Forestry expo set for May 2-7
<p>Whitefish Middle School fifth-graders Mary Whitt Carlos, from left, Avree Richardson, Jackson Kemm, Logan Kunz and Mollie McCarthey put their hands in Trumbull Creek during a lesson about riparian areas and aquatic health during the Forestry Expo at Trumbull Creek Educational Forest on Wednesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
The hands-on Family Forestry Expo is scheduled for May 2-7, with the theme of “Forests-Landscapes of Many Uses.”
Over 1,100 local fifth-grade students from 28 schools stretching from Eureka to Charlo will visit expo during the week and learn about natural resource topics. The students visit stations that provide educational presentations about fisheries, aquatic/riparian systems, archaeology, wildlife, fire, backcountry ethics, plant identification, and forest management. The program is curriculum based and the field stations compliment classroom study.
Eight classes will tour the F. H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. mill in Columbia Falls; the remaining classes will have the opportunity to take part in a portable sawmill demonstration and visit stations representing lumber manufacturing and forest products.
On Saturday, May 7, families are invited to share in expo activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Trumbull Creek Educational Forest, located about 2 miles north of the junction of U.S. 2 and Montana 40, just west of Columbia Falls.
The Saturday family-oriented event features a short forest walk that offers educational stations and demonstrations along the way. Each station provides information and hands-on activities that allow participants to learn about the many uses of our forests, private and public.
A grandstand show will be presented at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and feature logging equipment demonstrations, the Forest Service Spotted Bear Ranger District mule pack string. Various exhibits featuring local organizations, businesses and agencies that deal with natural resources will be on display. Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. a free logging camp lunch will be provided, compliments of Family Forestry Expo.
The Family Forestry Expo event takes place through the involvement of over 30 diverse organizations such as local service clubs, forest industry, government natural resource agencies, conservation groups, professional societies, local businesses, many interested individuals and numerous local donations.
For more information please call 758-5218 or visit www.familyforestryexpo.org and www.facebook.com/familyforestryexpo.