There is a new trail next to the Montana Wild Education Center and near Spring Meadow Lake State Park.
The quarter mile trail was, previously, a trail before a 2007 fire swept through it. Environmental advocacy group, Last Chance Audubon, decided to resurrect the trail and dedicate it to Jane Beasley, the former owner of Birds and Beasleys in Helena. Jane passed away in 2019. She had a big admiration for nature and birds, according to the current owner and child of Jane, Sandy Shull. This trail represents what Jane cared for very much, having nature bring the community together.
“Okay, it brought tears to my eyes. It was just really cool,” says Shull. “Mom was a pretty, special person to all of us. I've worked with her, hand-in-hand, for the last 24 years. She just loves nature and people. So when Audobon called us up and said, 'hey, you know, we're going to do this trail.' I was shocked because I was thinking the memorial would go to something else. It's been really, really touching."
Montana Conservation Corp and Americorp members did the labor on the trail. Sandy hopes to get a sign up for it to be officially named the Jane Beasley Memorial Trail.
You can find the trail off the Montana Wild Connector Trail at Spring Meadow Lake Skate Park.
