September 9, 23, October 14, 21

Hands-on Healthy Cooking Classes

Lifelong Learning Center, (Missoula)

missoulaclasses.com

There are three things in life that I love- natural history, cooking healthy food and art. I will be teaching 2.5 hour hands-on cooking classes at Missoula’s Lifelong Learning Center in September/October- French Ratatouille Over Polenta, Spring Rolls With Peanut Sesame Dipping Sauce, Bitterroot Apple Crisp and Turkish Eggplant Salad. All of the produce will be purchased at the local Farmer’s Market. Add some new recipes to your repertoire and meet some nice folks!

September 17-October 27th

Mondays and Wednesdays 1:00-3:00 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 27th and October 11th, 9:00-3:00

Montana Master Naturalist Certification Course

Lifelong Learning Center (Missoula)

www.missoulaclasses.com

In this 40-hour certification course, you’ll get hands-on, field based experience exploring the natural history of Montana. You’ll learn to identify native plants and animals, understand how species interact within ecosystems, and document your observations in a nature journal. Classes take place both in the classroom and in the diverse natural areas around Missoula. You should be able to walk one mile on uneven terrain. Designed to cultivate your ecological literacy, this course helps you develop a deeper connection to place and gives you the tools and knowledge to support the conservation of Montana’s unique ecosystems.

November 4, 11, 19 and 24th

Hands-on Healthy Cooking Classes

Lifelong Learning Center, (Missoula)

missoulaclasses.com

Registration will open on October 1st

There are three things in life that I love- natural history, cooking healthy food and art. I will be teaching 2.5 hour hands-on cooking classes at Missoula’s Lifelong Learning Center in November: Red Lentil Dal, Minestrone Soup, Curry Coconut Soup and Spring Rolls with Sesame Peanut Dipping Sauce. Add some cozy fall recipes to your repertoire and keep yourself healthy!

October 4

10:00-11:00 a.m.

Gardening For The Birds

Rocky Mountain Gardens at the Missoula Department of Ecology and Extension

missoulaeduplace.org

Signup not available just yet

Join Jill Leblow and Blue Heron Nature Tours in the Rocky Mountain Gardens for an hour of birding. Expect to see a variety of songbirds using this beautiful and diverse garden right in the middle of Missoula. We will also discuss what plants to add to your garden to attract all kinds of birds.

November 6th and 8th

Birding for Beginners

Lifelong Learning Center (Missoula)

www.missoulaclasses.com

Registration will open October 1st

It is fall and the migratory birds have left Western Montana but there are still a lot of species that call our valleys home during the winter months. Since there are fewer species here and no leaves on the trees and shrubs, beginning birders will have an easier time learning to identify birds. In this class students will learn how to identify 25+ species of birds by sight and by sound, including woodpeckers, raptors, waterfowl and more. This is a 2-part class with a classroom session to learn the basics and then a morning birding at a hotspot to practice our skills. 

Date and Time TBD

Adopt a Highway Cleanup

Hwy. 93 between the Humane Society and the weeping willow tree

Blue Heron Nature Tours has adopted a 2-mile stretch of Highway 93 that has a massive amount of trash. We will meet at the Humane Society at 8:00. Please bring your own gloves and trashbags and safety vests will be provided. Snacks provided too!

Please email Elena at info@blueheronnaturetours.com to sign up.

November 1th, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Attracting Birds To Your Yard During Winter

Lifelong Learning Center (Missoula)

www.missoulaclasses.com

Registration opens October 1st

Winter is a great time to feed the birds from the comfort of your home. You don’t have to worry about bears raiding your feeders and since natural food is scarce, the birds will love what you provide for them. We will discuss what species of birds you can expect to see in your yard, as well as styles of feeders and foods that attract specific species. You will also learn some simple habitat features to provide for them.. 

November 22nd, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Make a Bird Seed Wreath!

Montana Natural History Center

www.montananaturalist.org

Elena will help you get to know the common winter birds who might visit your yard – chickadees, juncos, nuthatches, and more. Then let the festive wreath making begin!

Using seeds, gelatin, and decorative dried berries, you will create a lovely wreath to keep or give as a holiday gift. You’ll be able to watch the antics of backyard birds as they fly to and from your wreath, practice your birding skills, and connect with wild nature right outside your window!

December 3rd, 12th and 18th

Hands-on Healthy Cooking Classes

Lifelong Learning Center, (Missoula)

missoulaclasses.com

Registration will open on October 1st

There are three things in life that I love- natural history, cooking healthy food and art. I will be teaching 2 1/2 hour hands-on cooking classes in December at Missoula’s Lifelong Learning Center- Roasted Beet Salad With Maple Blue Cornbread, Baklava and French Ratatouille and Polenta

December 5th, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Holiday Craft Bazaar

Montana Natural History Center

www.montananaturalist.org

I will have a booth at this sweet little holiday bazaar selling my handmade pine needle baskets, bird seed wreaths and botanical earrings. Everything is affordable and makes great gifts for the holidays! Come say “hi” and check out the Montana Natural History Center and all it has to offer.