Montana Natural History Center July 2004 Newsletter

What’s Happening Outside

Wildflowers are in full bloom in the areas burned last summer. Watch for butterflies, dragonflies and bees making the most of these long summer days. Frogs and toads are busy hunting in the marshes. By the end of the month the first huckleberries will ripen.

Summer Science Discovery Day Camps have just a little room left!
”No Child Left Inside” with the Montana Natural History Center

Members receive 25% off regular registration fees!

July Summer Science Day Camps: More in August

Nature Detectives July 12-16
Solve mysteries from clues left behind by Montana’s wildlife. Student detectives will make their own “nature detective kit”. With spy glass and bug net in hand, explore local habitats and use the tools of the trade to make exciting discoveries. Register online! http://www.thenaturecenter.org/DayCampFolder2004/2004_montana_natural_history_cen.htm

Wade into Wetlands July 19-23
Why are wetlands so important? We’ll explore local wetlands and investigate the amazing water cycle. Paddle upriver with us to collect aquatic insects, learn about the health of our wetlands and create a “pond aquarium”. Register online! http://www.thenaturecenter.org/DayCampFolder2004/2004_montana_natural_history_cen.htm

Predator & Prey July 26-30
>From predator and prey species to plant-animal interactions, observe the secrets of your favorite animals and plants. Find out who eats who (everybody’s somebody’s lunch!). Study the fascinating world of carnivorous plants and build your own “plant of prey” terrarium to take home. Register online! http://www.thenaturecenter.org/DayCampFolder2004/2004_montana_natural_history_cen.htm

Teen Adventure Camp July 26 – 30
We take a watershed approach to learning geology and ecology. The week will begin with a hike high into the Bitterroot Mountains, where we’ll see first hand the amazing geology of the area. Follow the water’s course, down through the canyons, while monitoring for stream and forest health. We’ll spend some time floating the leisurely sections, and finish with a white-water raft trip through the Alberton Gorge. This is not an overnight camp. Open to students age 13-17. Register online! http://www.thenaturecenter.org/DayCampFolder2004/2004_montana_natural_history_cen.htm

July’s Calendar of Events

Saturday Discovery Day – Raptors of the Rockies

Saturday, July 10th – 10:00am – 2:00 pm

Join the Montana Natural History Center for this special chance to get a personal, behind-the-scenes tour of the Raptors of the Rockies facility from founder and Executive Director Kate Davis. Raptors of the Rockies is the permanent home to 16 different species of eagles, falcons, hawks and owls used in educational programming throughout Western Montana. After the tour we will continue on to Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge to observe raptors in the wild. We’ll be meeting at the Montana Natural History Center at 10:00 am sharp for a brief orientation, then carpooling to the site. Dress for outdoor conditions and bring a sack lunch to enjoy along the banks of the Bitterroot River. Space is limited, registration is required.

To learn more about Raptors of the Rockies, visit their website at http://www.raptorsoftherockies.org.

To register, call the Montana Natural History Center at (406) 327-0405 or for more information visit http://www.TheNatureCenter.org.

Hoot, Howl and Boogie! – A benefit concert for MNHC, Raptors of the Rockies and Wild Sentry

Saturday, July 17th – 4:00pm to dark

Raptors of the Rockies is the “hoot”, Wild Sentry is the “howl” and MNHC is the “boogie” as we prepare to boogie from our current location later this year. This benefit concert, using the Big Sky Brewing Company Amphitheater, celebrates three of Missoula’s favorite organizations by bringing three of Missoula’s favorite bands together for an evening of fun and music. Bob Wire and the Fencemenders will kick off the show, followed by Tom Catmull and his band, and Cash 4 Junkers rounds out the playbill. We hope that Bruce Weide and Pat Tucker will lead the crowd in a group howl to start the evening! Food and beverages will be available at the show. Knucklehead’s Bar-b-que will have plates of their wonderful cuisine and Big Sky Brewing Company will be showing off several of their ever popular brews. Tickets are $10 each or $25 for a family. Gates open at 4:00 and the show starts at 5:00. No glass containers, dogs or outside food or beverages please. All proceeds from Hoot, Howl and Boogie go to these three great educational organizations. Come out and have a good time! To reserve tickets call 406-327-0405 or drop an e-mail to [email protected]

Prairie Keepers Series:

Tuesday, July 6 GREENOUGH PARK RESTORATION

Help remove invasive weeds and transplant native shrubs along Rattlesnake Creek

in Greenough Park. Learn about ongoing citizen efforts to maintain the park as an

important urban wildlife sanctuary. Meet at the east end parking lot adjacent to Jackson Dr. 7 pm.

