Montana Natural History Center

Virtual Naturalist Book Club #1
2024-08-13 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-09-10 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-10-08 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Denver) | Virtual Zoom Classroom
Date: Monthly, on the second Tuesday of the month
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location/Platform: Virtual Zoom Classroom
The only thing better than reading a fascinating natural history book (and there are so many of them!) is getting to discuss it with a wonderful group of like-minded people. We can help you do that! Join one of our free naturalist book clubs, where you can read and discuss a great new book each month, enjoying various perspectives and insights, all from the comfort of your own home. (Cozy pjs are perfectly acceptable attire.)
Your hosts are Master Naturalist Suzanne Hendrich and Deborah Drain.
You will need a computer that can access the internet and Zoom platform in order to participate.
There are some spaces available in this book club. Contact cmorris (at) montananaturalist.org to sign up.
Group is limited to 10 participants.

Berry Wander on the River Trail
2024-08-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Date: Thursday, August 15
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Montana Natural History Center
REGISTER HERE
Join Sydney Morical and Cathryn Rann of Wild Wanders as we travel along the Clark Fork River Trail at the peak of Montana berry season. We’ll be delving into various edible and medicinal plants, their properties, and how we enjoy them. We won’t be going far on this wander (we never do) but we will be meeting many plant friends along the way so bring your plant guides, notebook, and pen if you’d like. There may be opportunities to harvest, so bring a little bag just in case.
We’ll start off by sharing a bit about who we are and why wild food and medicine is such an important part of our lives before letting the rest of the group introduce themselves. After some brief housekeeping we will start our wander which will be under one mile in total. We generally discuss 20-30 different plants and fungi on our wanders and only harvest as a group when populations are abundant enough to support it.
Instructors: Sydney Morical and Cathryn Raan are both passionate and longtime gatherers of wild food and medicine. They have also served on the Board of Directors for the Western Montana Mycological Association since 2018, planning events, teaching a wide variety of mushroom classes and keeping the fungal community engaged and connected. They both have experience in herbal medicine and agriculture (they will teach you about all the wonderful “weeds” around town), and a deep love of this land and all the plants living in their midst. They are humbled and delighted to be two of many on a long strand of plant-loving humans sharing their experience and knowledge with others.
Cost: $30 MNHC members, $35 non-members
Kids welcome free of charge

FAQs:
What’s the refund policy?
The course fee (minus a 25% administrative fee) is refundable if a cancellation is made up to 7 days before the event. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline. See our full refund/cancellation policy here.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Nope! We will have a list of all the attendees.

MNHC Opening at 11:00 a.m. Today
2024-08-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Montana Natural History Center
MNHC will be opening one hour late today, at 11:00 a.m. instead of 10:00.

Volunteer Seed Collection - Sam Braxton Trail at Pattee Canyon
2024-08-25 09:00 - 11:00
MNHC is working in partnership with the Lolo National Forest to collect seeds throughout the summer and fall for revegetation projects. Come join us!
Date: Sunday, August 25th
Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Location: Meet at the topmost parking lot at Pattee Canyon and we will collect on the Sam Braxton Trail.
Contact Elena at eulev@montananaturalist.org if interested or for more information.

Scavengers Photography Club
2024-08-29 18:00 - 20:00, 2024-09-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Dates: Last Thursday of the month
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Montana Natural History Center
Come find community and inspiration for your nature photography passion at our Scavengers Photography Club! Everyone is welcome – hobbyists, enthusiasts, professionals, and new beginners! Peggy Christian, artist, author, and Master Naturalist, hosts this unique club on the last Thursday of every month.
At each session we will share our photos (up to 6 per person) and discuss current projects, interests, successes, and challenges. Some sessions will feature a guest presentation on an aspect of photography.
Note: Please bring your photos to share on a thumb drive to use in our computer.
“A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.”
― Ansel Adams
Share your perspective and connection to nature through photography!

