MNHC Holiday Closure

MNHC is closed December 25, 26, 27, 28, 29th and January 1st so our staff can celebrate the holidays with their families! MNHC will be OPEN during our regular hours (10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) on December 30th and 31st. Happy Holidays!

Montana Natural History Center

miniNaturalist Pre-K Program

The miniNaturalist pre-K program encourages curiosity for the natural world.Dates: Every Tuesday, September – MayTime: 10:00-11:00 amLocation: Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory Street. The miniNaturalist program encourages curiosity for the natural world throu......More

The miniNaturalist pre-K program encourages curiosity for the natural world.Dates: Every Tuesday, September – MayTime: 10:00-11:00 amLocation: Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory Street. The miniNaturalist program encourages curiosity for the natural world through exploration and play. We sing songs, read books, play games, and develop skills with art and science tools. Each program begins with songs, movement, and stories. We then provide materials for learner directed discovery in our garden. We look for bugs and birds, color on rocks, build with branches, experiment with science tools and play with a variety of art materials. Please bring clothes for outdoor play! We have some snow clothes to borrow. Best for ages 2-4, though any age is welcome! Cost: FREE!

Montana Natural History Center

CLOSED for the HOLIDAYS!

We will be closed December 25, 26, 27th and January 1st so our staff can celebrate the holidays with their families! MNHC will be OPEN during our regular hours (10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) on December 30th and 31st. Happy Holidays!

Montana Natural History Center

Brown Bag & Bones with Paleontologist Jason Poole

Bring your lunch and curiosity and see what Jason’s uncovering as he preps the fossils unearthed last summer! Location: MNHC’s Naturalist Classroom / Fossil Prep LabDate: FridaysTime: 1:00-2:00 p.m.Cost: FREE with admission/membership. In partnership with Elevation Scie......More

Bring your lunch and curiosity and see what Jason’s uncovering as he preps the fossils unearthed last summer! Location: MNHC’s Naturalist Classroom / Fossil Prep LabDate: FridaysTime: 1:00-2:00 p.m.Cost: FREE with admission/membership. In partnership with Elevation Science Institute, MNHC is hosting paleontologist Jason C. Poole at the Center to prepare and conserve dinosaur fossils collected in southern Montana, including the Allosaurus. This dinosaur from the Jurassic period is known for its ferocious lifestyle and its dozens of serrated teeth! Watch and learn from Jason onsite, as he works thoughtfully and carefully to prepare these 150-million-year-old fossils. Jason has spent 27 years at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia working on new specimens from three continents. A talented paleo-artist, his work has been published in National Geographic and whose art work appears in many museum and private collections.

Montana Natural History Center

miniNaturalist Pre-K Program

The miniNaturalist pre-K program encourages curiosity for the natural world.Dates: Every Tuesday, September – MayTime: 10:00-11:00 amLocation: Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory Street. The miniNaturalist program encourages curiosity for the natural world throu......More

The miniNaturalist pre-K program encourages curiosity for the natural world.Dates: Every Tuesday, September – MayTime: 10:00-11:00 amLocation: Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory Street. The miniNaturalist program encourages curiosity for the natural world through exploration and play. We sing songs, read books, play games, and develop skills with art and science tools. Each program begins with songs, movement, and stories. We then provide materials for learner directed discovery in our garden. We look for bugs and birds, color on rocks, build with branches, experiment with science tools and play with a variety of art materials. Please bring clothes for outdoor play! We have some snow clothes to borrow. Best for ages 2-4, though any age is welcome! Cost: FREE!

Montana Natural History Center

Brown Bag & Bones with Paleontologist Jason Poole

Bring your lunch and curiosity and see what Jason’s uncovering as he preps the fossils unearthed last summer! Location: MNHC’s Naturalist Classroom / Fossil Prep LabDate: FridaysTime: 1:00-2:00 p.m.Cost: FREE with admission/membership. In partnership with Elevation Scie......More

Bring your lunch and curiosity and see what Jason’s uncovering as he preps the fossils unearthed last summer! Location: MNHC’s Naturalist Classroom / Fossil Prep LabDate: FridaysTime: 1:00-2:00 p.m.Cost: FREE with admission/membership. In partnership with Elevation Science Institute, MNHC is hosting paleontologist Jason C. Poole at the Center to prepare and conserve dinosaur fossils collected in southern Montana, including the Allosaurus. This dinosaur from the Jurassic period is known for its ferocious lifestyle and its dozens of serrated teeth! Watch and learn from Jason onsite, as he works thoughtfully and carefully to prepare these 150-million-year-old fossils. Jason has spent 27 years at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia working on new specimens from three continents. A talented paleo-artist, his work has been published in National Geographic and whose art work appears in many museum and private collections.

