The Clark Fork Chapter serves the greater Missoula Area and west-central Montana, from Alberton to Darby. We’re the most populous chapter in the state!
For more information check our chapter’s Facebook page, which has field trip details, maps and photos, more info about the UM Native Plant Garden, and so on; it’s really the best up-to-the-minute info we have; or contact our president via email: Teagan Hayes
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Interested in native plant landscaping in our area? Click here
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We are selling Sheila Morrison’s 2003 book, The Magic of Montana Native Plants: A Gardener’s Guide to Growing over 150 Species from Seed. For information and to buy the book, click here.
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Here is some information about the native plant garden on the UM campus, the Lackshewitz – Preece Montana Native Botanic Garden
Programs include evening presentations, field trips, and other events.
MANY EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION —
CHECK LOCALLY BEFORE ATTENDING!
Our default event location is the Rocky Mtn. Exploration Center at 1075 South Ave West in Missoula with plenty of convenient parking. It’s between the fairgrounds & Sentinel High School. Parking is at the southwest corner of South and Stephens.
Winter 2025/26 presentations
- Thursday, December 18 @ 6:30 pm – Our annual Christmas potluck will be held in the Del Brown Room in Turner Hall on the UM Campus northwest of the Oval. Bring plates, utensils and a dish to share. Don’t forget to bring a few of your favorite digital wildflower photos from the summer. Call Peter at 728-8740 or Kelly at 258-5439 with questions. (Note different time & place)
- Monday, January 12 @ 7:30 pm – Join ecologist Rob Rich to explore Hole Homes: How Woodpeckers Support Forest Health. Long after they create foraging and nesting holes in wood for their own survival, woodpeckers support other lives in the forest, from martens and chickadees to wood ducks and flying squirrels. Room 110 of the Interdisciplinary Science Bldg on the southwest end of UM campus. (Note the different day & place)
- Tuesday, January 20 @ 7 pm – Herbarium night “Astragalus” with Peter Lesica. Astragalus (locoweed, milkvetch) is the second largest genus in Montana. We’ll look at some photographs and herbarium collections, and key out a few. In Room 302/303 of the Natural Science Bldg., UM Campus. Limit is 15 MNPS members; email curator Giovanna.Bishop@mso.umt.edu to reserve a place. (Note different day, time & place)
- Tuesday, February 3 @ 7 pm – Herbarium night “Tropical plants” with Prof. Jedediah Brodie. In Room 302/303 of the Natural Science Bldg., UM Campus. Limit is 15 MNPS members; email curator Giovanna.Bishop@mso.umt.edu to reserve a place.
- Wednesday, February 11 @ 7 pm – Herbarium night “Mosses” with Giovanna Bishop & Joe Elliott. In Room 302/303 of the Natural Science Bldg., UM Campus. Limit is 15 MNPS members; email curator Giovanna.Bishop@mso.umt.edu to reserve a place.
- Wednesday, February 18 @ 7 pm – Herbarium night “Botanical Illustration” with Prof. Jarod Peitsmeyer. In Room 302/303 of the Natural Science Bldg., UM Campus. Limit is 15 MNPS members; email curator Giovanna.Bishop@mso.umt.edu to reserve a place.
- Tuesday, March 31 @ 7 pm – Herbarium night “Cushion Plants” with Prof. Meredith Zettlemoyer. In Room 302/303 of the Natural Science Bldg., UM Campus. Limit is 15 MNPS members; email curator Giovanna.Bishop@mso.umt.edu to reserve a place.
Check out the Facebook pages for the Clark Fork Chapter and the Montana Native Plant Society.
*Events could be canceled due to weather.
Hikes typically proceed at a leisurely pace. Please bring adequate food, water, sunscreen, a hat, and be prepared for Montana’s unpredictable, inclement weather. No pets please!
Camera Geek trips are designed with ample time for photography and exchanging camera tips and techniques.