Outdoor news
Bike path meeting
The Gateway 2 Glacier Trail bike path group will meet at Freedom Bank, in Columbia Falls, on Wednesday, April 2, at 6 p.m. The group is currently planning for a trail from the U.S. 2 bridge over the Flathead River to the fishing access site at the House of Mystery. For more information, visit online at www.gatewaytoglaciertrail.com.
RAC recruiting
The Flathead National Forest is seeking people interested in serving on the Flathead County Resource Advisory Committee. RAC’s 15 volunteer members are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture for a four-year term. They recommend projects for funding that will benefit National Forest System lands within the county. Applications are available at the Flathead Forest Supervisor’s Office, 650 Wolfpack Way, in Kalispell. For more information, e-mail ewmuehlhof@fs.fed.us or call 406-758-5252.
Birding classes
Flathead Audubon will offer its Beauty of Birds classes at Flathead High School on Wednesdays, April 9, 16, 23 and 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. Classes include April 9 – Lisa Bate of Glacier National Park will talk about cavity nesters of Northwest Montana; April 16 – Doug MacCarter of Wild Wings Recovery will bring live owls and hawks for a talk about raptors of Northwest Montana; April 23 – an intensive class in bird identification and local birding resources; April 30 – a field trip to a local birding area. Cost is $10. To register, call 751-3461. For more information, e-mail AudubonAshley@gmail.com.
Invasive species
The Glacier Institute will host a weeklong student symposium on invasive species at the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center in the North Fork Valley on June 22-27. The symposium will challenge students to creatively address real-world invasive species issues through practical workshops with scientists, practitioners, landowners and agencies. The week will culminate with a public exposition. Twelve students will be awarded the opportunity to participate. To register and gain more information, call 406-755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.
Harlequin talk
John Ashley will present a lecture on harlequin ducks at the Conrad Mansion Museum, in Kalispell, in partnership with Glacier Institute, on Thursday, April 3, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Ashley has worked for the National Park Service and the Forest Service as a wildlife biologist to conserve harlequin ducks in Montana, Alberta and British Columbia. Wine and desserts will be served before the talk begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. Seating is limited. Proceeds benefit the Conrad Mansion Museum and Glacier Institute. RSVPs are required by calling 755-2166.
Trappers meet
The spring trappers meeting will be held at the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices in Kalispell on Saturday, April 5, starting at 10 a.m. Department biologists, members of trapper associations, and other trappers will discuss this past season’s fur harvest and quotas, make recommendations for quotas and regulations, discuss upcoming regional trapping events, fur auctions, upcoming legislation concerns and other subjects. For more information, contact Paul Fielder at 406- 210-5943.
Fly-fishing talk
The Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited will host Lakestream fly-fishing guides Rob Weiker and Justin Lawrence for a talk at the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks offices, 490 North Meridian Road, in Kalispell, on Tuesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. With more than 20 years experience guiding on the Flathead, Weiker and Lawrence will talk about hatches, flies and techniques for early-season fishing. Refreshments will be served, and door prizes will be awarded. For more information, call 250-7473.