Connecting People with Nature

STAFFORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT & OUTREACH

THURSTON ELFSTROMExecutive Director

RAMEY KODADEKDevelopment & Marketing Director

ALLISON DE JONGCommunications Coordinator

DEB JONESDevelopment & Finance Coordinator

HOLLY KLIEROffice Manager

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

LISA BICKELLEducation Director

CHRISTINE MORRISCommunity Programs Coordinator

STEPHANIE LAPORTE POTTSYouth Programs Coordinator & Volunteer Coordinator

CHRISTINE WRENVisiting Naturalist Coordinator

AMY HOWIEID Nature Coordinator

DREW LEFEBVRETeaching Naturalist

SARAH LEDERLENative Plant Garden Manager

INTERNS

TOM MCKEAN2014-2015 Education Intern

JULIUS METCALFSummer 2015 Garden Intern

JENAH MEAD2015-2016 Education Intern

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TOM ROYPresident

STEPHEN SPECKARTVice President

IAN FOSTERSecretary

BETTY OLESONTreasurer

HANK FISCHERJANICE GIVLERRYAN HUCKEBY MARCIA KIRCHERKRIS LITZCOLLEEN MATTMARK METCALFSARAH MILLAREDWARD MONNIGRICK ONCKENTOM ROYKELLEY WILLETT

(Rotated off board in 2015)

JULIE CANNONSUSIE GRAHAMSALLY JOHNSON

DEAR FRIENDS,Since 1991 the Montana Natural History Center has focused on providing the best nature-based education in the greater Missoula area.

This focus has been evident since our inception. MNHC’s diverse and outstanding programs—educator workshops and trainings, Field Notes on Montana Public Radio and Montana Naturalist magazine, Master Naturalist and Visiting Naturalist in the Schools—have endured and flourished.

Evidence of this excellence is also reflected in our 2015 accomplishments. We worked with more fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms than ever before through our flagship program, Visiting Naturalist in the Schools. Our Outdoor Summer Discovery Day Camps were filled to capacity. We provided multiple live and highly interactive natural history workshops to teachers across the state through our green screen video-conferencing technology. And we started bringing preeminent naturalists and scientists, like paleontologist Jack Horner, to MNHC for our unique new Evening with a Naturalist program.

As we celebrate 25 years of nurturing people’s connection to the outdoors, exposing them to Montana’s myriad flora and fauna, to geological and climatological wonders and important human and fossil prehistory, our drive for excellence is spreading beyond the Missoula area faster than ever before. In 2016 we will use our green screen technology to pilot Interactive Distance Nature Learning in fourth-grade rural classrooms across the state. Quite literally, from our green screen room at MNHC we will span hundreds of miles in a heartbeat so we can be live in remote classrooms, teaching scientific principles and being naturalist mentors to kids—with the same quality that we do in the greater Missoula area.

We look forward to partnering with you to do even more good work. But for now, I cannot thank you enough for your continued support in helping us to provide the highest quality nature education to thousands of people in Montana.

Sincerely,

Thurston ElfstromExecutive DirectorMontana Natural History Center

Thank You to our 2015 Partners!“The VNS program brought a love, respect, and curiosity not just to our students, but also to their families.  These fourth graders go home and share all they have learned with their families. We have families who have never entered our local gully who now know the plants and animals they will find there and hike it on a regular basis. The program is life-changing.”~Susie Graham, 4th grade teacher at Chief Charlo School

