Dates: Friday, June 23
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location: We will meet (via your own vehicle) at the instructors property in the Nine Mile. Directions will be provided a week prior to the event.

When we think of forests, of course we think of trees, but forests are actually the sum of many parts. These include other plants, animals, geology, geography, disturbances, weather, climate, and the systems and processes that determine how these and other elements interact to form a forest ecosystem. In this course, you’ll see the forest AND the trees, visiting different forest sites in Missoula County and learning to make observations that give you keen insights into forests’ structure and function. This course is designed to accommodate many different learning styles and includes individual, small group, and large group work. Plan to spend a day enjoying a deep immersion experience in the forest.

Instructor Angela Mallon Wells is a naturalist, forest ecologist, and conservation professional. She is a 2014 graduate of MNHC’s Glacier Master Naturalist course, served for 3 years as a member of the instructor cadre for the Forest For Every Classroom institute, and has been a contributor to Montana Naturalist magazine as well as an instructor for a 2020 MNHC course, Stories in Place. She resides on a Certified Family Forest with her husband and kids in the Nine Mile Valley west of Missoula. Her favorites include the dark-eyed junco (bird), Western larch (tree), and running (outdoor activity).

What to Bring:

field journal & writing utensil
lunch
water
weather-appropriate clothing are required (we’ll do this rain or shine)
recommended but not required: Plant/tree ID books, a compass, a small trowel, and supplies for sketching. (we will have some books to use during the program)

Cost: $35 MNHC members, $40 non-members. You can add your MNHC membership to your order when you check out. Scholarships are available. Please call 327-0405.

FAQ

What’s the refund policy?

The course 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. In light of changes to programming due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Montana Natural History Center will make exceptions to its normal refund policy. These exceptions are as follows:

Any programs cancelled by the Montana Natural History Center are eligible for a full refund.

In the event a program fee can be rolled over to a following cycle or year, that offer will be made available to the paying program participant, and a spot will be reserved for the participant.

If a program is cancelled by a participant due to reasonable health and safety concerns from exposure risk to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Montana Natural History Center will issue a full refund.

If any participant experiences major illness, injury, or loss of a family member prior to the start of a registered program the participant is eligible for a full refund.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Nope! We will have a list of all the attendees.