Montana Natural History Center Events

Saturday November 1 1:00pm - 3:00pm MDT

Montana Natural History Center

Saturday Kids' Activity: Ice Age Animals!

Date: Saturday, November 1Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.Location: Montana Natural History CenterCost: Free with membership/cost of admission Join us for exciting and educational Saturdays filled with delightful activities designed to captivate young minds and inspire a love for n......More

Montana Natural History Center

Tuesday November 4 10:00am - 11:00am MST

Montana Natural History Center

miniNaturalist Pre-K Program

The miniNaturalist pre-K program encourages curiosity for the natural world.Dates: Every Tuesday, September – MayTime: 10:00-11:00 amLocation: Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory Street. The miniNaturalist program encourages curiosity for the natural world throu......More

Montana Natural History Center

Tuesday November 4 10:00am - 11:30am MST

Montana Natural History Center

Online Field Notes Writing Workshop, 6-Part Class – Fall 2025

Location: Virtual Classroom on ZoomDates: Tuesdays, November 4, 11, 18, 25, and December 2, 9Time: 10:00-11:30 a.m.Cost: $225 MNHC members, $245 non-members Explore various forms of nature writing, then research and write your own Field Note during this online, workshop-based six-part class! Instructors:Allison De Jong, writer, naturalist, and editor of Montana Naturalist magazine and Field Notes on Montana Public RadioDrew Lefebvre, naturalist, writer, and owner of Turnstone Nature Education REGISTER HERE.In this six-part class, you’ll work with Field Notes editor Allison De Jong, naturalist Drew Lefebvre, and your fellow participants to research, write, and workshop your very own Field Note. We’ll read and discuss a variety of nature writing brainstorm ideas practice writing prompts discuss tone, style, and research methods and provide feedback for each other’s Field Notes. And you’ll have the opportunity to record your Field Note with Montana Public Radio sometime later this year, if interested. Many of the Field Notes aired since 2021 were written in previous workshops! (You can read and listen to them here.) This class will be a delightful combination of natural history and creativity. You’ll get to explore a natural history topic of your choice, practice different writing techniques, get and give feedback on your and others’ writing in a small, supportive workshop setting, and finish the class with a lovely natural history essay that’s ready to be shared with the Montana Public Radio listening area (if you wish!). Course fee includes a copy of our beautiful Field Notes from the Montana Natural History Center book*, a collection of 134 Field Notes as well as original artwork from dozens of naturalists from the program’s first 25 years. We’ll read and discuss several of these Field Notes in class, and the rest of the book is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Cost: $225 MNHC members, $245 non-members. You can add your MNHC membership to your order when you check out. REGISTER FOR THE FIELD NOTES WORKSHOP HERE. What participants are saying about this workshop: “I loved this class. Learning to write field notes was way different than what I expected. Allison and Drew both really brought to life the importance of sharing personal experience and scientific information in story form. I learned so much about the writing process, how to refine pieces for reading aloud, and how to give a voice to the voiceless. I have much more confidence about writing field notes now, and many ideas!!”~Marnie Craig, Spring 2020 “A complete and successful experience! Involving, stimulating. Great to experience the writing and expression abilities of the other writers. I was often amazed how the leaders and the other writers could analyze, dissect, and interpret our reading assignments and any topic of discussion. I loved the class. A learning and writing experience for sure, thank you!”~Terry Habeger, Spring 2020 “Thank you, thank you, thank you. This class was extremely grounding in a period of big transition in my life, and it really bolstered my self-confidence to sit with a group of strangers every week and feel seen and heard. Knowing that I have the capacity to sit down and write words that make people feel excited to go outside is an incredible gift, and I am very grateful for this class for it.”~Zola Kell, Fall 2021 “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the classroom community. Would recommend taking this class for anyone interested in creative science/nature writing, either for fun or as a career.”~Kayla Heinze, Spring 2023 “It was all so rewarding! I loved crafting a piece that felt digestible to get me back into a writing routine. I loved our 10-minute writes. The [workshopping] session was really helpful as well as the detailed suggestions and feedback from both Allison and Drew. I loved the poetry and writing pieces we read and discussed in class. It was a great class!”~Victoria Yee, Fall 2024 “I enjoyed it all. The 6-week process was such a lovely journey together and I learned more about my writing style, how to write a field note, and it inspired me to want to be outdoors even more as spring arrives here in Montana. Allison and Drew are outstanding facilitators and writers. Their communication skills and invitation to all of us to step into and trust this process, and to create community along the way, was inspiring. It’s nice to get to the last week of a class and to be truly sorry to see it end. I know this experience touched me, expanded me as a naturalist and a writer, and as an outdoor and conservation enthusiast. This class will long be remembered. Thank you for this wonderful experience!”~Dawn Gelderloos, Spring 2025 FAQsWhat’s the refund policy?The course fee (minus a 25% administrative fee) is refundable if a cancellation is made up to 7 days before the event. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline. See our full refund/cancellation policy here. *The cost of the Field Notes book is non-refundable (if you cancel after you’ve received the book).*If you are unable to pick up the book from the Montana Natural History Center, we will ship it to you for an additional fee. (Choose the Field Notes Book Shipping add-on when you check out.)

