Photo by Andrew Smith
The Flathead Chapter serves the greater Flathead, Northwest Montana, and Glacier National Park area.
Notice: If you wish to receive periodic emailed newsletters from the Flathead Chapter, please send a request to [email protected] and then add this address to your address book and/or safe contacts. Do you have questions about the MNPS or Flathead Chapter? Send them along.
2022 MNPS Annual Meeting – Ferns and Forests, June 24-26, 2022 …
…is being hosted by the Flathead Chapter and western Montana members at-large. That’s us! See the MNPS Annual Meeting Page and register soon as .
Hosting a meeting with our plant friends is always rewarding. We’ll need lots of volunteers, so watch your inbox for notices.
Recorded Programs
The Statewide MNPS Presents! offerings have been outstanding. We hope you will take advantage of them. A schedule and links to past programs can be found at MNPS Presents! In addition, the MNPS Valley of Flowers YouTube Channel has archived programs from last year.
Field Trips
The Covid-19 situation is rapidly changing. MNPS respectfully requests that you are fully vaccinated/boosted, OR you have tested negative for Covid-19 within 3 days of the trip or event. Everyone must register with the trip leader prior to the trip. If you must cancel, do so promptly so others can take your place as space will be limited. Masks are worn inside vehicles when carpooling on trips. Everyone will need to sign in at the trailhead, both for waiver of liability and in the event COVID contact tracing is needed. Bring food, water, extra clothes, raingear, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, and other personal gear you might need. Please leave pets at home.
For upcoming events across Montana follow us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/MTNativePlantSociety.
A full list of of field trips being offered by the Flathead chapter can be found in this document.
May 2022 Dates TBD
Glacier National Park Huckleberry Phenology Citizen Science
Taking a hike in or near Glacier National Park? You can help scientists understand huckleberry phenology in this region. Huckleberries are an important food source for wildlife, including grizzly bears. The park is collecting data to understand how weather and other factors influence the phenology, or timing, of berry ripeness. Dates and locations TBD. Contact Glacier National Park’s citizen science program for notification of dates or a link to a training video, [email protected] or call 406-888-7986.
Thursday, May 5th, 6-7 p.m.
Creating Birdsong in Our World, One Garden at a Time
In this presentation by Kathy Ross, you will learn why the relationship between native plants, insects, and birds is important to understanding the loss of habitats and biodiversity. This event is co-sponsored by Flathead Audubon, Wayfarers Unit of Flathead State Park, and MNPS. Limited to 20 participants. For meeting place and to register: 406-837-3041 ext. 0.
Wednesday, May 18th, 5:30 p.m.
Bad Rock Canyon Wildlife Management Area
Evening stroll with Rachel Potter. We will explore this newly protected area along the Flathead River in Columbia Falls, walking 3-4 miles on flat ground while looking for spring flowers and riparian vegetation. This walk will be limited to 15 participants. Email Rachel to register, questions, and directions [email protected].
Saturday, May 21st, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Round Meadow Trail
Join Pat Jaquith and Linda deKort for a trip through the USFS Round Meadows Trail system. We may find three species of Calypso orchids! The terrain is rolling; we may cover four miles. The Round Meadow Trail System is located twelve miles from Whitefish. Meet at trailhead parking lot. Please register by contacting, Pat Jaquith [email protected] .
Tuesday, May 24th, 6:00 p.m.
Columbia Mountain Wildflowers
Join Tara Carolin for an evening wildflower walk. We will travel through many habitat types – from moist forests to dry open slopes. Expect an easy pace with lots of stops to view big, bold blossoms like those of balsamroot, and less conspicuous beauties that include orchids and mitreworts. The hike will be moderately difficulty (about two miles and 500 feet elevation gain). This walk will be limited to 15 participants. Please register by contacting Tara Carolin, [email protected], 406-607-7670.
Thursday, May 26th, 8-10 a.m., and Thursday, June 2nd, 6-8 p.m.
Putting it all together, Naturalist walk at Wayfarers State Park
Join naturalists from Flathead Audubon and MNPS for a short walk at the Wayfarers Unit of Flathead Lake State Park in Bigfork. You will learn about the native plants and birds that thrive on this lovely east shore landscape where biodiversity abounds! These hikes will be less than 1.5 miles. Please dress for spring weather and bring water. Each walk is limited to 12 participants and will have two length options. For meeting place and to register call 406-287-3041 ext. 0.
Saturday, May 28th, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Firebrand Pass Trail – Glacier National Park
Steve Gniadek and Kathy Ross will guide the group exploring the wetlands and mixed forest habitat near the trailhead, viewing many species of neotropical migrant bird species along with native wildflowers that will begin to color the contrasting wetland/rocky windswept habitat of this area. Co-sponsored by Flathead Audubon. Dress appropriately for possible windy, chilly spring weather. Easy to moderate trail walking 2-3 miles round trip. Trip is limited to 12 participants. Contact Kathy at [email protected] to sign up and for meeting place.
Saturday, June 4th, 9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mosses of Columbia Mountain
Join Dr. Joe Elliot, botanist & renowned moss expert of Montana, in the various habitats along the Columbia Mountain Trail. Expect to examine and identify various moss species on correlating substrates. A list of mosses will be provided to participants and will include characteristic structural features helpful in identification and substrate affinities. Bring a hand lens, notebook, sack lunch and your curiosity while exploring the Bryophyta world! Sturdy footwear advised. Meet promptly at the Columbia Mtn. Trailhead. This walk will be limited to 15 participants. Please register by contacting William Schlegel, [email protected], 406-224-8430.
