Montana Natural History Center

Montana Natural History Center Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Adults (18+): $7
Children 4-18: $3
Children under 4: Free!

Family Rate: $15
Seniors & Veterans: $5
MNHC members, ASTC travel passport members, Native & Indigenous peoples, and EBT card holders: FREE!

This Friday, October 2nd from 5-7PM at the Montana Natural History Center -- join us for the unveiling of Camas Dig and ...
09/30/2026

This Friday, October 2nd from 5-7PM at the Montana Natural History Center -- join us for the unveiling of Camas Dig and Bake!

We are so excited to celebrate the brand new mural designed and painted by local artists Aspen and Cameron Decker of Xʷlxʷilt! Join us on Friday, October 2nd, at 5pm for the official unveiling of Sx̣elí x̣èct u Ql̓epm, or Camas Dig and Bake, located in MNHC’s garden on Hickory Street. Approximately 40 feet wide and 20 feet tall, the mural depicts the traditional gathering of Bitterroot Salish people to dig and bake camas, a plant that has long served as an important food source.

We’ll open with a prayer and performance from Salish drum group Yamn-ćut, then hear a few words from Aspen about the story and process behind her mural. Enjoy snacks and drinks while you mingle and take in the beautiful new artwork! All are welcome!

A very special thank you to the donors who made this mural possible, including:
Missoula Downtown (The Missoula Downtown Foundation)
The Llewellyn Foundation
Dawn & Tim Payne
The Charles O’Boyle Legacy Fund
Candace Crosby & Dudley Dana

FREE and OPEN TO ALL!

THANK YOU to the great group who joined us for today's garden tour and seed ball workshop! Participants learned tips for...
09/28/2026

THANK YOU to the great group who joined us for today's garden tour and seed ball workshop! Participants learned tips for attracting pollinators, the impact of climate on native habitats, and how creating a native plant garden can help. Plus they got a sneak peek into the mural in the making by Aspen Decker Art !

This program was offered in partnership with Climate Smart Missoula and Climate Solutions Week! Learn more the full schedule of programming and other happenings in town at: http://www.missoulaclimate.org/solutions.html

09/26/2026

I notice,
I wonder,
I remember,

MNHC Teaching Naturalist Kevin Niehaus demonstrates how an everyday pinecone holds hundreds of questions just waiting for a naturalist to ask and explore!

09/25/2026

How can a simple pencil help you be a better naturalist? I’ll let MNHC Teaching Naturalist Kevin Niehaus explain more…

Ever wanted to transform wildlife forensics into wearable art?Just in time for spooky season, join on October 3rd to exp...
09/25/2026

Ever wanted to transform wildlife forensics into wearable art?

Just in time for spooky season, join on October 3rd to explore the treasures hidden inside owl pellets. Then turn your discoveries into bone jewelry! 🦉

In this hands-on work shop we will dive into the science of owl pellets and use diagnostic charts to identify your skeletal finds. Once your dissection is complete, you will learn how to clean the bones and incorporate them into unique custom creations. We will have jewelry making supplies including wire, hooks, and beads available. Instructors will be on hand to help you as you work. And everyone will receive a pair of pre-cleaned, pre-drilled muskrat jaws to jumpstart your designs!

Enjoy sparkling water, tea, and cocoa as you work!

Materials Provided:
-sterilized owl pellets
-bone identification guides
-pair of muskrat jaws
-jewelry making supplies
-beverages

Date: Saturday, October 3
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Montana Natural History Center
Cost: $45 MNHC members/$50 non-members

WHOO HOO! The new issue of Montana Naturalist Magazine – seen here in the hands of its editor Allison De Jong – is hot o...
09/23/2026

WHOO HOO! The new issue of Montana Naturalist Magazine – seen here in the hands of its editor Allison De Jong – is hot off the presses!

Features include a piece by naturalist Cedar Mathers-Winn on the fascinating ways whitebark and limber pines have evolved to depend on Clark’s Nutcrackers. Priya Subberwall writes about the complicated, intertwined human history and natural history of Missoula’s North Hills, while Mary Ann Reuter looks to the Moon to explore the tensions between humanity’s millennia-long awe of our celestial neighbor. Plus, Darby Minow Smith considers her perspective as a 5th-generation ranching, finding admiration for coyotes’ ability to thrive in spite of us.

AND SO MUCH MORE!

Pick up your copy today at MNHC. Or never miss an issue and subscribe to Montana Naturalist today (see link in BIO).

BONUS: This photo includes a little teaser of the new mural by Aspen Decker on MNHC’s building. Join us for the unveiling on October 2nd!

Run Wild Missoula and ARTS Missoula 's ART ON THE RUN stopped by MNHC on Saturday to enjoy our mural "Radiant" by Steph...
09/22/2026

Run Wild Missoula and ARTS Missoula 's ART ON THE RUN stopped by MNHC on Saturday to enjoy our mural "Radiant" by Stephanie Frostad that has adorned our building since 2013. Fun dragonfly fact: The Smithsonian notes that "dragonflies actually have five eyes—two compound eyes, each with a whopping 28,000 lenses in some species, and three simple eyes called ocelli, which have one light-detecting lens each."

Fall programming is in full swing at MNHC! Here are a few pictures of what we’ve been up to in September!1-2: Adult Bug ...
09/18/2026

Fall programming is in full swing at MNHC! Here are a few pictures of what we’ve been up to in September!

1-2: Adult Bug Hunting at the Native Plant Garden at Fort Missoula
3: Dr. Susie Adams, Sophie Osborne, and Lindsay Carlson discuss Wild Work: Adventures of Women Field Biologist to a packed house!
4-5: Mural progress at our building on Hickory Street with Aspen Decker Art! Come join us for the unveiling and celebration of Sx̣elí x̣èct u Ql̓epm or Camas Dig and Bake on October 2nd from 5-7PM!
6-7: Making botanical clay vessels with artist Donna Flanery
8-9: Master Naturalist field day; including an afternoon with botanist and author Peter Lesica. Registration for our Spring Master Naturalist course is now open! See website for more information.

To learn more about programs and events at MNHC check out our events calendar on our website. We hope you see you soon at MNHC!

Address

120 Hickory Street, Suite A
Missoula, MT
59801

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+14063270405

Website

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