Montana Natural History Center

Nature Writing "Hush Hour(s)"

Date: Second Monday of the MonthTime: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Location: Montana Natural History CenterCost: Free, but please register Whatever genre you prefer — poetry, essay, prose, flash, etc. — writing can help us connect with and reflect on our natural surroundings in......More

Date: Second Monday of the MonthTime: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Location: Montana Natural History CenterCost: Free, but please register Whatever genre you prefer — poetry, essay, prose, flash, etc. — writing can help us connect with and reflect on our natural surroundings in deeply personal, unexpected, rewarding ways. But finding the time to write can often be challenging. This writing “hush hour(s)” is designed to provide nature writers with a quiet, supportive setting to work on your craft. This isn’t a workshop this is space to write. REGISTER HERE.In this group, we’ll spend roughly the first 10-20 minutes inviting individuals to share what projects you’re working on, questions you might have about your work, suggest resources, any hurdles or writing blocks, and writing successes! Then we’ll write, write, write. Bring your notebook, journal, or computer. Writing prompts will be available if you’re feeling stuck, or just want to play with words. Your MNHC group leaders are Allison De Jong (Montana Naturalist magazine editor and MNHC Field Notes instructor, and writer) and Beth Conway (Events and Marketing Coordinator, and writer). Feel free to BYOB and snacks. We’ll have light refreshments available.

Montana Natural History Center

Virtual Naturalist Book Club #2

Date: Monthly, on the second Monday of the monthTime: 6:30 p.m.Location/Platform: Virtual Zoom Classroom The only thing better than reading a fascinating natural history book (and there are so many of them!) is getting to discuss it with a wonderful group of like-minded......More

Date: Monthly, on the second Monday of the monthTime: 6:30 p.m.Location/Platform: Virtual Zoom Classroom The only thing better than reading a fascinating natural history book (and there are so many of them!) is getting to discuss it with a wonderful group of like-minded people. We can help you do that! Join one of our free naturalist book clubs, where you can read and discuss a great new book each month, enjoying various perspectives and insights, all from the comfort of your own home. (Cozy pjs are perfectly acceptable attire.) This book club meets September-May and breaks for the summer. Book List September: Light EatersOctober: The ServiceberryNovember: The Stubborn Light of ThingsDecember: Flight PathsJanuary: A Woman Among WolvesFebruary: What an Owl KnowsMarch:  Restoring the Kinship WorldviewApril: Tenacious Beasts Your hosts will be Sherry Staub and Cas Kendley. Sherry has led the Sacajawea book club for over two years in Bozeman and has extensively read in the nature book genre. Cas started and led a book club as a UM student and is looking forward to starting an advanced degree in forestry at the UM. You will need a computer that can access the internet and Zoom platform in order to participate. Interested in joining? There are spaces available! Email Christine at cmorris [at] montananaturalist [dot] org to sign up. Group is limited to 10 participants.

Virtual Zoom Classroom

miniNaturalist Pre-K Program

The miniNaturalist pre-K program encourages curiosity for the natural world.Dates: Every Tuesday, September – MayTime: 10:00-11:00 amLocation: Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory Street. The miniNaturalist program encourages curiosity for the natural world throu......More

The miniNaturalist pre-K program encourages curiosity for the natural world.Dates: Every Tuesday, September – MayTime: 10:00-11:00 amLocation: Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory Street. The miniNaturalist program encourages curiosity for the natural world through exploration and play. We sing songs, read books, play games, and develop skills with art and science tools. Each program begins with songs, movement, and stories. We then provide materials for learner directed discovery in our garden. We look for bugs and birds, color on rocks, build with branches, experiment with science tools and play with a variety of art materials. Please bring clothes for outdoor play! We have some snow clothes to borrow. Best for ages 2-4, though any age is welcome! Cost: FREE!

Montana Natural History Center

Virtual Naturalist Book Club #1

Date: Monthly, on the second Tuesday of the month  Time: 6:30 p.m. Location/Platform: Virtual Zoom Classroom The only thing better than reading a fascinating natural history book (and there are so many of them!) is getting to discuss it with a wonderful group of like-mi......More

Date: Monthly, on the second Tuesday of the month  Time: 6:30 p.m. Location/Platform: Virtual Zoom Classroom The only thing better than reading a fascinating natural history book (and there are so many of them!) is getting to discuss it with a wonderful group of like-minded people. We can help you do that! Join one of our free naturalist book clubs, where you can read and discuss a great new book each month, enjoying various perspectives and insights, all from the comfort of your own home. (Cozy pjs are perfectly acceptable attire.) Your hosts are Master Naturalist Suzanne Hendrich and Deborah Drain. You will need a computer that can access the internet and Zoom platform in order to participate. There are some spaces available in this book club. Contact cmorris (at) montananaturalist.org to sign up.  Group is limited to 10 participants.

Virtual Zoom Classroom

Master Naturalist Club

Date: Monthly, on the second Wednesday of the monthTime: 2:00-4:00 p.m.Location: Various – contact club host Share outdoor explorations and learning experiences with other curious naturalists at our monthly Master Naturalist Club! We will connect with experts and hone o......More

Date: Monthly, on the second Wednesday of the monthTime: 2:00-4:00 p.m.Location: Various – contact club host Share outdoor explorations and learning experiences with other curious naturalists at our monthly Master Naturalist Club! We will connect with experts and hone our skills, meeting at field locations around Missoula. December Topic: Taxidermy and Behind the MNHC Scenes Tour with MNHC’s collections manager Alyssa Cornell Club hosts: Master Naturalists Sarah Elsasser and Bill Buseman Interested in joining? There are spaces available! Email Christine at [email protected] to sign up.

Montana Natural History Center