Outdoor news
The Flathead Snowmobile Association needs letters in support of their application for a federal Recreation Trails Program grant, administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, for grooming snowmobile trails. This year, the cap on grants has been raised from $35,000 to $45,000. The association needs to differentiate this year's application from past applications by highlighting the addition of Desert Mountain as a new commercial area and Swan Mountain Snowmobiling as a new snowmobile operator. For more information, contact Aubrie Loroña by calling 871-4606, e-mailing aubrie@swanmountainoutfitters.com or visiting online at www.swanmountainoutfitters.com/glacier.
The Glacier Institute will host an all-day educational opportunity in Glacier National Park for disabled veterans, combat veterans and their families on two Sundays, June 26. The group will travel to the Avalanche Creek picnic area and viewpoints along Upper McDonald Creek. For more information, call 755-1211.
Smith's Food and Drug Center in Columbia Falls will again sponsor a "Round-Up for Glacier" promotion for the Glacier National Park Fund from June 29 through July 31. Customers will be asked to round up their bills to the nearest dollar, with all donations going in support of the Transporting Kids to Glacier National Park program. Kroger Foods, will match these donations up to $2,500. For more information, call 892-3250 or visit online at www.glacierfund.org.
Flathead Audubon will lead early summer bird-watching tour at the National Bison Range on Sunday, June 26. Birders will drive over Red Sheep Mountain Drive to look for warblers, vireos and sparrows. Rock wrens, short-eared owls and a swift prairie falcon may be seen. They will also visit the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge. For more information, call Leslie Kehoe evenings at 837-4467.
Glacier National Park Fund will host Friday hikes in Glacier National Park from July 8 through Sept. 16. Participants will learn about Park accomplishments supported by GNPF donors and partners and learn about upcoming events and activities. A hiking schedule is available online at www.glaciernationalparkfund.org. To sign up, e-mail kelly@glacierfund.org or call 892-3250.
Flathead Native Plant Society is looking for volunteers for the Glacier National Park Noxious Weed Blitz on Thursday, July 28. Participants will learn how to identify five targeted non-native invasive plant species, how to conduct invasive plant surveys, and how to map locations using GPS units. Participants will then break into smaller groups and head out to areas around West Glacier to pull weeds. For more information, contact the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center at 888-7986 or by e-mailing glac_citizen_science@nps.gov.