Fall 2024 Online Master Naturalist Course
2024-09-03 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-01 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Zoom Classroom
Are you a self-directed, curious learner, eager to explore your natural surroundings? Our immersive online certification course will help you develop naturalist skills and a deeper understanding of the natural world through a blend of live online classes, recorded lectures, guided independent study, and an in-person field weekend.
Fall Online Certification Course 2024
Tuesdays, September 3rd – November 19, 2024
10:00 a.m.-noon MDT
Field Weekend, September 21-22
Engage with the course anytime, anywhere. The online format can fit your schedule. Though attending the field weekend and live online classes is highly encouraged, they will be recorded and supplemental material can be provided. This class works best for independent learners who can complete activities outside of the traditional classroom format. Your instructors will be available throughout the course for one-on-one guidance and mentorship.
REGISTER HERE
Taught by MNHC Naturalist Christine Morris, this class includes:

a live Zoom or recorded lecture once per week for 12 weeks. 6 classes are live, 6 are recorded lectures.
weekly assignments
in-person weekend field experience in Missoula on September 21-22
course workbook
an online classroom platform to engage with instructors and fellow students throughout the course

We’ll cover a wide breadth of topics with the goal of giving you a foundation of naturalist skills and knowledge on which you can build. Learn how to identify common birds, plants, butterflies, insects, mammal tracks, and more. From landscape processes to lichen we will look at specific details and how each part contributes to the greater ecology.
Knowledgeable guest instructors include Missoula College instructor and botanist Greg Peters, botanist and author Peter Lesica, MNHC communications coordinator Allison De Jong, BLM Fuels Geoff Farinholt, artist and naturalist Jenah Mead, and Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum Curator Angela Hornsby.
View the course syllabus (some elements may be subject to change).
Upon course completion, students:

Will receive a Master Naturalist certificate and pin
Be a part of an engaged and curious Master Naturalist community
Have the knowledge and skills to perform environmental stewardship

To complete this certification course, students are expected to attend classes/view recorded lectures, complete weekly self-guided study assignments, keep a nature journal, and complete a final class project.
Plan on putting in about 5-6 hours per week including class time, independent study assignments, nature journaling, and final assignment.
Master Naturalist Certification is maintained by completing 20 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of continuing education each year. You will receive a new pin each year you certify!
Recommended Materials:

binoculars
hand lens or loupe
blank journal (required)
micron or small sharpie pen
colored pencils or watercolor pencils
bird guide such as Sibley’s Field Guide to Birds of Western North America
Botany in a Day by Thomas J. Elpel
plant/flower guide such as Plants of the Rocky Mountains or Wildflowers of Montana (depending on what you can find in print)

Registration Information:

Cost: $355/$325 members
Full payment due upon registration. The course fee (minus a $100 administrative fee) is refundable ONLY if a cancellation is made 30 days before the first day of class. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline. Read our full refund/cancellation policy.
Some scholarships are available! Please contact cmorris@montananaturalist.or for more information

Rattlesnake Dam Removal Tour: Bring On the Trout!
2024-09-05 12:30 - 14:00 | Rattlesnake Greenway Trailhead and Parking
Date: Thursday, September 5
Time: 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at the parking area at the north end of Duncan Drive – click here for map. Look for Duncan drive in the lower left corner. Follow it to the green parking emblam on the map. Travel north on Duncan Drive, which is on the west side of Rattlesnake creek. Go past the Waterworks trailhead turnoff and past the North Hills trailhead parking. Park at the end of Duncan Drive at the power station.
Register now
In 2020 the Rattlesnake Creek dam was removed and the floodplain restored, creating a functional and natural connection between the headwaters of Rattlesnake Creek and the Clark Fork River for the first time in 115 years. That project resulted in more than 10 stream miles reconnected for native fish; five acres of wetland and floodplain restoration and preservation, .5 miles of stream reconstruction, and 16,000 planted trees and shrubs.
Take a tour with Rob Roberts, Trout Unlimited’s senior project manager, to learn about the history of Missoula’s water supply, the results of the lower dam removal, and future work to improve the fishery and recreation through the removal and management of 10 dams in the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area. This is your chance to find out how those cool alpine waters benefit our westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout, and so much more!
Instructor: Like many Trout Unlimited staff, Rob followed a nontraditional path in his career development, graduating from college with a degree in psychology and then honing his community development skills in the Peace Corps in Madagascar. Rob initially spearheaded TU’s national youth education program before moving west in 2004 to start TU’s growing western mine reclamation and watershed restoration program. Rob has worked as a project manager for TU out of the Missoula office for almost 20 years, with one hiatus to sail across the Pacific Ocean. Rob is typically responsible for overall project management and stakeholder coordination and takes the lead role in grant development, contracting for planning and investigation, permitting and stream restoration design. When not at work, you’ll find him paragliding, hunting for wild mushrooms, and scuba diving in Montana’s lakes and rivers.
Activity Level: .8 mile walking each way. Moderate.
What to Bring:

