Category Archives: Winter

Native plants for the holidays

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The Montana Natural History Center and Bitterroot Flower Shop will hold a “Fall Wreath Creation” workshop at the Fort Missoula Native Plant Gardens – just in time for the holidays.

MNHC will provide advice on identifying native plants in fall and winter, and discuss plant senescence. Floral designers from Bitterroot Flower Shop will give instruction in making fall wreaths from native plants. Participants can then create their own wreaths for holiday decorations or to give as gifts.

The workshop is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, in the Fort Missoula Native Plant Gardens classroom. There is a $5 fee for supplies, and registration is requested.

Information is available here.

Thinking urban trees across Montana

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The leaves have long since fallen in town and snow ghosts are standing tall in the high country, but the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation would like you to think about trees.

The agency has hired consulting arborist Mike Garvey to give presentations on urban forest health monitoring in communities across Montana this winter.

Topics include innovative planting techniques, plant health care options, identifying invasive insects and disease, and a pest protocol system for reporting invasive insects.

The DNRC hired Garvey with a grant from the U.S. Forest Service.

The following are upcoming presentations in western Montana:

  • Feb 15: Kalispell City Hall, 201 First Ave. E., 6:30 p.m.
  • Feb 16: Libby City Hall, 952 E. Spruce St., 6:30 p.m.
  • Feb 17: Columbia Falls City Council Chambers, 130 Sixth St. W., 6:30 p.m.
  • March 1: Drummond, Library, 108 W. Edwards, 6:30 p.m.
  • March 2: Ravalli County Extension, 215 S. Fourth St., Hamilton, 6:30 p.m.
  • March 3: Missoula Public Library, 301 E. Main St, 6:15 p.m.
  • March 30: Polson Library, 2 First Ave. E., 6:30 p.m.

For more information and additional dates and locations, see the DNRC’s website.

Justin Grigg

Winter walking in western Montana

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The wildflowers are buried under a layer of winter white, but the Montana Wilderness Association is still leading walks for the public.

You’ll have to hurry to make a reservation for the last activity near Missoula, a seven-mile trip in the O’Brien Creek area on Saturday, Feb. 12. The deadline to sign up is tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 5. Call 531-8347 or e-mail daphne.herling@business.umt.edu.

The group will meet at the O’Brien Creek trailhead, about 10 miles from downtown Missoula near Blue Mountain. The route will be up the north side of the drainage to an old logging road and along the South O’Brien Creek Trail Loop. Total elevation gain is about 1,200 feet, with some steep terrain and some contouring in generally open meadows that are prime elk habitat.

Check the MWA’s Winter Wilderness Walks schedule for more events planned outside of Missoula.

Justin Grigg