Montana Natural History Center

miniNaturalist Pre-K Program
2024-10-21 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Denver) | 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!

Fall 2024 Online Master Naturalist Course
2024-10-22 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

Scavengers Photography Club
2024-10-24 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.
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.
*During the holiday season, photography club has been moved from the last Thursday of the month to Oct 24, Nov 21, and Dec 19, 2024.
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! Preparing for our Fall Banquet & Auction
2024-10-25 13:00 - 17:00 | Montana Natural History Center
We are closed after 1pm today to prepare for our Fall Banquet & Auction!
We look forward to seeing many of you there.

MNHC's Fall Banquet and Auction
2024-10-25 17:00 - 21:00 | University Center Ballroom, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT, 59812, United States
Date: Friday, October 25th
Time: 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: University Center Ballroom
GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY. Click here.
Join the Montana Natural History Center for a fun and nature-filled evening at our Fall Banquet and Auction on October 25th, at the University Center Ballroom!
Gather with us for an evening of food, drinks, and fun to support MNHC’s science and nature educational programming for our community, and support MNHC’s mission of connecting people of all ages to nature.
We will begin the evening with a large silent auction, filled with great items donated by local businesses, artists, and friends of MNHC. Grab a drink and mingle as you peruse this diverse array and engage in some fun and fierce bidding all while raising funds for a good cause! Once we have all had a chance to bid (more than once!) we will shift to our main event: the live auction! MNHC’s live auction is full of amazing experiences, adventures, and gear—you won’t want to miss it! See our live auction line-up, here.
Our emcee for the night is Mark Heyka, a local familiar favorite who will guide us through the evening. And auctioneer, Reed Tobol with Rivers West Auction, will keep the bidding hopping!
And because this is MNHC, we can’t hold an event without offering opportunities for some nature-learning, trivia, and a few surprises.
This year we’re making it even easier for patrons to participate in bidding: You’ll have the opportunity to bid & buy early on featured online items, as well as participate in-person at our exciting silent and live auctions on the night of the event!
Start browsing the catalog of live auction item now. You can even start your bidding (or buy it now!) on many of our silent auction items. Bring your best bids and a little friendly competition to this rewarding and exciting event!
GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY. Click here.
We’re using the platform ReadySetAuction to manage our ticket sales and auction items this year. When you purchase a ticket, you’ll be sent an email, asking to set up an account. Rest assured that any information you supply is for MNHC use only and will not be shared with a third party.
Stay tuned for updates as they come in. MNHC staff, Board, and auction committee are working tirelessly to put together the greatest fundraiser yet!
THANK YOU!
A special thank you to our 2024 banquet and auction sponsors. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact our Development Director, Kellen Beck, at: kbeck@montananaturalist.org.