FALL CELEBRATION & AUCTION SPONSORS:Anderson ZurmuehlenAxiomBernice’s BakeryBig Bear SignsBitterroot FlowersBob & Carol SeimBoyle, Deveney and MeyerBrad & Nancy PickhardtBrian & Karen Sippy Briar & Heidi DiggsButterfly PropertiesCommunity Medical CenterCornerstone Dental - Lindsay Rogers, DDSCowgirls Salon and SpaD.A. DavidsonEd McGreevey, MDFEDEx OfficeFirst Security Bank George’s DistributingGlidewell Investment and Insurance GroupGood Food StoreJack and Kathy ThomasJim & Trish McKayJohn Snively, DDSJulie Gardner RealtyKenworthy OrthodonticsMerrill Lynch Michael Sousa, MDMissoula Bone and JointMissoula Pediatric DentistryMissoulianMontana Cancer SpecialistsNew Era Plumbing & HeatingPartners CreativePea Green BoatRepublic ServicesRobert Korenberg, MDStewart and AssociatesTwin Cranes Dental Group Wells Fargo AdvisorsWestern Montana Clinic OB/GYN - Janice Givler, MDWGM Group Worden ThaneZillaState

WOMEN’S LUNCHEON AND SUMMER OUTDOOR DISCOVERY CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER 2015 SPONSORS:Axis Physical TherapyBeth BrennanBitterroot Flower ShopBlack Cat Bake ShopButterfly PropertiesCaras Nursery & LandscapingChocolate EclipseJohnson Law FirmJulie GardnerMontana Ace Fancy PlantsOne ElevenThe Trail HeadWestern Montana Clinic OB/GYNNancy Winslow & Dr. Douglas Webber

EVENING WITH A NATURALIST SPONSORS:Dram ShopGood Food StoreSciShow

WE COULD NOT OPERATE WITHOUT THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MANY

PRIVATE DONORS. WE THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT!

BUSINESSES:Big Sky Brewing CompanyDraught WorksMontgomery DistillerySouthgate Mall

COLLABORATIONS:Animal WondersFriends of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife RefugeIce Age Floods Institute, Glacial Lake Missoula ChapterHellgate Hunters and AnglersMissoula Sunrise RotaryMontana Campus Compact, the University of Montana and AmeriCorps VISTAMontana MattersMontana Native Plant SocietyNational Wildlife FederationRaptor View Research InstituteReineking Construction Co.Ron Clausen’s Montana ExtravaganzaSciShowUnited States Forest ServiceUniversity of Montana Avian Science Center

FOUNDATIONS:Amazon Smile FoundationAmerican Endowment FoundationAppleseed FoundationCinnabar FoundationDennis & Phyllis Washington FoundationDrollinger Family Charitable FoundationGillespie Foundation Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Montana PropertiesGallagher Western Montana Charitable FoundationHarrington Charitable Lead UnitrustKendeda FundLEAW Family FoundationThe Louis L. Borick FoundationMax and Betty Swanson FoundationMerlin FoundationMissoula Community FoundationMontana Community FoundationMy Good FundOutdoor Foundation and the Trail Head Pleiades FoundationSpringfield FoundationTides FoundationVanguard Endowment ProgramWilliam H. and Margaret M. Wallace Foundation

Thank You to our 2015 Partners!

Our Summer Outdoor Discovery Day Camps feature small group sizes, field trips to local natural areas, an introduction to science topics, a service learning component, games, art, and time to explore the outdoors through unstructured play.

In the summer of 2015 we:

• Reached 379 kids aged 3-12

• Offered 35 different camps from “Bugs and Slugs” to “Nature’s Music”

• Created a new “Animal Adventures” camp with Animal Wonders

• Brought science to life for our campers at bird-banding sites, the UM electron microscope lab, the Arlee Fish Hatchery, National Bison Range, USFS Smokejumper Center, the UM Zoological Museum, and more.

• Provided great hands-on experiences including building forts and giant bird nests at Rock Creek, kayaking adventures to Beavertail Pond and Harpers Lake, building rock art at Kelly Island, and catching crayfish and other macroinvertebrates wherever the kids could find them!

SCHOOL/YOUTH PROGRAMSThe Visiting Naturalist in the Schools program (VNS) engages 4th and 5th grade students in a meaningful, year-long curriculum of science explorations in the natural world. Trained, professional naturalists visit classrooms each month to help students learn about structure and function in living organisms through hands-on investigations. Students learn about plants by dissecting flowers and fruits, about animals by investigating skulls and bird wings, and strengthen their skills using the process of scientific inquiry by conducting experiments. On their day-long field trips in both spring and fall, students use binoculars, field guides, insect nets, and microscopes to explore local wild places.

