FVCC Nature Journal

Join FWP game warden Ben Chappelow as he talks about patrolling the beautiful backcountry of the upper Flathead Drainage. Ben is known as the singing game warden and he played a short fiddle tune to intro this episode. 

The Columbian Ground Squirrel is very common in western Montana. Glacier Park is loaded with them in subalpine and alpine meadows. Join us on the Nature Journal today to learn all about this common animal that many people mis-identify!

Join Chris Peterson, editor of the Hungry Horse news, as we talk about all things Glacier National Park! You’ll learn about the Going to the Sun Road reservation system, what’s coming up this summer in GNP, hiking spots this spring, and tips on photography in the Park.

Across the high, alpine landscapes of western Montana one conifer stands out as unique. The alpine larch, a seldom seen glacial relic, has a fascinating story. Join us on the Nature Journal to learn about this unusual tree. 

The life of a state parks ranger can be exciting, offbeat, and challenging. Join Brian Schwartz of Montana FWP as he talks about funny and not so funny experiences in his decades of patrolling and managing these jewels of our public lands.

Forest bathing is an emerging practice that offers a meditative and mood-lifting experience. Join expert Ellen Horowitz as we explore this stress-relieving immersion in nature that can be done in any forest or area of the great outdoors.

The recovery of the bald eagle is one of the world’s greatest conservation success stories. Join Dr. Christina Relyea and John Fraley as they discuss the factors that almost led to the bald eagle’s extinction, and the steps that made its recovery possible.  Learn lots of amazing facts about this giant bird that sports a wingspan of over seven feet, and builds nests that weigh up to 4,000 pounds!

Join us on the nature journal and learn about Montana’s biggest minnow.  This non-native fish can weigh over 40 pounds, and it sports large grinding teeth in the lower part of its throat. In recent years, these fish have been a target of bow-fishing and fly-fishing tournaments.  Can you name this fish?

The giant water bug, at 4 inches in length, is the largest aquatic insect in Montana. This bug swims with a snorkel and flies through the air using its four wings. With its large piercing beak,  It can prey on other insects, fish, and even amphibians!

Invasive species like exotic weeds, non native fish and other critters pose a threat to our native species in Montana’s ecosystems.  In this episode, Christina Relyea talks about some of the more troublesome exotic species and how we might deal with them.