Field Master Naturalist Weekend:  Plants
Thursday, May 17, 5:30-6:30pm – introduction & weekend overview
Saturday-Sunday, May 19-20, 8am-4pm
Instructors: Greg Peters & Brian Williams

Field Master Naturalist Weekend:  Birds
Thursday, June 7, 5:30-6:30pm – introduction & weekend overview
Saturday-Sunday, June 9-10, 7am-4pm
Instructors: Charles Miller & Brian Williams

NOTE: These are not beginner/introductory classes!  If not Master Naturalists, attendees must have an intermediate knowledge of Montana native plants and experience using a dichotomous key for the May field weekend, and intermediate knowledge of bird identification and experience using a field guide for the June field weekend.

To Register: Call 327.0405 during business hours.  Cost for each Field Master Naturalist Weekend is $135 for non-members; $120 for MNHC members. Full payment due on registration.

FIELD MASTER NATURALIST WEEKEND: PLANTS
This weekend is for naturalists who want to build their skills in recognizing the flora of Montana. We’ll spend our time outdoors, in a mix of habitats – forest, riparian, and grassland – practicing identifying flowers. UM botany and science instructor Greg Peters and MNHC naturalist Brian Williams will be your guides as you hone your skill and confidence in keying out flowers and build your knowledge of plant families. In addition, you’ll learn to identify common shrubs and trees as well as a few grasses and weeds.

Dates:
Thursday, May 17, 5:30-6:30pm – introduction & weekend overview
Saturday-Sunday, May 19-20, 8am-4pm
Instructors: Greg Peters & Brian Williams

FIELD MASTER NATURALIST WEEKEND: BIRDS
Early summer is an ideal time to build a solid foundation of bird identification skills: species are closely tied to specific habitats; males are in full plumage and song; and there are no juveniles or migrants to confuse the process. Lifelong naturalist and birder Charles Miller and MNHC naturalist Brian Williams will help you take full advantage of this window of opportunity to learn the Western Montana breeding birds by plumage, song, habitat, and behavior.

Dates:
Thursday, June 7, 5:30-6:30pm – introduction & weekend overview
Saturday-Sunday, June 9-10, 7am-4pm
Instructors: Charles Miller & Brian Williams

Discoveries galore await children outside this summer!  Get going with our Summer Science Discovery Day Camps for kids of pre-school age (3-4 years) through 8th grade.  MNHC week long camps engage children in the study of nature through field trips, arts & crafts, and scientific exploration.  Teens can gain experience through our Leaders in Training Program.  Camp themes and content are geared towards students entering the grade categories listed in the fall of 2012.

Register Early
and Save $25!

Register before June 1, 2012 and you’ll save $25 on every full day summer camp registration.  Half Day and pre-school camps are not eligible for the discount.

We have 23 different camp programs lined up for:
Pre-Schoolers (ages 3-4)
K-1st Graders
1st-3rd Graders
3rd-5th Graders
6th-8th Graders
Leaders in Training

Camps fill fast!  Register today.

Celebrate spring at the Native Plant Gardens! We will tour the gardens practicing bird identification skills among early blooming native plants. Join in the fun as we look and listen for spring birds. Binoculars will be available for use and members of Five Valleys Audubon will be on hand to help with identification and to provide bird facts. Perfect for the whole family! Activities for the kids! The Big Dipper Ice Cream Truck will be there!!!

Date: Thursday, May 10th

Time: 5:30-7:30pm

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

Admission: $5 suggested donation, MNHC members free

Celebrate spring, the return of migratory birds, and bird song with this LIVE ANIMAL program by Animal Wonders Inc. A variety of birds will be here to see. And hear! You can also make some bird kites and practice your skills outside with a guide!

Date: Saturday, May 19th

Time: 2-3pm

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

Cost: per child $3 MNHC members, $5 non-members

In preparation for a full summer of botanizing, we are offering a quick course designed to increase your skill in identifying native wildflowers.

You will practice using a key, learn tips for recognizing flowering and not-quite-yet flowering native plants, and discover the differences between plant orders.

Enjoy the gardens, learn from the experts, and get outside all summer with new knowledge.

Date:  Thursday, May 24th                                                                                           Time:  5:30pm– 7:30pm                                                                                                                Cost:  $5 suggested donation, MNHC members free

Learn all about loons and view some too on a private loon tour at Seeley Lake!

Local expert and author, Donna Love will guide our tour beginning with a search for nesting loons near the Seeley Lake Ranger Station. We will then travel to beautiful Summit, Rainy and Alva lakes for more viewing opportunities.

After the tour there will be time to enjoy Seeley Lake’s Loon and Fish Festival by visiting educational booths, listening to speakers or joining a wildflower walk. Let us do the driving while you observe these magnificent birds and explore the festival. Call 327-0405 to sign up today! Space is limited.

Date: Saturday, May 26
Time: 8am-4pm
Location: meet at the Montana Natural History Center
Cost: $30 MNHC members, $35 non-members. Registration is required by Wednesday, May 23rd. 

Award winning science and natural history writer Kim Todd and UM associate professor and researcher Dr. Creagh Breuner bring the ubiquitous sparrow to light. Find out about the sparrow’s complex history, biology and literary tradition.  Todd’s new book, Sparrow, will be available for purchase.

Date: Wednesday, May 30th

Time: 7pm

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

Admission: $4 suggested donation, MNHC members free

The Montana Natural History Center is pleased to announce a First Friday Gallery Opening for young artists in YMCA’s afterschool program. These artists were inspired by the natural world and a tour of MNHC’s specimens to create an array of nature themed art for this fun summer show.

Start your First Friday at MNHC!

First Friday Opening: June 1st, 4:30-6:30

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

The show will run through July. Gallery hours are Tues-Friday, noon-5pm and Saturday, noon-4pm.

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

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:   FULL

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.

How many insects can you find in the Fort Missoula Native Plant Gardens? Under logs, in the native plant garden prairie, and flying between the flowers are a wonderful array of insects. From butterflies to beetles kids are sure to catch a bunch! We will use ID guides and knowledge of insect orders to practice identification.  Learn fun insect facts!  Nets provided.

Date: Saturday June 2nd                                                                                                           Time:2-3pm                                                                                                                                           Location:  the Fort Missoula Native Plant Gardens, under the silver water tower                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Cost: $1 MNHC members, $3 non-members