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Saturday, March 1 -Saturday Kids' Activity– Rock and Gem Discovery!
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Saturday Discovery Day – Wildlife Tracking Workshop with Elliott Parsons
Saturday, March 1st, 9am – 4 pm, $10 MNHC members, $15 Non-members
Join Elliott Parsons, UM PhD student in wildlife biology and member of the Missoula Wildlife Tracking Club, for a day spent outdoors learning how to identify and interpret animal tracks.  He will also focus on animal sign such as scat, rubs, chews and trails, how to use bird language to follow unseen animals, how to keep a tracking journal and general winter wildlife  ecology. Bring appropriate warm weather gear as well as a sack lunch. 
Elliott Parsons has studied tracking with Jon Young’s Wilderness Awareness School in Washington and Tom Brown Jr.’s Tracker School in New Jersey. He has led tracking, bird language and survival skill workshops for UC Santa Cruz. Currently Elliott is a PhD student in the wildlife biology program at the University of Montana and leads outings with the Missoula Wildlife Tracking Club.
Call 327-0405 to register. Space limited, registration required.

The Careful Art of Tracking Porcupines
Evening Lecture featuring UM Grad Student Katie Mally
Wednesday, March 12th, 7 pm. 120 Hickory St. Suggested donation: $3.
Did you know a porcupines quills are just modified hairs? Join UM Graduate Student Katie Mally as she discusses her work on the porcupines of the Bitterroot Valley. She has tracked and collared several of these prickly porkys in order to establish their home range and habitat.

Saturday Discovery Day: Nature Journaling through the Seasons
Tools and techniques for the beginner
Featuring Claire Emery
Saturday, March 15th, 9 am - 3 pm, $20 MNHC members, $25 non-members
Join local natural science illustrator and seasoned field journaler Claire Emery for an introductory class on natural history field journaling. Class open to adults. Children ages 12 and up are welcome to attend with a parent. Dress to be outdoors. Materials list will be provided upon registration.

Claire Emery is a professional artist, illustrator, and occasional writer who specializes in natural science illustration and field journaling. For ten years, she has led workshops for all ages on keeping an illustrated field journal. Her career, which began in the mountains with a field journal and pen in hand, has evolved into a freelance illustration business that focuses on conveying the beauty and mysteries of nature through art and education. Since 2000, she has illustrated several books, posters, interpretive signs and publications. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Studies from University of Montana and a Graduate Certificate in Natural Science Illustration from University of California at Santa Cruz.
Registration required. Call 327-0405.


Saturday, March 15 – Saturday Kids' Activity - Skulls, Teeth and Bones!
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Saturday Discovery Day: Snow Geese Migration at Freezout Lake
Featuring Mike Schwitters
Saturday, March 22nd, 7 am - 6 pm, $15 MNHC members, $20 non-members
Spend an inspiring day watching thousands of migrating snow geese (and other birds) at Freeze-out Lake. Trip will be hosted by snow goose expert and FWP volunteer Mike Schwitters.
Space is limited. Registration required. Call 327-0405.

Botanical Illustration in Graphite with Nancy Seiler
Mondays, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5 (5 classes)
Montana Natural History Center
6:30-9 pm, Mondays
$125, limit 12 ($25 deposit to hold spot) Call 327-0405 to register.
Create a classic botanical illustration in graphite in this introductory course. You’ll learn how to ‘build’ your drawing by breaking it down into manageable layers of sketching, refining, shading and composition. You’ll also learn how to set up your workspace, look at light, perspective, texture and detail. History of botanical illustration and some simple botany is also covered. (Graphite is the prerequisite for botanical illustration classes using color)

Saturday, April 12th – Saturday Kids' Activities - Tall Tales about Trees
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Native Plant Garden Workshop
Class consists of 4 sessions: Sunday, May 4th, 11th, 18th, and June 1st
Cost: $60 MNHC members, $70 non-members for all 4 sessions, or $20 for individual sessions.
Have you caught spring fever? Are you yearning for your own personal wildflower oasis at home? This is a 4 week, hands-on class where participants will learn how to create a native plant garden by going through the steps of installing one here at the Montana Natural History Center. We’ll cover it all, from planning and design, to site preparation and planting, all the way through irrigation and long –term maintenance.
Session 1 : Sunday May 4th, 2-4 pm. What to consider when planning your own garden and soil preparation.
Session 2: Sunday, May 11th, 2-4 pm. Hardscaping: Grading and Walkways
Session 3: Sunday, May 18th, 2-4 pm. Planting and Mulching
Session 4: Sunday, June 1st, 2-4 pm. Long-term Maintenance Issues: Watering, Weeding and Wrapping up.
Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. Call 327-0405 to register. 8 OPI Credits available.

