Flathead Chapter

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We look forward to seeing you for upcoming programs at 7 pm. We will be meeting at the Teakettle Community Hall (235 Nucleus Avenue in Columbia Falls) until the boiler at Discovery Square is fixed. All are also welcome to a 5:30 meeting to discuss MNPS business and projects  

The Flathead Chapter serves the greater Flathead, Northwest Montana, and Glacier National Park area. Monthly meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of the month in October, November, and January through April (temporatily) at Teakettle Community Hall 235 Nucleus Ave. in Columbia Falls . Programs start at 7 unless otherwise noted. We also encourage members to attend the 5:30 general meetings to discuss and plan Plant Society activities and business. Feel free to bring your sack supper. For for more information, contact:

Jennifer Hintz
725 Twin Lakes Road
Whitefish, MT 59937
(406) 270-7028

Click here for a list of native plant gardens in the Flathead area.
Interested in Native Plant Landscaping in our area? Click here
When do our Northwest Wildflowers Bloom?... Here's a handy list.
 

Programs

  • Wednesday, 2/8 (note different week). Bryce and Rebecca of Native Ideals Seed Farm will present “Farming with Wildflowers: Lessons Learned Growing Native Wildflowers for Seed Production.” Masses of white cut-leaf daisies, rows of electric blue waxy-leaf penstemons, and spikes of purple lupines make a colorful show at Native Ideals Seed Farm. But these are not even the crop. The crop comes after all the bright petals have fallen and the flower stems are brown and brittle. Bryce and Rebecca are growing seeds so that others can enjoy their own native plants without anyone overharvesting in the wild. After four years and a lot of trial and error, they have established seed increase fields for over 40 drought-tolerant native wildflowers. Harvesting and cleaning seed from such a variety species has led them to develop some interesting and innovative techniques and equipment to get the job done. Come join us as they discuss the challenges and successes of establishing native wildflower fields for seed production in the Jocko Valley of Western Montana. Please bring all your gardening and farming friends.
  • Wednesday, 3/21. “Name that Plant” slide show. Chase away the winter doldrums with wildflower slides while sharpening your plant ID skills. Sure to be lots of fun.
  • Wednesday, 4/18. Artist panel or topic to be announced.
  • Wednesday, 5/16. Laura Law presents “Native Plant Landscaping” with a trip to her garden in Columbia Falls.

Events and Field Trips

High and Dry: Gardening with Cold-Hardy Dryland Plants available at a discount

The Flathead Chapter has copies of this “thorough and engaging” book (see review in your Spring 09 Kelseya). For a $25 copy (cover price is $35), contact your chapter representative before the early November MNPS board meeting. Flathead chapter members can contact Betty to reserve a copy to pick up and pay for at the October 21 meeting. You can also send $30.00 (includes shipping) along with your mailing address to: Betty Kuropat, 2688 Witty Lane, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.

Glacier Discovery Square

The Glacier Discovery Square is the new center for Flathead Valley culture, history, community and visitor education, as well as the future home of the Columbia Falls branch of the Flathead County Library. It is in the town square and commerce center of Columbia Falls. This effort is being driven by the grassroots community organization, The First Best Place Task Force. Their name, "First Best Place," reflects the notion that the Columbia Falls area is the oldest community in the Flathead Valley.

A wide variety of diverse individuals and organizations have volunteered to contribute their skills and efforts to the task force. Among these groups is North Valley Music School, whose mission is to enrich the musical life of the community through music education and performance. They have been making music in Whitefish for the past 10 years and currently have over 600 students a year from babies to retirees. In addition, the Chamber of Commerce, Flathead Valley Community College, and the local Rotary chapter have joined the effort. Terry Divoky, Elizabeth Nauertz and Joyce Lapp from the Flathead Chapter of the MNPS have begun a partnership by consulting with the First Best Place Task Force to create native plant demonstration gardens throughout the Discovery Square. For more information about Glacier Discovery Square and First Best Place, visit http://firstbestplace.org/.