FVCC hosts community lectures

Flathead Valley Community College’s Continuing Education Center is hosting six community lectures from Thursday, Feb. 22 to Tuesday, April 9 in the Arts & Technology Building on campus in Kalispell. 

Each lecture is free to attend and registration is not required. 

Rick Trembath, of Flathead Forestry & Fire Consulting, will present a talk entitled the History of Wildland Fire in Northwest Montana on Thursday, Feb. 22 from 6-8 p.m. in Arts & Technology room 139. The picture-based presentation features area wildfire history and influences from pre-European Native American times to recent wildfire events. Learn from historic fire to better anticipate future fire from an FVCC Forest Fire Management Instructor with 56 years of wildland fire experience. 

An introduction to Montana’s lynx, wolverine, marten and fisher is part of the Mysterious Mesocarnivores in the Flathead National Forest talk on Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 6-8 p.m. in Arts & Technology room 139. Presented by Mark Ruby, wildlife program manager for the Flathead National Forest, the talk will look at the mid-sized forest carnivores as an amazing part of the ecosystem. Learn about monitoring efforts and status updates on these elusive animals and why their presence is critical to a healthy Flathead Forest. 

Two experienced Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks biologists will present Landscape Dynamics of Apex Carnivores: Understanding Montana’s Wolves and Grizzly Bears on Tuesday, March 5 from 6-8 p.m. in Arts & Technology room 139. 

Wendy Cole, wolf specialist Region 1, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; and Lori Roberts, research assistant, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will talk about the ecology and behavior of these apex carnivores, their role in the Montana ecosystem and how to safely coexist with them on our shared landscapes. Discover the challenges and triumphs of wolf and grizzly conservation in Montana, and gain insights into the ongoing efforts to manage these iconic species. 

Rick Trembath, of Flathead Forestry & Fire Consulting, will discuss the disposal of forest debris resulting from fuels reduction, forest management projects, or simple yard clean-up on Thursday, March 7 from 6-8 p.m. in Arts and Technology room 144. Become more familiar with how and where to construct, and how to safely and effectively burn piles, as well as burn permit requirements and air quality regulations. The talk is hosted by FireSafe Flathead and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. 

On March 14, Allyson Norwood Bush and Montana Art Therapy Association present an Evening of Artmaking: Art Therapy and the Creative Process from 6-8 p.m. in Arts & Technology room 139.  Join Montana art therapists for a colorful discussion about the profession of art therapy, how to become a licensed and board-certified art therapist and what to expect from an art therapy session. Art, art therapy and the psychology of the artist will be discussed. Facilitating art therapist Allyson Norwood Bush offers prompts to inspire the creative process with gentle curiosity and self-acceptance. RSVP to hacklebarneyarts@gmail.com by March 7. 

Montana Dinosaur Trail Enthusiast Sheena Istre will present The Montana Dinosaur Trail: A Guided Tour of the Unofficial Dinosaur State on Tuesday, April 9 from 6-8 p.m. in Arts & Technology room 139. Everyone has heard of or visited the Museum of the Rockies, but that is only the tip of the iceberg for Montana’s dino destinations. Come learn about all the 14 stops and the amazing animals to meet along the way. Learn about the T-Rex, Gorgosaurus, Maiasaura, Albertosaurus and more as you move across the Big Sky state and uncover fascinating facts about the geology, recent discoveries and how to experience Montana’s paleontology treasures yourself. 

For more information about FVCC’s Continuing Education spring class offerings, visit fvcc.edu/ContinuingEducation.