Wednesday, June 8th, 6:00 p.m.
Whitefish Trail Wildflower Walk
Meander through the woods and learn about the wide array of colorful wildflowers that line the Whitefish Trail with Whitefish Legacy Partners and MNPS. Identify local wildflowers and noxious weeds using the hand lenses and field guides provided during this two to three-mile hike. This event is free and suitable for all ages and abilities. Registration is required at: https://www.whitefishlegacy.org/event/wildflower-walk/.
Tuesdays, June 14th through August 30th
Volunteer at the Glacier National Park Nursery
Help with seeding, transplanting, weeding, and cleaning, or work on a research or experimental project. Bring sack lunch, your favorite work gloves and clothes that can get dirty. Interested volunteers are asked to sign up by calling 406-888-7835.
Friday, June 17th
Weed Rodeo on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River
Help keep noxious weeds from taking over our precious Flathead River! This is 19th year of volunteers and West Glacier companies showing they care, all while having fun! Raft companies will take volunteers on the upper portions and private boaters will cover West Glacier to Blankenship. A weed expert will assist each group with weed identification. All participants will gather in the afternoon at Wild River for a barbeque and prizes. Call Lexi at Wild River 406-387-9453 for details and to sign up.
Saturday, June 25th
North Fork Dupuyer Creek
Join Dave and Genevieve Shea for a leisurely wildflower stroll across the Old North Trail and through grizzly bear habitat. Expect to view approximately 100 different wildflower species! This walk is sponsored by Wild Montana & cosponsored by Montana Native Plant Society. Registration opens on May 4th for Wild Montana members and May 6th for non-members at: wildmontana.org/walks.
Saturday, July 9th, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
North Fork Forests & Fire
Join Steve Wirt, retired USFS forester and fire manager, where he will discuss fire history over the past 30 years. Emphasis on plant response, identification, and forest succession before and after fires. There may be an opportunity to view the Hay Creek fire of 2021. Hiking the Hornet Lookout trail will be the highlight of the day! Wear sturdy shoes, bring a sack lunch and plenty of water. Meet at Super One parking lot in Columbia Falls at 8:30 a.m., to carpool up the Northfork of the Flathead River. Trip is limited to 15 people. To sign up contact Steve at 406-261-2542.
Wednesday, July 13th
Mount Aeneas Whitebark Pine Ecology
Join Melissa Jenkins and Robin Jenkins to learn about Whitebark pines, which are proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Co-sponsored by the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation and Wild Montana. Registration opens on May 4th for WM members and May 6th for non-members at: wildmontana.org/walks.
Friday, July 15th, 6:30 p.m.
Chasing Mentzelia decapetala (Ten-petal Blazing Star)
Join Caroline Kruckeberg-Clemans and Jim Boyer, for an evening trip to view the Mentzelia decapetala plots at Selis Kasanka (formerly Kerr Dam). These night blooming flowers should begin to open once in the shady side of the hoodoos. This is the land of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and the gates will close at sunset. This trip will be limited to 5 vehicles for parking along the road. Please register by contacting Caroline, [email protected].
Friday, July 15th
Yeager Flats
Dave and Genevieve Shea will lead participants through limber pine savannah, cottonwood groves, sagebrush, and an old burn before ending in a vast high-elevation native fescue prairie near the base of Ear Mountain. This walk is sponsored by Wild Montana & co-sponsored by MNPS. Registration opens on May 4th for Wild Montana members and May 6th for non-members at: wildmontana.org/walks.
Saturday, July 16th, 10 a.m.
Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge
You can expect to see Spalding’s catchfly, a federally protected species, while touring this unique and diverse refuge. LTNWR biologist, Beverly Skinner, will also highlight the extensive restoration work that has taken place the last few years. Bring sturdy footwear and supplies for the day. Meet at 10 a.m., LTNWR headquarters. Registration required by emailing: [email protected] .
Tuesday, July 19th, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Glacier National Park Weed Blitz
Help remove invasive plants from priority sites in GNP. Park biologist, Dawn LaFleur, will train participants on identification and effective hand-pulling techniques for targeted weed species. The morning will focus on learning about invasive plant ecology, issues, and identification. We will head into the field during the afternoon. Bring some muscles, water, and gloves. Glacier National Park Conservancy will provide lunch. RSVP by July 12th by emailing: [email protected] or calling 406-888-7986.
Thursday, August 4th, 6 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Integrated Noxious Weed Management
Center for Native Plants, 5605 HWY 93S, Whitefish, will host the Montana Biocontrol Project & Flathead County Weed District for an in depth look at noxious weeds. You will learn more about each of these organizations, the important work they do, and the best management practices for state & county listed noxious weeds. Please bring your own chair! Call 406-862-4226 for questions.
Saturday, August 6th, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Garry Lookout Trail
Join Andrew Smith to explore the late summer blooms and senescence of the Middle Fork valley on this trail near Glacier National Park. The hike will be 3.5 miles round trip, with about 900 feet of elevation gain. The site of a lookout from 1934 to 1974, the trail provides views of the surrounding mountains and forest, and a variety of plant species to enjoy. Meet at the pullout just west of milepost 168 off US HWY 2. Email Andrew to register, [email protected].
Misc.
Interested in Native Plant Landscaping in our area? Click here. Be sure to also look over the state landscaping page.
When do our Northwest Wildflowers Bloom? Here’s a handy list.
Last Updated: December 2021