In 2015 we continued to offer the Field VNS program to 8 classes at Hawthorne, Chief Charlo and Lolo Schools, where these 200 students each see their naturalist twice a month. We also expanded the VNS program from 57 classes to 64, reaching further to students throughout the Missoula, Bitterroot, Mission and Blackfoot Valleys. To provide more quality instruction with our expanding numbers both inside the classroom and out in the field, we hired an additional Teaching Naturalist to our MNHC staff.

VNS IMPACTS:• 24,286 direct contact hours of

naturalist instruction

• More than half of contact hours spent outdoors

• Very low student-to-instructor ratio of 8:1 on field trips

• 1,408 students

• 64 classrooms in 27 different schools

• Reach rural and urban communities in four western Montana valleys

2015 SUMMER CAMP THEMES

GRADES PREK-KMiniBiologistsNature’s MusicMicromeandersWaddling Waders

GRADES K-1Predator ProwlIncredible InsectsHooray for HabitatsWonderful Wetlands

GRADES 1-3Jr. SurvivorGo FishMammalsRockin’ RocksNature ArtTracks and ScatThings with WingsFire CampWild About WaterBazillions of BugsJr. Naturalists

GRADES 3-5Mineral MadnessTheater and NatureBugs and SlugsWild ExplorersAnimal AdventuresInto the WildHooked on FishingOutdoor AdventuresSuper Scientists

VNS MONTHLY TOPICS: 2015 Volunte rs

“Thank you for all of the nice things you did for our class. We know it wasn’t always easy. We enjoyed learning about skulls, birds, flowers and adaptations. The field trips are sooo much fun! Thanks again for sharing your time with us and being awesome teachers!” ~Victor School 5th grade students

SEPTEMBER What is a Naturalist? Introduction and Journaling

OCTOBERField Trip

NOVEMBERFlower Dissection: What are the basic parts, and how do they work to produce seeds?

DECEMBERFruit Adaptations: What different means do fruits use to spread seed?

JANUARYMammal Skulls: What physical clues help identify the species?

FEBRUARYScience Inquiry: Does animal size make a difference in surviving winter cold?

MARCHScience Inquiry: Does the shape of a bird’s wing affect its function for lift?

APRIL Science Inquiry: How does the structure of a bird’s bill indicate the food it eats?

MAY Field Trip

COMMUNITY PROGRAMSMontana Master Naturalist programming continues to be incredibly successful. Designed for adults who want to stoke their curiosity and deepen their knowledge of the natural world, not only does it bring the MNHC mission to adults in meaningful ways, it also helps foster a community of dedicated, talented volunteers that we (and many other organizations throughout the state) draw on throughout the year in all our educational endeavors.

In 2015, the Master Naturalist Program:• Certified 48 Montana Master Naturalists in Missoula, Glacier,

and Bozeman

• Offered 5 certification classes: MNHC spring, MNHC summer, two summer courses through the Glacier Institute, and one spring course through the Montana Outdoor Science School in Bozeman

• Offered 6 Naturalist Field Days to 57 participants on grasses, botany by habitat, fens, geology, and slugs & snails

• Brought in local experts including Bruce Baty, Valerie Bayer, Kristi Dubois, Annie Garde, Paul Hendricks, Peter Lesica, Adam Lieberg, Charles Miller, Greg Peters, and Steve Shelley

MASTER NATURALIST VOLUNTEERS:Of the 3000+ hours volunteers gave to MNHC in 2015, 900 were given by 30 Master Naturalists from the 2009-2015 classes. But Master Naturalists are giving beyond MNHC as well—in 2015, 50 Master Naturalists donated more than 2,500 hours to various natural history and environmental organizations across the state. Master Naturalist volunteers are giving to Montana communities in many ways. They:• Work with wildlife of all kinds at

rehabilitation centers

• Participate in citizen science projects, from bird and butterfly counts to setting up wolverine bait stations

