Montana Natural History Center March 2005 Newsletter

What’s happening outside

* Elk continue to shed antlers.
* Look for buttercups blooming! Really!
* Start to look for early migrants like the mountain bluebird, red winged blackbird and robin.
* Watch aspen, cottonwood and poplar buds enlarge as we move into spring.

Building Update

We’re moving next week! Give us a week to get settled and then stop by to say hello. New hours after March 14th are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by special arrangement. Admission will be free in March. Starting in April 1 admission will be $1 for adults and 50¢ for those 12 and under. Members are always free! You are welcome to tour the MNHC Market for free as well.

Sneak Preview and Art Sale Fundraiser

April 1st from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Come and buy Other People’s Art on April Fool’s First Friday!

The Art: Posters, ceramics, bronzes, original paintings and lithographs for sale. Some select items for silent auction. Nature gifts in the new MNHC market.

Dinner and beverages: Mexican-style dinner, wine and beer by the glass from 5-7 pm.

Dancing and music by the Sam Riddle Trio begins at 7:30 pm.

Share your vision: Help us brainstorm about displays and use of the new MNHC building at 120 Hickory Street (next to McCormick Park). Posters in each room to collect your ideas.

Transportation: Starting at 5:00 pm, the MNHC Nature Bus will run from Higgins near the Catalyst to MNHC. There is lots of free parking as well.

Admission: Free at the door. Tickets available for dinner, beer and wine tasting.

Art of all types welcome for donation: If you are interested in donating art for the sale (MNHC is a tax-exempt organization), please contact Betsy Maier, [email protected] or call 406.327.0405.

Saturday Discovery Day: March 12
Our Naturalist Heritage: Seeing the World as They Did – Steve Archibald of Open Door Learning

1 – 4 pm at the new building!

$10/$8 members

Our country has a great naturalist tradition, including Henry David Thoreau, Rachel Carson and John Muir. Depending on the weather we will investigate their legacy through indoor or outdoor exploration. Registration appreciated.

Saturday Discovery Day: March 26
10:00 am – 2:30 pm

Waterfowl at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge with Bob Danley

$15/$10 members

Late March is waterfowl migration season and Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge in Stevensville is the perfect place to observe these birds. Outdoor Recreation Planner Bob Danley will take us behind the scenes at the Refuge to explore the lives of these avian travelers. Beginning birders welcome. Registration required.

We’ll be meeting at the Montana Natural History Center’s new location on Hickory St. for a brief orientation and refreshments. Dress for outdoor conditions, and bring your binoculars and a bag lunch. Space is limited, registration is required. Car pooling encouraged limited transportation available.

April SDD preview: Saturday April 9th Glacial Lake Missoula

Learn about Glacial Lake Missoula and the Ice Age Floods at the Montana Natural History Center. Discover how this incredible geological event shaped the local landscape into what we know today. Presentations offered throughout the day will focus on different aspects of the lake and floods.

Thanks to Southgate Mall

Southgate Mall in Missoula is helping MNHC reach more than 2,500 children throughout the Montana by once again sponsoring our Nature Discovery Trunks. Each trunk is organized around a theme and is filled with curriculum, books and materials for both the students and the teachers. They contain materials that make natural history come alive with hands-on, interactive lessons. For more information see http://www.montananaturalist.org/programs/trunks.htm or call Jazz at 327-0405.

Montana Naturalist

Thinking ahead to summer day camps? Check out our Summer Science Discovery Day Camp offerings as well as events from April through August. Not on our snail-mail list? Send your address to [email protected] to have Montana Naturalist delivered to your home or business.

March Montana Natural History Links

KUFM has supported MNHC’s Field Notes radio show for over 12 years. Show your support of KUFM during March 13-21 during their on-air fundraiser. Learn about the fun premiums, including some from us, at http://www.kufm.org. As in past years MNHC volunteers will take their turn answering the phones. Want to help? Contact Betsy! [email protected]

Check out Montana Natural History Center’s Glacial Lake Missoula website at http://www.GlacialLakeMissoula.org with pictures by Mark Wilson. Visit the Ice Age Floods Institute website at http://www.iceagefloodsinstitute.org

Join our friends at Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge for the grand opening of their new visitor center on April 16. Details at http://leemetcalf.fws.gov/

If you do not want to continue to receive this newsletter electronically please click here we will promptly remove you from the list. Feel free to forward this to friends who might enjoy learning more about the Montana Natural History Center.

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! You can make a contribution to MNHC directly or through Montana Shares.

Copyright © 2005 Montana Natural History Center