EXHIBITS

Step back in time to prehistoric Montana! You might find yourself floating in a shallow sea, sloshing through a murky swamp, or sliding around on vast sheets of ice. Montana’s rich fossil record represents nearly every major time period in Earth’s history. Take a journey through geologic time and discover how fossils tell the story of Montana’s ancient past—and paint a picture of the future.

What is a naturalist? What do naturalists do? Our Naturalist Field Station answers these questions and more! This exhibit showcases naturalists at work with a rotating focus on the naturalist as an artist, scientist, and writer.

Our current feature is the University of Montana Herbarium, or MONTU, the largest botanical collection in the state with over 135,000 specimens. It serves as the primary reference and data source in the region for botanists, land managers, and conservation organizations. 

Stop by the Field Station to learn about MONTU’s invaluable collection, why herbaria are important, the people behind the scenes, and get the chance to zoom in on fascinating Montana plant species and create your own botanical art! 

For billions of years, geologic processes have worked their magic on Montana’s landscape. Mountains rise and fall, sediments erode, and waterways spring to life. New habitats are born and animals and plants take up residence. These forces all act as characters in an ancient, geologic story.

What about humans? We have always intertwined with the stories on our landscape. Geology impacts where we live, what we do, and how we travel. Unearth the geologic stories of our region and you can celebrate the landscape and your place within it!

The Nature Adventure Garden, on the east side of MNHC between the river trail and our building, is designed to be a play area that is almost entirely free of traditional structures. In lieu of swings and typical playground equipment, it features boulders, hills, shrubs, and the natural structure that the research links to creative and healthy play.