Outdoor news
Wilderness talk
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation’s 2013 Wilderness Speakers Series will present a talk by former Glacier National Park ranger Charlie Logan on “Recollections of a Rocky Mountain Ranger” on April 11 at the Flathead Valley Community College’s Arts and Technology Building from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Harlequin ducks
The Montana House and the Glacier National Park Conservancy will host a free presentation by Glacier National Park wildlife biologist Lisa Bate on “Harlequins: Unique members of the duck world” at Montana House, in Apgar Village, on Saturday, April 13, at 4 p.m. Bate will discuss current findings from a three-year harlequin duck research project in the Park. She currently oversees wildlife monitoring along the Going-to-the-Sun Road during its reconstruction phase. Reservations are required by calling 888-5393 or e-mailing 1960mthouse@qwestoffice.net. For more information, visit online at www.glaciernationalparkconservancy.org.
Plant talk
The Flathead Chapter of the Native Plant Society will host a free talk by Peter Lesica on “Plant Geography of Montana” at the Teakettle Community Hall, 235 Nucleus Avenue, in Columbia Falls, on Wednesday, April 17, beginning at 7 p.m. A general business meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. Lesica is the author of “Manual of Montana Vascular Plants” (2012) and “Flora of Glacier National Park” (2002), as well as numerous professional and popular articles. With Shannon Kimball, Lesica is the co-author of “Wildflowers of Glacier National Park” (2005) and the soon to be released “Trees and Shrubs of Glacier National Park and Surrounding Areas.” For more information, contact Rachel Potter at 892-2446.
Park talk
Glacier National Park interim superintendent Kym Hall and Glacier National Park Conservancy executive director Jane Ratzlaff will talk about issues and concerns confronting the protection and rehabilitation of wild lands, including Glacier Park, at the Glacier Pachyderm Club’s Friday meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell on April 12 from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, contact club president Mark Johnson at 253-7467.
Barred owls
Flathead Audubon will host an evening of calling and listening for barred owls and other owls on the east side of the Flathead Valley on Saturday evening, April 13. The outing is limited to 25 people and will be led by Pete Fisher. If there’s overwhelming interest, it will be held again. For more information, all Fisher at 250-9624 or e-mail fisher-pete88@yahoo.com.
Owls course
The Glacier Institute will offer a course on “Owls of the Mission Valley” on Saturday, April 13, taught by Matt and Jessica Larson, from the Owl Research Institute. Montana hosts the largest number of breeding owls of any state, from the massive great horned owl to the miniature pygmy owl. Rarely seen snowy owls have frequented the Mission Valley, due in part to deep snowpack in Alaska and Arctic Canada. Field studies involve short hikes through level but brushy terrain to investigate snags and look for nests. Course cost is $65. To register, call 755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.
Audubon talk
Chris Hammond, of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, will present “The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful” of FWP’s Nongame Program during the Flathead Audubon meeting on Monday, April 8, in the United Way Conference Room at the Gateway Community Center on U.S. 2 West in Kalispell. Hammond has a bachelor’s and master’s in wildlife biology and is the president of the Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society.
Beauty of birds
Classes for Flathead Audubon’s Beauty of Birds course will be held at Flathead High School on Wednesday evenings on April 10, 17 and 24 and May 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants will receive local birding maps and other information to make them more informed birders. Both beginning birders and seasoned experts are welcome. Cost is $10. To register, contact Debbie Newman at 751-3461. For more information, contact Ashley Mason at AudubonAshley@gmail.com.
Packing for women
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead and Trailhead Supply will co-sponsor a beginning horsepacking workshop for women on May 4 near Kalispell as part of FWP’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program. Participants will learn about packing equipment, defensive horse handling, how to pack a decker, sawbuck and riding saddles, and leave-no-trace camping. The $35 fee includes the use of all equipment and packing stock. To register or for more information, mail FWP-BOW, P.O. Box 200701, Helena MT 59620, call 406-444-9940 or e-mail llodman@mt.gov, pr call instructor Andy Breland at 406-261-1109