Montana Natural History Center November 2004 Newsletter

What’s Happening Outside?

Wooly bear caterpillars are common as they search for late blooming asters, clovers and sunflowers. They will spend winter as a caterpillar and next spring reappear as the Isabella Moth.

The long tailed weasel, also know as an ermine, is changing into its winter coat. It will be half white half brown this month as will the snowshoe hare.

Northern fall storms will begin bringing in rough-legged hawks that will replace most of the red-tail hawks by December.

Pine and evening grosbeaks begin to arrive… most, if not all the osprey, have left but watch for bald eagles.

November’s Calendar of Events

November 3: Volunteer Training
9:30 – 10:30 am at the MNHC’s Fort Missoula office
Interested in helping with our Visiting Naturalist in the Schools? Join us for training on October’s monthly naturalist visits that reaches almost 500 Missoula area students. For more information, email Lisa at [email protected].

November 13: Saturday Discovery Day –
Humans, Bears and Befuddlement: Be a Forensics Detective
9:30 – 11:30 am, Meet at the University of Montana, Social Science Building, Room # 344
$7/person; $15/families, MNHC Member prices: $5/person; $12 /family

Is it human or animal? Male or female? Join the Montana Natural History Center at the University of Montana for this fascinating and fun program designed for middle school -aged children through adults. Learn how bones can help us solve crimes and find out how our understanding of natural history has led to great advances in forensics. Garry Kerr, a physical anthropologist who assists in the State Crime Lab with autopsies and forensic recoveries and teaches at the University of Montana, will walk us through the process. Then we’ll get a chance to solve a mystery ourselves! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To register, call 327-0405 or visit http://www.TheNatureCenter.org .

November 20: Western Montana Astronomical Association Astronomy Series – Radio Astronomy, 7:00 pm
at the MNHC’s Fort Missoula location

Radio Astronomy presented by Jerry Rude.
Jerry is a very experienced astronomer and one of the original members of the Western Montana Astronomy Association. Jerry is also a member of the Mission Valley Astronomy Club. Radio astronomy and related astronomy methods are extensively used in astronomy research. Jerry is also very experienced at finding objects in the sky by using a star-hopping method.

Upcoming Events: Featherin’ Our Nest
Artist Reception December 3 from 5-6:30 at 127 N Higgins

Watch the windows at 127 N. Higgins starting November 21st for MNHC’s newest fund raiser Featherin’ Our Nest. More than 2 dozen area artists have donated their time and talent by decorating a standard bluebird box. These “tweet boxes” will be auctioned off on December 3rd at the annual Down By the River Auction and Gala. Phone and internet bids will also be accepted for these wonderland wonders. Check out our website or call Betsy at 327-0405 for more information.

Down By the River Auction and Gala Dinner
December 3 from 7-9:30 at 127 N Higgins

Join us for MNHC’s annual shindig with wonderful food, wine and beer with all MNHC’s great friends. This year we’re featuring a short live auction of trips, dinners and events and some great raffle baskets. Tickets are $85 a couple for MNHC members, $100 a couple for non-members ($45 member and $50 non-member for individual). For $200 you can become an auction sponsor and receive two tickets, renew your membership and be listed in the program!

Saturday, December 11: Wild Gift Bazaar

10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Support MNHC and get your holiday shopping done at the same time! Artisans will be selling beautiful, one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted, nature-related items sure to please everyone on your gift list. This event will be held at 127 N. Higgins, right in downtown Missoula. Children’s activities and refreshments will be provided.

A Special Thank You to Mother Moose Enterprises!

November’s MNHC E-Newsletter is being sponsored by Mother Moose Enterprises. Mother Moose is located at the east end of the Montana Natural History Center’s new building at 120 Hickory St. Mother Moose Enterprises offers a unique selection of holiday gifts and is having a 20%-off store wide sale November 26th through December 15th. Shop early for best selection. Call 721-2698 for more information or visit them on the web at http://www.MontanaMoose.com . Store hours M-F 9am to 5:30pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm. Mother Moose Enterprises is proud to be MNHC’s next door neighbor and wishes everyone a happy holiday season!

What’s New With Our News

Our own http://www.MontanaNaturalist.org debuts December 1st. This new and improved website will be user friendly and will make it easier than ever to participate in MNHC programs. Also, new at that time will be the Winter issue of Montana Naturalist. Look for in your mailbox the first week of December. If you don’t get your copy call Jazz at 327-0405 to update your address.

RiverFest Merchandise Still Available!

Posters, Short Sleeve, Long Sleeve, and Sweatshirts

Call to order your gorgeous 40th Anniversary of the Wilderness Poster for $5. Limited supply available. Shirts are currently available at Rockin’ Rudy’s, UM Bookstore, Sportsman’s Surplus, and we have some left, too in both long and short sleeves! 406-327-0405

Phil Tawney Hunters Conservation Endowment Grant and Scholarship

A $1000 scholarship and one year grants for 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations for $500 to $5000 are being offered by the MWF endowment that was established in 1998 honoring the legacy of the late Phil Tawney, a third generation Montanan, lifetime sportsman and conservation leader. Phil’s passion and commitment to protecting Montana’s fish and wildlife, their vulnerable habitats and the future of hunting is the heart of the Endowment Mission Statement:

“To educate and inform the general public about hunting ethics, fair chase, and values to perpetuate the sport of the hunt through efforts to conserve habitat and wildlife; and to stimulate the recruitment, mentoring, and involvement of youth in hunting and conservation activities.”

The Endowment seeks projects that emphasize one or more of the following: the interface between hunting and wildlife management, especially as issues affect children; strategies to promote environmentally healthy wildlife habitat; public policy changes to improve conservation habitat; strategies to improve and promote hunting ethics, fair chase, values, and safety; and activities to stimulate the recruitment, mentoring and involvement of youth in hunting and conservation activities. For more information contact Jan Cronin, Development Director, Montana Wildlife Federation at [email protected]

November’s Montana Natural History Links
You can learn how animals spend the winter at http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/animals.html

Want to go to the land of sunshine? Find out how the birds find their way at http://whyfiles.org/006migration/bird_strategy.html

What’s that bright gold tree in mountain valleys? http://whyfiles.org/006migration/bird_strategy.html

Visit the new Friends of Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge website at http://www.friendsofleemetcalf.com

MNHC is an independent, non-profit educational organization. Membership gifts support MNHC’s mission of promoting and cultivating understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of nature through education. MNHC is proud to be a member of Montana Shares. Join us today!

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Copyright © 2004 Montana Natural History Center