Outdoor news
Wilderness talks
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 Thursday, April 11, at the Flathead Valley Community College’s Arts and Technology Building from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Outdoor youth
The Montana Conservation Corps is looking for teens 15-17 years old to participate in their Youth Service Expedition program this summer. Two sessions of outdoor adventure and volunteer service will take place in the National Bison Range, southeastern Montana and the Rocky Mountain Front. Deadline to apply is June 7 and July 12 for the two sessions. For more information, visit online at www.mtcorps.org.
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.
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.
Kids outdoors
The Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center will hold a free day camp for old and new campers alike from 6-12 years old at the F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. expo site at Tamarack Lane and Trumbull Canyon Road on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Preregister by visiting online at www.ravenwoodolc.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.
Climate change
A film about global climate change, “Chasing Ice,” will be shown at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish on Saturday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion about climate change impacts in Glacier National Park with former Park superintendent Chas Cartwright, former Park science director Jack Potter, U.S. Geological Survey glacier scientist Dan Fagre and Park fish biologist Clint Muhlfeld. Admission is $5.
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.
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.