With support of the Trust for Mutual Understanding and the Blackfoot Challenge, Slovenian and Croatian representatives of the LIFE Lynx project visited Montana, USA for a 10-day exchange. The exchange strengthened existing partnerships among Slovenian, Croatian, and US conservationists and researchers and explored key lessons from the LIFE Lynx and Blackfoot Challenge wildlife projects. The exchange focused on sharing best community-based practices and communication strategies that further large carnivore conservation in rural landscapes. The LIFE Lynx project was presented to high school students in Seeley Lake, at the University of Montana, and to Blackfoot Challenge staff, board members, and local residents through a series of presentations and field site visits. The team met with a variety of stakeholders including students, NGOs, researchers, ranchers, US Fish and Wildlife biologists, and Blackfoot Challenge staff.
LIFE Lynx project team members are grateful for the opportunity and have benefited greatly from the knowledge that was shared at the exchange.
Ira Topličanec, presenting the LIFE Lynx project to students from the University of Montana Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society. Photo: Maja Sever, LIFE Lynx
Group photo of the participants in front of the Blackfoot Challenge office in Ovando, Montana. Photo: Vedran Slijepčević
Luke Lamar, Conservation Director from Swan Valley Connections presenting carnivore monitoring methods for lynx, wolverine and fisher. Photo: Maja Sever, LIFE Lynx
Group photo in front of the Seeley-Swan High School. Photo: Elaine Caton