Community Conservation Calendar

One-time events calendar |Other community calendars

Ongoing events, meetings, film series, garden care, etc |

(maintained by UM Environmental Studies; updated daily, so REFRESH/RELOAD often)

July 2008

Now til heavy frost-- Volunteer for Veggies with Garden City Harvest

Now til July 31

The Water Policy Interim Committee of the MT Legislature seeks public comment until July 31 on its draft report, the first of its kind issued in more than a decade. The draft report includes draft legislation. Comments will be compiled and presented to the WPIC at the August 12 and 13 meeting in Helena. The public may also comment on a draft case study report conducted by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. The 2007 Legislature directed the bureau to study the extent to which ground water withdrawals may result in net depletion of surface water in a closed basin or in specific areas of a closed basin. More info in the press release, or by contacting Joe Kolman at jkolman@mt.gov or 444-9280.

Now til Aug 15

Comments on the Restoration Road Map for the Upper Clark Fork River Basin -- available on the NRDP website

July 14-19 (Mon-Sat )

American Wildland, Keeping Connected to Wildlife and Wildlands. Help us celebrate 30 years of conservation successes, and map our future work on forest and energy development on public lands, private land subdivision, co-existing with wildlife, and climate change. All events are in Bozeman and surrounding area, and are open to the public. Evening presentations free (Mon-Thurs). Main event is a day-long symposium on Friday, July 18 plus two early afternoon field trips to see and discuss American Wildlands’ on-the-ground conservation projects. For more info, visit: www.wildlands.org/30th

July 19 (Sat)

Join naturalist Charles Miller for a fascinating look at local butterflies and birds of the PEAS farm. Time: 10am - 1pm; TargetAge: All (under 18 need to be with an adult)
Cost: $10 MNHC members, $15 non-members, Meet at MNHC, 120 Hickory St.

July 19-20

July 20-25

The Montana Natural Resources Youth Camp will host its 22nd annual outdoor education school at Lubrecht Experimental Forest for Montana 14 to 18 year olds. Contact Martin Twer, MSU Extension Forestry at 406.243.2775 for more information or to apply.

July 21 (Mon)

Montana Native Plant Society works to restore the Toole Native Prairie on the south side of the Clark Fork River just east of Higgins Bridge in Missoula. All welcome. WHEN: EVERY MONDAY, 6:30pm til dusk. April-Oct-ish. Pulling weeds and planting native plants and seeds.

July 21-22

MT Board of Livestock meeting on Bison management. July 21, starts @ 1pm; bison management at 2pm; predator control at 3:30pm. July 22 @ 8am (includes brucellosis testing & investigation), WHERE: Capitol Building Room 172, Helena. For more info, call Sheila 444-4995

July 22 (Tues)

Collecting wild plant seeds. Join Bryce Christiaens of Native Ideals Wildflower Seed Company in Arlee & learn to effectively and ethically collect seeds of many species. Meet at the Fort Missoula Native Prairie at 7pm. For more info e-mail marilyn.marler[at]umontana.edu.

Collect biocontrol bugs to put on your favorite patch of knapweed. Science students at Victor High are having 2 collection days for the knapweed root weevil, on July 22 and July 29
near Victor MT. Contact Jessica Pederson at canchasnmag...@yahoo.com (406) 369- 0079 or Ausra West at ausraw...@yahoo.com (406) 369-2358 to register and get directions to the collection site. State that you are a private citizen. Lunch will be provided, Please bring your containers (cardboard cups r plastic butter dishes) and a cooler to bring your little bugs home.

July 26 (Sat)

5th Annual Blackfoot River Clean-Up at Rainbow Bend in Potomac on Saturday, July 26 followed by a BBQ for all volunteers. Contact Marietta Pfister at 244-5442 for more information.

Beneficial Insects-- Join naturalist Byron Weber for an up close look at the amazing world of insects. Time: 10am - 12 pm;Target Age: All ( under 18 need to be with an adult). Cost:$10 MNHC members, $15 non-members. Meet at MNHC, 120 Hickory St.

