Montana Natural History Center Events

Tuesday July 22 9:00am - 11:00am MDT

Montana Natural History Center

Insect Exploration at the Native Plant Garden

Date: Tuesday, July 22Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m.Location: Native Plant Garden at Fort MissoulaCost: $30 MNHC members/$35 non-members(children 17 and under are free when accompanied by a ticketed adult) REGISTER HERE.Join us as we explore what types of insects, including poll......More

Montana Natural History Center

Tuesday July 29 9:00am - 11:00am MDT

Montana Natural History Center

Watercolor Painting Wildflowers at the Fort Garden

Date: Tuesday, July 29Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m.Location: Native Plant Garden at Fort MissoulaCost: $30 MNHC members/$35 non-members REGISTER HERE.Join us whether you are brand new to watercolor painting or a seasoned pro! You will learn some basic techniques including how t......More

Montana Natural History Center

Wednesday July 30 10:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Maclay Flat Nature Trail, Forest Rd 19155, Missoula, MT, 59804, United States

Bug Photography!

Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Location: Meet at Maclay Flats (extremely warm weather may move the location to Pattee Canyon)Cost: $25/$20 MNHC members REGISTER HERE.Bug out with your camera and capture amazing close-up shots of tiny creature......More

Maclay Flat Nature Trail, Forest Rd 19155, Missoula, MT, 59804, United States

Wednesday August 6 5:00pm - Saturday August 9 12:00pm MDT

Montana Natural History Center

Beartooth Nature Writing Retreat

The Montana Natural History Center is partnering with Elevation Science Institute and Turnstone Nature Education on this amazing program! Enhance your observation skills and learn to document your natural world encounters in the Beartooth Nature Writing Workshop. This course teaches participants how to effectively record their observations, experiences, and reflections in the field. Through guided writing prompts and exercises, followed up with personalized feedback, participants will develop their own narrative, capturing the essence of their nature experiences in a meaningful way, all while surrounded by Montana’s stunning landscapes. Date: Wednesday-Saturday, August 6-9, 2025Location: Just outside of Red Lodge, MT, in the foothills of the Beartooth MountainsCost: $855 with full room & board, $655 if staying offsite REGISTER HEREWhat to ExpectThrough a series of group writing exercises, supportive workshops, and ample unstructured solo time, this course will stimulate your creativity, refine your writing process, and equip you with the tools to document your encounters with the natural world. Each day is thoughtfully designed to provide the environment and resources needed to deepen your writing practice. Together, we’ll respond to writing prompts, read and discuss nature writing, and engage in supportive workshopping. Your leaders will offer personalized, constructive feedback and work with you to polish your writing. By the end of the weekend, you’ll feel refreshed, inspired, and brimming with new ideas. If you wish, you can continue working with the course leaders after the program concludes, with the opportunity to eventually record your finished Field Note on Montana Public Radio! Retreat LeadersThe Beartooth Nature Writing Retreat will be led by two exceptional and experienced nature writers. Allison De Jong (she/her), Communications Coordinator and Editor of Montana Naturalist magazine and Field Notes at the Montana Natural History Center. Allison is a lifelong lover of both nature and the written word, balancing her passion for reading and writing with exploring wild places in Montana and beyond. Since 2009 she’s been privileged to work at the Montana Natural History Center, where she teaches nature writing workshops and collaborates with writers, naturalists, and scientists to produce Montana Naturalist magazine and the Field Notes program on Montana Public Radio. Allison grew up in Iowa, where she attended college and studied English literature and creative writing, then found herself pulled west. She has an M.S. in Environmental Writing from the University of Montana and is a certified Montana Master Naturalist. Allison finds great joy in creating community around nature writing, bringing together people who are passionate and curious about the natural world and providing a supportive space for them to craft and share their stories. Drew Lefebvre, Founder of Turnstone Nature Education As a naturalist and educator, Drew has many years’ experience developing and leading natural history programs. Her background includes exhibit design and interpretation, wilderness field work, and a variety of teaching experiences for adults and children of all ages. Originally from Maine, she attended college in Boston, where she studied linguistics and philosophy. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Education from the University of Montana and is a certified Montana Master Naturalist and Master Gardener. Drew believes that everyone has a story or observation about the natural world helping you add meaning, knowledge, and a sense of wonder to your experiences is a highlight of her work. Equipment Packing ListNotebook and plenty of pens/pencils, and a laptop if that is your preferred way of writing.Difficulty LevelEasy-Moderate. Hiking distance covers less than 3 miles per day, with less than 500 feet of elevation change. Recommended Reading & Listening Explore other’s Field NotesOnline: Read the beautiful narratives written by previous participants of the Montana Natural History Center’s Field Note Writing Course.Hard copy: Field Notes from the Montana Natural History CenterAudio: Search for “Field Notes Montana Public Radio” on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcastsBird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne LamottWorld of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee NezhukumatathilREGISTER HERE!

