MISSION & HISTORY
The mission of the Montana Natural History Center is to promote and cultivate the appreciation, understanding and stewardship of nature through education. MNHC is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 by a group of educators who had the vision to create a natural history center as a resource or schools and the public. Originally housed on the University of Montana campus, MNHC continued to grow and outgrow its rented space at Fort Missoula. In 2004, MNHC purchased its first home at 120 Hickory Street, at the edge of McCormick Park in the heart of Missoula.
STAFF MEMBERS
Arnold Olsen, Executive Director, has a PhD in wildlife biology from Colorado State University and has extensive experience in natural and cultural resource management and administration. Past positions have included; director of the Montana Historical Society, and various leadership positions for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks in wildlife management, parks and recreation, and land and facility management. He has also taught at the university level and has worked for the private sector in environmental consulting and permanent habitat protection.
Lisa Bickell, Education Director, started with the Montana Natural History Center in 1999 as a college intern. She has taught natural history and outdoor education to school groups at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Minnesota and the North Cascades Institute in Washington. Lisa has a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and an MEd in Science Education from Western Washington University as well as an enduring passion for teaching and learning about the natural history of western Montana. Lisa is the 2006 recipient of the Montana Environmental Education Association’s Educator of the Year award.
Pam, Administrative Assistant- bio coming soon
Jessie Sherburne, Community Programs Coordinator, has a B.A. in Biology with an emphasis in Zoology, and a degree in French language from the University of Montana. She participated in a tropical ecology class in Peru in 2005 and has since become a entranced with the world of natural history. In 2006, she returned to Missoula after living in Vermont where she worked doing environmental education and raptor care at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science.
Caroline Kurtz, Field Notes Coordinator & Montana Naturalist Editor, has worked in science communication for the past 15 years - as a writer, editor, program developer and teacher. She received a B.A. in English Literature from Vassar College and a M.S. in Science Communication from Boston University. Currently, she also works as a freelance science writer for the University of Montana.
Brian Williams, Naturalist, started teaching 15 years ago at Boy Scout camp and has been enjoying it ever since. He earned an MS in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana during which time he created the Naturalist class for MNHC that continues today. He recently spent two years in South Texas leading bird-watching and wildlife tours on King Ranch, but he’s glad to be back in the land of snow and mountains teaching kids natural history once again
Kathryn Socie, Membership & Development Coordinator, has a B.S. in biology with an emphasis in ecology and natural history and a B.A. in philosophy. Her career began in communications and outreach for various non-profits before she began working in the field and laboratory conducting biological research while editing and writing in the sciences. She brings her passions for non-profit management, fundraising and natural history together to grow MNHC.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Hank Fischer, President, is a conservationist, author, journalist, and guide, has been extensively involved in endangered species restoration in the northern Rockies. Hank studied wildlife biology and journalism and has an MS in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana. From 1977-2002, Hank was the Defenders of Wildlife Northern Rockies and his 1995 book Wolf Wars, chronicles the effort to restore wolves to Yellowstone. Hank created the Defenders of Wildlife Compensation Funds for reimbursing farmers for wolf and grizzly bear livestock losses. Hank has been honored with many awards including Don Aldrich Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Award, the Edward Lowe Enviro-Capitalist Award and a Special Achievement Award from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.
Marilyn Marler, Vice President, is a plant ecologist in Missoula where she works as the University of Montana’s invasive plant specialist, taking care of UM’s natural areas. She has a degree in Biology from UC Davis and a master’s degree in Ecology from UM. She joined the MNHC board in 2007 after working with MNHC staff on various community outreach projects during the past 8 years. Marilyn and her husband David enjoy fishing, hunting, backpacking and gardening, and are also active with the Montana Native Plant Society.
Marcia Hogan, Secretary, is a private consultant with expertise in facilitation. Marcia worked on natural resource issues on the Lolo National Forest for over 25 years. She served on the Five Valleys Land Trust board for nearly a decade and as the treasurer for the successful 2006 Missoula City-County Open Space Bond. She now serves on the Good Food Store board. Marcia co-produced the Pines of Primm Meadow video about a special place in the Blackfoot. View or check out the video at MNHC. She graduated from the University of Montana with two degrees in liberal arts and forestry after attending Lewis and Clark College and studying a half year in Afghanistan.
April Christofferson is an author and former Seattle attorney. Several of her novels are set in the West and focus upon environmental issues. She is a passionate advocate for wilderness and wildlife, especially the preservation of Yellowstone National Park. She writes for the Yellowstone Association’s Discovery and teaches screenwriting.
Jim Gladen was a career employee for the U.S. Forest Service serving on several forests as well as at the National Headquarters in Washington D.C. After leaving the Forest Service he became the Vice President of Lands and Conservation for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in Missoula before his retirement in 2007.
Melynda (Mindy) Goldberg is a native of upstate New York. After graduating from college in Ohio, she worked in hospitals from New York to California as an obstetrical nurse. In 1995 she moved to Ennis, Montana. In addition to hospital work, she has been employed with the US Forest Service and worked part-time as a commercial fishing guide. She’s been fortunate to work and volunteer for hospitals and non-profits in Havre, Lewistown, Bozeman and now Missoula!
Ellen Knight has been an active volunteer and supporter of MNHC since the beginning, providing educational expertise and enthusiasm in every aspect of MNHC’s programming. - bio coming soon.
Megan Parker is currently finishing her PhD at the University of Montana in Wildlife biology where she has worked for the past 8 years on African wild dogs in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. She was born and raised in Missoula and found inspiration in the natural world of this area. She has worked on field biology projects from tropical falcons to songbirds. She is also co-founder of Working Dogs for Conservation Foundation, dedicated to training detection dogs for conservation and research projects in Montana and around the world.
Alan Okagaki, Board Treasurer, is a private consultant with expertise in community development and non-profit management. He has also been active in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, and most recently worked for ShoreBank Corporation, a $2 billion community development bank. He enjoys hiking, camping and bike riding.
Elizabeth Oleson is a CPA and the Fiscal Affairs Director of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation. Betty earned her BA at the University of Chicago and an MBA from the University of Montana. She is an avid hiker, skier and bike rider. Betty also serves on the Board of Blue Mountain Clinic and String Orchestra of the Rockies.
Rick Oncken lives west of Missoula with his wife Penney. They have 3 grown children. Oncken works at Lambros Real Estate, specializing in ranch and recreational land. He is a member of most of the hunter-conservation groups working in Montana and is currently on the board of directors of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Oncken’s interest in nature goes back to his youth, growing up in Iowa. Pets such as crawdads and turtles (mom said no to snakes), fishing with a cane pole and helping relatives on their farms helped foster a lifelong interest in the world around us.
Susan Roy is an attorney at Garlington, Lohn, and Robinson. She is also active with Adventure Cycling and the Montana Wilderness Association.
Nancy Stoverud - bio coming soon
Glenna Tawney is a 4th grade teacher. She grew up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She is expecting her first child this summer. In her spare time she enjoys rafting and hiking with her husband.
Steve Woodruff is deputy regional director of Western Progress, an independent public policy institute for the Rocky Mountain West. He was opinion page editor of the Missoulian newspaper for nearly 20 years. Previously, he was the Missoulian’s natural resources and environment writer. He also coauthored “Montana Wilderness: Discovering the Heritage.” Woodruff is a graduate of Washington State University, where he studied communications with an emphasis on wildlife and forestry.