July 29 (Tues)

Collect biocontrol bugs to put on your favorite patch of knapweed. Science students at Victor High are collecting knapweed root weevil near Victor MT. Contact Jessica Pederson at canchasnmag...@yahoo.com (406) 369- 0079 or Ausra West at ausraw...@yahoo.com (406) 369-2358 to register and get directions to the collection site. State that you are a private citizen. Lunch will be provided, Please bring your containers (cardboard cups r plastic butter dishes) and a cooler to bring your little bugs home.

July 31

Registration deadline for tour of watershed & fish recovery projects on Flathead reservation. See Aug 13-14.

August 2008

UM Environmental Ethics Institute during August . You may enroll for a 5-day course or a 2-day seminar, or just attend the public lectures. See www.umt.edu/ethics for more details or contact Dane Scott (dane.scott[at]mso.umt.edu) .

Aug 1 (Fri)

Celebrate the decision to remove the Mike Horse Tailings Dam in the Blackfoot Headwaters. WHERE: Trixi's in Ovando. A bus will leave Missoula from the Clark Fork Coalition parking lot at 6:30 pm . For more info, email ian[at]clarkfork.org

August 1-2 (Fri-Sat)

Workshop on Gender, Health, Environment And Social Justice. Taught by ecofeminist scholar and activist Karen J. Warren (Macalester College, MN). How environmental issues intersect with issues of gender and justice. Can be taken for college credit, continuing education, or simply for interest. See www.umt.edu/ethics or contact Dane Scott (dane.scott[at]mso.umt.edu) at the University of Montana Center for Ethics.

Aug 2 (Sat)

Evening Bat Walk --Join Kristi DuBois, Missoula Fish, Wildlife and Parks Native Species Coordinator, to learn about our local bats. Learn bat calls with a bat detector.
Time: 9pm - 10:30 pm; Target Age: All (under 18 need to be with an adult)
Cost: $15 MNHC members, $20 non-members, Family Rates available.
Meet at MNHC, 120 Hickory St.

Aug 5 (Tues)

Climate and the Presidential Candidates. panel discussion; part of UM's Env Ethics summer institute. WHEN: 7pm; WHERE: UM's Galagher Business bldg 123.

Aug 7 (Thurs)

Biotech rewrites 10,000 years of failed human history. Lecture by Dick Manning, 7pm at the PEAS farm. Part of UM Environmental Ethics summer institute.

August 9 (Sat)

Dry & Salmon Creeks Restoration: More than 6000 native plants have been planted along these creeks in the past 2 springs. Help FVLT, TU and TNC weed, water and maintain browse protectors to protect this investment in restoration. Meet in Missoula at the Eastgate Park & Ride parking lot at 8:30 am or at Trixi’s at 9:30 am. A picnic provided. More info .

Aug 13-14

TOUR watershed and bull trout recovery projects on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Part of the summer meeting of the Montana Soil & Water Conservation Society.
WHERE: Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, Montana
Registration and Agenda at www.mtswcs.org/
Registration deadline is July 31. After that, registration depends on available space.

Aug 15 (Fri)

Public comments due on Restoration Road Map for the Upper Clark Fork River Basin. The MT Natural Resource Damage Program seeks public comment on its plan for restoring the upper Clark Fork. This proposal is available on the NRDP website. Written comments may be emailed to nrdp@mt.gov. or snail mailed to: Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP), Montana Department of Justice, P.O. Box 201425,Helena, MT 59620-1425

August 16 (Sat)

Blackfoot Challenge annual weed pull. WHEN: 1~4 pm. WHERE: Russell Gates Fishing Access Site, mile marker 35 on highway 200 from 1-4. We provide bags & beverages.
Please bring gloves. Info at 406.793.3900 or info AT blackfootchallenge.org

August 19 (Tues)

Ashby Creek Restoration --In 2006 Ashby Creek was restored to its original course and more than 1,500 shrubs were planted. This summer join FVLT, Trout Unlimited and The Blackfoot Challenge to water these thirsty shrubs, do some weeding, and browse-protector maintenance.
Meet in Missoula at the Eastgate Park & Ride parking lot at 5pm or at the Potomac Grille at 5:40 pm. A picnic lunch and refreshments will be provided. More info.

