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)

November 2008

Nov 17-23

International Education Week at UM--performances, discussions and presentations about various aspects of international education. see www.umt.edu/ip/events/iw2008.htm

Nov 19 (Wed)

Missoula Downtown Master Plan Public Meeting: WHEN: Nov 19, 7:00-9:00pm
WHERE: Holiday Inn Downtown at the Park - 200 South Pattee. First in a series of public planning meetings to envision Missoula's future downtown. Share your goals for the downtown and your ideas of how to stimulate sustainable economic development, manage transportation, and retain & develop Missoula's unique character.

LYNX: A HARE-RAISING TALE EVENING LECTURE, 7 pm8 pm, MNHC, 120 Hickory St. Join John Squires, lynx wildlife biologist for the Rocky Mountain Research Station, as he profiles the solitary Canada Lynx. Cost: Suggested donation of $3, Call 327-0405 for more information.

Managing Your Homes Private Septic and Water Well Systems -- presented by Ravalli County Env Health & MT DEQ. How to avoid drinking water from your septic system.
WHEN: Nov 19, 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. WHERE: Bedford Building, 223 S. 2nd St, Hamilton
Free Water Test: BRING A WATER SAMPLE from your home (approximately 1-cup in a glass container) and receive a free nitrate analysis of your home water supply
For more info, Contact: Lea Jordan, Ravalli County Environmental Health Director
406-375-6565 <ljordan@ravallicounty.mt.gov>

Nov 20 (Thurs)

UM Environmental Studies professor Dan Spencer speaks on "The Greening of Religion: Religion, Nature, and the Environment" at the Emmaus Campus Ministry Lunch Series. WHEN: noon to 1 p.m. WHERE: Emmaus House Student Center, located at 532 University Ave. Missoula. WHAT'S FOR LUNCH: Soup, bread, coffee and drink will be provided.

Missoula Conservation Roundtable Meeting CANCELLED.

UM Environmental Action Community presents the film Seeing through the Fence, on the cruel treatment of factory farm animals & efforts to require better treatment. Filmmaker Eleni Vlachos of PorchLife Productions is on a national tour and will be at the UM screening to discuss her film with viewers. WHEN: Nov 20 (Thurs); short EAC meeting at 6 pm; film at 7pm. WHERE: UM's UC alumni boardroom (329). Cruelty free refreshments will be served. For more info, contact Belinda.

Natural History Nights at the Roxy!Join us each third Thursday of the month to celebrate the Best Films of the International Wildlife Film Festival! Tickets only $5 each at 7 pm, (concessions opens 6:30pm). For film descriptions, see EarthVision Media Library on www.wildlifefilms.org 2008-09 Calendar of Films. November 20: The Last Trimate and The Great Dance: A Hunter's Story.

Bitterroot Community Food Project (CFP) Coalition Meeting. WHEN: 7:00 p.m., WHERE: Hamilton Human Resource Council Bldg., 3rd and Pine, N. entrance.
A coalition of citizens, working to improve access to fresh, healthy, local food for all; to provide improved markets for farmers to support agriculture in the valley; to stimulate the start-up of new businesses in food production, processing and distribution; and to identify infrastructure and facilities needed for community food security. In the new year we will draft a report based on our community food assessment --which is the topic of discussion at this meeting. More info at www.bitterrootvalleyfood.info.

Future of Montana's Rivers and Fish -- presentation by Montana Trout Unlimited Executive Director Bruce Farling at the Bitterroot TU meeting. WHEN: Nov 20, 7 PM. WHERE: Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State Street. Free and open to the public. Bruce will provide an overview of issues impacting MT rivers. With a crashing economy and a new administration in the White House, Bruce will talk about likely changes for better or worse. He will give an update on TU projects and programs and a preview of some issues that might surface during the upcoming Montana legislature. For additional info, contact Bitterroot TU president Geoff Fitzgerald (fitzes91[at]yahoo.com) or Doug Nation (363-2137, douglas.p.nation[at]gskbio.com

Nov 22 (Sat)

Local Mead & Music. WHEN: 6:00 p.m. til ? WHERE: Hidden Legend Winery, (alias Trapper Creek Winery) in Sheafman Plaza, corner of Sheafman Ck. Rd. & Hwy. 93, just north of Hamilton. Join us for a relaxing evening listening to traditional and original Celtic music by our own local Crested Hens while enjoying snacks and that ancient Celtic brew, Mead, produced right there in the winery using local ingredients. See you there!