Saturday, July 17 CLARK FORK HABITAT ENHANCEMENT

Join Five Valleys Land Trust for a day of riparian habitat enhancement. We’ll float

to selected sites along the Clark Fork, install bird and bat houses, and release

insects to control leafy spurge. For more info, call Grant at 327-6796

Tuesday, July 20 CLARK FORK NATURAL PARK RESTORATION

Help remove invasive weeds and transplant native shrubs along the Clark Fork

River downtown. Learn about native berry shrubs that will attract birds to your

backyard. Meet at the grizzly statue at the Boone & Crockett Club, 7 pm.

Summer Camp for Seniors 55+
On the Trail with Lewis & Clark: A Montana Natural History Journey
Session 2: August 1 – 6

Cost: $295 full week of natural history programming, including most lunches & dinners and transportation

Elderhostel Lewis and Clark programs offer a unique opportunity for local seniors to get behind-the-scenes looks at the historic sites and natural history right in their own backyards! Experts will present programs and augment field trips with fascinating looks at the native plants and encounters with wildlife that the Corps of Discovery experienced. Sessions are all-inclusive with guided bird walks, evening presentations, and special trips to the National Bison Range, and expedition sites in the Bitterroot Valley and Lolo Pass.

Special Thanks to Eddie Marshall of Troop 1904

Eddie Marshall did his Eagle Scout Project by building a beautiful cedar trellis gateway that defines the entrance to our Nature Adventure Garden. Eddie had hoped to add a fence to the project, however funding fell through. If anyone is interested in helping Eddie, we would be happy to put you in touch with him. Eddie spent over 150 hours planning and executing the project. MNHC is grateful to Eddie for his wonderful efforts on our behalf and we thank him for his hard work!

Fireworks Educational Trunk Workshop
The “Training the trainers” workshop is scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday, July 13 – 15

This workshop offers in-depth study of Fireworks featuring Ponderosa, Lodgepole and Whitebark Pine Forests. Fireworks addresses five main themes: fire behavior, plant and animal adaptations to fire, forest history, changes in forests over time, and human safety and fire management. It prepares you teach Fireworks in the classroom and in workshops fro teachers. University credits are available. To learn more about upcoming workshops check http://www.firelab.org/fep/research/fireworks/workshops.htm For more information call Nancy Murray at 406-329-4803 or Jane Kapler Smith 406-329-4805.

Le Junque Update

Le Junque was a wonderful success. We sold over $6,000 worth of Junque in just a few hours. We also received a very generous anonymous gift that enabled us to purchase the bus that was on display at the event! Thank you to everyone who participated.

Membership Night coming in August

MNHC will have a Bar-b-que at the Fort Missoula location for its members. Afterwards we will take a trip up to the Blue Mountain Observatory. We plan to have this sometime during the week of the 16th. Specific time and date will be announced in the August e-newsletter. If you are not already a member, join now so you can be a part of the great evening of learning and fun!

July’s Montana Natural History Links
http://www.backyardnature.net/phenolgy.htm learn more about phenology the study of the seasonal timing nature.
http://www.insects.org/entophiles/ everything you want to know about insects including wonderful photographes for identification
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html check out the newest pictures from space at this amazing site.
http://biology.umt.edu/landbird/birdtrail/bitterroot.htm explore some of Montana’s best birding at this site for the new Bitterroot Birding Trail

MNHC is an independent, non-profit educational organization. Membership gifts support MNHC’s mission
of promoting understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of nature through education.

Members receive special discounts on programs (including camp registration).

MNHC is proud to be a member of Montana Shares. http://www.montanashares.org/ Join us today!

Feel free to forward this to friends who might enjoy learning more about the Montana Natural History Center.

Copyright © 2004 Montana Natural History Center