DEDICATION 



Larry Steven Thompson 



Larry Thompson (1949-1988) was born in Kalispell and dedicated his life to the 

 exploration and study of Montana's rich natural heritage. Larry attended Montana State 

 University and received a Masters Degree from Washington State University, completing 

 a thesis on the biogeographical relationships of bird populations found on Montana's 

 prairie mountain ranges. For 1 2 years, beginning in the mid-1 970s, Larry worked at the 

 Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, involved in the oversight 

 of facility siting. In 1985, Larry became the first manager of the Natural Resource 

 Information System where he began the job of cataloging Montana's natural resources. 



Accomplished as he was in his work, it seemed to be his time away from work that 

 touched the most people. He wrote extensively, publishing scientific and popular 

 articles, including one of the Montana Geographic Series, Montana Explorers. He co- 

 authored the Third Edition of Montana Bird Distribution. He was a natural musician and 

 a gifted artist. (Some of his drawings illustrate this edition.) Above all, Larry was a 

 naturalist. He was interested in, curious about and saw beauty in everything - big, 

 small, obscure, animal, plant or rock - it didn't matter. No one could be around Larry 

 without seeing the world differently and having a new appreciation for things commonly 

 passed by. As a person and a naturalist, Larry's contributions to the quality of life and 

 the knowledge and conservation of Montana's natural resources were remarkable. We 

 respectfully, and with great affection, dedicate this edition to him. 



