Montana Natural History Center | Montana Natural History Center

Give the Gift of Nature!

“If we are to preserve our natural world, the next generation of leaders must be inspired and involved.”

~Jackie Wedell, Master Naturalist & MNHC Volunteer

Check out our FREE online educational resources!

Let us help you stay entertained and educated during this time of physical distancing for social solidarity. We’ve put together a great collection of educational resources to keep you curious, learning, and connecting with nature.

Find them here!

Watch our five-part webinar series: The Age of the Coronapocene

Our panel of experts answers some of the big questions: What are viruses? Where did COVID-19 come from? Why is social distancing so important? What does the science tell us?

Webinar recordings available here!

Join the Montana Natural History Center

Become a member today!

Upcoming Events

Check out the great programs coming up at MNHC!

Come visit us!

Check out our exhibits, Naturalist Lab, Nature Adventure Playground, and more!

Visiting Naturalist in the Schools

70 classrooms, 1700 students. Learn more about our keystone program.

Montana Master Naturalist Course

Become a certified Master Naturalist!

Check Out Our Free Online Educational Resources!

The Age of the Coronapocene

Watch all five webinar recordings here.

Science Shorts on YouTube

Check out our educational science videos!

Museum Field Trips

Bring your class or community group to MNHC for a guided program.

Give the Gift of Nature: Donate to MNHC!

Why give to MNHC? Here are a few stories from 2020.

Field Notes from the Montana Natural History Center

A collection of 134 Field Notes in a beautiful book. Order here!

MNHC offers free admission for EBT card holders!

Join a global movement and another way to support MNHC.

Subscribe to Our Virtual ID Naturalist Program!

Volunteer at the Montana Natural History Center!

Field Notes on Montana Public Radio

Listen and learn about Montana’s flora, fauna, geology, ecology, and more.

Naturalist Blog

Get tips and tricks for outdoor explorations, learn about Montana’s flora and fauna, and read about fun happenings at MNHC!

MNHC is a member of the ASTC!

Check out all the museums and science centers you can visit for FREE with your MNHC membership!

Montana Naturalist Magazine

Check out our Annual Report! (It's really pretty.) (And informative.)

Follow us on Facebook!

Teacher Benefits Program

A FREE program for K-12 educators.

mtnaturalhistorycenter

Support our local food and beverage companies this

Support our local food and beverage companies this week AND win prizes including an annual Family Membership to the Montana Natural History Center as part of the Dine Local Fanatic package. Learn more at the link in our bio.⠀
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#missouladowntown #dinelocal #missoulamontana #mnhc #missoulaeats

While we look forward to holding classes in person

While we look forward to holding classes in person again, it has been awesome to be able to connect with people outside of Missoula through our virtual class offerings. Partcipants in our Introduction to Nature Journaling, Six-Part Virtual Class with @jenahmead are tuning in from places like Troy, Bozeman, Columbia Falls and even Utah and Michigan! This week the class explored birds while building confidence in drawing.

Thanks to @blackcoffee.mt for your support of our nature education programs!

#naturejournaling #naturedrawing #drawingbirds #explorenature #MNHC

Join our team as a summer camp instructor! Here at

Join our team as a summer camp instructor! Here at MNHC, connecting to nature is not a luxury, but a necessity. MNHC’s camps for kids ages 4–11 combine experiential natural science education with outdoor fun and adventure. Camps include environmental education, exploration, projects, field trips to local natural areas, free play, games, and more. Every week is unique, so camp staff will gain broad experience in outdoor environmental education while exploring a variety of topics in natural history. ⠀
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Check out the full job description and application instructions at the link in our bio. We'll begin reviewing applications February 1st and the positions are open until filled. ⠀
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#summercamp #missoulajobs #kidsinnature #discovernature

"Moon dogs have many names: lunar halos, moon ring

"Moon dogs have many names: lunar halos, moon rings, or winter rings. Their scientific name is “paraselenae” and they are made visible by a combination of specific circumstances." Learn more on MNHC's Field Notes linked in our bio.

Thanks @atg_consulting for supporting our outdoor education programs!

How well do you know your wildlife tracks?⠀ ⠀

How well do you know your wildlife tracks?⠀
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Below are coyote, deer, grouse, moose, mountain lion, otter, shrew, squirrel, and snowshoe hare tracks (illustrations are not to scale).⠀
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Do you know which is which? Check your answers at the link in our bio and get a little more in-depth information, too. We'd love to know what tracks you're seeing on your snowy explorations! How well do you know your tracks? ⠀
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Thanks @3riverspediatricdentistry for your support of our nature education programs!⠀
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#winterexplorations #montananature #discovernature #exlporeoutside

Calling photographers of all ages! Submit photos

Calling photographers of all ages! Submit photos of your naturalist observations to Montana Naturalist’s photo contest; winning entries will be showcased in our spring/summer 2021 issue. The winner of each category will also receive a one-year family membership (or free renewal for current members)!⠀
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Post your photos on Facebook or Instagram and tag the Montana Natural History Center and/or #mnhcphotocontest. You can also email your photos (with captions) to contest@MontanaNaturalist.org, and please note which category (or categories) you’re submitting to. You may submit multiple entries. Please post or submit photos by February 15th, 2021.⠀
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Thanks to @republic_services for helping us connect more people to nature! ⠀
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#naturephotography #photocontest #montananaturalhistorycenter #explorenature

Have fun, get outdoors, and make a difference this

Have fun, get outdoors, and make a difference this summer while gaining valuable training and experience working in environmental education! Summer Camp Instructors will provide leadership and instruction for the full-day Summer Outdoor Discovery Day Camps at the Montana Natural History Center. Summer Instructors will facilitate and lead a variety of activities and themed camps, connect youth to nature, and explore the outdoors with children of different age levels.⠀
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We value the benefits a diverse staff can bring to our organization. Whether you’re an urbanite or mountain connoisseur from the east coast, west coast, North Pole or Mars, you’ll fit right in. Though we come from all sorts of places, our MNHC family is bonded by a deep commitment to our mission. ⠀
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Positions are full-time, seasonal (40 hours/week) June 7 - August 13, 202. Learn more and apply at the link in our bio.⠀
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#exploremontana #outdooreducation #summercamp

There are still a few spots left! This 4-part cla

There are still a few spots left! This 4-part class starts this Thursday. Register at the link in our bio.⠀
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Thanks @atg_consulting for helping MNHC connect more people to nature!⠀
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#connectwithnature #missoulaevents #explorenature #montananaturalhistorycenter

We look forward to connecting with you in 2021! In

We look forward to connecting with you in 2021! In the meantime, we hope you #getoutside and #keepexploring

During these trying times, we are grateful to have

During these trying times, we are grateful to have your support of the Montana Natural History Center. It is because of our passionate, dedicated and generous community, we are able to educate, inspire and motivate people of all ages to get outdoors to explore, enjoy and steward nature. Your tax-deductible gift of any amount will change lives. No gift is too big or too small to make an impact. Donations can be made at the link in our bio. Thank you!

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Upcoming Events

Tue 26

Field Notes Writing Workshop – 6-Part Class

January 26 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Wed 27

Introduction to Nature Journaling, Six-Part Virtual Class

January 27 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Thu 28

Stories in Place, Four-Part Class

January 28 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm