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Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge
Just north of Stevensville, on the banks of the
Bitterroot River and bordered by fertile ranch and farmland,
is the state’s most popular wildlife refuge. The Lee Metcalf
National Wildlife Refuge was established 43 years ago in
honor of the late Montana Senator, Lee Metcalf, who was
known nationally for his commitment to conservation
movements. The 2,400-acre refuge houses a large wetlands
complex and is home to a wide variety of waterfowl,
songbirds, raptors and other wetland mammals. Since the
refuge is managed for wildlife first, some of the ground
isn’t open to visitors. However, trails wind through the
uplands and wetlands both north and south of the visitor’s
center, allowing people a great view of wildlife in their
natural habitat. The refuge is relatively small compared
with others around the country, but it plays host to more
than 150,000 visitors each year.
 This
is a fact that Bob Danley, outdoor education coordinator at
the refuge, is proud of and over the past two years, Danley
and the refuge’s management team have been working hard at
opening up more of the refuge to the public. Allowing refuge
visitors to see as much of the ground as possible is
important for the future of conservation, Danley said. This
new focus of management came with refuge manager, Steve
Whitson who took over two years ago. Under Whitson, the
refuge opened a brand new visitor’s center and office
building. These building were built on refuge ground giving
the management team on-site offices for the first time.
Refuge staff also added a new trail extending into the north
part of the refuge and created dozens of more activities to
involve the public and provide animal and conservation
education.
Whitson’s attitude about refuge management is echoed in
Danley’s excitement. “Heck people, this is your land. Come
out and enjoy it,” he says.
Though the refuge is managed for wildlife and habitat first,
Danley maintains that public access and participation is
valuable. For instance, in the past two years, a local
support group of volunteers – The Friends of Lee Metcalf
National Wildlife Refuge – has formed and helped staff the
visitor’s center and coordinate events at the refuge. Last
year, the refuge hosted its first bio-thon: an adventure
race where participants had to answer biological questions
at several check stations. Racers were awarded or penalized
time based on whether or not they answered the questions
correctly. The bio-thon will be held again this year during
the Bitterroot Birding Festival in June.
 The
refuge is also the trailhead for the newly formed Bitterroot
Birding and Nature Trail, which opened last June. The trail
marks 25 spots between Lolo Pass and Lookout Pass where
people can observe a variety of birds and animals.
Another new event at the refuge developed under Danley and
Whitson are the “Behind the Signs” tours. These tours allow
Danley to take people to parts of the refuge not normally
open to the public. These kinds of activities, Danley
explains, allow refuge staff to engage visitors in a way
that really demonstrates the importance of the refuge and
conservation ethics. “We need to basically make sure the
next generation has enough information to make decisions
about public land use,” he said.
And in the rapidly changing Bitterroot Valley, which is the
second fastest growing area in Montana, land use and
management are vitally important. Showing people the
importance of conservation, believes Danley, will help the
way public and private lands are managed in the future.
“Ultimately, what we’re trying to do is affect people’s
values,” he says.
What better way to understand nature and conservation than
by seeing it first-hand?
 Activities
Each summer the refuge has a full plate of events, from
“Behind the Signs” tours to the Bitterroot Birding Festival,
held on June 10th and 11th.
On May 10th the refuge will host their second annual “Weed
Roundup.” This event injects a mess of fun and energy into
the important task of pulling weeds. The event begins at 10
a.m. and includes a variety of prizes.
Another annual event that has become popular over the past
couple of years is the June 3rd, kids fishing clinic. The
event is for kids ages 7-12 and will teach the young
fishermen and women about fish biology and ethics, as well
as give them a chance to catch largemouth bass out of the
refuge’s ponds.
Like many places in Western Montana, the refuge will be
celebrating Lewis and Clark’s journey back through Montana
at the end of June. Events will include nature walks and
special programming in the new outdoor amphitheater.
Also this summer the local playhouse, The Chantilly Theater,
will be performing plays in the refuge’s amphitheater. The
schedule hasn’t been set, but Danley is excited to tie the
refuge in with local performing arts groups.
Getting There
The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge is located about
four miles north of Stevensville off the Eastside Highway.
Follow the signs to the visitor’s center off of the highway.
For more information, call the refuge at 777-5552.
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