August 21 (Thurs)

Benefit Concert for the International Wildlife Film Festival & Media Center -- Michael Martin Murphy & Rob Quist (opening act Shane Clouse). WHEN: 7:30 pm, WHERE: Wilma Theater, Missoula. Tickets on sale now at www.wildlifefilms.org
or call 406-728-9380

Aug 23-24 (Sat-Sun)

River City Roots Festival and Sustainable Business Council's Buy Local Campaign Kick Off. Visit www.sbcmontana.org for details about the Buy Local Campaign and www.rivercityrootsfestival.com/ for details about the Festival.

Aug 26 (Tues)

Blackfoot River stream restoration work day. Meet at Trixi's in Ovando at 9 a.m. to travel to the site. Lunch/beverages provided and volunteers also receive the Big Blackfoot River at Cottonwood Creek print by Monte Dolack. Please bring buckets and work gloves. For more info, contact Ryen Aasheim, Big Blackfoot Chapter Trout Unlimited, Phone: 406.543.6454
ryen[at]montanatu.org

September 2008

Sept 14-16

Watershed Coordinator Training. WHERE: Fort Peck Hotel. Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana
For more info, contact: Ann Schwend <rwc AT rvcd.org> 406-842-5741 ext 106 or

Sept 15-17 (Mon-Wed)

"Re-visioning Water Use in the Changing Climate of the Clark Fork." Keynote address By David James Duncan at 7pm Monday at UM's University Center theater, panels, workshops, etc at UM. Sponsored by the Clark Fork Coalition, National Wildlife Federation, and Western Progress.

Sept 18

World Water Monitoring Day

Sept 19-20 (Fri-Sat)

Missoula's Household Hazardous Waste Days. Bring your old oil-based paints, solvents, pesticides, spray cans, etc, in for proper disposal. WHERE: City shops at junction of Scott St & Turner St. For more info, contact Michelle Hutchins Missoula Water Quality District. <HutchinsM[at]ho.missoula.mt.us>

Sept 23 (Tues)

Montana Children and Nature Summit. WHERE: Great Northern Hotel • Helena, Montana
For more information: 406.444.3750 • www.mtrpa.info/summit.php

Sept 23-25 (Tues-Thurs)

Northwest Environmental Training Center presents:
CONTAMINANT CHEMISTRY SERIES. WHERE: Courtyard by Marriott, Missoula.
Fundamental Contaminant Chemistry-- A Review of Chemistry Principles Essential for Understanding Contaminant Behavior in the Environment
September 23, 2008, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. (1 Day) More info here.
Applied Contaminant Chemistry and Transport in Soil and Groundwater--An Overview of Petroleum, Chlorinated Hydrocarbon, and Metal Behavior in the Environment
September 24-25, 2008, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. (2 Day) More info here.
You may register for one or both courses here:
COST: Day 1 only : $250/$195 reduced rate for students/nonprofits
Day 2 & 3 only: $495/$395 reduced rate for students/nonprofits
All 3 days: $645/$490 reduced rate for students/nonprofits

Sept 24

MT Dept of Env. Quality Water Monitoring Work Group meets. WHEN: 9:30am-1:30pm. WHERE: DEQ Director's conference room (Room 111), 1520 E. Sixth Avenue, in Helena. The MWCC Groundwater Group will meet in the same room right afterwards. Speakers include: Rod Caldwell, USGS, presenting a study of radioactivity in groundwater in Jefferson County, and Adam Sigler, MSU, presenting his work on effectiveness of BMPs for Animal Feeding Operations.

