Gr8 Landscapes, Red Lodge

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By Katie Ussin

Story Published: Aug 27, 2010 at 10:01 PM MST

Story Updated: Aug 29, 2010 at 1:18 PM MST

BILLINGS - Claire Witcomb, aged 77, is the lead landscaper at the Beartooth Nature Center in Red Lodge. "I pretty much live out here all summer," she said. Witcomb tends to five acres of perennials, trees and bushes with the help of a special group of gals. "Two of them are what I call little whippersnappers, they're in their 40's, 50's and 60's," she laughed. "But, the rest of us are older than 70 and we have a 91 year old."

They have a lot of eyes wildly admiring their work. "Yeah, a lot of four-footed friends and birds," said Witcomb. Cages do not normally add to the appeal of a landscape, but the occupants would have otherwise been killed. "Every animal we have is either here because of injury, imprinting, meaning they're too used to people to go back into the wild, or they were orphaned by their parents in the wild," said Jeff Ewelt, executive director of the Beartooth Nature Center.

The Beartooth Nature Center is a wildlife refuge. There is: Rex the red fox was an illegal pet, a North American lynx named Thor who was rescued from a fur farm, a Great Horned Owl hit by a car, and Bobbie Sioux the bobcat was an unwanted pet. The list goes on. "We have 71 animals from 39 different species," said Ewelt.

The center is also a refuge for Claire. "For me, coming out here is like therapy. I started doing it after my husband died," she said. One small garden planted in his memory has grown into a passion.

Every week we will be featuring great landscapes in our area. If you, or someone you know, has a great garden or outdoor space, please let us know. Send Katie an e-mail at kussin@kulr.com.

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L. Bunyard said on Monday, Aug 30 at 6:43 PM

My mother's name is spelled Clare, just like County Clare in Ireland.

L. Bunyard said on Monday, Aug 30 at 10:17 AM

Mom, you are still doing it. I got my love for flowers from you. Glad to see you are still enjoying life in Red Lodge. Your eldest brat, Laura.....:)

C. Hutcheson said on Sunday, Aug 29 at 2:04 PM

I loved the story about Claire. What an inspiration she is! The plants are breathtaking.

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