Federal lands transfer

Montanans For Multiple Use will host a debate between Sen. Jennifer Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, and Rep. Ed Lieser, D-Whitefish, on the idea of transferring federal lands to the state’s jurisdiction at Flathead Valley Community College’s Arts and Technology Building, Room 139, on Thursday, Dec. 11, starting at 7 p.m. Both sides have agreed in advance that wilderness lands are not included in the proposal and will not be part of the debate.

Audubon bird counts

Dan Casey will present a talk about the Audubon Society’s 115th annual Christmas Bird Count at Flathead Audubon’s meeting at the Gateway Community Center, off U.S. 2 West in Kalispell, on Monday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. Casey has spent 28 years organizing and compiling the Bigfork count, 15 years with the Kalispell count and 21 years as editor for all Montana counts. His talk will combine anecdotes, summaries of trends, some “virtual birding,” and a wide variety of photos. The talk will conclude with preparations for upcoming Flathead Valley counts.

Forest planning

The Flathead National Forest will host an open house forest planning sessions at the Forest Supervisor’s Office, 650 Wolfpack Way, in Kalispell, on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The meeting will cover vegetation modeling efforts in a follow-up to two sessions in August. Members of the Forest Plan revision team will be present, including a silviculturist, wildlife biologist and Region 1 analyst. For more information, contact Joe Krueger, Forest Plan revision team leader, at 406-758-5243.

Winter classes

The Glacier Institute has added three new courses for the winter season: “Winter Ecology” on Saturday, Dec. 6, to explore the Lower McDonald Creek area to learn how plants and animals adapt to survive the harsh winters of Glacier National Park, cost $65; “North Fork Animal Tracking and Sign Interpretation” on Saturday, Jan. 10, with experienced tracker Brian Baxter, cost $65; and “Winter Birds of Prey” on Saturday, March 7, with rough-legged hawks, golden eagles and great gray owls during the winter months, cost $65. For more information, call 406-755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.

State parks

Montana State Parks is seeking volunteers to serve on three citizens advisory committees. Members will meet about three times per year and will be reimbursed for travel expenses. The Snowmobile Advisory Committee advises the state on distribution of about $430,000 in grooming funds. The State Trails Advisory Committee provides advice on distribution of about $1.5 million for motorized and non-motorized projects. The Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Committee provides advice on distribution of $150,000 for motorized trail-related issues. Applications can be sent to Trails Advisory Committees, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, P.O. Box 200701, Helena MT 59620-0701 or by e-mail to bshumate@mt.gov. Deadline is Dec. 15.

Online auction

The Glacier Institute will hold its fourth annual Online Auction to benefit youth programs at the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center with bidding ending Monday, Dec. 1. Visit online at https://glacier30.24fundraiser.com. For more information, call 406-755-1211 or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.