Glacier Park news

Prescribed burn

Glacier National Park officials plan to conduct a prescribed fire project in the North Fork area about four miles northwest of Polebridge in May. The plan calls for burning about 260 acres in the Big Prairie area, depending on weather and fuel conditions. About 141 acres of prairie were successfully burned last spring. The primary objective is to reduce the number of lodgepole pine seedlings and saplings, which are encroaching on the native prairie grassland. For additional information, contact the Park at 406-888-7800.

Glacier Institute

The Glacier Institute will hold its annual Volunteer Work Day on Saturday, May 3, at both the Glacier Park Field Camp, in Glacier National Park one mile north of West Glacier, and the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center, on the North Fork Road about 21 miles north of Columbia Falls. The workday will begin at 9 a.m. and include cleaning, painting, light carpentry, raking, sweeping and other tasks. Lunch will be provided. RSVP by calling 755-1211 or e-mailing register@glacierinstitute.org.

Harlequin ducks

The Glacier Institute will offer a course on “Glacier’s Harlequins” on Saturday, May 17, starting at 8:30 a.m. John Ashley, who earned his bachelor’s in biology from the University of Montana, will lead the group along 2-3 miles on Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road. To register, call 755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org. Cost is $65 per person.

Audubon meets

Glacier National Park superintendent Jeff Mow will talk about “Looking forward at Glacier National Park” at Flathead Audubon’s annual meeting at the Whitefish Community Center, 121 Second Street in Whitefish, on Monday, May 12. Doors will open at 5 p.m., potluck will start at 6 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7 p.m. There will also be a silent auction.