Here are a few resources to explore that can help you become a bit more engaged in nature. While HelenaOutdoor is focused on the free or nearly free thinsg you can do in the area, some folks might be interested in Helena’s history, or even the geology of the area. There are lots of resources available.
Add resource boxes for MontanaWild!, Montana Audubon, Montana Natural History Center, Montana FWP, Montana Native Plant Society, Prickly Pear Land Trust. Then find images for all of them, too
Montana eBird
eBird is an app, a website, and a community of devoted birders. As an eBird member, you can participate in citizen science by recording your avian observations anywhere in the world. eBird is a free app.
Merlin Bird ID
Merlin is a free app that allows you to use your phone to identify bird sounds or pictures. There is also a very simple, step-by-step identification process to help you home-in on what bird you are looking at.
Birda
Birda is a great idea. It’s a birding app that connects curious people within a nature-centric, online community. Learning more about the natural world and sharing your findings with a community of likeminded folks is a really good place to start help folks value the biodiversity that we have. And begin to protect it, too.
iNaturalist
iNaturalist is a free app, a website, and a community of naturalists who share discoveries and support each other if they need support identifying organisms.
Montana Field Guide
The Montana Field Guide, part of the Montana Natural Heritage Program is the go to source for determining what plant, animal, or insect you have founD. This is an amazing zero-cost resource.
Montana Nature Network 