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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Montana Natural History Center
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260209T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260209T200000
DTSTAMP:20260505T101613
CREATED:20260122T230502Z
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UID:10003126-1770660000-1770667200@www.montananaturalist.org
SUMMARY:Nature Writing "Hush Hour(s)" - CANCELED
DESCRIPTION:Date: Second Monday of the Month\nTime: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.\nLocation: Montana Natural History Center\nCost: Free\, but please register \nTHE FEBRUARY 9TH SESSION OF NATURE WRITING “HUSH HOUR(S)” IS CANCELED. We hope you can join us in March. \nWhatever genre you prefer — poetry\, essay\, prose\, flash\, etc. — writing can help us connect with and reflect on our natural surroundings in deeply personal\, unexpected\, rewarding ways. But finding the time to write can often be challenging. This writing “hush hour(s)” is designed to provide nature writers with a quiet\, supportive setting to work on your craft. This isn’t a workshop; this is space to write. \nIn this group\, we’ll spend roughly the first 10-20 minutes inviting individuals to share what projects you’re working on\, questions you might have about your work\, suggest resources\, any hurdles or writing blocks\, and writing successes! Then we’ll write\, write\, write. \nBring your notebook\, journal\, or computer. Writing prompts will be available if you’re feeling stuck\, or just want to play with words. Your MNHC group leaders are Allison De Jong (Montana Naturalist magazine editor and MNHC Field Notes instructor\, and writer) and Beth Conway (Events and Marketing Coordinator\, and writer). \nFeel free to BYOB and snacks. We’ll have light refreshments available.
URL:https://www.montananaturalist.org/event/nature-writing-hush-hours-6-5/
LOCATION:Montana Natural History Center
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260209T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260209T203000
DTSTAMP:20260505T101613
CREATED:20250812T183018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T190209Z
UID:10003031-1770661800-1770669000@www.montananaturalist.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Naturalist Book Club #2
DESCRIPTION:Date: Monthly\, on the second Monday of the month (except January\, June\, July\, and August)\nTime: 6:30 p.m.\nLocation/Platform: Virtual Zoom Classroom \nThe 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.) This book club meets September-May and breaks for the summer. \nBook List \nSeptember: Light Eaters\nOctober: The Serviceberry\nNovember: The Stubborn Light of Things\nDecember: Flight Paths\nJanuary: no meeting this month\nFebruary: Woman Among Wolves\nMarch:  What an Owl Knows\nApril: Restoring the Kinship Worldview                                                                                                                May: Tenacious Beasts \nYour hosts will be Sherry Staub and Cas Kendley. Sherry has led the Sacajawea book club for over two years in Bozeman and has extensively read in the nature book genre. Cas started and led a book club as a UM student and is looking forward to starting an advanced degree in forestry at the UM. \nYou will need a computer that can access the internet and Zoom platform in order to participate. \nInterested in joining? There are spaces available! Email Christine at cmorris [at] montananaturalist [dot] org to sign up. \nGroup is limited to 10 participants.
URL:https://www.montananaturalist.org/event/naturalist-book-club-2/2026-02-09/
LOCATION:Virtual Zoom Classroom
CATEGORIES:Community Event,Evening Programs
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260210T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260210T110000
DTSTAMP:20260505T101613
CREATED:20250728T225016Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250729T211452Z
UID:10002996-1770717600-1770721200@www.montananaturalist.org
SUMMARY:miniNaturalist Pre-K Program
DESCRIPTION:The miniNaturalist pre-K program encourages curiosity for the natural world.\nDates: Every Tuesday\, September – May\nTime: 10:00-11:00 am\nLocation: Montana Natural History Center\, 120 Hickory Street. \nThe 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. \nPlease bring clothes for outdoor play! We have some snow clothes to borrow. \nBest for ages 2-4\, though any age is welcome! \nCost: FREE!
URL:https://www.montananaturalist.org/event/mininaturalist-pre-k-program-2/2026-02-10/
LOCATION:Montana Natural History Center
CATEGORIES:Kids' Program,miniNaturalist Pre-K Program
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260210T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260210T203000
DTSTAMP:20260505T101613
CREATED:20231214T180948Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250107T173314Z
UID:10001317-1770748200-1770755400@www.montananaturalist.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Naturalist Book Club #1
DESCRIPTION:Date: Monthly\, on the second Tuesday of the month  \nTime: 6:30 p.m. \nLocation/Platform: Virtual Zoom Classroom \nThe 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.) \nYour hosts are Master Naturalist Suzanne Hendrich and Deborah Drain. \nYou will need a computer that can access the internet and Zoom platform in order to participate. \nThere are some spaces available in this book club. Contact cmorris (at) montananaturalist.org to sign up.  \nGroup is limited to 10 participants.
URL:https://www.montananaturalist.org/event/virtual-naturalist-book-club-1-2/2026-02-10/
LOCATION:Virtual Zoom Classroom
CATEGORIES:Community Event,Evening Programs,Virtual Class
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260211T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260211T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T101613
CREATED:20251030T151901Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T190829Z
UID:10003133-1770818400-1770825600@www.montananaturalist.org
SUMMARY:Master Naturalist Club
DESCRIPTION:Date: Monthly\, on the second Wednesday of the month\nTime: 2:00-4:00 p.m.\nLocation: Various – contact club host \nShare outdoor explorations and learning experiences with other curious naturalists at our monthly Master Naturalist Club! We will connect with experts and hone our skills\, meeting at field locations around Missoula. \nApril Topic: Introduction to Oding:  Looking for dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) in Western Montana \nSuzanne Hendrich\, Master Naturalist\, has led dragonfly field trips for MOLLI and is in the midst of a multiyear survey of Odonata in this region. She will share keys to identifying Odonata\, key features of their life cycle\, habitat and ecology\, and good local spots for oding adventures. \nClub hosts: Master Naturalists Sarah Elsasser\, Bill Buseman\, and Elizabeth Johns \nInterested in joining? There are spaces available! Email Christine at cmorris@montananaturalist.org to sign up.
