Family Forestry Expo returns to the Flathead

The Family Forestry Expo is an annual, weeklong event that offers hands-on exposure to the role forests play in our everyday lives. This year the Family Forestry Expo is scheduled May 8 through May 13 with the theme of “Forests-Landscapes of Many Uses.”

Over 1,200 local fifth grade students from 25 schools stretching from Eureka to the Flathead Valley, will visit the expo between May 8 and May 12 to learn about natural resource topics. The students visit stations that provide educational presentations about fisheries, aquatic/riparian systems, archaeology, wildlife, fire, backcountry ethics, plant identification and forest management. The program is curriculum based and the field stations complement classroom study.

Eight classes will tour the F. H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. mill; the remaining classes will have the opportunity to take part in a portable sawmill demonstration and visit stations representing lumber manufacturing and forest products.

On Saturday, May 13, families are invited to share in expo activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Trumbull Creek Educational Forest, located about 2 miles north of the junction of U.S. Highway 2 and Montana Highway 40, just west of Columbia Falls.

The Saturday family-oriented event features a short forest walk that offers educational stations and demonstrations along the way. Each station provides information and hands-on activities that allow participants to learn about the many uses of our forests, private and public. A grandstand show will be presented at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and feature logging equipment demonstrations, the Forest Service Spotted Bear Ranger District mule pack string and logging sports demonstration. Various exhibits featuring local organizations, businesses and agencies that care for natural resources will be on display. Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. a free logging camp lunch will be provided, compliments of Family Forestry Expo.

The Family Forestry Expo event takes place through the dedicated involvement of over 30 diverse organizations such as local service clubs, forest industry, government natural resource agencies, conservation groups, professional societies, local businesses, many interested individuals and numerous local donations.

For more information call 758-5218 or visit www.familyforestryexpo.org and www.facebook.com/familyforestryexpo.