We feel there could be no more fitting theme here in the home community of John Craighead and his family, said Kate Davis of Raptors of the Rockies, the nonprofit organization hosting the event, with University of Montana as co-host. She anticipates that more than 200 attendees will be thrilled by the reception in a community known for wildlife events like the International Wildlife Film Festival. The Holiday Inn Downtown at the Park will be the venue, with three full days of papers and symposia, evening workshops, and field trips. The Monte Dolack Gallery will hold a Birds and Art special exhibit, with invited artists from around the country.

The Craighead "legacy lives on" theme challenges biologists and students alike to take the next bold steps in the spirit of America’s pioneering biologists and falconers, combining field research, cutting edge technology and communication to conserve raptors around the globe. The public is invited to an evening showing, Sept. 25, of the 1940 Craighead film, "Life with an Indian Prince" at the Missoula Children’s Theater.

The special speaker is raptor researcher Brian Woodbridge, whose discovery of thousands of poisoned Swainson’s hawks on their wintering grounds in Argentina led to banning a toxic pesticide and protection of the hawks. In 1994, he was the first to track the epic 8000-mile migration of Swainson’s hawks using microwave transmitters. He joins us from Yreka, California.

University of Montana professors Ken Dial and Erick Greene, known for lively presentations and groundbreaking work in bird flight evolution and bird communication respectively, are keynote and plenary speakers. A half-day symposium on Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers will be also held.

Woodbridge’s talk on Saturday, Sept. 27, follows a daylong symposium on "Raptors in Education." Davis hopes this event will attract teachers to learn more about the opportunities to instill a lifelong passion for wildlife and conservation through birds of prey in and outside the classroom—a fitting part of the Craighead legacy. A concurrent Saturday workshop on the new book Raptor Research and Management Techniques will be held, with many authors of the twenty-five chapters presenting.

For information on the conference and sponsorship, contact Kate Davis of Raptors of the Rockies (raptors@montana.com).

Also visit the websites: www.raptorsoftherockies.org and www.raptorresearchfoundation.org