Outdoor news
Park talk
Christopher White will hold a free reading and book signing for “The Melting World: A Journey Across America’s Vanishing Glaciers” at the Montana House in Apgar Village in Glacier National Park on Saturday, June 28, at 7 p.m. The book tracks ecologists Dan Fagre and Clint Muhlfeld and their U.S. Geological Survey teams into the Park’s high peaks as they take the pulse of the Park’s glaciers, snowfields and the watersheds below. To reserve seats, call 406-888-5393 or e-mail 1960mthouse@qwestoffice.net.
Flooding done?
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials have reopened the Old Steel Bridge and Kokanee Bend fishing access sites on the Flathead River. They had been closed due to flooding, but the waters have receded. Officials continue to urge caution for anyone venturing on or near rivers during high water. For more information, visit online at http://fwp.mt.gov and choose “restrictions and closures.”
FWP advisory
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking volunteers to fill four positions on the Region 1 Citizen Advisory Committee. Now in its 19th year, CAC is a general advisory committee that provides public input and guidance to FWP. Evening meetings are held about six times per year. Some issues dealt with included boating rules, lake management, youth programs, big game seasons, bear management, predator management, hunting plans, fisheries management and information and media. To apply, call 752-5501 or e-mail Martha Abbrescia at mabbrescia@mt.gov.
Park hiking
Jake Bramante of Hike 734 will present “Hike all of Glacier in an hour (or so)” at the Montana House in Apgar Village, in Glacier National Park, on Saturday, June 21, beginning at 7 p.m. Bramante hiked all the trails in Glacier Park in 2011. He will present photos and HD video of his trip and talk about his “Day Hikes of Glacier National Park Map Guide” in his free presentation. Seating is limited. RSVP by calling 406-888-5393 or e-mailing 1960mthouse@qwestoffice.net.
Weed rodeo
The 12th annual West Glacier Weed Rodeo will take place along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River on Friday, June 20, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Wild River Adventures in West Glacier. Dawn LaFleur, from Glacier National Park, will provide a short educational talk on weeds, and then participants will pull noxious weeds and return to Wild River for a free barbecue, cash and prizes. The event is sponsored by Wild River Adventures, Montana Raft Company, Great Northern Whitewater, Glacier Raft Company, Glacier National Park, U.S. Forest Service, G.N.E.S.A., Flathead County Weed Control, Rocky Mountain Outfitters and Sportsman Ski Haus.
Bob beers
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation will host its annual “Drink beer for The Bob” at the Great Northern Brewing Company in Whitefish on Wednesday, June 25. One dollar from every pint purchased that night from 4 to 10 p.m. will go to support the nonprofit organization’s volunteer efforts on trail work and noxious weed projects in The Bob. For more information, visit online at www.bmwf.org.
Stewardship award
Headwaters Montana is accepting nominations for the annual Jack Potter Glacier National Park Stewardship Award for a person or group that perpetuates vigilance over the Park’s natural resources. For more information, visit online at www.headwatersmontana.com. Deadline for nominations is Oct. 30.
Wolf class
The Glacier Institute will host a course on “Wolves of the North Fork Valley” on Sunday, June 22, led by former Glacier National Park ranger Dave Shea. Participants will take short hikes into wolf country on the west side of the Park and learn about wolf life history and characteristics, wolf ecology, wolf research techniques and politics surrounding wolf recovery in the area. Participants will meet at the Glacier Park Field Camp Meeting Hall near the Park’s west entrance at 8:30 a.m. For more information, call 406-755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org. Cost is $65.
Birding class
The Glacier Institute will offer a class on “Birding By Ear” in Glacier National Park taught by Denny Olson, a professional teaching naturalist for more than 30 years, on Friday through Sunday, June 20-22. Participants will meet at the Glacier Park Field Camp Meeting Hall at 8 a.m. on Friday. To register, call 406-755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.Cost is $225 per person.
Mushroom class
The Glacier Institute will offer an introductory course on mushrooms on Saturday and Sunday, June 28-29, starting at the Glacier Institute Field Camp near the west entrance to Glacier National Park at 8 a.m. Instructor Larry Evans will teach participants to identify dozens of edible and non-edible species of mushrooms, recognize prime mushroom habitat in and around Glacier Park, understand the hallmarks of field identification, and recognize the importance of mushrooms in a healthy ecosystem. To register, call 406-755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org. Cost is $175 per person.
Grizzly fundraiser
The popular annual fundraiser for Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation and wildlife biologists who oversee Montana’s grizzly bear population will take place at Jack and Suzi Hanna’s farm near Bigfork on Friday, July 11. Jack Hanna is the director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and a celebrity wildlife expert on TV. The Hannas have hosted the Grizzly Bear Rendezvous for the past six years and raised about $400,000. The event will include music by Shane Clouse and his band Stomping Ground. More than 250 people attended last year and space is limited. Tickets are $100 available online at www.mtoutdoorlegacy.org or by calling 406-444-6759.