A popular annual fundraiser for Montana wildlife biologists who oversee the state’s grizzly bear population is scheduled for July 11 at Jack and Suzi Hanna’s farm near Bigfork.
Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation — formerly the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Foundation — organizes the yearly event in order to give state biologists the tools and personnel they need to, among other things, manage grizzly populations in areas where populations are strong and to relocate a few grizzlies from around Kalispell to the Cabinet Mountains where numbers are low.
Jack Hanna is the director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and celebrity wildlife expert known for taking animals on TV talk shows in order to educate people about the importance of wildlife preservation. He also hosts three TV series, including Emmy award winning “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild” and ABC’s “Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown.”
A new twist for this year’s event includes a small art auction featuring original works donated by several regional artists. The auction will feature, among other items, an original grizzly bear oil painting by Kalispell’s Tom Saubert titled “Monarchs and Painted Ladies” and a brown-bear skull elaborately decorated by Jana Waller.
The event will include music by Shane Clouse and his band, Stomping Ground, and will be catered by Chris Ricciardi.
Over 250 people attended last year. Space is limited. Tickets are $100 and available at https://www.mtoutdoorlegacy.org or by calling (406) 444-6759.