Montana Natural History Center | Montana Natural History Center

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!

Check out our FREE online educational resources!

We’ve put together a great collection of virtual educational resources to keep you curious, learning, and connecting with nature.

Find them here!

Montana Master Naturalist Course

Become a certified Master Naturalist!

Visiting Naturalist in the Schools

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

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

MNHC is open to the public on Tuesdays-Saturdays from 11am-4pm, no appointment required.

COVID-19 Safety Precautions:
*All visitors must wear masks.
*All touch surfaces are sanitized regularly.

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.

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.

Montana Naturalist Magazine

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!

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.

Give the Gift of Nature: Donate to 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!

mtnaturalhistorycenter

We have a bunch of new and fun merchandise to comm

We have a bunch of new and fun merchandise to commemorate the opening of our center’s latest exhibit! Check out this awesome new T-shirt honoring the Maiasaura – Montana’s State Dinosaur!

Maiasaura Peeblesorum were medium sized, bipedal, herbivorous dinosaurs and are often referred to as the ‘good mother dinosaur.’ Maiasaura covered their eggs with plants which then rotted, producing heat to keep their eggs warm. After the young hatched, the adults brought food to the nest for up to three months!

Stop by the Montana Natural History Center to learn more about this fascinating duck-billed dino, and grab this swag while it’s still here!

Open hours Tuesday-Saturday 11am-4pm.
#swag #dinosaur #dino #naturalhistorymuseum #maiasaura #stuffweallget #fossil #montanasancientpast #dinosaurs #naturelovers #fallfashion #fall

We had such a successful Grand Opening with our ne

We had such a successful Grand Opening with our newest exhibit: Montana's Ancient Past, last Friday, and we wanted to thank all of you who came out and provided essential feedback on our exhibit! We sold out for both showings, and had a great time with all of you. It feels so good to have people (safely) gathering at our center once again for events like this! We missed you all.

If you weren't able to join us last Friday, we would like to formally invite each and every one of you to come down to the center and check out the new exhibit. Ask at the front desk, and Kellen can provide you with a survey if you would like to share your observations with us! Our business hours are Tuesday-Saturday 11am-4pm.

We also wanted to send out a special thank you to our staff and volunteers for working so hard to bring this vision together. Another special thank you goes to @fossil_librarian, who gave two fantastic, fun, and informative keynote speeches.

#montanalife #montanafossils #dinosaur #naturalhistorymuseum #exhibition #dinosaursarecool #fossil #montanaliving #cretaceous #precambrian #paleozoic #mesozoic #cenozoic #anthropocene #climatechange

Drop by the Montana Natural History Center between

Drop by the Montana Natural History Center between 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 30 to take a spooky Halloween photo with our museum specimens!

Our photo booth will be set up outside on our porch and out of the elements. You can stand in front of the black back drop and pose with a variety of different specimens gleaned from the museum: skulls and bones, pelts, taxidermy mounts, and more. Come in costume for an even greater effect. Montana Natural History Center volunteers will be on hand to help take a photo of you with your phone or camera. Simply apply a filter for a black and white finish or dramatic coloring and you have an instant and totally unique nature inspired Halloween photo!

We will also have a skull identification table set out- test your skills and win a piece of candy! And our museum will be open with it’s new exhibit: Montana’s Ancient Past.

Suggested donation $5

#missoulaevents #missoulaeventsforkids #halloween #mtnaturalhistorycenter

Get set-up with the most accurate bear safety info

Get set-up with the most accurate bear safety information with Bear Aware educators. Hiking, biking, hunting, and running in Montana during the fall are wonderful ways to get out and enjoy our amazing landscape. Fall is also a great time to be thinking about bear safety. Protect yourself and these amazing creatures! Bear Aware educators will provide information on bear biology and safety. See skulls, pelts, and mounts, ask questions, and check out a bear spray demonstration.

This program is best for older children, young adults, and adults

Registration is recommended as group size is limited. $5 recommended donation to cover materials.

Thanks to Banquet & Auction sponsor, @stockmanbank for supporting our nature education programs!

Bring your curiosity and your own naturalist knowl

Bring your curiosity and your own naturalist knowledge and join MNHC Naturalist Ser Anderson on a naturalist saunter. We will focus on exploring the changing seasons, making observations, following our curiosity, and learning from each other. Whether you are an experienced naturalist or just starting out, this walk is for you. Everyone has something to learn and knowledge to share.

Register at the Upcoming Events link in our bio.

Thank you to Banquet & Auction Sponsor @republic_services services for helping MNHC connect more people to nature!

#missoulamontana #missoulaevents #discovernature #explorenature #naturewalk

Today is the last day to order your Bone Box, orde

Today is the last day to order your Bone Box, order by midnight tonight!

This project ignites your inner forensic tendencies as well as your artistic side!

Pick up your Bone Box Kit at MNHC on Friday October 22 or Saturday October 23, watch the video (sent to your inbox on October 22) and start the science and art! You will dissect an owl pellet, carefully finding each bone, tooth, and maybe an entire skull. Brush off the fur (pellets are matted fur and bone, not poop) and try to match the bone to one on your identification chart. Do you have a shrew? vole? bird?

Decide if you want to paint the bones white or leave them with their natural tint. Decorate your bone box with black paper and visualize the layout. Glue each bone down in any design or orientation you wish- fantastical or categorical. And you have a one-of-a kind naturalist installation!

This project is most suitable for ages 10 and above.

Register at the link in our bio.

Our Introduction to Nature Journaling class had so

Our Introduction to Nature Journaling class had some special guests last week! Thank you Carolyn and @missoulabutterflyhouse for dropping by and letting us journal about blue feigning death beetles!

Listen to Aspen Decker read her Field Note, Cultur

Listen to Aspen Decker read her Field Note, Culturally Modified Trees and Cedar Bark Baskets at the Field Notes link in our bio.

Thanks to Banquet & Auction Sponsor @mpg_ranch for your support of our nature education programs!

Join us in sending the happiest of birthday wishes

Join us in sending the happiest of birthday wishes to MNHC's School Programs Coordinator, Bailey Zook!

At the Montana Natural History Center, we believe

At the Montana Natural History Center, we believe that nature-based education inspires connection to the outdoors, a love for the natural world, and in turn, inspired stewardship. Put another way, our mission is to promote and cultivate the appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of nature through education.

Join us! We're hiring a Marketing and Events Coordinator to help us achieve our mission. Check out the full job description and apply at the link in our bio.

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