BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Montana Natural History Center - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.montananaturalist.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Montana Natural History Center
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Denver
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:MDT
DTSTART:20250309T090000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:MST
DTSTART:20251102T080000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:MDT
DTSTART:20260308T090000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:MST
DTSTART:20261101T080000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:MDT
DTSTART:20270314T090000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:MST
DTSTART:20271107T080000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260324T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260324T110000
DTSTAMP:20260422T145140
CREATED:20250728T225016Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250729T211452Z
UID:10003002-1774346400-1774350000@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-2/2026-03-24/
LOCATION:Montana Natural History Center
CATEGORIES:Kids' Program,miniNaturalist Pre-K Program
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.montananaturalist.org/wp-content/uploads/prek-kids-painting-e1736271114732.jpeg
GEO:46.8706038;-114.0060024
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260324T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260324T113000
DTSTAMP:20260422T145140
CREATED:20260114T205844Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T210204Z
UID:10003361-1774346400-1774351800@www.montananaturalist.org
SUMMARY:Online Field Notes Writing Workshop\, 6-Part Class - Spring 2026
DESCRIPTION:Location: Virtual Classroom on Zoom\nDates: Tuesdays\, March 24\, 31\, and April 7\, 14\, 21\, & 28\nTime: 10:00-11:30 a.m. \nExplore various forms of nature writing\, then research and write your own Field Note during this online\, workshop-based six-part class! \nInstructors:\nAllison De Jong\, writer\, naturalist\, and editor of Montana Naturalist magazine and Field Notes on Montana Public Radio\nDrew Lefebvre\, naturalist\, writer\, and owner of Turnstone Nature Education \nREGISTER HERE\nIn this six-part class\, you’ll work with Field Notes editor Allison De Jong\, naturalist Drew Lefebvre\, and your fellow participants to research\, write\, and workshop your very own Field Note. We’ll read and discuss a variety of nature writing; brainstorm ideas; practice writing prompts; discuss tone\, style\, and research methods; and provide feedback for each other’s Field Notes. And you’ll have the opportunity to record your Field Note with Montana Public Radio sometime later this year\, if interested. Many of the Field Notes aired since 2021 were written in previous workshops! (You can read and listen to them here.) \nThis class will be a delightful combination of natural history and creativity. You’ll get to explore a natural history topic of your choice\, practice different writing techniques\, get and give feedback on your and others’ writing in a small\, supportive workshop setting\, and finish the class with a lovely natural history essay that’s ready to be shared with the Montana Public Radio listening area (if you wish!). \nCost: $235 MNHC members\, $255 non-members. You can add your MNHC membership to your order when you check out. \nOptional class material: While all of the Field Notes we read in class are available online\, you may want to purchase our Field Notes from the Montana Natural History Center book\, a collection of 134 Field Notes as well as original artwork from dozens of naturalists from the program’s first 25 years. We promise it makes for excellent reading! You can purchase the book online here\, or purchase in person at MNHC. \nREGISTER FOR THE FIELD NOTES WORKSHOP HERE. \nWhat participants are saying about this workshop: \n“The course was very engaging. The encouragement\, group support\, community formed\, and great instruction was profoundly rewarding. The reading and writing prompts were inspiring. There was a great integration of emotion\, creativity\, naturalist’s knowledge\, scientific knowledge and shared experiences.”\n~Cynthia Swidler\, Spring 2020 \n“I loved this class. Learning to write field notes was way different than what I expected. Allison and Drew both really brought to life the importance of sharing personal experience and scientific information in story form. I learned so much about the writing process\, how to refine pieces for reading aloud\, and how to give a voice to the voiceless. I have much more confidence about writing field notes now\, and many ideas!!”\n~Marnie Craig\, Spring 2020 \n“A complete and successful experience! Involving\, stimulating. Great to experience the writing and expression abilities of the other writers. I was often amazed how the leaders and the other writers could analyze\, dissect\, and interpret our reading assignments and any topic of discussion. I loved the class. A learning and writing experience for sure\, thank you!”\n~Terry Habeger\, Spring 2020 \n“Thank you\, thank you\, thank you. This class was extremely grounding in a period of big transition in my life\, and it really bolstered my self-confidence to sit with a group of strangers every week and feel seen and heard. Knowing that I have the capacity to sit down and write words that make people feel excited to go outside is an incredible gift\, and I am very grateful for this class for it.”\n~Zola Kell\, Fall 2021 \n“I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the classroom community. Would recommend taking this class for anyone interested in creative science/nature writing\, either for fun or as a career.”\n~Kayla Heinze\, Spring 2023 \n“It was all so rewarding! I loved crafting a piece that felt digestible to get me back into a writing routine. I loved our 10-minute writes. The [workshopping] session was really helpful as well as the detailed suggestions and feedback from both Allison and Drew. I loved the poetry and writing pieces we read and discussed in class. It was a great class!”\n~Victoria Yee\, Fall 2024 \nFAQs\nWhat’s the refund policy?\nThe 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.
