Poets in the 'Root
2024-06-15 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) | Montana Natural History Center
This FREE event is sponsored by Bitterroot Audubon, O’Hara Commons and Sustainability Center, Blue Heron Nature Tours, and the Montana Natural History Center.
Nature in nearly all manifestations has inspired poets since there were poets! And at least since the Roman poet Horace wrote Ars Poetica, or the Art of Poetry, in 19 BCE, literature, including poetry, has sought to both instruct and delight.
Poets in the ‘Root combines these two aims in an uncommon but simple way. One person reads a favorite poem or part of a poem that uses an element of nature to convey its message (we have a list if you want recommendations). Then, the same or another person gives an explanation (5 minutes max) of some aspect of that nature element. The explanation focuses on nature interpretation, not literary interpretation. Listeners get a bit of poetry and a bit of natural history.
Anyone can volunteer to read a poem and/or offer nature interpretation. Most will read poems by others, but if you’re a poet, we’d love to hear your own work. This is a fun way for Master Naturalists to earn credit towards certification.
We’ll have refreshments, including iced tea, wine, and snacks! Event will take place on the lawn of the lovely O’Hara Commons – please bring your own chair.
Want to volunteer? Have questions? Contact Micki Long at mickilong@gmail.com.
Free and open to the public!
Art by Deb Goslin.

Nature Journaling at the Summer Solstice
2024-06-22 12:00 - 14:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Date: June 22
Time: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at Milltown State Park Confluence Area
Register Now
If you have ever thought about starting and keeping a nature journal, this is your opportunity to start your journaling practice in the field!
Class will begin with a short discussion about the basics of starting a nature journaling practice. Then we will take some time to explore the landscape. Each student will have an opportunity to create a first page out on the trail with guidance. Handouts will be provided about materials to use, page composition/layout, and basic nature journaling writing and drawing strategies. Be sure to dress warmly since we will be standing or sitting for periods of time. The only materials you need for this class are a chair, pad, or blanket for sitting outside, a blank journal, a pen, and pencil. You may want to bring basic art supplies (colored pencils and watercolors) for adding color. We will have a few of these items available for use during class, and will provide you with guidance on the right supplies to purchase should you decide nature journaling is for you.
Recommended Materials:
Journal
Pen
Pencil
Instructor: Michele Esser is a 5-year Missoula resident and mixed media artist who completed her Master Naturalist certification in 2020. Professionally, Michele is a Technology Training Manager with an 18-year career in software training. When she is not working or making art, Michele is skiing and hiking, as well as volunteering at the MNHC or exploring a naturalist topic of interest.
FAQ
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.

Saturday Kids' Activity: Geology Is Everywhere: Sedimentary Rocks
2024-06-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Drop in any time between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. for a hands-on kids’ activity!
Attention, (junior) geology enthusiasts! Join us for an exciting series of touch and learn sessions on geology. Master Naturalist and geology/earth sciences educator Jamie Watson will be leading these drop-in sessions the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from April through July.
Geology is everywhere! In June, we’ll explore sedimentation and sedimentary rocks – including Glacial Lake Missoula sediments! We’ll also dive into arrowheads and the effects of rivers and streams on sediment transportation and deposition. Bring your map from April’s activity (we’ll have more to pass out, too) , so you can add in the locations of the different kinds of rocks we’re learning about and go see them for yourself!
Cost: Free with membership / cost of admission.

Scavengers Photography Club
2024-06-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Dates: Fourth 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!

MNHC Closed for 4th of July Holiday
2024-07-04 | Montana Natural History Center
MNHC will be closed on July 4th so our staff can enjoy the holiday! Happy 4th!
We ARE open on July 5th and 6th.

Virtual Naturalist Book Club #1
2024-07-09 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-08-13 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-09-10 18:30 - 20:30 | 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.

Saturday Kids' Activity: Geology Is Everywhere: Metamorphic Rocks
2024-07-13 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-07-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Drop in any time between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. for a hands-on kids’ activity!
Attention, (junior) geology enthusiasts! Join us for an exciting series of touch and learn sessions on geology. Master Naturalist and geology/earth sciences educator Jamie Watson will be leading these drop-in sessions the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from April through July.
Geology is everywhere! In July, we’ll dive into metamorphic rocks and deformation, and learn about how heat and pressure on sedimentary rocks causes folds, faults, and the change from a sedimentary rock to a metamorphic rock. Bring your map from April’s activity (we’ll have more to pass out, too), so you can add in the locations of the different kinds of rocks we’re learning about and go see them for yourself!
Cost: Free with membership / cost of admission.

Wild Wanders with Kids and Herbal Lemonade
2024-07-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Montana Natural History Center
Date: Thursday, July 18th
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Montana Natural History Center
REGISTER HERE
Join Sydney Morical and Cathryn Rann of Wild Wanders!
Allow your little wildcrafter a place to shine!
We are foragers by nature and children demonstrate this beautifully, but often lack of adult education means little ones think all plants will kill you unless they come from the grocery store. Come empower your child to harvest with confidence and glee!
Join us as we learn about wild edibles and medicinals along the Clark Fork River Trail. We will talk about identification, ethical and safe harvesting, properties of plants, and how we enjoy them. We’ll also do a little bit of wildcrafting to make some herbal lemonade and enjoy some foraged snacks. Feel free to bring a notebook, pen, and guidebook if you wish. Water is also a great idea!
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: $35 MNHC members, $40 non-members. Each ticket covers one adult and one child – please make sure to register your child with the free “child admission” ticket so our attendee numbers are accurate. Cost for each additional child is $15.

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.

Missoula's Osprey - More Than Meets the Eye
2024-07-22 09:00 - 10:30 | Montana Natural History Center
Date: Monday, July 22
Time: 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Location: Meet at the Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St. We will carpool to the local nest site with the most activity.
Register now
Known to tens of thousands worldwide, Missoula’s osprey showcase avian drama and intrigue. From losing chicks and fending off owls to exciting new mates, extra-pair alliances, and long distance migrations, osprey have tales to tell. Dalit Guscio, CFWEP’s Missoula program director, will explain the intricacies of osprey livelihood and discuss monitoring methods in our watershed. Scopes will be available for up-close viewing. Get a more in-depth understanding of our celebrated summertime fishing raptors! You will learn about their biology, challenges and successes through time, and of course, wild stories to amaze your friends and family.
Iris, a 28-year-old Missoula osprey and wildlife-cam sensation, was recently featured on this NPR Morning Edition segment.
Instructor: Dalit Guscio is the Missoula program director of the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program (CFWEP). She spends her time educating our youth about watershed health and monitors Clark Fork osprey chicks as a proxy for watershed health. Opportunities to volunteer with CFWEP in Missoula area or Butte will also be addressed! Learn more at cfwep.org.
Activity level: easy walking/standing/sitting
What to Bring:

Water, snacks
Clothes appropriate for changing Montana weather conditions- layers
Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Camp chair if you would like to sit
Binoculars (we will have some to borrow and there will be scopes)
Anything you need to be comfortable outside for one hour

Birding Tips and Tricks at Kelly Island
2024-07-23 08:30 - 10:30 | Montana Natural History Center
Date: Tuesday, July 23
Time: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Location: Meet at Kelly Island Spurgin St. fishing access
Register Here
Experience the excitement, the drama, and the beauty of bird life at Kelly Island! The vibrant cottonwood gallery and river shore are home to diverse array of birds. Beef up your birding skills with tips and tricks from naturalist, birder, and retired National Bison Range ranger Pat Jamieson on this two-hour walk. Whether you are just beginning, or looking for that next step of skill development, this program will provide you with the opportunities to practice field mark identification, use your bird guide, and recognize songs and calls. Find out how to combine your passion with citizen science by using eBird and get listing! A day spent birding is always going to be a good day.
Instructor: Pat Jamieson is a retired National Bison Range ranger. While there she taught people of all ages about the flora and fauna of the Bison Range. Pat continues to work with UM, MNHC, and other groups to lead bird programs and tours.
What to Bring:

Clothes appropriate for changing weather conditions – layers, sun or shine, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
Bug repellent (optional)
Water and snacks
Binoculars (optional, we have some to borrow)
Bird field guide (optional, we have some to borrow)
There are a few free apps from Cornell University that help with birding (Merlin) and with contributing to citizen science (eBird). You can download those on your phone. Pat will demonstrate how to use these if folks want to follow along (optional).

Cost:
$30/$25 MNHC members. Some scholarships are available. Please call 406.327.0405 to inquire.
IMPORTANT Note: You will need a Montana FWP Conservation Liscense to visit this site unless you already have a hunting or fishing liscense. These are not included in MNHC’s program or permit and it is up to participants to obtain one. $8. They are good for one year. You can purchase them here.

Volunteer Project: Seed Collecting on USFS Land - Blue Mountain
2024-07-25 09:00 - 11:00 | Blue Mountain Recreation Area, Forest Hill Lane, Missoula, MT, 59804, United States
Calling all volunteers! MNHC is working in partnership with the Lolo National Forest to collect seeds throughout the summer and fall for revegetation projects. It’s a great way to get outside, meet good people, and give back. Join us!
Meet at the Blue Mountain Nature Trail (2 miles up FS Road 365).
Contact Elena at eulev@montananaturalist.org if interested or for more information.

CANCELED -- Scavengers Photography Club- Photographing Carnival Rides
2024-07-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Next session will run in August.
Dates: Fourth Thursday of the month
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Montana Natural History Center
To get ready for the Western Montana Fair, August 6-11, 2024, photography teacher Kathy Eyster is giving a short presentation about creating amazing pictures of carnival rides using long exposures. She also shares information on submitting your best pictures to the Photography Competition at the fair.
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!

Volunteer Project: Seed Collecting on USFS Land - Pattee Canyon
2024-07-28 09:00 - 11:00 | Pattee Canyon Recreation Area
Calling all volunteers! MNHC is working in partnership with the Lolo National Forest to collect seeds throughout the summer and fall for revegetation projects. It’s a great way to get outside, meet good people, and give back. Join us!
Meet at the Pattee Canyon Picnic Area.
Contact Elena at eulev@montananaturalist.org if interested or for more information.

Native Plant Garden Immersion - Summer Session
2024-08-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Montana Natural History Center
Date: Sunday, August 4
Time: 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Location: Fort Missoula Native Plant Garden
Cost: $15 MNHC members, $20 non-members
Smell summer’s heat, taste its energy in the air, touch its vibrancy, and see summer with your ears as it buzzes, sings, and breezes through the Native Plant Garden.
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 2 more seasonal nature immersion experiences. Join her for:
Fall: October 19, 3:00 p.m. – 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.
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.

Volunteer Seed Collection - Pattee Canyon Picnic Area
2024-08-09 09:00 - 11:00 | Pattee Canyon Recreation Area
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: Friday, August 9th
Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Location: Meet at the large parking lot and pavilion at the Pattee Canyon Picnic Area.
Contact Elena at eulev@montananaturalist.org if interested or for more information.

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 | 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 | 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 | 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.