Clothes appropriate for changing Montana weather conditions – layers are good!
Water & snacks
Walking shoes or boots
Sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses
Anything you need to be comfortable walking and standing outside for 1.5 hours

miniNaturalist Pre-K Program
2024-09-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-09-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-09-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-09-30 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Montana Natural History Center
The miniNaturalist pre-K program encourages curiosity for the natural world.
Dates: Every Monday, September – May
Time: 10:00-11:00 am
Location: Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory Street.
The miniNaturalist program encourages curiosity for the natural world through exploration and play. We sing songs, read books, play games, and develop skills with art and science tools. Each program begins with songs, movement, and stories. We then provide materials for learner directed discovery in our garden. We look for bugs and birds, color on rocks, build with branches, experiment with science tools and play with a variety of art materials.
Please bring clothes for outdoor play! We have some snow clothes to borrow.
Best for ages 2-4, though any age is welcome!
Cost: FREE!

Just Add Water - Ospreys in Western Montana
2024-09-18 18:30 - 20:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Antali tries out his wings. Photo by Erick Greene
Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Location: Montana Natural History Center
Cost: $10 MNHC members, $15 non-members
REGISTER HERE.
Ospreys are unique fishing raptors, and we are lucky they are so abundant along the rivers and lakes in Montana. Since they are at the top of aquatic food chains, they can tell us a lot about the health of our rivers and streams. In this talk, we will give an overview of the biology of this fascinating bird, and tell you about their migration patterns, longevity, and summarize our long-term studies on heavy metals in Ospreys, and what that tells us about the clean-up of the Upper Clark Fork River – largest EPA Superfund site in the US.
Meet our Guest Speakers
Rob Domenech, Executive Director: Rob began exploring much of western Montana during the 1990s to locate a suitable site for establishing the first mountaintop raptor migration banding study in Montana. He founded Raptor View Research Institute (RVRI) in 2004 to facilitate this ongoing in-depth research of Golden Eagle and other raptor migration ecology. Rob graduated from the University of Montana in 2002 with a Wildlife Biology degree. When not in the field, you can find Rob promoting awareness of raptor ecology to youth and community groups. Rob enjoys whitewater kayaking, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking and bird watching.
Adam Shreading, Senior Research Biologist: Adam graduated from the University of Montana in 2009 with a degree in Wildlife Biology. He began working exclusively with raptors in 2007 and has monitored populations of various species across Montana. Adam first came to RVRI as a seasonal field biologist during the fall migration of 2010 and became increasingly involved in our field studies over the next two years. Since becoming a full-time member of our team in August 2012, Adam has been a valuable asset in the planning, execution, and reporting of our field-based activities.
Brian Busby, Research Biologist: Brian first joined RVRI as a seasonal field biologist in 2015 after graduating from SUNY ESF with a degree in conservation biology. He left after four years to earn his Master’s in Raptor Biology at Boise State University studying Barn Owls but returned full-time to RVRI in 2024 to help run research projects, coordinate education programs, and manage, analyze, and publish data. Outside of work, Brian enjoys spending time either in the mountains or in his vegetable garden.
Erick Greene is Professor Emeritus in the Division of Biological Sciences and in the Wildlife Biology Program at The University of Montana. He grew up in Quebec, Canada, with twin passions for music and nature. Erick dropped out of high school and lived for a year in the Galapagos Islands, working as a researcher on Darwin’s Finches. He then worked on seabirds 800 miles north of the Arctic Circle with the Canadian Wildlife Service. He returned for undergraduate studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he studied biology, music and mathematics, and then received a PhD from Princeton University. He was the Director of UM’s Bird Ecology Lab, and has broad interests in ecology, evolution and conservation.
Sum-eh and Antali. Photo by Erick Greene.

