February 2006 at the Montana Natural History Center


What’s happening outside Days are getting longer resulting in shorter nights. Listen outside for the calls of mating boreal and great horned owls. They will begin nesting late in the month. Snowy owls are feeding on voles in open fields near Flathead Lake . Elk shed their antlers this month and will begin growing new ones in late March. Great horned owls are laying eggs. Look for snow fleas or spring tails jumping on top of snow. If the days stay warm you may see an early robin! Bear cubs are born.  

Your Basecamp for Discovery is Open Tuesday through Saturday! Visit us Tuesday – Friday 10 am to 5 pm and Saturdays noon to 4 pm . Bring your family to enjoy fun activities and natural history exploration each Saturday. Admission for MNHC Members is always free. All programs held at 120 Hickory Street , unless otherwise noted.

February 2 - Volunteer Open House
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Come visit MNHC and learn about the many volunteer opportunities available. MNHC staff will be available to answer your questions and help find the right volunteer position for you.  

February 11 – “Kit Foxes & Film” Saturday Discovery Day
1 0:00 am – 12:30 pm . $7/$5 MNHC Members, $15/$12 MNHC Families (children under 13 MUST be accompanied by an adult). Space is limited - Registration Required.
Award winning wildlife filmmaker Rob Whitehair will share his latest film for National Geographic and Animal Planet, Kit Fox: An American Tale. This film, which is playing in over 60 countries, follows the plight of two kit fox siblings as they take two very different paths in life. The film is also being used as a conservation tool to help save the kit fox. After the film, Rob, along with sound recordist and still photographer Pam Voth , will talk about the adventures of making wildlife films both in the field and the editing room, including working around animals from grizzlies to ants, using films as a conservation tool, and ethics in filmmaking.

February 15 – Coffee Talk 8:00 – 9:00 am Start your day with a cup of MNHC’s special blend coffee (thanks Hunter Bay !) to learn more about our natural history programs and opportunities to get involved.  

February 27 – Volunteer Naturalist Training for the Visiting Naturalist Program 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Join us for training on March’s monthly classroom visits to 500 Missoula area students. This month’s theme is “Finding out with Field Guides.”  

2006 Membership Drive Continues Help MNHC celebrate our 15 th Anniversary and our first year in our own building by joining today. Your membership dollars support our programs and exhibits. A membership to MNHC is really two gifts in one - one to yourself and one to our natural world. Through our tax-deductible memberships, you can enjoy free admission and discounts on programs. In return, your membership fee supports the quality education programs that are synonymous with MNHC. Winning combinations like that are hard to come by!

MNHC welcomes work-study receptionist Leah Loyer
Look for a new friendly face to greet you at MNHC. With a new set of hands on board, Jessica “ Jazz ” Rowell, Admin istrative Assistant, will now include Volunteer & Outreach coordination in her duties. This torch is passed from Gabrielle Sivitz , Community Programs Coordinator, who will now have time to work on exhibits…stop in to see the fruits of her work soon!

Links of the month
Water Teacher of the Year nominations accepted now! This award is intended to recognize formal and non-formal educators who help young people learn about and appreciate Montana ’s water resources. Award: $100 to the Educator and $100 to their School or appropriate education program. To nominate an educator, contact the Montana Watercourse to fmoore@montana.edu. All nominations must be received by February 16, 2006 . Awards will be presented at the MEEA conference in Bozeman on March 3-4, 2006 . www.mtwatercourse.org

Montana Environmental Education Association Conference The Positive Power of Environmental Education: Better Understanding, Problem-solving and Hope. March 3-4, Best Western GranTree Inn, Bozeman . www.montanaeea.org

Groundhog Day at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, 11 am – 1 pm.
Call 777-5552 extension 203.

Great Backyard Bird Count Invites Everyone To Count Birds With A Buddy!
The ninth annual Great Backyard Bird Count is taking place February 17–20, with a special opportunity to “Count Birds with a Buddy!” The National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology are asking birders to share their passion with someone new to this wonderful pastime. www.birdsource.org/gbbc
 
Visit New West http://www.newwest.net/index.php for the latest on-line news and commentary about the Rocky Mountain region.

MNHC is an independent non-profit organization celebrating its 15 th Anniversary this year.
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 .

If you do not want to receive this newsletter please click here andwe will promptly remove you from the list. Feel free to forward this to friends who might enjoy learning more about the Montana Natural History Center . 120 Hickory Street , Missoula , Montana 59801 406.327.0405 www.MontanaNaturalist.org Copyright © 2006