The Flathead Valley Community College will host the annual Wilderness Speaker Series in partnership with three local environmental non-profit organizations. The series is presented by the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, the Northwest Montana Lookout Association, and the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter of Wild Montana, with support from the Natural Resources Conservation & Management program at FVCC.

The series will be held on the 3rd Wednesdays of February, March and April in the Large Community Room (#139) at FVCC’s Art and Technology Building from 7:00-8:15 PM. The events are free of charge.

On Wednesday, February 21st local historian and lookout Mark Hufstetler is the featured speaker. As a professional historian who spends his summers on Baptiste Lookout on the Flathead National Forest, Mark will share his unique perspective and take a look at the lives of the men and women who have staffed these towers over the generations – a unique shared experience that is remarkably little-changed today.

Each year, the Winter Speaker Series covers some interesting topics . . .

The annual Winter Speaker Series, sponsored by Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates (GNPVA), has been a tradition in the Flathead Valley for decades, in which a guest speakers present subjects of interest related to Glacier Park on the fourth Monday of January, February and March.

The talks are free and open to the public.

The speaker on Jan. 28 is Brian Sommers, a criminal investigator with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Sommers, who has been a Montana game warden for 30 years, will give a presentation called “Stories From the Wildlife Human Attack Response Team” at 7 p.m. at the Museum at Central School in Kalispell.

On Feb. 25, Teagan Tomlin, an interpretive ranger in Glacier Park, will present “If Rocks Could Talk.” Tomlin will take listeners through the park’s geologic history and describe four major phases that helped shape the park’s scenery. Her presentation will help listeners interpret the physical appearance of rocks in the park and better understand how Montana has changed over the past 1.5 billion years. The presentation begins at 7 p.m. at the Museum at Central School.

On March 25, Adam Osborne, field manager for Dick Anderson Construction, and other supporting project members will discuss rebuilding Sperry Chalet. The presentation will include photos taken by Amy Boring during Phase 1 of the reconstruction project. The event begins at 7 p.m. at Flathead Valley Community College’s Arts and Technology Building in the Large Community Room (room 139).

For questions, call Teri at (406) 261-1840 or Mike at (406) 548-8949.

Read more . . .

Wilderness Speaker Series 2017

Presented by: The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation,

Montana Wilderness Association, Flathead-Kootenai Chapter,

Northwest Montana Forest Fire Lookout Association,

Natural Resources Conservation Management Program at FVCC

January-March 2017

Fourth Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m.  

Flathead Valley Community College

Arts & Technology Building

No charge; everyone welcome

January 25

“Mountain Goats of Northwest Montana: Natural History, Ecology and Population Status”

Speaker:  Jessy Coltrane, Ph.D., Wildlife Biologist

Mountain goats are an iconic species of Northwest Montana, enjoyed by wildlife viewers and hunters, alike. Come learn about their natural history, ecology, and population status.

Location:  Arts & Technology Building, Room 139

February 22

“100 Days of Solitude”

      Speaker:  Amy Pearson, Adjunct Professor, Humanities Division, FVCC

        Fire lookout, poet, and English Professor at FVCC, Amy Pearson, will share the life changing experience and writings that resulted from the summer she lived and worked at Jumbo Lookout in the heart of the Bob.

Location:  Arts & Technology Building, Room 139

March 22

“THE NAMES OF THE STARS, A Life In The Wilds” a book reading and discussion”

Speaker:  Pete Fromm, wilderness author.

Acclaimed author of “Indian Creek Chronicles,” the story of his seven winter months alone in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness tending salmon eggs, Pete’s newest book, “THE NAMES OF THE STARS; A Life In The Wilds” is the story of another month alone in the wilderness caring for fish eggs, this time the Bob. He will read from his new book.  Books available for sale and signing.

Location:  Arts & Technology Building, Room 139