Naturalist Field Day: Explore Primm Meadow
2024-10-02 09:00 - 14:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Date: Wednesday, October 2
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at the Montana Natural History Center. We’ll travel to Primm Meadow in the MNHC bus.
Feel the majesty of an old-growth, open stand of ponderosa pines as you explore the history and magnificent ecology of Primm Meadow. This park-like grove has been carefully utilized and managed by humans for thousands of years. Native Americans and homesteaders practiced understory burns to increase productivity of shrubs and crops. The ponderosas thrived in response, developing a resiliency to larger wildfires. Surrounded by forest that has been logged and replanted or burned, Primm Meadow is a window back in time.
Steven Kloetzel, Western Land Steward for The Nature Conservancy, will be our guide as we explore this special place. He will discuss restoration work, fire ecology, history, and more.
Difficulty: Easy/moderate. We will be driving through the gate right to the grove and walking in a loop. We will be walking/standing for up to 2.5 hours. We will have a picnic lunch, seated on the ground. No bathrooms.
What to Bring:

Clothes appropriate for changing Montana weather conditions – layers, rain, sun
Boots or shoes for walking
Water
Lunch/snacks
Anything you need to be comfortable outside for hours and on uneven terrain
Binoculars (optional, we have some to borrow)

Some scholarships are available. Please call 406.327.0405 to find out more.
FAQs:
What’s the refund policy?
The course fee (minus a 25% administrative fee) is refundable if a cancellation is made up to 7 days before the event. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline. See our full refund/cancellation policy here.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Nope! We will have a list of all the attendees.

Protecting Pollinators and Native Plants - Lunch & Learn Climate Solutions Week Program
2024-10-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Date: Thursday, October 3, 2024
Time: 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Location: Montana Natural History Center
Cost: FREE
Join the Montana Natural History Center and Climate Smart Missoula for a Lunch & Learn program, Protecting Pollinators and Native Plants, during Climate Solutions Week 2024!
Our communities thrive with the biodiversity of native plants. Insects, birds, and mammals have evolved to rely on our native plant communities. We can support the vibrancy of local habitats and survival of fellow species by planting and caring for native plants. During this program you will learn how to make your own seed balls to distribute native seeds!
Fall is the perfect time for native seed planting. Many require the cold snap of winter to germinate in the spring. Seed balls are easy to transport and can be tossed in a garden patch or abandoned weedy area. We will provide directions on creating them and will have materials available for the first 20 people to make one to take home.
Bring your lunch!
After we make the seed balls we will screen a film about plants and pollinators. Sit back, eat lunch, and enjoy the movie!
Photo by Kelly Dix

Curiosity Cabinet Garage Sale
2024-10-05 12:00 - 15:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Date: Saturday, October 5
Time: 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Montana Natural History Center
Shop MNHC’s Curiosity Cabinet Garage Sale for curious naturalist items. Bones, books, shells, art, rocks and minerals, and so much more! One day only!
Are you interested in donating an item? Here are the kinds of curios and curiosities we’re looking for:

Natural history-related books and field guides
Rocks, minerals, shells, pressed plants
Nature-themed art
Clothing featuring flora/fauna
Taxidermy, bones, furs (please see below for restrictions)
Binoculars, magnifying lenses, microscopes, spotting scopes, nets, and loupes
Nature notecards/postcards
Vintage camping gear
Outdoor gear
Nature journaling supplies
And more!

MNHC reserves the right to keep, rather than sell, any item deemed appropriate for programmatic use.
Please note our donation guidelines before you drop anything off! Some items we can’t accept (for example – Is it alive? Is it radioactive?).
Please NOTHING:

Alive
Illegal (endangered species, protected species, songbird remains/specimens/feathers, etc.)
Cultural (arrowheads, etc.)
Stinky/moldy
Unsafe to handle (hides tanned with arsenic, radioactive rocks)
Inappropriate

And please no:

Magazines
Calendars

All garage sale proceeds will support MNHC’s programming for all ages. Join us in the fun, and thank you for your support!