• Serve as board members

• Write and edit websites, articles, and newsletters

• Maintain native plant gardens

• Lead field trips for elementary school kids

• Lead naturalist hikes and other outdoor activities for adults

• Do wilderness trail maintenance

• Lead tours and assist guests in visitor centers

• Develop place-based curriculums

• Participate in river clean-ups

• Remove invasive weeds on public lands and trails

• Table at community events and assist with fundraisers

2015 Volunte rs

“The combined knowledge, skills, enthusiasm and cooperation between you folks creates such a meaningful and fun learning experience.”~2015 Naturalist Field Day participant

HOURS BREAKDOWN BY PROGRAM:

205: Auction

610: Big Sky Concerts

540: Board meetings, etc.

24: Center Visits

24: Exhibits

30: Field Notes

13: Forest for Every Classroom

42: Front desk

110: Library

88: Master Naturalist class

52: miniNaturalists

46: Native Plant Gardens

11: Saturday Kids’ Activities

23: Secret Science Nights

170: Summer Camp

18: Tabling

32: Trunks

1100: VNS

12: Women’s Luncheon

1653150

TOTAL VOLUNTEERS

TOTAL HOURS

In 2015 we kicked off our exciting new Evening with a Naturalist program series, which features an engaging, informative conversation between a regionally-known naturalist and SciShow host Hank Green. Our first guest, paleontologist Jack Horner, spoke about his fascinating research on dinosaurs before a sold-out crowd in November. We will host 3-4 Evening with a Naturalist programs annually; guests in 2016 include John Marzluff, Emily Graslie, and Robert Pyle.

15 Secret Science Nights covered a wide spectrum of environmental topics to educate 300 attendees in 2015. Lectures were interspersed with the popular Naturalist Trivia Nights during the fall and winter.

Center Visits use MNHC’s location and collections to excite curiosity and make natural history come to life. Students practice their naturalist skills, learn about Montana’s flora and fauna, create art, and engage in other environmental education activities.

In 2015, Center Visits:

• Reached more than 900 kids & community members of all ages from local schools, clubs, and summer camps

• Educated groups on topics including Outrageous Owls, Montana Mammals, and Animals in Winter

• Provided tours to the UM Zoological Museum for students in pre-k through high school

• Offered youth programming at the Fort Missoula Native Plant Garden, Silvers Lagoon, and Lewis & Clark Elementary

In 2015 the Fort Missoula Native Plant Garden, with its three-season classroom, impressive outdoor learning space, diverse native plants and a variety of wildlife, hosted:

• 8 community programs

• 71 adult participants

• 1 intern

• More than 450 additional visitors, including summer camp kids, Center Visit participants, Visiting Naturalist in the Schools students, and garden volunteers

The miniNaturalist Pre-K Program engages young children in the exploration of the natural world through science, art, literacy and movement activities. In 2015, 389 children participated in 40 fun and imaginative programs.

In 2015, 80 kids and their families participated in 12 Saturday Kids’ Activities, enjoying these family-centered programs designed to engage all ages and interests with science activities, art and play.

We added two new exhibits in 2015, both of them journeys into the past. Intern Tom McKean worked with the UM Paleontology Center and volunteer Sherri Lierman to create our Explore Pleistocene exhibit in the spring, which includes information about Pleistocene megafauna as well as a diverse collection of fossils. In the fall we partnered again with the UMPC as well as the Two Medicine Dinosaur Center to create our Explore Cretaceous exhibit, with fossils, drawings, and a skull replica of a tyrannosaurus rex.

A record 1792 guests visited MNHC’s exhibit center in 2015, learning about Glacial Lake Missoula as well as Montana’s diverse ecosystems, flora, and fauna.

MNHC’s Gallery features wildlife, landscape and natural history-related art by local artists. 10 artists displayed their work in 2015, and their First Friday Gallery Openings brought in 134 visitors to MNHC.

PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATORSID NATUREID Nature (Interactive Distance Nature Education), our newest program, has picked up steam in 2015. This program:

• Uses green screen technology and video conferencing to bring workshops to teachers across the state of Montana in a highly interactive format

• Focuses on creating workshops that meet Common Core and Montana’s Science Content Standards while providing teachers with engaging strategies to incorporate place-based content in their classrooms

• Currently offers two professional development courses for teachers, with more to come: Weather & Climate and Montana’s Flora & Fauna

• Reached 45 teachers in 2015

A FOREST FOR EVERY CLASSROOMIn 2015 we graduated our third class of teachers. Seventeen teachers from Missoula, Bonner, Bozeman, Corvallis, Hamilton, Noxon, and Seeley Lake participated and left with a strong foundation in place-based education. We also ran two alumni sessions, at Freezout Lake in March and in Yellowstone National Park in October. The FFEC program is a partnership between MNHC, the US Forest Service, Montana DNRC, Montana Project Learning Tree, Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center, and the University of Montana.

Budget Numbers:

*Above expenditures are based on the allocation of management and facility costs to the benefiting programs. MNHC is audited biennially. Financial statements and IRS Form 990 are available upon request.

2015 BUDGET: $596,069 TOTAL NET ASSETS: $1,801,347 (December 31, 2015)

FUNDING EXPENDITURES*

Program Fees: 17%

Individual Donations:

30% Grants: 42%

Lease Payments: 3%

Business Donations:

8%

Publications: 7%

School Programs: 42%

Facilities: 8%

Management: 12%

Summer Camps: 20%

Community Programs:

11%

Exhibits: 2%

TRAVELING TRUNKSAs one of MNHC’s longest-standing programs, the Nature Discovery Traveling Trunks continue to serve as a resource for teachers and educators across the state. In 2015 we partnered with the Nez Perce (NEE-ME-POO) National Historic Trail to share their trunk resource with schools, adding two new trunks to our resource library. The trunk program features materials for science and nature study including skulls, field microscopes, binoculars, insect nets, mineral collections, field guides, and so much more. Trunks were used by 52 classrooms across Montana, serving an estimated 1500 students.

OUTREACHIn 2015 we published 3 new issues of Montana Naturalist magazine, informing thousands of readers on such topics as corvid intelligence, fens, the intricacies of Blackfeet naming practices, bird migration, and the geologic history of the Beartooth Mountains. We were thrilled to add an additional four pages, starting with the winter issue, as we kicked off a year-long celebration of MNHC’s 25-year history that continues throughout 2016.

Field Notes are now aired three times a week on Montana Public Radio, in partnership with member station KUFM. Written by MNHC staff, volunteers, UM students, Master Naturalists, and other members of the community, Field Notes share insights and observations about the natural world with the KUFM listening area. Not able to catch Field Notes live? Subscribe to the podcast at mtpr.org!

MNHC got some great press in 2015—the Missoulian featured the Center several times, from covering our designation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat to welcoming our new Executive Director. MNHC’s new Evening with a Naturalist program with paleontologist Jack Horner was also featured on KPAX in November.

Check out MNHC’s Facebook page for fun natural history facts, photos and videos of people enjoying nature, and information on upcoming programs. Please join the community if you haven’t yet! We’re also on Pinterest, Yelp, Trip Advisor, and LinkedIn. Explore our naturalist blog (MontanaNaturalist.blogspot.com) for an exciting look at Montana flora and fauna, seasonal changes, and local outdoor explorations and discoveries.

LICENSE PLATE:In 2015 MNHC sold 790 license plates. This funding goes directly to providing nature education for children. Adorning your vehicle with our beautiful Great Horned Owl license plate is a great way to show your support!

Design by Eileen ChontosIllustrations by Ed Jenne

Budget Numbers:

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONUS POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT 569

MISSOULA, MT

120 Hickory Street, Suite A Missoula, MT 59801 406.327.0405 www.MontanaNaturalist.org

Connecting People with Nature

THE MISSION OF THE

IS TO PROMOTE AND CULTIVATE THE APPRECIATION, UNDERSTANDING

AND STEWARDSHIP OF NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION.

Montana Natural History Center