www.MontanaNaturalist.org

What’s happening outside
Hot! Fire! But wildfires mean regeneration in nature, so look for more plant and bird diversity in burnt areas in the few years following a fire. Pikas are busy cutting and drying grasses and herbs to store for winter use. Cutthroat trout can be seen feeding at the top of the water on numerous insects.

The Montana Natural History Center is your base camp for discovery.
Visit us Tuesday – Friday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturdays noon to 4:00 pm. Bring your family to enjoy fun activities and natural history exploration each Saturday, and admission for MNHC Members is always free. NOTE admission fee increase effective September 19, 2006.

Summer Science Day Camps continue through August with Little Stories & Big Discoveries, Incredible Insects, Adventures in Science, Drawing from Nature, and Wild about Wildfire. Learn more at www.MontanaNaturalist.org.

August 5 - Saturday Discovery Day and Prairie Keepers Bugloss Weed Pull & Bitterroot Float
10:30 am, meet at Angler’s Rest just south of Hamilton
Come on in, the waters are fine! But the weeds on the river aren’t so fine! The Ravalli County Weed Education Committee, in collaboration with the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, will be hosting a "Floating Weed Pull." This float will begin at Angler’s Roost fishing access and end at the Riverside Park in Hamilton. BBQ, prizes, and music provided by the DownRight Country Band. Pre-registration is required, call the Ravalli County Weed District at 777-5842. You do not have to have a raft to participate, but you need to RSVP as soon as possible to hold your spot.

August 8 - Prairie Keepers Knapweed Weevil Collection Party  
7:00 pm, meet at the Fort Missoula Native Prairie near the Nature Adventure Garden
Help collect knapweed-eating weevils for redistribution around the Missoula area.  Learn about weed-eating bugs, and take some home with you if you like!  You’ll hear about this project from the school kids that raised the bugs especially for you.  Contact the Montana Natural History Center at 327-0405 for more information.

August 22 - FREE Educator Workshop: Using Natural History to Teach Science
10:00 am - 3:00 pm, MNHC 120 Hickory Street
This free workshop is designed to introduce educators to tools and techniques that can help make every child’s interest in insects, dirt and trees part of their classroom curriculum. Space is limited and registration is required to participate. Approved for OPI credits. Join us for a fun and motivating workshop and leave with some great new ideas to start the school year!

August 22 - Prairie Keepers Prairie Seed Collecting Workshop
7:00 pm, meet at the Nature Adventure Garden at Fort Missoula
Learn to collect seeds from wildflowers and native bunch grasses. Great activity for families and kids!

August 31 - Volunteer Open House
Noon – 4:00 pm, MNHC 120 Hickory Street
Come learn about all of Montana Natural History Center’s exciting volunteer opportunities during this informative open house and orientation.

September 16 - RiverFest 2006!
11:00 am – 4:00 pm, FREE and for all ages! MNHC 120 Hickory Street
The 8th annual RiverFest celebrates natural history education and is brought to you by the Montana Natural History Center and the Missoula County Weed District. In conjunction with the River City Roots Festival.

October 28 - "Born to be Wild" Fundraiser Auction
Harley Davidson off I-90 in Missoula

Marcia Hogan, welcome! Marcia joins MNHC as an interim Executive Director from our active Board of Directors. Thank you Marcia, for your service and we are excited to have you as part of our team!

Membership supports educational programs and exhibits! Join our Membership Drive and give the gift of education. You can make your gift online at www.MontanaNaturalist.org. Help celebrate 15 years of MNHC discoveries!

NOTE: Please change your browsers to www.MontanaNaturalist.org (www.thenaturecenter.org is no longer the Montana Natural History Center's website address).

Look for the next edition of the Montana Naturalist in your mailbox soon! Click here to get on our mailing list!

MNHC is an independent non-profit organization celebrating its 15th Anniversary.
Become a member and support MNHC’s mission of promoting and cultivating the appreciation, understanding and stewardship of nature through education. Members receive discounts on programs, special invitations, free admission to the MNHC Discovery Center , and the knowledge that they are supporting natural history education in local schools. MNHC is a proud member of Montana Shares.

Feel free to forward this to friends who might enjoy learning more about the Montana Natural History Center. Visit New West http://www.newwest.net/index.php for the latest on-line news and commentary about the Rocky Mountain region.

Montana Natural History Center
120 Hickory Street, Missoula, Montana 59801
406.327.0405 www.MontanaNaturalist.org