Glacier Institute celebrates 30 years with new offerings

Now in their 30th year of teaching young and old alike about the natural world in and around the Flathead, including 25 years at the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center up the North Fork, the Glacier Institute will debut new courses on geology, fire ecology, nature ecology and elementary education.

“We are very proud to have welcomed thousands of students and countless adults in our first three decades,” executive director Joyce Baltz said. “We hope that folks will come out and support our fundraising efforts for youth programs at Big Creek as well as join us on the trail.”

Two new members recently were appointed to the Glacier Institute board of directors. Jimmy DeHerrera retired as district ranger for the Flathead National Forest’s Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District. Lance Fahrney is the general manager of the Flathead Beacon.

New opportunities this season include:

• Private educational tours offered daily for people who want to experience Glacier Park at their own pace, including treks to Logan Pass, Apgar Lookout, Avalanche Lake and Grinnell Glacier.

• Family camps will bring generations together while learning about the Glacier Park environment. Camps include transportation, hiking trips, family meals and lodging at the Glacier Institute Field Camp cabins near the west-side Park entrance in Apgar.

• The “Master Naturalist Course” on July 6-11 will be a six-day intensive study with more than 40 hours of training to certify aspiring naturalists.

• The one-day “See America First: Trail & Rail Trek to Glacier National Park.”

• Photographer Rick Sheremeta will offer four days of photo instruction on July 16-19.

To register or for more information, call 755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.