URL:https://www.montananaturalist.org/event/online-field-notes-writing-workshop-6-part-class-spring-2026/
LOCATION:Virtual Zoom Classroom
CATEGORIES:Field Notes Workshop,Multi-Part Class,Virtual Class
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.montananaturalist.org/wp-content/uploads/Field-Notes-Writing-Workshop-e1768426297609.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260325T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260325T130000
DTSTAMP:20260422T145140
CREATED:20250804T203050Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T183906Z
UID:10003019-1774438200-1774443600@www.montananaturalist.org
SUMMARY:Drop-In Nature Journaling
DESCRIPTION:Date: Last Wednesday of the Month\nTime: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.\nLocation: Montana Natural History Center\nCost: Free with admission/membership! \nFellow naturalists! Are you looking for community\, accountability\, inspiration\, and more? We’re excited to offer monthly drop-in nature journaling / phenology wheel / nature writing sessions September-May. Bring your nature journals\, phenology wheels\, pens\, pencils\, and paints\, and have fun crafting your observations in community. We’ll have some supplies available (colored pencils\, micron pens\, watercolor pencils\, etc.)\, as well as field guides and specimens\, and we’ll provide a fun journal prompt\, too! For those working on phenology wheels – whether daily\, monthly\, or seasonal – this is a great time to work on your wheel template for the next month or catch up on your daily or monthly observations. \nScheduled over the lunch hour\, this is a perfect mid-day break; please feel free to bring lunch or snacks. \nThis program is FREE with admission/membership! \nCome join us for fun\, creativity\, and naturalist exploration! \n2025-2026 dates:\nSeptember 24th\, 2025\nOctober 29th\, 2025\nNovember 26th\, 2025\nNO SESSION in DECEMBER\nJanuary 28th\, 2026\nFebruary 25th\, 2026\nMarch 25th\, 2026\nApril 29th\, 2026\nMay 27th\, 2026 \nWe’ll be back in September!
URL:https://www.montananaturalist.org/event/drop-in-nature-journaling/2026-03-25/
LOCATION:Montana Natural History Center
CATEGORIES:Community Event,Drop in With a Naturalist
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.montananaturalist.org/wp-content/uploads/monthly-nature-journaling.jpg
GEO:46.8706038;-114.0060024
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260326T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260326T210000
DTSTAMP:20260422T145140
CREATED:20260123T202400Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T164959Z
UID:10003363-1774551600-1774558800@www.montananaturalist.org
SUMMARY:Naturalist Trivia Night with co-host Montana Native Plant Society!
DESCRIPTION:Date: Thursday\, March 26\nTime: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.\nLocation: Montana Natural History Center\nCost: Free and open to the public\, but please register \nShow off your skills or come to learn something new—trivia nights are fun for any background level. Join a team when you arrive or bring a crew to compete in Naturalist Trivia Night. For March’s trivia night we are joined by co-hosts from the Montana Native Plant Society. The first few rounds will focus on native plants and we’ll finish off with rounds on spring migration in the Rocky Mountains and more! \nMNHC teaching naturalist Ryan Mahar is running the show. We’re excited to bring you another fun trivia night! \nThis is a FREE event\, but registration is required so we don’t overcrowd the space! \nREGISTER HERE!\nBYOB and snacks. \nHow does Naturalist Trivia work? \nCome with a team or join up with new friends when you arrive. MNHC staff will help you find a table. There are usually 4 rounds of questions each frequently on a common theme such as “Montana cats” or “poisonous plants.” Some rounds are verbal\, others are visual\, or auditory (such as “guess that bird call”!). \nAfter each round the answers are divulged and each team’s score is displayed.\nTwo hours later there will be a winner!
