain to liven up the experience for anyone
practicing their fly casting skills along the
pond’s banks. Teller’s staff members, Lauren
Rennaker and Karin Mayn, helped transplant
the trout into their new home. To ensure
natural ecological balance, the donated rainbow
trout are sterile to prevent possible hybridizing
with native species like cutthroat trout. We’re
grateful to the Jocko River Trout Hatchery staff
for their generous support!
www.tellerwildlife.org
Notes
from
Teller Wildlife Refuge
SHARING THE WONDER FROM TELLER’S
EDUCATION RESOURCE LIBRARY
If you are planning a self-guided field trip or stewardship project
on Teller or in a classroom this fall, be sure to check out the
newly reorganized Education Resource Library in the basement
of our office. Thanks to JoAnne Gibbons, a Teller volunteer and
supporter, our library is a breeze to browse. There are countless
materials and kits available to borrow to supplement any
outdoor activity including field observation tools, plant presses,
games, art supplies, and field guide books about insects, birds,
weeds, and trees, just to name a few. We are pleased to share our
tools that may enhance your field day while your group studies
land use, adaptations, forests, meadows, ecology, wetlands,
wildlife, and more! We’re happy to help narrow your search to
get you outside teaching and learning about nature. Be sure to
stop by our office or give us a call to reserve library materials and
schedule a self-guided field trip on Teller this fall!
BITTERROOT BARN WEDDING
AT TELLER WILDLIFE REFUGE
2 0 1 5 We dd i ng Pa c k a g e
Our wedding package includes use of
the historic Slack Barn and surrounding grounds for the entire weekend,
along with lodging for 14 people for
two nights at our heritage homes.
Host a rehearsal dinner, ceremony,
reception and your family or friends
all in one place!
Also included in the package:



CONTACT BITTERROOT CABINS
Call Sherrie at 406-363-2258
sherrie@bitterrootcabins.com
bitterrootcabins.com/bitterroot-barn-wedding
facebook.com/bitterrootbarnwedding
406-961-3507



Acres of park-like grounds with
volleyball, horseshoes and croquet
Tables and chairs for 200
Assorted wooden benches, tables,
chairs and stands
Dance floor
Trash removal
Port-a-potties
Package Cost - $4,500
(Paid in 3 installments)
Teller Wildlife Refuge – Fall 2014 11
Post Office Box 548
Corvallis, Montana 59828
Phone: 406.961.3507
Fax: 406.961.4489
www.tellerwildlife.org
To inspire,
educate, and
demonstrate
conservation
in action.
INVEST IN TELLER’S LEGACY BY BECOMING A MEMBER OF OUR
STEWARDSHIP SOCIETY TODAY.
By including Teller Wildlife Refuge in your estate plans, you can
help protect a 1,200-acre Bitterroot paradise and sustain our mission
of wildlife conservation and conservation education for the next
generation. Simply name the Teller Wildlife Refuge as a beneficiary
in your will, retirement plan and/or life insurance policy.
Yes! Please send me more information about bequests to Teller
Wildlife Refuge.
I have already included Teller Wildlife Refuge in my estate plans.
Please include me as a Stewardship Society member.
I would like to speak with someone about making a gift. Please
call or email me.
Name:______________________________________
Address: ____________________________________
___________________________________________
CSZ:_______________________________________
Phone/Email:_________________________________
Teller Wildlife Refuge is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.
Our tax ID is 81-0449101.
Teller Wildlife Refuge: P.O. Box 548, Corvallis, MT 59828