Outdoor news
Bike and bird
Flathead Land Trust, Flathead Audubon, Flathead River to Lake Initiative, Flathead Lakers, Rails to Trails, and Bike Saturdays will host a biking and birding trip around the Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to noon. Bird expert and guide Craig Hohenberger will explain about birds that use the 1,600-acre wetland complex and conservation projects that have expanded the protection of important bird habitat in the area. RSVP at 752-8293 or e-mail lkatzman@bigsky.net.
Wild Wings
The Montana Wild Wings Recover Center will hold its third annual “Wildlife Baby Shower” fundraiser at the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1 offices in Kalispell on Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no admission charge, but attendees are asked to make a donation or bring items from the center’s wish list online at www.wildwingsrecovery.org. The event will feature the center’s raptors, a silent auction and catered food. For more information, call 406-249-7800 or e-mail montanabirdlady@outlook.com.
Muzzle loading for women
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will offer a muzzle loading and primitive skills workshop for women on June 13-14 as part of their Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program. Participants will experience an 1800’s style mountain man camp about eight miles west of Thompson Falls and learn to shoot a muzzle loader, throw tomahawks, cook in a Dutch oven and start a fire with flint and steel. The registration fee of $85 includes two nights camping and some meals. To register or for more information, contact Ginger Ward at 406-827-4597. Deadline is June 1.
Local geology
The Montana Wilderness Association will host a free class about the geology of Flathead Valley taught by Lex Blood, a geology teacher at Flathead Valley Community College who helped found the Glacier Institute. The 40-minute class followed by a stroll outside will take place at Lone Pine State Park in Kalispell on Saturday, May 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information or to register, visit online at www.wildmontana.org/walks.