Dec 2008

Dec 3 (Wed)

UM Sustainable Campus Committee meets. WHEN: 3-4:30pm; WHERE: UM's UC room 326.

BIOMIMICRY: BLUEPRINT FOR NATURE evening lecture. WHEN: 7 pm to 8 pm, WHERE: MNHC, 120 Hickory St. Join Sam Stier of the Biomimicry Institute for a fascinating look at how nature's best ideas can be imitated to solve every day problems. Cost: Suggested donation of $3. Call 327-0405 for more information.

Dec 4 (Thurs)

Wild & Scenic Film Festival visits Missoula. The largest environmental film festival in the US compacts a 3 day event into 3 powerful hours that will energize and inspire the community. WHEN: 6-9pm. The evening begins with a beer and wine reception in the lobby of the newly remodeled historic Wilma Theater, followed by 3 hours of riveting documentaries, including Oil and Water Project by award winning Montana filmmaker Seth Warren, who will be on-hand to introduce his film.Tickets are $11 with a special 2 for one for all high school and college students with student ID. Brought to you by Patagonia and Sustainable Business Council. More info, including ticket locations at http://sbcmontana.org/

Dec 4-6 (Thurs-Sat)

Montana Organic Association Annual Conference-- Growing New Organic Farmers. WHEN: Dec 4-6; WHERE Bozeman Holiday Inn. Sessions on Economics & Production Issues, Organic System Planning, Marketing, Cropping systems, Political/Legislative issues, Food systems, Carbon Credits, and great food & networking! Cost varies (depending on meal plan, membership, etc) $35-$180. For more info, contact email or call 406-871-0019

Dec 5 (Friday)

REUSE THOSE TEXTBOOKS--Book drive starts today. Collection boxes will be outside UM's UC Bookstore through finals week (now until Dec 12). The books are collected by Golden Key Honor Society, a service-oriented, academic honor society. The books are donated to Better World Books that distributes them to literacy and education non-profit organizations. Books should be less than 5 years old based on copyright date, anything older does not generally qualify.

Dec 10 (Wed)

Pesticides and Nitrates in the Bitterroot Valley Waters -- Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) will hold a public meeting at the Hamilton Middle School Auditorium at 7:00 pm, to discuss the results of water quality monitoring in the Bitterroot Valley. Samples from 23 wells and 5 streams were analyzed for 96 pesticide compounds & nitrates. If you have an interest in water quality and pesticides, or have questions, comments, or concerns for the MDA please attend this meeting. The Hamilton Middle School is located at 209 South 5th St. Please call 406-444-5422 for further information.

Dec 12 (Friday)

Historic Roxy Theater Grand Reopening. International Wildlife Film Festival & Media Center will host a Silent Auction, Door Prizes, Food, Entertainment 1937 Style and a Special Screening of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath at 7 pm with an introduction by UM Media Arts Professor Michael Murphy. WHERE: 718 S. Higgins Ave, Msl

Dec 13 (Sat)

WINTER ECOLOGY ON SNOWSHOES. WHEN: 9 am3 pm; WHERE: meet at MNHC, 120 Hickory St., Msl. Join MNHC naturalist Jessie Sherburne for a day studying the winter world while snowshoeing. Bring snowshoes*, sack lunch and water- no experience necessary. Target Age: All (Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Cost: FREE. Space is limited. Registration required. Call 327-0405 for more information. Note: MNHC has several pairs of snowshoes available for participants to use. Please call to reserve.

