Outdoor news
Native plants
The Flathead Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society will host a free talk by Leslie Lowe on “Food Forests and Other Sustainable Thoughts” at the Teakettle Community Hall, 235 Nucleus Avenue, in Columbia Falls, on Wednesday, March 20, at 7 p.m. He will talk about an innovative project in southeastern British Columbia that is an edible ecosystem, a designed community of cold-hardy fruit trees, nuts, shrubs and medicinal plants. The group will hold a general business meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Mule deer
The Northern Rockies Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation will hold its second annual banquet and auction at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Kalispell, on Saturday, March 23. Celebrating its 25th year, the nonprofit wildlife habitat conservation organization has 20,000 active members and more than 125 chapters nationwide and has conserved thousands of acres of habitat since its inception in 1988. Tickets are $30 each or $10 for children under 12. For reservations, contact Kelly at 406-249-7211 or kmkracker@yahoo.com. For more information, visit online at www.muledeer.org, or contact Marshall Johnson at 406-850-8785 or marshall@muledeer.org.
Tracking class
The Montana Wilderness Association will sponsor an animal tracking and sign interpretation class at the Owen Sowerwine Natural Area in Kalispell on Saturday, March 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. led by professional tracker and conservation educator Brian Baxter. A field session will follow classroom training in the morning. Baxter has degrees in forestry and wildlife management and more than 38 years experience in the field. Space is limited. To register, call 406-755-6304.
Spring Mack Days
Fishermen will be hitting Flathead Lake hard as Spring Mack Days begins March 15 and runs through May 19. Organized by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the aim is to reduce the number of lake trout in Flathead Lake. Up to $150,000 in lottery and bonus prizes are available. Past annual harvests of the 1 million lake trout in Flathead Lake have been 70,000 fish, but biologists say a larger harvest is needed to make a dent in the nonnative trout. For more information, visit online at www.mackdays.com or call Cindy Benson at 883-2888 ext. 7294.
Winter ecology
The Glacier Institute will present a course titled “Winter Ecology for Families” led by Brian Baxter starting at the Glacier National Park Community Building, in West Glacier, on Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A field session on snowshoes will follow a short classroom session focusing on predator/prey relationships and evergreen plant species. Cost is $65 individuals and $195 per family or group up to four persons. For more information, call 755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.
Freezeout Lake
Flathead Audubon will hold their annual trip to Freezeout Lake to see the snow goose migration on Saturday and Sunday, March 23-24, led by Dan Casey. Participants need to make their own lodging arrangements. For more information, contact Casey at 857-3143 or danielcasey55@gmail.com.
Local birding
Flathead Audubon will offer a local birding trip to see early spring migrants in the Flathead or Smith valleys on Saturday, March 23. Meet at the Somers Park and Ride, at 8:30 a.m. with a lunch. Limited to about 25 people. To sign up, contact Craig at 755-0140 or asoleado2003@yahoo.com.
Wilderness talks
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation’s 2013 Wilderness Speakers Series will present talks about wilderness stewardship, conservation and recreation. Local author Matt Holloway will talk about “The Wild and the Not-Wild: A Discussion of Wilderness in Today’s Mind” on March 14, and former Glacier National Park ranger Charlie Logan will talk about “Recollections of a Rocky Mountain Ranger” on April 11. The talks will be held in Flathead Valley Community College’s Arts and Technology Building from 6:30 to 8 p.m.