Allosaurus and Other Jurassic Finds in the Bighorn Basin of Montana
2024-10-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Date: Wednesday, October 9
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Montana Natural History Center
$10 for MNHC members, $15 for non-members
REGISTER HERE!
MNHC has partnered with Elevation Science Institute to prepare and conserve dinosaur fossils collected by their paleontologists and citizen-scientists each summer in southern Montana. These fossils come from the world-famous Morrison Formation of southern Montana, rocks dating back over 150 million years!
Come and learn about this new project that includes the famous Allosaurus, known for a complicated history of discovery and its ferocious lifestyle — and its dozens of serrated teeth! Living in the Late Jurassic, Allosaurus was a top predator coming in at an average of 28 ft. in length. This fascinating bipedal dinosaur fed on herbivorous species and possibly other predators. Jason Poole of the Elevation Science Institute will present an overview of discoveries, current work, and the new Allosaurus project happening now at MNHC.
Instructor: Jason C. Poole has worn many hats, Adjunct Professor of Paleontology, Scientific Illustrator, art teacher, and Paleontology field instructor. Jason has excavated dinosaurs on three continents, including Africa, South and North America. Paralititan, Dreadnoughtus and Suuwassea are three dinosaurs worked on by Poole, all were new to science when discovered and two of which are supermassive titanosaurs. Poole is also a Paleontological Artist who has published in National Geographic and whose art work appears in many museum and private collections. Jason resides in Missoula, Montana and can often be found sketching in the studio and the great outdoors.
What’s the refund policy?
The course fee (minus a 25% administrative fee) is refundable if a cancellation is made up to 7 days before the event. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline. See our full refund/cancellation policy here.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Nope! We will have a list of all the attendees.

Sip and Sketch Skulls with Jason C. Poole
2024-10-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Date: Wednesday, October 16
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: Montana Natural History Center
Cost: $30 MNHC members, $35 non-members
REGISTER HERE!
Find the beauty of line and form in MNHC’s extensive skull collection. You will enjoy access to grizzly bear, great horned owl, and Tyrannosaurus rex just to name a few.
Missoula based artist, Jason C. Poole will start the class by demonstrating drawing techniques particular to skulls and a discussion of anatomical features. As you begin your own study, Jason will provide both individual and class-wide pointers. This class is perfect for all skill levels. Enjoy a beverage (beer, or sparkly water) while you work!
Instructor: Jason C. Poole has worn many hats, Adjunct Professor of Paleontology, Scientific Illustrator, art teacher, and Paleontology field instructor. Jason has excavated dinosaurs on three continents, including Africa, South and North America. Paralititan, Dreadnoughtus and Suuwassea are three dinosaurs worked on by Poole, all were new to science when discovered and two of which are supermassive titanosaurs. Poole is also a Paleontological Artist who has published in National Geographic and whose art work appears in many museum and private collections.
Jason resides in Missoula Montana and can often be found sketching in the studio and the great outdoors.
What to Bring:

H or 2B pencils (we will have plenty to use as well)
Sketch book no larger than 8 1/2 x 11 inches (we will have paper to use as well)

“The skulls were there and I could say something with them. To me they are as beautiful as anything I know. To me they are strangely more living than the animals walking around…” Georgia O’Keefe
What’s the refund policy?
The course fee (minus a 25% administrative fee) is refundable if a cancellation is made up to 7 days before the event. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline. See our full refund/cancellation policy here.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Nope! We will have a list of all the attendees.

Native Plant Garden Immersion - Fall Session
2024-10-19 15:00 - 17:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Date: Saturday, October 19
Time: 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Location: Fort Missoula Native Plant Garden
Cost: $15 MNHC members, $20 non-members
Feel the land transition into autumn. Allow your senses, rather than your thoughts, to notice how nature transitions into a season of endings and renewal.
You may have visited the Native Plant Garden, but have you experienced it?
You may have seen it, but have you smelled, heard, touched, and tasted it?
You may have walked around, but have you simply sat in it to connect to the land and restore your physical, mental, and spiritual health?
Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide Sylke Laine invites us to come to our senses and follow our natural curiosity in the Native Plant Garden. As we slow down to give our thinking minds a break, we’ll not only experience plants in a sensual, intuitive way, but all beings that reside, from birds to bugs to boulders. And humans, of course.
We will close with a series of mindful invitations inspired by the Japanese practice of Forest Bathing, Shinrin-Yoku.
REGISTER HERE
Sylke will be holding 1 more seasonal nature immersion experience. Join her for:
Winter: December 22, 3:00 p.m. – Resting. Pausing. Stillness. Immerse your senses into nature’s capacity for restoration and renewal. Notice what winter feels, smells, sounds, and looks like at the Native Plant Garden.

FAQs
What’s the refund policy?
The course fee (minus a 25% administrative fee) is refundable if a cancellation is made up to 7 days before the event. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline. See our full refund/cancellation policy here.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Nope! We will have a list of all the attendees.