Nature Soundscapes and Stories from the Lewis & Clark Trail
Evening Lecture Featuring Ritchie Doyle
Wednesday, May 14th, 7 pm, $3 suggested donation.
MNHC, 120 Hickory St. Just south of McCormick Park.
Join Ritchie Doyle for an entertaining presentation of sounds and stories from the journey he made along the Lewis & Clark Trail.  Call for details 327-0405.

Saturday, May 17th – Saturday Kids' Activities - Big on Bugs
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Saturday Discovery Day
Evening Bat Walk Featuring Kristi DuBois
-postponed till Summer 08 due to cold weather
more information coming soon!
7pm-9 pm.  Meet at MNHC, 120 Hickory St,  $15 MNHC members, $20 non-members
Join Kristi DuBois,  Missoula Fish, Wildlife and Parks Native Species Coordinator, to learn about our local bats. She will also be offering the unique opportunity for participants to listen and learn bat calls with her handy bat detector. A kid and adult favorite!
Call 327-0405 to register. Space is limited.  2 OPI credits available.

Saturday Discovery Day
Painted Turtles of Mission Valley
Join Turtle Biologist Kathy Griffin for a terrific day spent exploring the life of a painted turtle in the Mission Valley.  She will discuss turtle biology, life history, wetland ecology and the Mission Valley ecosystem.  Participants will have the opportunity to help catch and handle turtles.
Date: Saturday, May 31st
Time: 9am -4 pm
Cost: $20 MNHC members, $25 non-members. Call about family rates.
Target Age: All (Children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult)
Location: MNHC, 120 Hickory St. Just south of McCormick Park.
Instructor: Kathy Griffin


Call 327-0405 to register. Space is limited.  7 OPI credits available.

Mt. jumbo wildflower walk
Thursday, June 19th, 7pm - 8:30 pm
Join Morgan Valliant, Conservation Land Manager for the City of Missoula, on a walk to explore the saddle of Mt. Jumbo. Come and learn about native plants and the invasive species that threaten them. Be prepared for a light hike and hundreds of wildflowers. Meet int he parking lot 1/4 mile beyond the black top Lincon Hills at the Lincoln Hills Trailhead. Call the Montana Natural History center at 327-0405 or e-mail mvalliant@ci.missoula.mt.us with questions.


Dyers woad pull #3
Tuesday, June 17th, 7pm
Meet at the Mount Sentinel Trailhead. For more information call Marilyn @ 243-6642 or e-mail marilyn.marler@umontana.edu.

Saturday Discovery Day
Loon Watching
Join Lynn Kelly for a tranquil day of loon watching. We'll travel over to Seeley Lake to learn about loon ecology, view nesting loons and if we're lucky we'll get to see new loon chicks!
Date: Saturday, June 21st
Time: 7am-4pm
Cost: $25 MNHC members, $30 non-members
Location: MNHC, 120 Hickory St.
Instructor: Lynn Kelly
Call 327-0405 to register. Space is limited. Teachers: 6 OPI credits available.

Seed Collecting Work Party
Tuesday, June 24th, 7pm
Seed Collecting Work Party at Fort Missoula Native Prairie. Bryce Christiaens of Native Ideals Wildflower Seed Company in Arlee will teach you how to effectively and ethically collect seeds of many species. For more information e-mail marilyn.marler@umontana.edu.

Saturday Discovery Day
Edible and Medicinal Plant Walk
Join Elaine Sheff, Missoula's own herbalist and owner of Meadowsweet Herbs, for an edible and medicinal plant walk. She will show participants how to identify both native and naturalized medicinal plants including poplar, yarrow, dandelion, knapweed and many more.
Date: Saturday, June 28th
Time: 2pm-4:30 pm
Target Age: Adult (Call 327-0405 for exceptions)
Cost: $20 MNHC members, $25 non-members.
Location: MNHC, 120 Hickory St.
Instructor: Elaine Sheff
Space is limited, registration required – call 327-0405.  2 OPI credits available. 