Montana Natural History Center

Wednesday November 5 7:00pm - 9:00pm MST

Montana Natural History Center

Create Your Own Chimera: A Mixed Media Animal Mash-up with Courtney Blazon

Date: Wednesday, November 5Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.Location: MNHCCost: $35 MNHC members/$40 non-members REGISTER HEREGuided by local artist, Courtney Blazon, participants will design and draw their own chimera—a fantastical creature composed of three of their favorite ani......More

Montana Natural History Center

Saturday November 8 10:00am - 3:00pm MST

Montana Natural History Center

Lichen Field Day with Tim Wheeler

Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025Time: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.Location: MNHC, walk along Kim Williams trailCost: $60 MNHC members/$65 non-members REGISTER HERE!Delve deep into the study of lichens and never look at your forest the same way again. The Missoula valley has a high diversity of lichen species in an array of beautiful forms. Learn about the ecology and biology of lichens as you become comfortable identifying common species. Join us this fall for a lichen presentation and field trip with Tim Wheeler, lichenologist and mycologist from the University of Montana. We will begin in the classroom with an introduction to lichens slideshow followed by a walk along the Kim Williams trail exploring saxicolous and terricolous lichen communities and then a short jaunt up the Smokejumpers Trail to investigate the epiphytic lichen communities. Instructor: Tim Wheeler is a biologist specializing in fungi (lichenized and otherwise). He has been teaching, studying, and publishing on Montana’s mycota for over 20 years. He is currently a research scientist for the Division of Biological Sciences at UM working on the genetics and genomics of the tree of life. Check out this National Geographic video of UM researchers’ lichen discovery. Activity Level (please read): Moderate. Most of the walking is on flat ground. The Smokejumper Trail section is steeper and a dirt trail. This program involves multiple hours of walking and standing. Lunch will be most likely be eaten seated on the ground. There are no bathrooms along the Kim Williams Trail or Smokejumper Trail. What to Bring: Clothes appropriate for changing Montana weather conditions layers, rain, and moreGood walking shoes or bootsHand lens (we have some to borrow)LunchWaterReading Materials for the Curious: Ways of Enlichenment: Lichens of Western North America, photography by Tim WheelerLichens of North America by Erwin M. Brodo, Sylvia Duran Sharnoff, and Stephen SharnoffFAQsWhat’s the refund policy? The course fee (minus a 25% administrative fee) is refundable if a cancellation is made up to 7 days before the event. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline. See our full refund/cancellation policy here. Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event? Nope! We will have a list of all the attendees.

Montana Natural History Center

Monday November 10 6:00pm - 8:00pm MST

Montana Natural History Center

Nature Writing "Hush Hour(s)"

Date: Second Monday of the MonthTime: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Location: Montana Natural History CenterCost: Free, but please register REGISTER HERE Whatever genre you prefer — poetry, essay, prose, flash, etc. — writing can help us connect with and reflect on our natural s......More

Montana Natural History Center

Monday November 10 6:30pm - 8:30pm MST

Virtual Zoom Classroom

Virtual Naturalist Book Club #2

Date: Monthly, on the second Monday of the monthTime: 6:30 p.m.Location/Platform: Virtual Zoom Classroom The only thing better than reading a fascinating natural history book (and there are so many of them!) is getting to discuss it with a wonderful group of like-minded......More

Virtual Zoom Classroom

Tuesday November 11 10:00am - 11:00am MST

Montana Natural History Center

miniNaturalist Pre-K Program

Montana Natural History Center

Tuesday November 11 6:30pm - 8:30pm MST

Virtual Zoom Classroom

Virtual Naturalist Book Club #1

Date: Monthly, on the second Tuesday of the month Time: 6:30 p.m. Location/Platform: Virtual Zoom Classroom The only thing better than reading a fascinating natural history book (and there are so many of them!) is getting to discuss it with a wonderful group of like-mi......More

