Montana Discovery Foundation

PROGRAMS

Interpretive Publications—With the cooperating agreement with the Forest, the Foundation has a responsibility to produce interpretive publications for the education and service of the public. Publications include brochures, and educational material for the programs outlined above and for other needs as requested by the Forest.

Interpretive Publications: With the cooperating agreement with the Forest, the Foundation has a responsibility to produce interpretive publications for the education and service of the public. Publications include brochures, and educational material for the programs outlined above and for other needs as requested by the Forest.

Discovery Trunks—MDF manages education trunks focusing on wilderness, plants of Lewis & Clark, and an array of smaller "units” for CNP. Trunk topics include scats & tracks, study of owls and owl pellets, weather, water quality and macroinvertebrates, bats, herpetology and
a wide spectrum of additional nature topics. The trunks are used by educators, volunteers, and MDF staff to educate in classrooms or for community organizations.

Hosted Hikes—Moonlight and wildflower walks hosted in a variety of locations on the Helena National Forest with the intent of increasing knowledge and respect for natural resources. There is a moonlight hike every month of the year (in winter, plan on snowshoeing) All hikes are organized in cooperation with Helena National Forest.
	Nature Crafts—Using natural materials, MDF integrates the arts and natural and cultural history into a yearly event. We provide materials, patterns and inspiration to create bird houses, pine cone wreaths, baskets, dream catchers, tree cookies, recycled paper, suet feeders, etc.

Leave No Trace—An ethics education concept present in all educational programs. MDF staff have been certified by the Leave No Trace organization and offers training and workshops. MDF offers a class on winter survival, events with Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts and one two-day trainer’s course. LNT topics are discussed at area schools’ Kid’s College program. MDF reaches approximately 300 participants per year with specific LNT programs, but incorporates the basic LNT philosophy in all education programs.

awarded prizes and winning artwork	Celebrating Wildflowers—A program for area 4th graders, MDF's responsibility is in assisting with planning and implementation of a poster contest and a hosted hike on Mount Helena City Park, in late May. The students learn plant identification, plant habitats, and about pollinator's and pollination. MDF recruits and trains volunteers and assists with student recognition by producing printed material featuring winning artwork, and gift awards—Gifts range from pillows or tote bags adorned with student art. This program is hosted in cooperation with Helena National Forest, Montana Native Plant Society and area schools reaching over 300 students.
woven nest and wooden robin shelves	Migratory Bird Day—A full-day of community activities in cooperation with Helena National Forest, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Birds & Beasleys, and Mt. FWP. MDF participation includes planning and implementation and hosts several education stations at the event. MDF provides staff and trained volunteers, signage, posters and printed materials. Education stations include bird identification and birding tours, about habitats, hands on stations include creating bird masks, woven basket bird roosts, building wooden robin shelves and bluebird houses. The Foundation works closely with fifth graders from area schools to offer tips and tricks for drawing and painting bird banners. These are then incorporated into a community event of providing street banners to the City of Helena. The Foundation provides the materials used for community banners, sews the banners and coordinates with city workers to have banners displayed in downtown Helena.

Adopt-a-Species—This program is implemented in partnership with the Helena National Forest, Foundation for Animals, Mt. FWP, HNF, MDF and 19 area schools. It encourages awareness and understanding of Montana habitat and wildlife. MDF’s responsibility is in planning and implementation. MDF assists with the financial and marketing aspects of the program. In the past, environmental educators, such as Walkin’ Jim Stoltz and the Banana Slug String Band, have presented at area schools. Currently we have a unique arrangement with drama students from local high schools. The basic premise of AAS is to have older students mentor to younger students and share what they have learned about wildlife. With the arrangement we have with high-school students we are truly fulfilling the mission of this program. This program reaches approximately 3,200 Helena-area students.Click Here.	Student artwork and newpaper article


Youth Forest Monitoring Program—This program is available through a partnership between the Helena National Forest, Lewis & Clark County , Jefferson County, Powell County and the Foundation. Students, grades 9-12, spend the summer outdoors learning about the Forest. Forest health monitoring techniques are taught to collect data using technical equipment, such as surveying and GPS equipment. Students with an interest in natural resource careers have the ability to test their commitment and interest in the field of science. For more informaton about the Youth Forest Monitoring Program Click Here.

	Heritage Site Stewardship Click Here
	Charter Oak Mine Site—The Community Naturalist Program (CNP) provides tours and hosts school groups annually at this historic, intact lead-zinc lode mine located on the Helena National Forest. The mine is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is uniquely preserved both inside and out and follows the course of mining development throughout the American West. Located on the Little Blackfoot River Road, this excursion includes education on Montana history, geology, and wildlife.
	Moose Creek Cabin—To increase awareness of the culture and history of the Forest Service, CNP offers interpretation of the first ranger station on the Helena National Forest. Built in 1908 and recently restored to its original state, the site is currently used as an education hub and provides a base for interpretation of history, wildlife and watershed health. Education focuses on the history of the cabin, watershed health in the Tenmile Watershed, the source of Helena’s drinking water, area wildlife and other natural resource issues.
	Lookout Discovery Day—CNP is raising awareness on the invaluable service that lookouts provide—fire detection, recreation rental and use, wildlife observations, interpretation and a basic understanding of the history and culture of the Forest Service. The method for achieving this goal is a field trip hosted at Strawberry Lookout on the Helena National Forest. Education components include exhibiting a fire finder, maps, radio equipment, weather reading equipment and information about stocking food, water and fuel for lookout staff. This field trip is for the hearty—a hike of approximately 1.5 miles uphill is required.