URL:https://www.montananaturalist.org/event/naturalist-trivia-night-with-co-hosts-montana-native-plant-society/
LOCATION:Montana Natural History Center
CATEGORIES:Community Event,Naturalist Trivia Night
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.montananaturalist.org/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design-149.png
GEO:46.8706038;-114.0060024
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260328T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260328T180000
DTSTAMP:20260422T145140
CREATED:20240322T120025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T172848Z
UID:10001564-1774681200-1774720800@www.montananaturalist.org
SUMMARY:Naturalist Field Day: Snow Geese Migration at Freezout Lake
DESCRIPTION:Date: Saturday\, March 28\nTime: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.\nLocation: Meet at the Montana Natural History Center\, where we will get on the bus to drive to Freezout Lake.\nCost: $100 MNHC members/$110 non-members \nREGISTER HERE\nRegistration closes March 14. \nBirds by the hundreds of thousands and humans by the handful congregate at Freezout Lake to celebrate early spring. It’s a wildlife viewing spectacle that for a few days rivals any natural wonder in the world. Tundra swans\, snow geese\, and 200 other migrating species start in mid-March as they head to northern destinations for feeding and breeding. The snow geese usually reach Freezout in late March\, where they rest up from a nearly 1\,000-mile flight from California. Spend an inspiring day watching thousands of migrating snow geese\, and other birds\, at Freezout Lake. \nYour leaders and drivers will be MNHC teaching naturalist Ryan Mahar\, naturalist Kelly Dix\, and potentially guides from Freezout FWP depending on their availability. \nCost: $100 MNHC members\, $110 non-members. You can add your MNHC membership to your order when you check out.\n\nDetails: \nActivity Level: some walking on uneven ground (less than 1 mile)\, off and on the bus\, limited bathrooms\, lunch on the bus\, potentially cold and windy weather\, long time sitting on the bus (6-7 hours) \n\nBus leaves from the MNHC parking lot at 7:00 a.m. (120 Hickory St. near McCormick Park) and will return about 6:00 p.m.\nMid-morning we’ll arrive at Freezout Lake for an orientation and spend time observing and learning about as many migrating birds as we can!\nParticipants should bring lunch they can eat on the bus\, binoculars\, and spotting scopes if they have them\, plenty of warm clothes/layers\, nature journaling supplies\, and camera.\nMNHC will provide additional binoculars\, field guides\, and spotting scopes.\n\n\n\nFAQ \nWhat’s the refund policy? \nThe 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. \nDo I have to bring my printed ticket to the event? \nNope! We will have a list of all the attendees.
URL:https://www.montananaturalist.org/event/naturalist-field-day-snow-geese-migration-at-freezout-lake-2/
LOCATION:Montana Natural History Center
CATEGORIES:Discovery Day,Naturalist Field Experience
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.montananaturalist.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Freezeout-5-by-Rob-Gappert-e1768498122916.jpg
GEO:46.8706038;-114.0060024
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260328T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260328T130000
DTSTAMP:20260422T145140
CREATED:20260126T170500Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T202943Z
UID:10003367-1774695600-1774702800@www.montananaturalist.org
SUMMARY:Saturday Kids' Activity: Beavers
DESCRIPTION:Date: Saturday\, March 28\nTime: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.\nLocation: Montana Natural History Center\nCost: Free with membership/cost of admission \nJoin us for exciting and educational Saturdays filled with delightful activities designed to captivate young minds and inspire a love for nature! \nOur drop-in Saturday programs feature activities\, art\, science experiments\, and more. Stop in anytime between 11:00 a.m and 1:00 p.m. for the fun! Kids might look for Osprey with binoculars\, dissect owl pellets\, or walk a model of the solar system. Every month features a new topic. The whole family can be involved\, as the exploration and activities are suitable for a wide age range. \nOn Saturday\, March 28th\, we’ll explore all things busy beavers! \nSaturday Kids’ Activities are great for kids ages pre-k through elementary school.
URL:https://www.montananaturalist.org/event/saturday-kids-activities-beavers/
LOCATION:Montana Natural History Center
CATEGORIES:Kids' Program,Saturday Kids' Activities
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.montananaturalist.org/wp-content/uploads/5-1.png
GEO:46.8706038;-114.0060024
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR