Montana Bird Distribution Viewer Offers Unprecedented "Bird's Eye" View
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2006
Contact: Sara Groves
(406) 444-5357
WHEN: Tuesday, June 6, 2006 2 p.m.
WHERE: The Montana State Library
Grizzly Conference Room
1515 East Sixth Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
WHAT: The Montana Natural Heritage Program will launch a new Web site that offers a "bird's eye" view of statewide bird sightings in Montana - the Montana Bird Distribution Viewer - with a special "sneak peek" for Montana press.
The Montana Bird Distribution Viewer is an interactive Web site where anyone can quickly report bird observations online. Maps and air photos allow birders to pinpoint the precise location of the bird, producing highly accurate records. The resulting database is extremely useful for resource managers, as well as for the bird watching public. Individuals can also view all of their own bird observations in the context of a variety of statewide map layers, including unprecedented statewide access to air photos, land ownership, topographic maps, and other statewide information.
WHY: Bird watching is noted as one of the fastest growing recreations in the United States, and the trend is reflected in Montana as well. Montanans are heading out to birding hotspots in droves, and bird watching field trips and programs are enormously popular all over the state. Additionally, bird watching in Montana is big business. Montana's reputation as a haven for naturalists attracts people that are interested in birding from all over the country. Covering the Montana Bird Distribution Viewer is a perfect way of giving your readers/viewers more information on how they can become part of this quickly growing recreational activity.
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