Dec 18 (Thurs)

Missoula Conservation Roundtable meeting. WHEN: noon to 1pm; WHERE: Missoula Public Library Large Meeting Room. For info, contact Theresa <tkeaveny[at]mtvoters.org>

Dec 19 (Thurs)

Natural History Nights at the Roxy! Join us each third Thursday of the month to celebrate the Best Films of the International Wildlife Film Festival! Tickets only $5 at 7 pm, (concessions opens 6:30pm). For film descriptions, see EarthVision Media Library on www.wildlifefilms.org 2008-09 Calendar of Films.December 18: Christmas in Yellowstone and Planet Earth's Ice Worlds

January 2009

Jan 25-27

Harvesting Clean Energy Conference. WHERE: Billings. This year's conference focuses on rural clean energy jobs. Register here ! (www.harvestcleanenergy/conference).

Jan 29-30

Soil Quality and Sustainability Conference. Billings. Sponsored by Montana Chapter of Soil & Water Conservation Society.

February 2009

Feb 6-7 (Fri-Sat)

4th Annual Labor Film Festival

Feb 12 (Thurs)

Missoula Children and Nature Summit. WHEN: Noon to 6pm, Feb 12; WHERE: UM's University Center. Over the past decade, children have had less and less contact with the natural world. This loss of a connection affects the health and wellbeing of our children as well as the future stewardship of our public lands. Richard Louv, author of the bestseller Last Child in the Woods, calls this condition nature deficit disorder. The Missoula Children and Nature Summit aims to raise awareness of this problem and explore local solutions. For more info, contact Donna Gaukler Missoula Parks & Recreation <DGaukler[at]ci.missoula.mt.us>

May 2009

May 9-16

International Wildilfe Film Festival (IWFF)

May 30-June 5

Land Reclamation Symposium, Billings MT

June 2009

June 4-7

Love Your Mother Earth Festival at Lolo Hot Springs. Good friends, music, dancing, workshops. For more info, or to help out, contact Skye at 406-570-5553 or <skyeberns@gmail.com>

June 22-26

Applied Fluvial Geomorphology course by Dave Rosgen at Lubrecht Experimental Forest. register at www.wildlandhydrology.com

July 2009

July 27-Aug 6

River Assessment & Monitoring course by Dave Rosgen at Lubrecht Experimental Forest. register at www.wildlandhydrology.com

October 2009

Oct 1-2

American Water Resources conference in Missoula. WHERE: Holiday Inn, Parkside. Theme: Waters that Cross Divides. Possible field trip on Sept 30.

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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

MontPIRG has weekly meetings at UM's UC 223 every Tuesday at 6:00 pm

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,
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

New! Natural History Nights at the Roxy!
Join us each third Thursday of the month starting in October to celebrate the Best of IWFF through this evening film series at the Roxy! Tickets only $5 each at 7 pm, (concessions opens 6:30pm). For film descriptions, please visit our EarthVision Media Library on www.wildlifefilms.org 2008-09 Calendar of Films:

October 16: Snow Leopard and Crash: A Tale of Two Species
November 20: The Last Trimate and The Great Dance: A Hunter's Story
December 18: Christmas in Yellowstone and Planet Earth's Ice Worlds
January 15: White Falcon White Wolf and The Flying Dustbin
February 19: Hokkaido - Garden of the Gods and The Queen of Trees
March 19: Satoyama: Japan's Secret Water Garden and Norfolk Broads
April 16: My Halcyon River and Beetlemania

Peace & Justice Film Series for Fall 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

Every Thursday 7-8 pm- Native plant garden (work) party at 8th and Grant Streets in Msl. If possible, bring a wheelbarrow, grain shovel or snow shovel, garden rake, weed whacker, and a love of wildflowers. Get free wildflowers and free gardening advice.

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

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.

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