January 2004 Montana Natural History Center E-News

Welcome to 2004!

January is named for Janus, the two-faced Roman deity. In one manifestation, Antevorta and Postvorta, this deity looked simultaneously backwards and forwards examining the past and looking towards the future. The MNHC is similarly positioned. We have a bright future, but we are ever mindful of our past. We explore new opportunities, while staying true to our established mission.

A New Home in the New Year

Friends have already donated $124,000 in gifts and pledges towards moving MNHC to a new home – a natural history learning center and museum. You can help us by pledging donations over three or more years. A one dollar per day pledge to the MNHC for three years would amount to $1,095! Please help us, the more pledges we receive the greater the match from other sources. You may download or print out a pledge sheet from the front page of http://www.TheNatureCenter.org.

Whether the Weather

An evening for families with NPR’s Bryan Yeaton of The Weather Notebook

Co-sponsored by KUFM and KECI.

Thursday, January 8th

Missoula Public Library (large meeting room), 7-8 pm

Join us for a fun and educational look at weather with NPR’s Bryan Yeaton of The Weather Notebook. For those of you who are still sleeping in at 6 am, The Weather Notebook is “two minutes of light-hearted weather wisdom produced by New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Observatory, home to some of the world’s worst weather. Host Bryan Yeaton engages listeners with stories from Mongolia to Montana. The Weather Notebook teaches us not only of the science of weather, “but in its production the art of a good story is combined with the science, resulting in fact and folklore.” Visit http://www.mountwashington.org/notebook/ to learn more.

KECI’s Mark Heyka will be on hand to give us the local weather perspective. This event is free thanks to KUFM, KECI and the Missoula Public Library.

Saturday Discovery Day – “What is Winter” Volunteer Training

Saturday, January 10

Montana Natural History Center, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Cost: $5 members/$7 non-members – FREE for Volunteers!

This Saturday discover how YOU can get involved with the Montana Natural History Center while we dig into winter ecology. * Come prepared to spend extended periods outside. Bring Lunch. Light snacks, coffee and hot cocoa provided.

Who should attend:

· All volunteers who would like to instruct or assist with winter ecology field trips

for local students in grades 2-8

· People interested in learning more about the winter environment

· Anyone interested in volunteering with MNHC in 2004

What the training will include:

· Introduction to the Montana Natural History Center’s Visiting Naturalist program and other volunteer opportunities

· Introduction to Winter Ecology

o What and where is winter

o Living in the winter environment

o Snow Science

o Tracking and winter plant identification

· Introduction to teaching in winter

New at the Montana Natural History Center’s Magpie Market

Stay warm as you explore the winter in the new MNHC sweatshirts. Come in from the cold to take a look at our hats and outstanding selection of natural history books. Members receive a 10% discount! MNHC blend coffee is a great way to start your day, drop in and pick some up!

Community Watershed Education

The Montana Natural History Center will once again be sponsoring a class entitled Community Watershed Education. The class is open to the community and offered through Continuing Education at the University of Montana. Community Watershed Education explores our beautiful Clark Fork Watershed through field trips and discussions with local experts. The class will also give you the opportunity to share your new watershed knowledge with local school children, as you participate in the Tenth Annual Clark Fork Watershed Festival. Community Watershed Education will be held on Wednesdays from 4:00 – 7:00pm. The class begins January 28 and runs through May 12th, and space is limited. For more information contact the Montana Natural History Center at 327-0405.

Join the Volunteer Naturalists

People from all walks of life, who love the natural world and want to share their enthusiasm through education, are the heart of the Volunteer Naturalist program. The work of the Volunteer Naturalists plays a key role in assisting MNHC staff in carrying out the organizations mission.

What are the roles Volunteer Naturalists play at MNHC?

· Supporting the Visiting Naturalist-in-the-Schools

o Teaching in the field with 2nd through 8th-grade students. These field trips provide students with enriching hands-on experiences, as they explore changes in western Montana’s nature through the seasons.

· Guiding Interpretive Tours

o The Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum at the University of Montana.

o The Montana Natural History Center at Fort Missoula

· Assisting with annual programs offered through the MNHC

o Saturday Discovery Days

o Watershed Festival

If you are interested in joining the Volunteer Naturalists, please call MNHC at 327-0405. The Winter Volunteer Training (described earlier in the newsletter) is an excellent way to get to know this dedicated group.

Links of the Month

Way cool snow crystal site: http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/photos/photos.htm

Library of Congress Everyday Mysteries: http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/seasons.html

Information about Arctic animals from the Arctic Studies Center: http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/wildlife.html

The Beluga Cam! Watch Tuvaq, the year and a half old Beluga calf as he frolics in the Vancouver BC Aquarium: http://www.vanaqua.org/belugacam/

Stay tuned for information about our sweetheart event on Saturday, February 14th. You and your honey enjoy wine and chocolate treats as we treat your kids to a fun evening program!

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Copyright © 2004 Montana Natural History Center