OUTDOORS ROUNDUP: Kids' art class takes place on Whitefish Trail

Children are invited to explore the Whitefish Trail today to collect natural materials to make relief impressions in clay, creating lasting memories in this free class.

Local artists will help teach this workshop, where kids will be able to glaze and fire their artwork, which they may then take home.

There is no age limit and both adults and children are encouraged to attend.

Children under the age of 6 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The class meets at Lion Mountain Trailhead at 1 p.m. and will wrap up around 3 p.m. The group will hike to the Whitefish Trail Learning Pavilion, a half-mile walk.

For more information about this hike and other scheduled outings, visit www.whitefishlegacy.org, call (406) 862-3880 or email info@whitefishlegacy.org.

‘Pints for Paths’ features beer, music

The Gateway-to-Glacier Trail’s sixth annual “Pints for Paths” fundraiser on Saturday will feature an evening of regional beer from 16 different breweries, live music and one of the best views around.

Montana and Regional Breweries include Bonsai Brewing Project, Kalispell Brewing, Blackfoot Brewing, Big Sky Brewing, Backslope Brewing, Glacier Brewing, Bitter Root Brewing, Tamarack Brewing, Philipsburg Brewing, Great Northern Brewing, Flathead Lake Brewing, Madison Brewing, Kootenai River Brewing and Bayern Brewing.

Pints for Paths will also include a brewed soda tent, with root beer and other brewed sodas. Ice cream is available for an old fashioned root beer float.

The brewfest takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at Heaven’s Peak Lodge in West Glacier.

Pre-sale tickets cost $15 and are available at West Glacier Bar, the Stonefly Lounge, Hungry Horse Liquor Store, O’Brian’s Liquor, C and Freedom Bank in Columbia Falls.

Tickets are also available the day of the event at the gate, and cost $20.

Profits from the brewfest support the Gateway-to-Glacier Trail, a non-profit organization working to create a separated bike and pedestrian path connecting the Flathead Valley to Glacier National Park.

For more information, visit www.gatewaytoglaciertrail.com.

Celebrate Haskill Basin

This Saturday, the Trust for Public Land will be celebrating the preservation of Haskill Basin during Montana Open Lands Month.

The basin’s recreational open space, pristine water and forest productivity were protected by a collaboration of many individuals and organizations.

Join representatives of Montana congressional delegation, government and agency officials, Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. and project partners in marking this landmark conservation achievement.

The free event takes place 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 16, at Depot Park in Whitefish.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Terra Kopf at (406) 582-6245 or by email at terra.kopf@tpl.org.

‘A Wild Time’ with Hanna

Local celebrity and renowned zoologist Jack Hanna will be in Whitefish Saturday for “A Wild Time” — this year’s theme for the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation’s annual rendezvous fundraiser.

Foundation president Jane Ratzlaff said Hanna will serve as the master of ceremonies at the event, which features brief presentations sprinkled in with a range of displays and exhibits.

A Wild Time takes place 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at the Bar W Guest Ranch in Whitefish.

Tickets cost $140 per person for the main event or $250 for an additional 5 p.m. meet-and-greet and photo op with Hanna.

Funds raised from the event will be used to support the foundation’s research and outreach, which aims to educate others about how best to co-exist with and preserve Montana wildlife.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (406) 897-2570 or visit www.mtoutdoorlegacy.org/event/a-wild-time-with-jack-hanna.

Fight invasive plants

Join the Crown of the Continent Research Center on Tuesday for a day of removing invasive plants from priority sites in Glacier National Park.

Park biologist Dawn LaFleur will train participants on identification and effective hand-pulling techniques for targeted weed species.

Volunteers should meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 19, at the West Glacier Community Building for a morning classroom, followed by an afternoon in the field wrapping up around 4 p.m.

A free lunch will be provided. Space is limited, so email LaFleur at dawn_lafleur@nps.gov for more information and to sign up.

MWA hosts hike

The Montana Wilderness Association is hosting a free, guided hike on Saturday through the Ross Creek Scenic Area to study ancient cedars and the life within them.

The group will observe and discuss silviculture and wildlife presence in the cedars while learning how native groups and early explorers used this unique ecosystem. Hikers will be on the lookout for fungi, insects, birds, fish, mammals, vegetation, reptiles and amphibians.

The 2.5-mile round trip hike is rated “easy” and participants should bring a camera, lunch, water and good hiking boots. Children over 10 years of age with an adult supervisor are welcome.

Silver Cloud Associates is co-sponsoring the hike.

To register, visit wildmontana.org and click “Flathead/Kootenai Chapter Wilderness Walks” to look up the hike by title and date, or call Brian Baxter at (406) 291-2154.

The group will meet at 9 a.m. July 16 at the Ross Creek Cedars Parking lot, returning to the parking lot at about 2 p.m.

Wolf Trapper Certification

Openings still remain for three Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wolf Trapper Certification classes in Kalispell, Missoula and Bozeman this summer and winter.

Classes will be held in August in Bozeman and Missoula, and one will be held in December in Kalispell.

This one-time certification is required for all wolf trappers in Montana. Individuals that have been certified in years past do not need to take the class again.

Classes are taught by Fish, Wildlife and Parks staff and experienced wolf trappers. In addition to equipment and techniques, participants will learn about the history, ethics, management, regulations and requirements of wolves and wolf trapping.

The Kalispell class will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, at the agency’s regional office on North Meridian Road.

The Missoula class will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 27, at the regional office on Spurgin Road.

The classes are free.Check the schedule and register online by visiting fwp.mt.gov and clicking “Hunter Education.” Online registration is required.