Outdoor news
Dark skies
The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center at Glacier National Park will show “The City Dark,” an 84-minute documentary film chronicling the disappearance of dark skies, at a free brown-bag seminar on Thursday, Aug. 23, at the Community Building in West Glacier from noon to 1:30 p.m. David Ingram, Chapter Leader for Dark Skies Northwest, representing the International Dark-Sky Association, will provide an introduction to the film and information about light pollution. For more information, visit online at www.darksky.org or call 888-7800 or visit http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/inforequest/inforequest3.cfm.
Hunter Ed
Online registration is now open for the Columbia Falls Hunter Education Course. Everyone born after Jan. 1, 1985, must complete a hunter education course before buying a hunting license in Montana. Beginning this year, everyone must register online, and students must pick up pre-course materials before the course begins. Pre-course materials are available at the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks office, 490 North Meridian Road, in Kalispell. Classes will run 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 11, 13, 17, 18, 20, 25 and 27 at Columbia Falls High School. The field day is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29. Test night will be Monday, Oct. 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. To register online, visit http://fwp.mt.gov, follow the links through Education and Hunter Education to Sept. 11.
Outdoor classes
The Glacier Institute will offer a course on “Edible Plants and Useful Plants” on Aug. 25-26. The Glacier Institute serves adults and children as an educational leader in the Crown of the Continent ecosystem with Glacier National Park at its center. To register or for more information, call 755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.
RAC projects
The Flathead National Forest-Flathead County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is currently requesting project proposals from the public. About $284,000 will be available for projects that could include forest thinning, tree planting and forest health activities; road improvements and dust abatement; noxious weed control activities; trail improvements; recreation and maintenance projects; and enhancement of wildlife and fish habitat. About half of the funding will be granted to road, trail and watershed projects. For forms and more information, call Craig Kendall at 758-6485 or Louise Larimore at 758-5251, e-mail llarimore@fs.fed.us or visit online at https://fsplaces.fs.fed.us/fsfiles/unit/wo/secure_rural_schools.nsf/RAC/Flathead+County. Deadline is Aug. 27.