Wilderness Speaker Series tackles variety of topics
This winter local wilderness organizations are partnering to host the Wilderness Speaker Series.
The series brings timely and interesting wilderness topics to the public and is presented by the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, the Montana Wilderness Association Flathead-Kootenai Chapter, the Northwest Montana Fire Lookout Association, and the Natural Resources Conservation Management Program at Flathead Valley Community College.
The series will be presented at the FVCC's Art and Technology Building, in room 139. Lectures will be held monthly, February through April, from 7 to 8:15 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Carol Treadwell at exec@bmwf.org or 387-3847.
Events in the series:
On Wednesday, March 7 is “The Untrammeled Observatory: Lessons from Wilderness Fire” as presented by speaker Andrew J Larson, Associate Professor of Forest Ecology, Department of Forest Management, University of Montana. He will present results from several years of fire and forest ecology field research in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Topics include the scientific and educational value of wilderness, the fire ecology of the Northern Rockies forests, and the importance of wilderness areas as a source of information to help society sustainably manage non-wilderness lands.
On Wednesday, April 4 is “The Recovery of Grizzly Bears in Montana” with speaker Rick Mace, Wildlife Biologist, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. The road to recovery of these large mammals and what it means to have them removed from the Endangered Species Act.
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation provides stewardship for one of the world's most spectacular places – The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Bob Marshall was instrumental creating a public initiative for wilderness preservation. The BMWF carries out Bob's legacy of recreation and conservation by engaging volunteers in projects that maintain trails, preserve wildland ecology, and instills an appreciation for the importance of public lands. Visit www.bmwf.org for additional information.
Montana Wilderness Association works with communities to protect Montana's wilderness heritage, quiet beauty and outdoor traditions, now and for future generations. Established in 1958 by Montanans who were instrumental in the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964, Montana Wilderness Association has since worked for the designation of virtually every wilderness area in the state, as well as Wild and Scenic designations for suitable stretches of the Flathead and Missouri rivers. Visit www.wildmontana.org for more information
Northwest Montana Fire Lookout Association is dedicated to the forest fire lookouts in Northwest Montana. Visit www.nwmt-ffla.org for more information.
Key financial BMWF sponsors making this event possible include DA Davidson, Edward Jones-Joel Pemberton, Flathead Electric Cooperative, Park Side Credit Union, and Rocky Mountain Outfitters.