Geospatial Learning for Teachers
July 10 -11 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Montana Natural History Center, Missoula

Learn how to use GPS, ArcExplorer mapping software and Google Earth as classroom instructional tools to enhance student learning.  This workshop will focus on improving GPS and GIS skills in connection with spatial learning skills that apply to a range of subjects from science to geography, history, or math.  Teachers will work with lesson plans developed by teachers and will learn easy classroom applications for material.  All software used during the workshop is free and requires minimal computer capacity.  Previous experience using GPS or mapping software is not necessary.  This workshop is sponsored by Montana EdPARC, MontanaView, Montana Natural History Center and GeoEssentials, Inc.  Bring your own laptop (or request to share one) and lunch.  GIS equipment, software and teachers manual will be provided.  

Registration Fee:  $55 for Montana Natural History Center members and $65 for non members.  To register, contact the Montana Natural History Center at 406-327-0405.  $25 deposit required to hold a space.  The remainder of the fee is due at the start of the workshop.  Registration Deadline July 1, 2008.  Space is limited so register early!

Bitterroot River Floatin' Weed Pull Party!
Saturday, July 12th, All day!
Join the Ravalli County Weed District for a whole day of pulling invasive plants from along the Bitterroot River. Transportation details need to be coordinated- contact Lindsey at 777-5842 for more information.

Saturday Discovery Day
Butterflies and Birds
Join naturalist Charles Miller for a fascinating look at local butterflies and birds of the PEAS farm.
Date:Saturday, July 19th
Time: Time TBA
Target Age: All (Children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult)
Cost: $10 MNHC members, $15 non-members
Location: MNHC, 120 Hickory St.
Instructor: Charles Miller
Space is limited, registration required – call 327-0405.  OPI credits available. 

Seed Collecting Work Party
Tuesday, July 22nd, 7pm
Seed Collecting Work Party at Fort Missoula Native Prairie. Bryce Christiaens of Native Ideals Wildflower Seed Company in Arlee will teach you how to effectively and ethically collect seeds of many species. For more information e-mail marilyn.marler@umontana.edu.


Saturday Discovery Day
Beneficial Insects
Join naturalist and teacher Byron Weber for an upclose look at the amazing world of insects. Learn fascinating facts about how these tiny, abundant creatures are beneficial to humans and other animals.
Date:Saturday, July 26th
Time:Time TBA
Target Age: All (Children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult)
Cost:$10 MNHC members, $15 non-members
Location: MNHC, 120 Hickory St.
Instructor: Byron Weber
Space is limited, registration required – call 327-0405.  OPI credits available. 

Saturday Discovery Day
Evening Bat Walk Featuring Kristi DuBois
Join Kristi DuBois,  Missoula Fish, Wildlife and Parks Native Species Coordinator, to learn about our local bats. She will also be offering the unique opportunity for participants to listen and learn bat calls with her handy bat detector. A kid and adult favorite!
Date: Saturday, August 2nd
Time: 9pm – 10:30 pm
Target Age: All (Children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult)
Cost: $15 MNHC members, $20 non-members, Family Rates available.
Location: MNHC, 120 Hickory St.
Instructor: Kristi DuBois
Space is limited, registration required – call 327-0405.  OPI credits available. 

Weed Eatin' Weevils
Tuesday, August 5th, 7 pm @ MNHC, 120 Hickory st.
Join Ravalli County Weed District staff and Darby high school students for a discussion of knapweed root weevils, Cyphocleonus achaetes, and go home with your own batch of weed eaters. Call 327-0405 for more information.


Saturday Discovery Day
Canoe Day Trip with a  Naturalist
Spend the day on the river with naturalist Lee Metzgar. The day will begin with a basic canoe class followed by the canoe trip on the river spent learning about  local wildlife, geology and more. 
Date: Saturday, August 30th
Time: TBA
Target Age: Adults (Call for exceptions)
Cost: TBA, Family Rates available.
Location: MNHC, 120 Hickory St.
Instructor: Lee Metzgar
Space is limited, registration required – call 327-0405.  OPI credits available.