Montana Natural History Center

Monday August 11 6:00pm - 8:00pm MDT

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 (coming soon) Whatever genre you prefer — poetry, essay, prose, flash, etc. — writing can help us connect with and reflect on......More

Montana Natural History Center

Tuesday August 12 6:30pm - 8:30pm MDT

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

Friday August 15 9:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Montana Natural History Center

Confident Color Mixing for Nature Journaling with Nancy Seiler

Date: Friday, August 15, 2025Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Location: Meet at Greenough Park (the site with the picnic pavillion and playground)Cost: $50, $45 MNHC members REGISTER HEREMaster color mixing with artist Nancy Seiler! Have you been nature journaling for a while and feel a bit overwhelmed when mixing colors? This class is for you! Nancy will help you understand how to choose colors to match the natural objects that you see. She’ll explain pigments so that you will come away understanding how to obtain bright and dull colors, use complimentary colors, mix grays, and utilize whatever watercolors you have on hand. Nancy will be teaching from the QoR Mini 12-pigment set. We’ll start with swatching to understand the pigments you have, tricks for blending and layering color, and how values play a big part of helping your drawings pop. The first two hours will be teaching and working with your pigments. The last hour will be color mixing on your own from objects you find at site with Nancy there to help you achieve color matches. Nancy Seiler received her Visual Communications degree from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1981. As a Golden Working Artist for Golden Artist Colors she presents lectures, demonstrations, and workshops in acrylics, watercolors, and oils in Southern California and Montana. She has taught classical botanical illustration and nature journaling since 2003. Her work is represented by Frame of Reference Fine Art in Whitefish and Bigfork, Montana. What to Bring: water/snacksclothes for changing Montana weather conditions – layers, sunscreen, hatyour watercolor setwatercolor paper or watercolor/mixed media journal#8 round brush or similargraphite pencil and erasermicro pen (any size point)anything you may need to be comfortable sitting and journaling outside for 3 hours. There are picnic tables, but you may want your own chair, or pillow, or whatever you use when journaling.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. 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 August 19 7:00pm - 9:00pm MDT

Montana Natural History Center

FUNdraising with the PaddleHeads!

Date: Tuesday, August 19Time: Gates open at 6:00 p.m., first pitch at 7:05 p.m.Location: Ogren Park at Allegiance FieldCost: Ticket prices vary, depending on seat ($9-$50) Gather your friends, family, and fellow supporters, and let’s fill the stands to support MNHC! We ......More

Montana Natural History Center

Thursday August 21 6:00pm - 8:00pm MDT

Montana Natural History Center

Scavengers Photography Club

Dates: Third Thursday of the MonthTime: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.Location: Montana Natural History Center Come find community and inspiration for your nature photography passion at our Scavengers Photography Club! Everyone is welcome – hobbyists, enthusiasts, professionals, and ......More

Montana Natural History Center

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Insect Exploration at the Native Plant Garden

Watercolor Painting Wildflowers at the Fort Garden

Bug Photography!

Beartooth Nature Writing Retreat

Nature Writing "Hush Hour(s)"

Virtual Naturalist Book Club #1

Confident Color Mixing for Nature Journaling with Nancy Seiler

FUNdraising with the PaddleHeads!

Scavengers Photography Club

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