Family Forestry Expo begins next week

 Family Forestry Expo, a Flathead Valley tradition for 25 years, will be Monday through May 10 at the Trumbull Creek Educational Forest between Columbia Falls and Whitefish.

Monday through Friday, nearly 1,200 students will visit the Expo. On Saturday, May 10, the Expo opens to the public and is free of charge.

The family-oriented event features a short forest walk that offers educational stations and demonstrations.

Each station provides information and hands-on activities that allow participants to learn about the many uses of forests.

Grandstand shows featuring logging equipment demonstrations and the U.S. Forest Service Spotted Bear Ranger District mule pack string will be  at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. May 10.

Various exhibits featuring local organizations, businesses and agencies that deal with natural resources will be on display. Between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 10, a free logging camp lunch will be provided.

During the week, fifth-grade students from 28 schools from Eureka to Charlo will visit the Expo and learn about natural resource topics.

The students visit stations that provide educational presentations including fisheries, aquatic/riparian systems, archaeology, wildlife, fire, backcountry ethics, plant identification and forest management. The students also get to tour a local sawmill.

Family Forestry Expo is held every spring.

For more information, call 758-5252 or go to www.familyforestryexpo.org or www.facebook.com/familyforestryexpo.