When Breanna Friar wanted to get away from the stress of winter she knew where to go — the native plant greenhouse at Columbia Falls High School, where she’s spent the past four months tending 3,700 plants.

Friar, a junior at the high school, worked an intern at the greenhouse through a program funded by the Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates.

“I came here on the weekends,” Friar explained last week. “Usually at 7:30 or 8 in the morning. It was a nice break from the cold winter days we had.”

Friar, who plays on the softball team and is active in other school activities, said she enjoyed working in the greenhouse but she hasn’t planned out a career path yet.

This summer, she’ll do more work in Glacier Park alongside Park employees and volunteers in re-vegetation projects under the direction of the Park’s Native Plant Nursery.

The Associates have been funding the program for the past 10 years. An official partner of Glacier Park, the Associates assist the Park through trail maintenance, native plant nursery operations, backcountry and river patrols, rehabilitation and maintenance of historic buildings, and other activities. 

For more information about the Associates, visit them online at Facebook or contact 406-862-5836.