Outdoor news
Horsemen meet
The Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead will hold its regular monthly meeting at the Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices, 490 North Meridian Road, in Kalispell, on Tuesday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and all are welcome. The volunteer organization is dedicated to protecting stockowners’ use of wilderness and backcountry trails, education of horse owners on Leave-No-Trace principles and support to backcountry agencies. For more information, call 212-8107.
Winter ecology
The Glacier Institute will present a course titled “Winter Ecology for Families” led by Brian Baxter starting at the Glacier National Park Community Building, in West Glacier, on Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A field session on snowshoes will follow a short classroom session focusing on predator/prey relationships and evergreen plant species. Cost is $65 individuals and $195 per family or group up to four persons. For more information, call 755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.
Freezeout Lake
Flathead Audubon will hold their annual trip to Freezeout Lake to see the snow goose migration on Saturday and Sunday, March 23-24, led by Dan Casey. Participants need to make their own lodging arrangements. For more information, contact Casey at 857-3143 or danielcasey55@gmail.com.
Local birding
Flathead Audubon will offer a local birding trip to see early spring migrants in the Flathead or Smith valleys on Saturday, March 23. Meet at the Somers Park and Ride, at 8:30 a.m. with a lunch. Limited to about 25 people. To sign up, contact Craig at 755-0140 or asoleado2003@yahoo.com.
Snowy owls
The Glacier Institute will host a lecture on the natural history of snowy owls by Denver Holt, founder of the Owl Research Institute in the Mission Valley, at the Conrad Mansion on Thursday, March 7, at 6 p.m. His presentation and slide show will discuss 21 years of research in Alaska and Montana. A $10 suggested donation will go toward the missions of both organizations. Seating is limited, so RSVPs are required by calling the Glacier Institute at 755-1211 or the Conrad Mansion at 755-2166. For more information, visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.
Wilderness talks
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation’s 2013 Wilderness Speakers Series will present talks about wilderness stewardship, conservation and recreation. Local author Matt Holloway will talk about “The Wild and the Not-Wild: A Discussion of Wilderness in Today’s Mind” on March 14, and former Glacier National Park ranger Charlie Logan will talk about “Recollections of a Rocky Mountain Ranger” on April 11. The talks will be held in Flathead Valley Community College’s Arts and Technology Building from 6:30 to 8 p.m.