The Missoulian reports that trails will be repaired, harlequin ducks studied, interpretive interns hired and the heavens scrutinized thanks in part to more than $225,000 in grants announced Monday by the Glacier National Park Conservancy. A second round of grants from the conservancy – the official fundraising arm for Glacier Park – are expected to be awarded this summer. Read the full story here.
The Seduction of art and nature
The Flathead Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society will host a free talk on “The Seduction of art and nature” by artist and ecologist Dana Bush at the Teakettle Community Hall, 235 Nucleus Avenue, in Columbia Falls, on Wednesday, March 19, starting at 7 p.m. Bush transforms ecological concepts into large silk paintings and sculptures.
Spring open burning
The spring open burning season will run from March 1 to April 30. Burners must call the Ventilation Hotline daily at 751-8144 or check online at www.flatheadhealth.org before burning. The hotline and the Web site are updated daily before 8:30 a.m. Weekend information will be available on the hotline by 5 p.m. on Fridays. Prohibited materials include all man-made materials, treated materials, wood and wood by-product trade wastes. Construction debris is considered a trade waste. Campfires and warming fires are restricted to less than three feet in diameter and consist of materials less than three inches in diameter.
History club
The Columbia Falls Historical Society will hold their free monthly meeting in the old chapel building at the Montana Veterans Home, in Columbia Falls, on Tuesday March 18, at 7 p.m. Long-time resident Pete Darling is expected as a special guest speaker. Anyone interested in local history is invited to attend.
“Story Slam”
A fundraiser for the Gateway to Glacier Trail will be held at the Belton Chalet on Friday, March 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. “Story Slam” is similar to a poetry slam but with stories. Master story-tellers from across the valley will share short stories. There will also be an open mic portion so willing parties can share their stories in 4-5 minute tales. The Belton Chalet will donate 10 percent of total proceeds for that evening to the Gateway to Glacier Trail project. Full dinner and bar service will be available. No reservations are required. For more information, visit online at www.beltonchalet.com or call 888-5000.
Former Montana game warden’s interview sheds light on old photo
From the Missoulian
This is from the Missoulian. It’s not about the North Fork, but it might have been… The old color photograph of the woman posing, rifle in hand, next to a log cabin with the massive dead grizzly bear stirred the imagination. What happened, when and where? And who is she? Read the full story here.
More rain is in the forecast
The Hungry Horse News reports that The National Weather Service in Missoula is forecasting that a wet Pacific system will continue to impact the Northern Rockies through Monday night, March 10, bringing widespread precipitation in the form of valley rain and mountain snow. The latest model runs indicate that a wide band of moderate to heavy precipitation will develop later tonight over Idaho, Clearwater and northern Lemhi counties in Idaho, moving into Ravalli, Granite, Deer Lodge, Powell and Silver Bow counties in Montana. “The area has been dealing with widespread poor water drainage from the snow melt and previous rainfall,” the Weather Service said. “This additional rain will just further contribute to these issues, so a flood advisory continues for Lincoln, Mineral, Sanders and Flathead counties into Monday.” Read the full story here.
Help Take Care Of The Outdoors – Call 1-800-TIP-MONT
Montana’s TIP-MONT ”crimestopper” program is at work year round because wildlife crimes and vandalism occur year round.
It’s a good idea to keep the TIP-MONT number handy—1-800-TIP-MONT, or 1-800-847-6668. Continue reading
Permit for Emergency Avalanche Mitigation
BNSF Railway has requested and received a special-use permit from Glacier National Park to conduct emergency avalanche hazard mitigation activities in an area along the southern boundary of the park. Avalanche mitigation activities will take place in the John F. Stevens Canyon area along the US Highway 2 Corridor. Recent avalanche activity in this area prompted the railroad to request the permit due to the safety of BNSF Railway employees and passengers aboard trains. Continue reading
Flathead Forest Friday Focus: Uphill Ski Travel
In 2010 Whitefish Mountain Resort (WMR) and Flathead National Forest (FNF) worked together to establish an uphill traffic policy and supporting Special Order to maintain access to public lands, reduce risk to uphill and downhill skiers and minimize disruption to WMR employees and operations. WMR management has recently expressed concern about continued non-compliance with the uphill traffic policy. The Forest Service is working with WMR to find ways to maintain public access, increase compliance, improve public safety and reduce conflict with essential operations of a ski resort. Continue reading