Sept 25-26 (Thurs-Fri)

"Managing and Restoring Human-Manipulated Large River Ecosystems” UM River Center's annual conference inMissoula. Thursday Sept 26 --Field trip; Friday morn-- 4 distinguished river scientists present restoration efforts on Sacramento-San Joaquin, Columbia, Missouri and one large Asian River (Ganges or Yellow). Friday afternoon -- poster session of presentations by local restoration scientists. For more info www.umt.edu/rivercenter.

Sept 27 (Sat)

Public Lands Day. On this day, we give back to our public lands by working on various ecosystem restoration projects around Missoula. This year we focus on the newly acquired Tower Street conservation land beside the Clark Fork river west of Reserve in Missoula. Cleanup, weeding, trail work from 10 am to 1 pm and then a BBQ to thank the workers. For more info, contact Jason Pignanelli, Missoula Parks & Rec (406)552-6271 <JPignanelli[at]ci.missoula.mt.us>

October 2008

Oct 2-3

Water Sustainability: Challenges for Montana. Annual conference of the Montana chapter of the American Water Resources Association. WHERE: Big Sky Resort

October 7-9

Montana Environmental Health Association annual meeting. Great Falls at the Holiday Inn Conference Center.

Oct 16-19

Bioneers in Bozeman --local gathering of social and scientific innovators to share stories, present model solutions and network with each other. National keynote speakers presentations beamed to local sites around the country. All welcome

October 30 (Thurs)

UM's Day of Dialogue -- campus wide discussion of diversity.

Back to Top

Ongoing events, meetings, film series, garden care, etc

Note: Check with listed contacts or web sites to be sure that times or locations have not changed. List starts with each day of week, then lists events that occur on multiple days of the week.

Mondays

Montana Native Plant Society works to restore the Toole Native Prairie on the south side of the Clark Fork River just east of Higgins Bridge in Missoula. All welcome. WHEN: 6:30pm til dusk. April-Oct-ish. What-- pulling weeds and planting native plants and seeds. More info, contact drew.rozean AT grizmail.umt.edu

Missoula Conservation District --Regulates projects that disturb streams, undertakes conservation projects (including education & restoration work). WHEN: 2nd Monday of each month, 7-9pm. WHERE: USDA Service Center at 3550 Mullan Road (just west of the intersection of Mullan Road & Reserve). For meeting agenda, call 829-3395.

Tuesdays

Missoula Water Quality Advisory Committee meets WHEN: 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM; WHERE: City-County Health Dept. (301 W. Alder, Missoula; 2nd floor conference room). For agenda, call 523-4890. This group helps develop water quality policy for Missoula city and county.

UM's Wilderness Lecture Series focuses on Climate Change Solutions. February-April 2008
Tuesdays 7pm, in UM's Urey Underground Lecture Hall. Full schedule here.

UM chapter of Amnesty International's meetings. WHEN: Tuesdays, Sept to May, 6:30 p.m. WHERE: room 224 in UM's UC. For more info, call (847)334-9885. or email or leave messages at ASUM Box 32 in UM's UC.

UM Students for Economic & Social Justice meet Tuesdays at 7pm in UM's UC 329

Bitterroot Water Forum(streamside setback committee) meets WHEN: 3rd Tuesday of each month (except June-Aug) from 3-5pm, WHERE: Hamilton library basement meeting room.

Missoula Prairiekeepers invites you to help with Grassland Restoration projects.

Wednesdays

UM Sustainable Campus Committee meets on 2nd Wednesdays: Feb 13, Mar 12, Apr 9, May 14. WHEN: 3:30-5pm; WHERE: UM Mansfield Library conference room.

UM Ecology seminars, 4-5pm; UM North Underground Lecture Hall. (during UM academic year)..

