FLORENCE - Nestled near Florence is a hidden "aviary" like no other — the MPG Ranch has become a crucial research site for bird conservation.

In fact, folks from the University of Montana’s Bird Ecology Lab (UMBEL) make the trip nearly every day to one of their songbird banding stations.

“I think that banding is a really good opportunity to share wildlife up-close, birds up-close with the community," said Annie Meyer, a researcher with UMBEL. "You know, if you see a bird in a bush, it’s cool and it's exciting. But seeing it in the hand sparks a lot of excitement. “

And it isn’t just Meyer and the other researchers making the trek. MPG Ranch welcomes the public through field trips, giving birders and nature enthusiasts a chance to observe the banding process firsthand.

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