Montana Natural History Center March 2005 Special Edition Newsletter

What’s happening outside

* Some well deserved moisture has arrived!
* Buttercups are blooming all over
* Meadowlarks are singing on Blue Mountain
* 10 species of butterflies were spotted fluttering about during last week’s record high temps.

What’s happening inside

We have moved into our new home at 120 Hickory Street! It will take a while for us to settle in, but we are here and planning for our April 1st sneak preview. If you tried to contact any of us and have not heard back, please call or resend your message as phones and email have been down. While we’re closed to the public during March, please feel free to drop in with your art donations (call first) and join us for our next Saturday Discovery Day March 26th!

Beginning in April MNHC will be open Tuesday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm. Saturday Discovery Days hours vary and will be posted on the website, in the e-newsletter, and in press releases prior to each event. Sunday and Monday MNHC will be closed to the public. As always, special appointments may be made to accommodate meetings or tours outside of our public hours.

Admission will be $1 for adults, 50 cents for kids 12 and under and members are FREE! No admission will be charged on Tuesdays. Your admission fees and membership help MNHC fill our new home with interactive and engaging exhibits for you and your families to enjoy.

Sneak Preview and Art Sale Fundraiser: April 1

5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, 120 Hickory Street

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: The Sam Riddle Trio begins at 7:30 pm.

Share your vision: Brainstorm about displays and use of MNHC’s new home. 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, soft drinks, beer and wine.

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 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 Street 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’s Saturday Discovery Day preview: April 9 Glacial Lake Missoula
11 am – 3 pm

$10 – includes a $10 discount coupon towards a MNHC or IAFI membership.
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 including talks by David Alt and John Twiggs will be offered throughout the day and will focus on different aspects of the lake and floods, including introductory information about Glacial Lake Missoula and more in-depth explorations of this amazing geologic event.

April’s Western Montana Astronomical Association Series preview: April 16 The Science of the Space Shuttle

Presented by John Mandler. Hosted by the Montana Natural History Center

7:30 – 8:30 pm, followed by a sky viewing, weather permitting

$2 donation requested

Have you ever dreamed of being on a space shuttle mission? John Mandler, a retired nuclear physicist, will explore the physics of getting into space and back. From the design of the shuttle and its navigation system to considerations for payload and fuel, learn what it really takes to plan out and pull off a space shuttle flight. After the presentation, WMAA member telescopes will be set up for the public to view the night sky. This is a great opportunity to learn about the planets and constellations visible from Missoula, and talk to WMAA members about astronomy in general.

Thanks to Southgate Mall and 102.5 Mountain FM

MNHC Trunk Sponsor Southgate Mall and 102.5 Mountain FM hosted Kids Fair at Southgate Mall last Saturday. It was a tremendous success. Visit them on the web at http://www.shopsouthgate.com and http://www.moclub.com

Montana Naturalist

Thinking ahead to summer day camps? Registration begins April 4th. Check out our Summer Science Discovery Day Camps 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 in mid-April.