Montana Natural History Center January 2005 Newsletter

What’s Happening Outside?

Days are getting longer, flocks of Bohemian Waxwings are on the move, bear cubs are being born, deer and moose are shedding their antlers, animal tracks are in the snow, owls begin to court and mate.

January’s Calendar of Events

Wednesday, January 5: Montana Public Radio

4:00pm – 5:00pm

MNHC’s monthly voyage on the Pea Green Boat! Listen to Naturalists Lisa Moore and Charles Miller as they teach us about Waxwings with Annie Garde on the Pea Green Boat. Listen to Montana Public Radio for MNHC’s “Field Notes” on Sundays at 11:55am and Thursdays at 9:30pm, too!

Saturday, January 8: Saturday Discovery Day

Winter Ecology on Snowshoes
10:30 am – 3:00 pm, Meet at the MNHC’s Fort Missoula office

Head into the Bitterroots with MNHC Naturalists Lisa Moore and Charles Miller for this exhilarating trek to explore the winter wonderland. Along the way, we’ll look at animal tracks, listen for winter birds, and learn about snow science, among other fun topics. Snowshoeing novices welcome. Call MNHC for snowshoe rental and transportation information.

Cost: Adults – $15 / $10 MNHC members, Children – $12 / $7 MNHC members

Children MUST be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited – Registration Required

Thursday, January 13: The Story of the Bitterroot

7:30pm in room L09 of the Gallagher Business Bldg on UM’s Campus

The Clark Fork Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society presents film maker Steve Slocum and his 68 minute documentary on Montana’s State Flower which includes interviews with tribal elders, historians, and botanists. If you can’t make the presentation, MNHC has the DVD for sale in our market! [email protected]

Saturday, January 22: Winter Ecology Volunteer Training

9:00 am – 3:30 pm at MNHC’s Fort Missoula office
Interested in teaching natural history for Missoula-area classrooms in an outdoor setting? Join the Montana Natural History Center for a fun filled day, learning about our winter environment along the Bitterroot River and discover your talents for teaching children science in the field! Learn about winter birding, animal signs, winter ecology, and snow science as well as some outdoor teaching tips in a beautiful setting! All equipment and instruction will be provided. Participants attending the training session are asked to commit to helping us teach our winter ecology field trips in February.

Come prepared to spend extended periods outside. Snacks and beverages will be provided, but please bring a sack lunch. Training is FREE.

Please register in advance. To register, call the MNHC at 327-0405.

Wednesday, January 26: Community Watershed Class Begins

4:10 – 7:00 pm at UM. Open to UM Students for credit. Free to community members.
Explore the current issues in the Clark Fork Watershed by going into the field and learning from local experts. Issues include: water monitoring techniques, current environmental concerns and educational practices. The class culminates by sharing your knowledge with local sixth grade students during the 11th Annual Clark Fork Watershed Festival. Visit http://www.MontanaNaturalist.org for more information

Thursday, January 27: “Becoming a Naturalist” Class Begins
4:10 – 7:00 pm at UM

Have you ever wanted to be a better Naturalist? In this class we will be developing the skills that constitute the core of the craft: Ecological Literacy, Observation and Identification, Journaling, Sense of Place, and Mentoring.

We will learn the skills of identification from local experts. We will practice the art of field sketching and keeping a natural history journal. We’ll develop our own naturalist toolboxes to use in the field and in the classroom.

If you are interested in knowing the natural landscape more intimately, or teaching others about it, this is a perfect introduction to a wide set of skills and knowledge. This course will run throughout the entire semester as we trace the progress of spring

Cost: $295, includes all materials and field transportation. Additionally, 3 credits available through UM Continuing Education for a $115 fee. A $50 deposit to MNHC is required to hold your spot in this course.

To register for this class, or to learn more please contact the Montana Natural History Center at 327-0405 or email Brian Williams at [email protected].

Building Update

Watch our progress at http://www.MontanaNaturalist.org! “Migration Update”, located at the bottom of our home page, features pictures of the renovation at our new facility, scheduled to open April 2005.

Featherin’ Our Nest a Success!
Thanks to a wonderful committee chaired by Betty Oleson and Nancy Winslow, MNHC had a great event on December 3rd. Twenty-nine area artists embellished 32 birdhouses that were auctioned off at our annual dinner raising $5000 to support MNHC’s educational programs. Over 130 guests enjoyed dinner and a live auction with offerings ranging from dinner prepared by Marianne Forrester to a bear walk with Great Bear Foundation’s founder Chuck Jonkel to a 4 day women’s horseback/camping trip with our own SuzAnne Miller. $38,000 was pledged toward our new building and over $25,000 was raised to support MNHC’s programs. Thanks Frank Allen for acting as auctioneer and to everyone who came for making it such a great evening. Look for our dinner and auction next year in late October in our new building!

January’s Montana Natural History Links

Our site has been completely redone! http://www.MontanaNaturalist.org

Bitterroot Birding and Nature Trail website: http://www.montanabirdingtrail.org/Bitterroot.htm

Montana’s Winter Wonder website: http://wintermt.com/other/scenicmontana.htm

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! Send us an e-mail with your name and address and we will get membership information out to you.