URL:https://www.montananaturalist.org/event/master-naturalist-club/2026-02-11/
LOCATION:Montana Natural History Center
CATEGORIES:Community Event,Discovery Day,Drop in With a Naturalist,Naturalist Field Experience
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260211T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260211T190000
DTSTAMP:20260505T101613
CREATED:20251213T000600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251213T001338Z
UID:10003326-1770825600-1770836400@www.montananaturalist.org
SUMMARY:Spring 2026 Master Naturalist Certification - 12 Week Wednesday Course
DESCRIPTION:Wednesdays\, February 11 – May 6\n4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.\nCost: $425 MNHC members/$450 non-members. Some scholarships are available – please contact us at 327.0405 for details.\n3 UM credits available. This course is listed at UM ENST 391. A $155 fee is required to UM Extended Credits to take the class for credit. Credit registration and payment will be conducted at MNHC in class. \nREGISTER HERE! Registration closes January 21\nOur certification courses consist of at least 40 hours of instruction in a mix of lectures\, in-class labs\, and outdoor field trips. We’ll cover a wide breadth of topics with the goal of giving you an essential foundation of skill and knowledge on which you can build. \n“The course has helped me to be more curious\, observant\, and connected with my surroundings. I’ve met people who share this passion\, their experiences\, and curiosity with whom I can wander and wonder.”– 2023 Master Naturalist \n“Revelatory and life changing.” – 2025 Master Naturalist \nTaught by MNHC Naturalist Christine Morris and guest instructors\, this class: \n\nis a 12-week course\nruns on Wednesdays from 4:00 p.m. -7:00 pm (no class March 18\, the week of UM’s spring break)\nincludes 2 full-day Saturday field trips\, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.\, tentatively scheduled on February 21 and April 18.\n\nThis course will enable you to interpret the landscape on your own; to pry out its secrets and share those secrets with others; to take in the natural world first hand rather than through a guide. This confidence begins with knowing the details: the names of the local flowers\, birds\, trees\, and butterflies. Throughout the course you will practice specific naturalist skills and gain foundational knowledge that will assist in your engagement with the natural world for years to come. \nSee our local forests in new light as you learn about the role our conifers play in a coordinated ecology with fire and snow pack moisture. Or marvel in the diversity of lichen. Spend an entire day identifying winter raptors in the Mission valley. Become attuned to bird songs and butterfly wings. Get a handle on flower identification by recognizing patterns in form. Our emphasis will be on learning how to identify local flora\, fauna\, and landscape processes while gaining insight on how each part is connected. \nGuest instructors include: \n\nbotanist and author Peter Lesica\nbotanist and Missoula College instructor Greg Peters\nnaturalist Kelly Dix\nbirder Chadwick Moore\nMNHC communications coordinator Allison De Jong\nMNHC naturalist Ryan Mahar\ngeologist Ian Watson\nMNHC ED and botanist Marilyn Marler\n\n  \nThe class will be be based at the Montana Natural History Center. Travel to field sites will be by MNHC bus. \nSee sample syllabus here (some elements could be subject to change). \nRegistration Information: \n\nCost: $450/$425 members. Some scholarships are available – please contact us at 327.0405 for details.\nFull 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.\n3 UM credits available. This course is listed at UM ENST 391. A $155 fee is required to UM Extended Credits to take the class for credit. Credit registration and payment will be conducted at MNHC in class.\n\nMaster Naturalist Certification requirements: \n\nAttend at least 40 hours of instruction.\nComplete journal entries and a final project.\n\nIf you want to maintain your certification in years to come (and earn successive Master Naturalist pins)\, you’ll have to log 20 hours of volunteer service per year with organizations connected with the natural world\, as well as 8 hours of continuing education per year. \n*If you have a significant background in the natural sciences or hold a Master Naturalist certificate from another state or Montana provider\, you may want to start with Master Naturalist II. \nFor more information on volunteer service & continuing education requirements\, click here. \nRecommended Materials: \nThe only required material is a blank journal. We will provide details and recommendations on the first day of class. Everything else can be borrowed or used in class from our supply. Each student will receive a Master Naturalist Handbook. \n\nbinoculars (we have plenty to borrow)\nhand lens or loupe\nblank journal (required)\nmicron or small sharpie pen\ncolored pencils or watercolor pencils\nbird guide such as Sibley’s Field Guide to Birds of Western North America\nBotany in a Day by Thomas J. Elpel\nplant/flower guide such as Wildflowers of Montana or Plants of the Rocky Mountains\ninsect guide such as Kaufman’s Guide to Insects of North America\n\nRegister here by JANUARY 21st:
URL:https://www.montananaturalist.org/event/spring-2026-master-naturalist-certification-course/
LOCATION:Montana Natural History Center
CATEGORIES:Master Naturalist Class
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