Montana WILD Completed New Avian Facility

The Helena center opened a new walkway and flight barn to house birds of prey.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Bird Watching

Montana WILD Completed New Avian Facility

Live Poll

Do you believe local wildlife rehabilitation centers are a valuable investment for your community?

Montana WILD has finished construction on a new $1,065,000 avian facility in Helena. The expansion features a 3,600-square-foot walkway for the public and a 1,160-square-foot flight barn for rehabilitation.

Why it matters

The project expands space for injured birds of prey that cannot return to the wild. It also improves rehabilitation capacity for patients preparing for release back into nature.

The new facility includes a 3,600-square-foot Avian Walkway and a 1,160-square-foot flight barn. The center is one of four rehabilitation sites in Montana, treating 150 to 200 animals annually.

The players

Montana WILD

This facility is one of four rehabilitation centers in Montana that cares for birds of prey.

Greg Gianforte

He is the current Governor of Montana.

Christy Clark

She serves as the Director of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

The details

The new Avian Walkway allows visitors to observe education birds even when they are not being walked by volunteers. The rear section of the site houses injured birds of prey and patients undergoing recovery prior to release, with plans to introduce a bald eagle to the space.

Governor Greg Gianforte and Director Christy Clark toured the new facility on September 29, 2026.

Culture Shift

The project reflects a broader trend of integrating public education spaces into wildlife rehabilitation centers to increase community engagement. This facility aligns with state-supported conservation efforts, following the pattern established by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Nongame Wildlife Account.

Helena residents can now access the expanded Avian Walkway to view education birds on-site. The facility serves as an educational resource for the community, which sees 10,000 public visitors and 8,000 students annually.

The takeaway

This expansion enhances the ability of Montana WILD to educate the public while providing critical care for local birds of prey. Visitors are encouraged to utilize the new walkways to learn more about the specific needs of injured raptors.