Learn the ways of the woods at Family Forestry Expo
Forest Service fuels tech David Pemble sends a toy dozer to stop a matchstick fire in order to teach fifth graders about wildfires during the Family Forestry Expo at Trumbull Creek Educational Forest Monday, May 6. The 35th Expo is open to the public May 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Avery Howe photo)
The Family Forestry Expo is ongoing this week, with a host of students learning about the woods through the innovative program.
This year the theme of “Forests-Landscapes of Many Uses.”
Over 1,200 local fifth grade students from 28 schools, stretching from Eureka to the Flathead Valley, visited the Expo to learn about natural resource topics. The students visit stations that provide educational presentations about fisheries, aquatic/riparian systems, archaeology, wildlife, fire, backcountry ethics, plant identification and forest management.
Eighteen classes will also tour either the F. H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. mill or a Weyerhaeuser mill; the remaining classes will have the opportunity to take part in a portable sawmill demonstration and visit stations representing lumber manufacturing and forest products.
On Saturday (May 11) families are invited to share in expo activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Trumbull Creek Educational Forest, located about two miles north of the junction of U.S. Highway 2 and Montana Highway 40, just west of Columbia Falls. For directions, visit: https://www.familyforestryexpo.org/directions-to-the-family-forestry-expo/
The Saturday family-oriented event features a short forest walk, offering educational stations and demonstrations along the way.
Each station provides information and hands-on activities that allow participants to learn about the many uses of our forests, both private and public. Various exhibits will also be on display featuring local organizations, businesses and agencies that care for natural resources. Here’s a Saturday schedule:
• 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Grandstand demonstration of logging equipment, Forest Service Spotted Bear Ranger District mule pack string, and logging sports.
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Free logging camp lunch, compliments of Family Forestry Expo.
The Family Forestry Expo event takes place through the dedicated involvement of over 30 diverse organizations such as local service clubs, forest industry, government natural resource agencies, conservation groups, professional societies, local businesses, many interested individuals and numerous local donations.
For more information call 758-5218 or visit www.familyforestryexpo.org and www.facebook.com/familyforestryexpo.