Join us for a SUBERB introductory tracking class this Saturday.

Topics include:

• how to identify and interpret wildlife tracks in the snow
• basic habitat requirements
• gait patterns
• natural histories of various wildlife species
• forest carnivore ecology
• winter plant identification, and much more.

Participants will leave this workshop with the skills needed to begin deciphering animal stories written in snow and will gain a deeper understanding of winter ecology.

Date: Saturday, February 4th

Time: 9am-4pm

Location: Meet at the Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St. We will travel by MNHC bus to an area near Ovando.

Cost: $60 MNHC members/$65 non-members

Registration is required. Please call 327-0405.

Learn the basics of nature journaling- drawing and recording the subtle quirks, shapes, interactions, reflections, and questions about the world of nature from science illustrator Emily Harrington.

In this class you will build your skills and learn to draw without fear. We will start with some sketching basics and learn how to replicate forms. Then we will move on to drawing moving animals, drawing in perspective, and creating a final work using MNHC’s specimens. Class instructor, Emily Harrington, has recently completed an Artist in Residence at Rocky Mountain National Park and her work can be viewed on the interpretive signs along our own Clark Fork River Trail.

Whether you are a beginner, or interested in more advanced practice, this class is sure to develop your drawing skills!

Materials will be provided, though please bring your own lunch.

Date: Saturday, February 18th

Time: 9am-3pm

Location: the Montana Natural History Center

Cost: $30 MNHC members;; $35 non-members

Registration required by Wednesday, February 15th. Please call 327-0405.

Uncover the nature in the heart of Missoula! Join us for a winter ecology walk in the natural areas and parks near the Montana Natural History Center and the Clark Fork River. We will look for animal tracks and signs, identify resident birds, and even visit a beaver lodge. From chickadees, to cottonwoods, to crows, there is plenty of life to observe and investigate right in town! This family oriented walk will begin and end (with hot chocolate) at the Montana Natural History Center.

Date: Saturday, January 7th

Time: 10am-noon

Location: The Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula

Admission: $5 suggested donation, MNHC members free

-Best for ages 5 and up-

Join the Montana Natural History Center and the Missoula Children & Nature Network for a day of REI sponsored snowshoeing and exploring the snow covered winter world! We will be traveling by bus to Lolo pass area for this exciting FREE event. Snowshoes and transportation are provided, but please bring your own lunch and warm clothes.

Date: Saturday, December 10th

Time: 10:00am-3:00pm

Location: Meet at the Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula

Admission: FREE. We are sorry. This program is full.

Registration is now open for our spring and summer 2012 Montana Master Naturalist Courses, taught by MNHC Naturalist Brian Williams.

The 12 week spring 2012 Master Naturalist courses begin in mid February and run through early May.  40 hours of naturalist training includes in-class labs, lectures, and 3 full day field trips   Choose either a course meeting on Tuesdays from 4-7pm, or the Thursday class also from 4-7pm.

Tuesday class openings:  1 remaining.

Thursday class openings:  CLASS IS FULL.

The summer 2012 Master Naturalist course is an intensive one-week experience of full-day classroom and field training from June 27- July 3rd, with Saturday and Sunday off.

Summer class openings:  8 remaining.

Please call during business hours to register.  The cost of this course is $395.  A $100 non-refundable deposit must be paid on registration to hold one’s place, with the remaining balance due 30 days prior to the first day of class.

3 college credits are available; this course is listed as EVST 395.

Some scholarships are available–please contact us at 327.0405 for details.

Click HERE for more information about scheduling and field trip days.

Local naturalist and photographer, Hobie Hare, will lead an exploration of Upper Gold Creek’s diverse habitats while providing a workshop on landscape and nature photography techniques. Learn to shoot in manual mode on your digital SLR camera or bring a 35mm or medium format camera to work with.We will spend the day looking at light, form, and the ways you can translate the wonder of nature into beautifully rendered photographs.

Please bring a sack lunch and appropriate clothing and shoes.

Date: Saturday, October 22nd

Time: 8:30-3:30pm

Location: Meet at the Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula

Cost: $35 MNHC members/ $45 non-members

North Fork of the Flathead by Hobie Hare

Registration required. Please call 327-0405.

Hobie Hare is also our featured October Gallery Artist. Come in and see his work during Gallery hours Tues-Friday, 12:00-5:00pm and Saturday 12:00-4:00pm.

Time for a fall foray! The Montana Natural History Center and the Western Montana Mycological Association are bringing you an ENTIRE WEEKEND of mushroom events!

Mushroom Identification Class and Foray

On Saturday October 8th, MNHC and WMMA will present a mushroom identification class led by Larry Evans, followed by a foray in local forests. Bring mushrooms you have found and want identified to the class if you like. On the foray we will wander through the woods collecting a variety of abundant fall mushrooms to discuss and identify. Join us for the class, the foray, or both.

Date: Saturday, October 8th

Time: Class from 9:00-10:45, Foray from 11:00-5:00

Location: Meet at the Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula. We will carpool from the Center.

Cost: $10 suggested donation, MNHC members free

To register, please call 327-0405.

Mushroom  Mixer

On Sunday, October 9th MNHC and WMMA will present a Mushroom Identification Mixer at the Montana Natural History Center. This is an opportunity to view all the specimens found and identified over the weekend. Light wild mushroom refreshments will be served by Larry Evans.

Date: Sunday, October 9th

Time: 4pm

Location: the Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula

Cost: Free; donations gratefully accepted

Western Montana Mycological Association Weekend Events:

Friday, October 7th: Wild Mushroom Banquet Fundraiser and Slide Show

Saturday, October 8th: Overnight after the Saturday Foray

Sunday, October 9th: Mushroom Foray

Please visit www.fungaljungal.org to sign up for these events.

Just in Time for Halloween!

Use native plants to create woodland fairy and elf costumes! Toy maker Anna Rummel Tennenbaum will demonstrate how to create crowns, tiaras, and accessories using the natural materials we can find in the garden. University of Montana Botanist, Marilyn Marler, will be on hand to lead garden tours and provide tips on identifying native plants in the fall.

Date: Thursday, October 20th

Time: 5:30-7:30pm

Location: Fort Missoula Native Plant Gardens Classroom; under the big silver water tower at the Fort.

Cost: $5 for supplies

Registration requested.

Join the Montana Natural History Center’s Plant Skeleton Crew for the Day of the Dead Parade too! We will wear our native plant crowns and dance or amble along Higgins during the 19th annual Day of the Dead Parade on November 2nd.

Join the Montana Natural History Center and Missoula Children & Nature for an evening in the gardens! Learn from Madeline Mazurski of Montana Native Landscapes and University of Montana Botanist, Marilyn Marler about how the gardens are designed to encourage creative play. Come check our newly refurbished garden classroom, bring back ideas to your own backyard or play space, and enjoy light food and beverages. Kids are welcome!

Date: Thursday, September 29

Time: 5:30-7:30pm

Location: Fort Missoula Native Plant Gardens, under the big silver water tower at the Fort.

Cost: Free

-We are sorry, this program has filled-

Floral Designers from Caras Nursery (thank you Caras!) will provide instruction for making  beautiful fall wreaths from native plants. Materials donated by Pink Grizzly and Bitterroot Florist will help with the structure. Create wreaths for your holiday decorations or give them as original gifts. We will provide methods for identifying native plants in fall and winter and discuss plant senescence.

Date: Thursday, November 17th

Time: 5:30-7:30pm

Location: Fort Missoula Native Plant Gardens Classroom; under the big silver water tower at the Fort.

Cost: $5 for supplies

Registration requested