Outdoor news
Summer camps
F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. will host Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center Day Camps this summer on its forest lands between Columbia Falls and Whitefish. The camps serving children ages 6 to 16 include Wilderness Kids Club day camps, Camp Night Hawk, a week-long overnight camp for 10-12 year olds, a Volunteer and Mentor in Training program, and a Teen Overnight Camp for 13-16 year olds. For more information, call Brooke at 406-282-4737 or visit online at www.RavenwoodOLC.org.
Kids avy class
A two-day avalanche awareness class designed for kids will be offered at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Feb. 21-22 and possibly a second time in March. The Big Mountain Ski Patrol was able to support an Avalanche 1 course for kids from 12 to 18 years old that will cost $60, which includes lift access to the top of Big Mountain. Kids will learn the basics of safe mountain travel, introduction to snow science and basic rescue skills. Avalanche beacons, shovel and probes will be available for loan to those who don’t have them. Participants must be able to ski or snowboard. Register online at http://bigmountainskipatrol.org under “Courses.” Space is limited to 12 participants.
Pyrenees trip
Fred and Lynne Vanhorn, of Columbia Falls, will show slides and talk about their trip to the Pyrenees Mountains at the Flathead Audubon meeting in the United Way Conference Room, at the Gateway Community Center on U.S. 2 West in Kalispell, on Monday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. The Vanhorns are former rangers with the National Park Service who worked in Canyonlands, Yellowstone, Mesa Verde, Crater Lake and Glacier.
Photo fee comments
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission is seeking public comment on fees charged at wildlife management areas for commercial and non-commercial uses. The proposal would eliminate the per-day and statewide fees charged to an individual commercial photographer. This proposal reflects an earlier rule change that exempted individual photographers from the commercial use rules and a decision to eliminate the statewide film permits. Public comments are due by Feb. 21. For more information and to comment, visit online at http://fwp.mt.gov and Click “Public Notices” or e-mail FWPfsh@mt.gov or mail to FWP, P.O. Box 200701, Helena MT 59620-0701.
Wilderness talks
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation and the Montana Wilderness Association will host three free wilderness talks at the Flathead Valley Community College’s Arts and Technology Building, Room 139, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. On Feb. 5, Spotted Bear District Ranger Deb Mucklow will speak about “Wilderness Management 101” and management of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.
Winter lectures
The Glacier Institute will host three lectures about wildlife at the Conrad Mansion in Kalispell on three Thursdays starting at 6 p.m. Former Glacier Park ranger Dave Shea will talk about wildlife encountered by Lewis and Clark on their “Voyage of Discovery” on Feb. 26. Glacier Institute education director Justin Barth will talk about Glacier Park’s fire lookouts on March 19. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit online at conradmansion.com or call 755-2166.