Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 28 THE SPECIES ACT, ENDANGERED The law signed by President Nixon in 1973 has been credited with helping prevent the extinction of more than 220 species, including bald eagles, grizzly bears, and gray wolves. It requires the government to list species that are endangered or threatened. It also protects plants and habitats. It has been the noblest and most ambitious conservation law that received large margins of support in both chambers of Congress. President Trump's rules would allow officials to consider the cost to save a species, remove blanket protections for animals newly listed, and make it easier to remove species from the protected list. The goal would remove regulations from logging and oil- drilling industries. Currently 17 states (not including Montana) have sued the administration to block rules from weaken- ing the Endangered Species Act, saying the changes make it tougher to protect wildlife even in the midst of a global extinction crisis. Recent report document- ing the loss of 1/3 of wild birds in N. America and Canada—2.9 billion birds lost in the last 50 years. For more info, contact: April Craighead Wildlife biologist Craighead Institute 201 So. Wallace Ave. Bozeman, MT 59715 april@craigheadinstitute.org and festival attendees could vote for the art they liked best. Still assuming endangered all- stars like grizzlies would get all the votes, I was just glad the pre-historic sturgeon would be included. So I was shocked to hear my pale ale-inspired sturgeon received the most votes, and would be the next mural to be done. Another surprise was finding out that I'd be painting on the garage of my friend and Distinctly Montana cohort, Valerie. Neither of us were aware that she'd be hosting my work, or I'd be decorating her garage door. en we waited for all schedules, home inspections, and, above all, weather conditions to align so I could get to work. Project sponsor April Craighead was keen to get the mural finished this fall, but as weeks of unusually rainy, snowy, and cold conditions passed, the odds that it would happen were becoming as endangered as the sturgeon itself. Finally, the forecast called for a small window of nice-enough weather, and I sprang into action. Frantically working like I was being chased by a grizzly, I painted the mural in two days. Temperatures were dropping sharply as I finished, and the next morning a huge snow- storm hit. It was a true honor to have my work selected, and I'm happy to give the low-key sturgeon their moment in the sun—literally, as Valerie's south-facing garage gets full daylight exposure every day of the year. e process was also a fine adventure, and I was excited to have been a part of it. For her part Valerie Harms, owner of the home where the mural is displayed, said: "When I read in the newspaper about the Craighead Institute's project, I immediately contacted April. Two reasons: I am an ardent endangered species advocate and I used to work for the National Audubon Society in New York City. At NAS I received a major education in con- servation. After I moved to Montana 25 years ago, I supported wilderness, wildlife, and habi- tat needs. When I contacted April to offer my garage door as background, I was surprised to hear that the selected artist for the mural was Robert Rath, with whom I'd worked for 10 years at Distinctly Montana magazine. Another coincidence. On behalf of endangered species I have written letters and attended meetings, but a mural seems a potent, long-lasting way of getting the message across." "Through the eyes of the artists AND THEIR RENDITIONS, I HAVE A WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE ON ALL OF THESE SPECIES AND HOW EXQUISITE THEY ALL ARE." ~ April Craighead TOM RATH (7)

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