Our Story
Gary Swant was a biology and field ecology teacher for 25 years in the Upper Clark Fork River drainage before starting GoBirdMontana, LLC in 2009. The vision was guiding people who were interested in birds of Southwest Montana, and to develop a stewardship attitude for all things related to birds in our spectacular high elevation corner of Montana.
Since that beginning, we have branched out into field research sampling the density and diversity of birds as it relates to the ongoing remediation work along the Clark Fork River, in association with the cleanup from the 1908 flood. Work has been done for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Atlantic Richfield and British Petroleum, along with municipalities along the river. Highlight awards have been: Montana Audubon - Citizen Scientist Award, 2016 and Montana Wildlife Society - Wildlife Conservation Award, 2018.
Caleb Lashway, Gary's oldest grandson, has a natural affinity for all wildlife, especially birds, which began at age 2 when they went birding together. He grew up in East Africa became a proficient world birder and has now joined GoBirdMontana leading birding tours and conducting field research.
We especially enjoy guiding individuals and small groups along the various ecosystems of Western Montana’s lakes, streams, mountains & prairies.