The Maka Flora Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society has planned four field trips for 2014. If you enjoy the outdoors, have an interest in plants, like to hike or are just curious about trying something new, plan to attend some of these outings. You do not need to be a Native Plant Society member to participate.
This summer’s field trips offer a variety of landscapes, plants, and interesting site-seeing. The descriptions provided here are brief, so contact Libby Knotts at 406-774-3778 or at [email protected] with any questions to be sure the trip meets your expectations, physical abilities, and equipment. If you plan to bring children, please ask if the activity is appropriate for your children. Be prepared. Wear appropriate clothes and shoes. Bring food, water, extra clothes, raingear, sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, hat, and any other personal gear you might need. Montana weather can change rapidly! Please contact Libby a few days prior to each trip to make sure it is still scheduled as planned.
Sunday, May 18: Lambert, MT – 12:00 meet at the Lion’s Den café in Lambert. We will go south of town to explore prairie environments, hoping to find spring blooms such as Townsendia daisy, sand lily, and crocus.
Saturday, July 12: Comertown, MT – 12:00 meet at the “ghost town” of Comertown. Bring your own lunch. We will explore the prairie pothole country. From Plentywood, go east on Highway 5 for 7.4 miles; turn left onto Dooley Road for 6 miles; turn right onto Comertown Dooley Road for 6.4 miles; then turn left onto Comertown Road and continue about 1/2 mile to the abandoned town site.
Sunday, August 10: Brush Lake State Park – 12:00 meet at the lake. The lake has a sandy beach, good swimming, and camping is allowed. Come for clean-up around the lake and plant walks. Bring garbage bags and gloves and something for a potluck picnic. From Plentywood go south 15 miles on Highway 16 to Highway 258 (East Reserve Highway), go east about 15 miles to Brush Lake county road, turn south 1 mile. From Medicine Lake, go north 8 miles on Highway 16 to Highway 258.
Saturday, September 13: Fort Peck Lake area – This hike is tentative, but would be a strenuous hike in sand arroyo country about 15 miles south of the town of Fort Peck. Please contact Libby Knotts closer to the date for further information.
The Montana Native Plant Society is a non-profit organization chartered in 1987. Today there are over 600 members and six chapters across the state. The Maka Flora Chapter represents a large area of eastern Montana. Maka is the Sioux word for prairie, and flora is the Latin word for flower. You can learn more about the Montana Native Plant Society by visiting their website at http://www.mtnativeplants.org.
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