Montana Natural History Center

06/01/2026

Hello June! We’re kicking off this month with a event with David Miles Lusk of Anomal press and a second session of Birding by Ear with MNHC's Ryan Mahar. Or join artist Nancy Seiler for some fantastic watercolor classes at the Native Plant Garden at Fort Missoula. There’s still room in our Master Naturalist Course for Teachers, but hurry, registration closes June 10th! We hope to see you soon at MNHC!

Friday, June 5th 5-7pM
FIRST FRIDAY
Inspired by Nature: Block Prints by David Miles Lusk
Cost: FREE, and open to the public

Saturday, June 6th 8-10AM
Birding by Ear, Session II
with Ryan Mahar
Cost: $35 MNHC members/$40 non-members

Monday, June 8th, 6-8PM
Nature Writing “Hush Hour(s)”
Every second Monday of the month
Cost: FREE and open to the public

Tuesday, June 9th, 9-11AM
Dig Your Own Native Scrubs
Cost: $20 MNHC members/$25 non-members
(1 child free per ticketed adult)

Wednesday, June 10th, 9AM-12PM
Confident Color Mixing for Nature Journaling
with artist Nancy Seiler
Cost: $45 MNHC members/$50 non-members

Wednesday, June 10th, 1:30-4:30PM
Color Mixing Greys, Blacks, and Neutrals for Natural Journaling
with artist Nancy Seiler
Cost: $45 MNHC members/$50 non-members

June 22-26th, 9AM-3PM
Master Naturalist Course for Teachers
Cost: $345 MNHC members/$375 non-members

We also have our weekly and monthly free programs including the Scavengers Photography Club, our Virtual Book Club, volunteering at the Native Plant Garden at Fort Missoula and MORE!

The museum is open for visitors all from 10AM-4PM Tuesdays-Saturdays!

For details and registration see our website — or see LINK in BIO!

05/29/2026

A snapshot from today's field trip to Council Grove with students from our VNS classrooms!

May was a special time for the Visiting Naturalist in the Schools (VNS) program, as students enjoyed their spring field trips. This culminating event is a celebration of all of the naturalist skills and knowledge that our students learned throughout the school year, which were demonstrated with boundless curiosity and enthusiasm.

The VNS team would like to extend an enormous thank you to everyone who supported the program this year, including our wonderful staff, volunteers, teachers, chaperones, board members, and donors!

05/28/2026

We’re waiting over at 120 Hickory Street, right off the Riverfront Trail. See you soon!!

05/28/2026

Wondering what to do with your evening on June 5th from 5-7? We have the answer! JOIN US and the talented David Miles Lusk of Anomal press for where David will share work from his block print collection (like this incredible water bird skull design made for MNHC!).

Come meet the artist, and enjoy a fun night at MNHC! David will provide a brief introduction about his work and its inspiration from the natural world.

Light snacks and beverages provided. We look forward to seeing you at this free and fun community event! 🙌

Learn more on our website!

05/26/2026

THANK YOU to KPAX-TV for inviting us to talk about our Nature & Science Adventures for Middle School students and our Outdoor Discovery Camps for preK-5th grade on Community Spotlight! We hope you can join us for some amazing outdoor adventures this summer!

This summer, the MNHC is running two week-long opportunities for middle school students that include learning from local mentors and experts in the field.

05/24/2026

05/22/2026

Do you have your copy of the latest issue of the Montana Naturalist Magazine? It includes gorgeous and insightful stories like “Nest Building in Birds: Much More than Instinct” by Mariella Bodemeier Loayza Careaga.

Mariella writes: …“Rock Wrens take their engineering skills up a notch by building walkways of small, flat stones that lead to the nests’ cavities. Depending on their placement, the stones on these walkways can reduce the nest cavity opening, making it harder for predators to infiltrate the nest. Some researchers also hypothesize that these stones might work as an anti-predator alarm system, amplifying the sounds made by predators and alerting the incubating female Rock Wren of their approach...”

Montana Naturalist is a full-color, 28-page, educational magazine published two times a year (spring equinox and fall equinox) by the Montana Natural History Center and distributed free to members, school groups, and the community at large. The magazine contains feature articles about Montana’s flora and fauna, ecology, conservation issues, and local conservation organizations, along with photography, creative writing, and activities for young readers and families.

Learn more and read the full feature on our website. Or come by MNHC and pick up a copy of the Montana Naturalist today!

05/21/2026

Meet Anika!

Some of you might recognize Anika as one of our field instructors, and we are excited to now welcome her onboard as our Youth Education Assistant!

Anika grew up in western Washington with a family that loved exploring the outdoors. In high school, she began working in environmental education spaces, teaching youth and adults about sustainable agriculture. She then moved to Missoula to pursue a degree in environmental science and sustainability at the University of Montana. After graduating, she worked as a field instructor for MNHC and then at Missoula Parks and Recreation, creating a sense of community and love for the outdoors with the students she taught.

In her free time, Anika’s sure to be somewhere outside or enjoying a craft. She loves hitting the ski slopes in the winter, hiking with her dog, paddleboarding on the river, and swimming in the summer. If she is not outside, she is likely sewing, crocheting, or painting. Anika is thrilled to be back at MNHC, continuing to share her passion and knowledge of the outdoors!

Stop on by MNHC today and join us in welcoming Anika!

05/19/2026

So what are flowers for? Teaching naturalist Kevin explains a little more about these colorful, natural billboards!