Montana Natural History Center

10/15/2026

We’re getting ready to GET WILD with western Montana! See you tomorrow at MNHC’s Fall Banquet and Auction — a wonderful and wild celebration of 35 years of nature connections! 💚

10/13/2026

Each year, MNHC's programs engage thousands of adults, young people, and children in western Montana. This work is not possible without the generosity of our members, volunteers, donors, funders, visitors, and countless others in our community. We are so grateful.

MNHC would like to uplift and offer a special THANK YOU to our 2026 Fall Banquet and Auction sponsors who play a significant role in supporting MNHC's nature education in western Montana through their support.

We look forward to celebrating with all of you this Friday, October 16th!

10/12/2026

This Indigenous Peoples' Day (and every day) we work to uplift the thriving traditions, art, language, stories, teachings, and more of Indigenous communities and Tribal Nations. In particular, we want to celebrate artist Aspen Decker of Xʷlxʷilt and her piece Sx̣elí x̣èct u Ql̓epm (Camas Dig and Bake) and the beautiful gathering we shared earlier this month in honor of the mural’s completion.

10/06/2026

Ever wanted to snorkel with sea lions? Or take a private sailing trip on Flathead Lake? Maybe a wildlife trip to Yellowstone, a guided rafting adventure on Salmon, or a yoga and nature retreat are on your bucket-list?!

We are so excited to offer these incredible experiences AND SO MUCH MORE at MNHC’s Banquet and Auction on October 16th at the University Center Ballroom!

Your attendance and generosity matter. You help expand our programs and sustain MNHC’s mission of connecting people to nature for years to come!

-A Week in Beautiful Baja for Two, donated by Sea & Adventures / Mar Y Aventuras
-Private Yoga and Nature Retreat up Rock Creek, donated by Bickell family, Drew Lefebvre, and Val Aerni of Aspen Leaf Yoga & Wellness, LLC
-Yellowstone Wildlife Adventure for Five donated by Tuholskes and the local naturalists at Yellowstone Wolf Tracker
-A Chef's Montana Wild Game Feast Paired with Exceptional Cellared Wines donated by David Schmetterling and patrons
-6-Day Rafting Trip for Two on the Middle Fork with Hughes River Expeditions Inc.
-2-Day Fossil Dig for Four with Elevation Science for Natural History Exploration
-Private Sailing For Two on Flathead Lake. Special thanks to Captain John and Karen Rimel!

Check out the details and more of our exciting live and silent auction items – from joining dinosaur dig and a chef’s Montana feast and w**e pairing, to gorgeous art and a soak and ski and White Sulphur Springs AND so much more! We hope to see you on October 16th! Tickets still available!

Thank you to Auction and Banquet Sponsor Garden City Janitorial for supporting our nature-based programming!

10/05/2026

Happy World Teachers' Day! Educators are the heart of our work! One of the longest-running nature education programs at MNHC is our Visiting Naturalist in the Schools (VNS) that connects professional naturalists with fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms in the region. MNHC first piloted our VNS program in 2001; today our VNS educators reach an average of 1500 students each year in western Montana.

In this picture, Teaching Naturalist Nora helps identify insects with students during a spring field trip to Council Grove!

10/02/2026

Happy Field Notes Friday! 
Today, Allison De Jong shares “American Pikas: Little Chief Hares of the West”

Allison writes:
 
“The first time I heard a pika, I was hiking along a talus slope on the Bass Creek trail in the Bitterroot Mountains. I thought the short, shrill sound was some kind of bird call until my husband whispered excitedly, “That’s a pika!” Following his pointing finger, my eyes fell upon an adorable grey ball of fur camouflaged among the surrounding rocks, and, as I watched, it darted out of sight beneath the tumbled scree.
 
“Since then, I have come across this smallest member of the rabbit order on many outdoor explorations, and am delighted every time. Also called “rock rabbit” or, my favorite, “little chief hare,” the American pika (Ochotona princeps) is one of about 30 species of pika worldwide, two of which are found in North America. They make their homes on talus slopes in alpine ecosystems, and can be found across the West, from California and New Mexico north to Alberta and British Columbia. I more often hear than see them, but it’s always worth the time it takes to spot them amidst their rocky habitat. Pikas are about the size of a large potato, and at first glance rather resemble one with their grayish-brown coloring and plump little bodies. Up close, you’ll notice round ears, whiskered nose, and tiny paws — I’m pretty sure the scientific term for their appearance is “ridiculously cute.”
 
CONTINUED….
 
Listen and learn more in Allison’s full Field Note (see LINK in BIO).

Every week since 1991, Field Notes has inquired about Montana’s natural history. Field Notes are written by naturalists, students, and listeners about the puzzle-tree bark, eagle talons, woolly aphids, and giant puffballs of Western, Central and Southwestern Montana and aired on Montana Public Radio.

Our next online Field Notes Writing Workshop begins November 3rd. See our website for more details.

10/02/2026

Thank you to the Missoulian for featuring the mural celebration tonight from 5-7 and the wonderful art projects happening in Missoula!

"Titled 'Sx?elí x?èct u Ql?epm' or 'Camas Dig and Bake,' the mural depicts the traditional gathering of Bitterroot Salish people to dig and bake camas, a plant that has long served as an important food source.

"'I feel like the mural is really important because it brings Salish presence and indigenous voice to Missoula,' Aspen said..."

Read more:

Here are some galleries and museums to visit if you're out and about this weekend.

09/30/2026

This Friday, October 2nd from 5-7PM at the Montana Natural History Center -- join us for the unveiling of Camas Dig and Bake!

We are so excited to celebrate the brand new mural designed and painted by local artists Aspen and Cameron Decker of Xʷlxʷilt! Join us on Friday, October 2nd, at 5pm for the official unveiling of Sx̣elí x̣èct u Ql̓epm, or Camas Dig and Bake, located in MNHC’s garden on Hickory Street. Approximately 40 feet wide and 20 feet tall, the mural depicts the traditional gathering of Bitterroot Salish people to dig and bake camas, a plant that has long served as an important food source.

We’ll open with a prayer and performance from Salish drum group Yamn-ćut, then hear a few words from Aspen about the story and process behind her mural. Enjoy snacks and drinks while you mingle and take in the beautiful new artwork! All are welcome!

A very special thank you to the donors who made this mural possible, including:
Missoula Downtown (The Missoula Downtown Foundation)
The Llewellyn Foundation
Dawn & Tim Payne
The Charles O’Boyle Legacy Fund
Candace Crosby & Dudley Dana

FREE and OPEN TO ALL!

09/28/2026

THANK YOU to the great group who joined us for today's garden tour and seed ball workshop! Participants learned tips for attracting pollinators, the impact of climate on native habitats, and how creating a native plant garden can help. Plus they got a sneak peek into the mural in the making by Aspen Decker Art !

This program was offered in partnership with Climate Smart Missoula and Climate Solutions Week! Learn more the full schedule of programming and other happenings in town at: http://www.missoulaclimate.org/solutions.html

09/26/2026

I notice,
I wonder,
I remember,

MNHC Teaching Naturalist Kevin Niehaus demonstrates how an everyday pinecone holds hundreds of questions just waiting for a naturalist to ask and explore!