Join us at the Grizzly Bear Rendezvous 2012!
By Matt Schauer

Posted: June 22, 2012

Montana FWP Technician, Lindsey Stutzman, with a sub adult grizzly bear which was trapped as part of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Foundation’s 2011 Grizzly Bear Augmentation and Conflict Management Project. Photo from Be Still Photography

Grizzly Bear Rendezvous 2012 will take place Friday, July 13 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. in Bigfork thanks to the hosting skills of Jack and Suzi Hanna who support the efforts of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park Foundation to raise money for grizzly bear research in Montana. Reservations for this cowboy casual event are due by July 6 by calling 406-444-3272. Space is limited and the cost is $75 per ticket to be paid by July 6 with VISA or MasterCard or check.

Jack Hanna (left side of above photo) will talk about his many television adventures and commitment to wildlife conservation in Montana and around the world and will MC the evening’s events. Chicago’s director of the Brookfield Zoo and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society, Stuart Strahl, will serve as keynote speaker. Chris Servheen, 28-year grizzly bear recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will discuss the scope of his studies. Throughout the evening other grizzly bear experts such as Rick Mace, Tim Manley (right side of above photo), Jamie Jonkel, Kevin Frye and Mike Madel will provide information and answer questions at their respective display tables.

Music will be provided by the Hanna’s favorite bluegrass band, Leftover Biscuits. An assortment of gourmet dishes with a summer flare will be provided by The Raven of Bigfork and include such favorites as rosemary beef tenderloin, sugared juniper pork tenderloin, baby quiche, strawberry balsamic cous cous salad, Flathead Lake feta and watermelon salad spiked with mint and more.

“The Montana FWP Foundation raises an average of $50,000 a year using such events as the Grizzly Bear Rendezvous to fund the work by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists for grizzly bear management, research and conservation in Montana,” explained George Bettas, executive director of the Montana FWP Foundation. Bettas said that the foundation currently raises money for the grizzly bear projects in Region 1 (Kalispell) of Montana with plans to expand to Regions 2 (Missoula) and 4 (Great Falls).

Montana FWP Foundation was established in 1999 to support FWP operations and provide private support for conservation projects as a leading organization that protects Montana’s natural, cultural and recreational resources. The foundation raises funds for charitable and educational purposes and awards grants to various organizations so it holds a federal tax-exempt status under Section 501c3 of the IRS code. Montana FWP Foundation has raised $4.7 million since 1999 for various conservation projects throughout Montana with 85 percent of the projects submitted by FWP. They have also raised money for projects from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, Prickly Pear Land Trust and more.

For more information contact George Bettas at (406) 360-5976

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