Virtual Zoom Classroom

Wednesday November 12 2:00pm - 4:00pm MST

Montana Natural History Center

Master Naturalist Club

Date: Monthly, on the second Wednesday of the monthTime: 2:00-4:00 p.m.Location: Various- Contact Club Host Share outdoor explorations and learning experiences with other curious naturalists at our monthly Master Naturalist Club! We will connect with experts and hone ou......More

Montana Natural History Center

Thursday November 13 7:00pm - 8:30pm MST

Montana Natural History Center

Indigenous Food Sovereignty with Mariah Gladstone of Indigikitchen

Date: Thursday, November 13Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.Location: MNHCCost: $20 MNHC members/$25 non-membersFree for Native peoples REGISTER HERE Join us for an evening with Mariah Gladstone, founder of Indigikitchen and celebrated advocate for Indigenous food sovereignty, as ......More

Montana Natural History Center

Saturday November 15 1:00pm - 3:00pm MST

Montana Natural History Center

Saturday Kids' Activity: Turkeys!

Date: Saturday, November 15Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.Location: Montana Natural History CenterCost: Free with membership/cost of admission Join us for exciting and educational Saturdays filled with delightful activities designed to captivate young minds and inspire a love for ......More

Montana Natural History Center

Saturday November 15 6:30pm - 8:30pm MST

Montana Natural History Center

Sip & Sketch with Jason Poole: Drawing Dinosaur Bones

Date: Saturday, November 15Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.Location: Montana Natural History CenterCost: $35 MNHC members, $40 non-members REGISTER HERE!Find the beauty of line and form while diving into the ancient past as you learn to draw dinosaur bones! Missoula-based artist Jason C. Poole will start the class by demonstrating drawing techniques particular to dinosaur bones and a discussion of anatomical features. As you begin your own study, Jason will provide both individual and class-wide pointers. This class is perfect for all skill levels. Enjoy a beverage (beer, wine, or sparkly water) while you work! Instructor: Jason C. Poole has worn many hats: Adjunct Professor of Paleontology, scientific illustrator, art teacher, and paleontology field instructor. He has excavated dinosaurs on three continents, including Africa and South and North America. Paralititan, Dreadnoughtus, and Suuwassea are three dinosaurs Jason has worked on all were new to science when discovered and two are supermassive titanosaurs. Jason is also a paleontological artist who’s been published in National Geographic and whose art work appears in many museum and private collections. Jason resides in Missoula and can often be found sketching in the studio and the great outdoors. Or you may find him at MNHC: in addition to teaching various drawing and painting classes, Jason has hosted lectures on Montana’s ancient past, and is currently spending Tuesdays-Saturdays at MNHC preparing and conserving 150-million-year-old dinosaur fossils collected by Elevation Science Institute in Carbon County, Montana, during the 2025 field season. What to Bring: H or 2B pencils (we will have plenty to use as well)Sketchbook no larger than 8 1/2 x 11 inches (we will have paper to use as well)“The skulls were there and I could say something with them. To me they are as beautiful as anything I know. To me they are strangely more living than the animals walking around…” Georgia O’Keefe What’s the refund policy? The course fee (minus a 25% administrative fee) is refundable if a cancellation is made up to 7 days before the event. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline. See our full refund/cancellation policy here. Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event? Nope! We will have a list of all the attendees.

Montana Natural History Center

Tuesday November 18 10:00am - 11:00am MST

Montana Natural History Center

miniNaturalist Pre-K Program

Montana Natural History Center

Wednesday November 19 7:00pm - 9:00pm MST

Montana Natural History Center

Naturalist Trivia Night!

Date: Wednesday, November 19Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Location: Montana Natural History CenterCost: Free, and open to the public. $5 suggested donation. Show off your skills or come to learn something new—trivia nights are fun for any background level. Join a team when......More

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Saturday Kids' Activity: Ice Age Animals!

miniNaturalist Pre-K Program

Online Field Notes Writing Workshop, 6-Part Class – Fall 2025

Create Your Own Chimera: A Mixed Media Animal Mash-up with Courtney Blazon

Lichen Field Day with Tim Wheeler

Nature Writing "Hush Hour(s)"

Virtual Naturalist Book Club #2

miniNaturalist Pre-K Program

Virtual Naturalist Book Club #1

Master Naturalist Club

Indigenous Food Sovereignty with Mariah Gladstone of Indigikitchen

Saturday Kids' Activity: Turkeys!

Sip & Sketch with Jason Poole: Drawing Dinosaur Bones

miniNaturalist Pre-K Program

Naturalist Trivia Night!

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