FreeCycles volunteer night from 7-9pm. ALL WELCOME at 723 S 1st W. Learn repair skills, help maintain the community shop, have fun with fellow cyclists. For more program info, contact: Bob Giordano <mist AT strans.org>. For more info on volunteering, contact: <ericwebster@freecycles.org> Free Cycles hot line with all program info: 541-7284

Community Action for Justice in the Americas (CAJA) works with grassroots organizations throughout the Americas for social and environmental justice. CAJA has open, public POTLUCK meetings every other Wednesday at 7 PM from Sept to May (will resume in Jan 08); WHERE: Check with Jay: (406) 549-9697 or Cassidy 529-4422. Check out cajistas.blogspot.com

City of Missoula Greenhouse Gas-Energy Conservation Team - Meetings. WHEN: 2nd Wednesdays of Oct, Dec, Feb, April, from noon to 1:30 ppm. WHERE: Mayor's Conference room. Contact: 728-6049 or <g-cbrown at bigsky.net>. See Missoula's Greenhouse Gas Energy Efficiency Plan here

Thursdays

Every Thursday at 6:30 pm- Native plant garden (work) party at 8th and Grant Streets.

GlobalWarmingSolution.org meets these Thursdays June 5 & 19 ; at 7pm at the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center, 519 S. Higgins, Msl (enter through back alley) For further information: call 542-8089 or info@globalwarmingsolution.org . ALL WELCOME.

SBC Committee For the Built Environment - Meetings WHEN: 2nd Thursdays of Aug, Oct, Dec, Feb, Apr, June from noon to 1pm, usually at Home Resource. Check SBC web site to confirm dates and locations of future meetings

Missoula Health Board meets. WHEN: 3rd Thursday of each month, 12:15 pm, Health Board Conference Rm, 301 W. Alder. 2nd floor.

Sierra Club Bitterroot-Mission Group Executive Committee meets every fourth Thursday at the Missoula Public Library boardroom at 6 pm. Please call to confirm the time and place before coming. Meetings are open to ALL -- current and FUTURE Sierra Club members especially welcome. Great opportunities to help organize grassroots campaigns and local events. For more info, contact the chair at 406-541-8222

Sustainable Business Council Sustainability Lecture series. WHEN: 3rd Thursdays of Sept, Nov, Jan, March & May; Social time at 5:30 pm; speaker at 6pm. Locations vary. Details at www.sustainablebusinesscouncil.org

Peace & Justice Film Series for Spring 2008 . UM Students for Peace & Justice & Jeannette Rankin Peace Center announce their eighth Peace & Justice film series. Select films feature guest speakers to facilitate audience discussions. Films show at 5:30 pm & repeat at 7:30 pm. Free at the UC Theater on the 3rd floor of the University Center at UM. Parking is free after 5 pm. For more info, please call the JRPC at 543-3955 or Sean at 721-4166

Fridays

The Garden Show on KUFM radio (89.1 FM) with organic farmer/extension horticulturalist Helen Atthowe. How to make the most of your garden in Missoula's climate. No matter the color of your thumb. WHEN: 3:55pm - 4pm

UM Recycling Committee, WHEN: 2nd Fridays of UM academic year (sept-may); 2-3 pm; WHERE: University Center 207. For info, UM_Recycle AT mso.umt.edu Upcoming meetings in spring semester 2008 are Feb 8, March 14, April 11, May 9.

Saturdays

5 Valleys Audubon has many Saturday field trips.

Community folk dances sponsored by Missoula Folklore Society. WHEN: first & third Saturdays, Oct to May, 7:30-11pm. WHERE: usually Union Hall, 208 Main St. Missoula.

Clark Fork River Market WHEN: Saturdays from May to October, 8 am to 1 pm. WHERE: near Caras Park, between Higgins Street bridge, the Millennium Bldg, and the river in downtown Missoula. Features LOCAL produce, meat, poultry, dairy, flowers, plants, commercial food vendors, value added products, and crafts made predominantly from agricultural products. There is space for weekly demo's on cooking, composting, gardening, whatever. Contact 542-0539.

The historic Moon-Randolph Homestead, part of Missoula’s Open Space System, is open Saturday from 11 am-5 pm, from May through October (fire danger and weather permitting). Visitors can picnic in the apple orchard, check out funky artifacts, take an historic tour or nap under the trees.

Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge tours --some Saturdays (weather permitting) 9 a.m. – 12 noon

Missoula Prairiekeepers invite you to help with Grassland Restoration (Apr-Sept)

Montana Natural History Center is open Saturdays noon-4pm. Admission: $1 adults, $0.50 kids. Kids Activities, 2 pm Saturdays. Free with admission. Children must be with an adult. Programs about 1.5 hours. Great for kids ages 5 and older, unless otherwise noted. Also open Tues-Fri from noon-5pm. Call 327-0405.

WEEKENDS

The International Wildlife Film Festival and Media Center showcases great wildlife films/art and those who make them. Shows start at 1:30 pm on Saturday & Sunday at the Roxy Theater, 718 S. Higgins Avenue, Missoula. Saturdays feature children's films, and Sundays feature winning films from past festivals. $4 adults, $3 students/seniors, $2 for kids under 13.

Enjoy the northern Rockies and help protect public wildlands. Join experienced leaders for 2-4 day trips in the Great Burn and surrounding roadless backcountry. Monitor weeds, wildlife, trail conditions, signs, and other information critical to managing northern Rockies wildlands. Contact Beverly Dupree at 406-240-9901 or thegreatburn@yahoo.com for more info. Sponsored by the Great Burn Study Group, the National Forest Foundation and other partners. Dates & locations are subject to fires & other acts of Gaia and will be listed below when available. Great Burn Study Group 2008 Summer Schedule

JUNE 14-15 Great Burn - Cache Creek, MT
JUNE 21-22 Great Burn - Heart Lake, MT
JUNE 27-28 Great Burn - Fish Lake, ID
JULY 12-13 Pollock Ridge, ID
JULY 19-20 Great Burn - Fish Lake, ID
JULY 26-27 Ward Eagle, MT
AUG 2-3 Great Burn - White Creek Divide and Stateline Trail MT /ID
AUG 9-10 Petty Mountain, MT
AUG 16-17 Sheep Mountain/Sheep Mtn/Stateline MT/ID
AUG 23-24 Roland Point, ID
AUG 30-31 Bighorn Weitas, ID
SEPT 6-7 Mallard Larkins, ID

WEEKDAYS

Volunteer for Veggies with Garden City Harvest. There is planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting happening at all of our gardens. Bring a sun hat, sunblock, water and your love of dirt. Times & places below. Please call the indicated garden organizer before coming out.

Orchard Gardens Community Garden and Neighborhood Farm, 210 N. Grove St.
Organizer Sarah Bortis, phone at barn 721-2504 (message), home 728-8835
Work Hours: Mondays 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesdays Noon-6 p.m.; Wednesdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursdays Noon-6 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

River Road Community Garden and Neighborhood Farm, 1631 River Road
Organizer Greg Price, cell 240-3848, home 721-7336
Work Hours: Monday-Friday 10-6p.m., Saturday varies.

Meadow Hill School and Community Garden, 4210 S. Reserve St., at the end of 24th
Organizer Betsy Defries, phone: 207-1117
Work Hours: Mondays 9 a.m.-noon; Tuesdays 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

ASUM Garden, Higgins and Pattee Canyon, behind student housing
Organizer Staci Short, phone 207-337-5259
Work Hours: Mondays 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Northside Garden, Cooley and Holmes Streets, by baseball fields
Organizer Matt Anderson, phone 531-1387
Work Hours: Mondays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesdays 8 a.m.-9 a.m.; Wednesdays 5 p.m.-7 p.m.; Fridays 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

MULTI DAYS

FreeCycles Open Bike Shop time (tools, parts, help for those in need, free service): Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 3-7pm, Saturday, 11am-3pm. Bike Well classes (repair, safe riding, bike laws). tues: 7-8:30pm, wed: 5:30-7pm, thurs: 1:30-3pm. just show up. WHERE: 732 S 1st St. W (3 blocks west of Orange, just south of the river). For more program info, contact: Bob Giordano <mist AT strans.org>. For more info on volunteering, contact: Eric Webster<ericwebster@freecycles.org>
Free Cycles hot line with all program info: 406-541-7284