Dates: Mondays, April 17, 24 & May 1, 8
Time: 10:00- noon
Locations: April 17 meet at MNHC. Other dates we will meet at Kelly Island, Council Grove State Park, and Milltown State Park TBA

From footprints and feathers to skulls and scat, indirect evidence of life is found all across the landscape, and it's changing all the time. We're genetically wired to wonder about the lives of our fellow animals, and wildlife tracking is a practical skill that fosters connections to their anatomy, behavior, and ecology. With one classroom lecture/discussion and three field sessions in natural areas near Missoula, this four-class course will prepare you to identify and interpret common wildlife tracks and sign in northwest Montana. With examples large, small, clear and subtle, each track or sign we explore will help us appreciate the nuanced stories that our wild neighbors leave behind.

Instructor:
Rob Rich is a naturalist who conducts biological surveys, advances conservation projects, and teaches courses on wildlife tracking, birding, beaver ecology, and more. He has published writing and photography with outlets such as Audubon, High Country News, and Earth Island Journal, and he has worked with organizations including the Montana Natural History Center, National Wildlife Federation, and Swan Valley Connections.

What to Bring:

Clothes appropriate for changing Montana weather conditions- jacket, rain gear, hat, sunscreen, good boots or hiking shoes
Water and snacks
Journal and pen/pencil for notes

Cost: $70 MNHC members, $80 non-members. You can add your MNHC membership to your order when you check out.

Directions to field locations:

Kelly Island Spurgin St. Access

Council Grove State Park

Milltown State Park Overlook Deer Creek Rd. Access

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.