The program director of an organization that aims to reduce lead consumption in wild animals by encouraging the use of lead free ammunition and tackle, will speak at the next Draper Museum Lunchtime Talk.

“Rarely does an ecological problem arise with a clear, tangible, and positive solution,” says Hannah Leonard, program director for Sporting Lead-Free. The organization is a nonpolitical, educational initiative working to reduce inadvertent lead consumption by wildlife through the voluntary choice of lead-free ammunition and tackle.

Leonard will deliver the next Lunchtime Expedition lecture at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Her talk is titled Sporting Lead-Free: A Vital Step for Wildlife Conservation.

In a departure from the typical schedule for the Lunchtime Expedition series, this talk takes place the second Thursday of the month — Oct. 10 — at noon in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West’s Coe Auditorium. All talks in the series are free and open to the public.

Those who prefer to attend virtually via Zoom may do so by registering at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U63TIIvCRa-7K9DDkQyf2w.

Leonard’s introduction to the concept of lead-free sporting came after encountering a lead-poisoned golden eagle while hunting with a family friend in southwest Montana. The experience led her to explore the use of non-lead alternatives and ignited a desire to educate others in their use.

While lead poisoning in wildlife has been seen since the 1890s, the issue continues to persist, with raptors and scavengers ingesting lead from hunted big game, upland birds, varmints and fishing tackle.

“Over the past 20 years,” notes Leonard, “a growing body of evidence has clearly identified both a significant, ubiquitous conservation issue and the solution to that issue.”

In her talk, Leonard will explain how lead poisoning impacts certain wildlife species, how different sporting activities introduce lead into the environment, and how education and awareness can be used to solve a human-caused issue.

“With a contentious issue such as this, we hope you will leave the presentation with new messaging tactics and knowledge for positive behavioral change for conservation!” says Leonard.

She was born and raised in Montana and has always enjoyed outdoor pursuits. An avid fly fisher and hunter herself, she seeks ways to be involved in the outdoors by leading women’s fly-fishing groups and participating in sustainable hunting programs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s degree in resource conservation.

The Draper Museum’s Lunchtime Expedition lecture series is made possible through support from Sage Creek Ranch and the Nancy-Carroll Draper Charitable Foundation. Most talks in the series take place the first Thursday of the month. 

For more information: Corey Anco, coreya@centerofthewest.org or 307-578-4093.