A free two-hour river safety lecture will be open to the public Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wild River Adventures in West Glacier.

The lecture is part of a 20-hour river rescue class taught by the Whitewater Rescue Institute on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River through June 5. The course is hosted by local rafting outfitter Wild River Adventures and is designed for novice river paddlers, whitewater guides and professional rescuers who want to be better prepared to respond to river emergencies.

Wild River has been hosting the course for 20 years and always encourages public participation. Students learn how to prepare for and prevent accidents, how to swim defensively and aggressively in whitewater, simple shore-based rescues, technical rope systems and much more.

Students practice their skills while responding as a team to a series of realistic scenarios, allowing them to learn to rescue conscious and unconscious swimmers, hypothermic victims, people stranded or entrapped, boat flip and pins and situations with multiple victims who need help.

River trip leaders and guides will gain meaningful experience in risk management and emergency response on the river.

No experience is necessary.

For more information or to register, call Mike Johnston at (406) 214-0245.

Group hikes planned to three destinations

The Montana Wilderness Association will host three group hikes this weekend as part of its “Wilderness Walks” summer program. To register or to view the full 2016 schedule, visit www.wlidmontana.org/walks.

• Saturday, June 4: Fungi and Forest Health, Kootenai National Forest

Join guides Brian Baxter and Amy Robinson for a day of mushroom identification and field study of forest fungi, diseases and insect pests.

The group will visit several field sites to observe and identify some of the more commonly occurring pathogens that attack local coniferous and deciduous tree species. Participants will also learn to identify some edible mushroom species.

• Saturday, June 4: Leigh Lake Yoga Hike

Guides Danielle Spillman and Ashley South will lead a hike to Leigh Lake to do yoga, breathe in nature and fully experience the wildness of the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness.

The hike to Leigh Lake is short but quite steep, with a “moderate” rating and 1,050 feet in elevation gain. The morning will start with a steady climb through forests before breaking into rocky terrain with fairly open hillsides.

The yoga practice will be along the shore of the second-largest lake in the Cabinets below Snowshoe Peak.

• Monday, June 6: Blacktail Trail 997

Explore Blacktail Creek and environs in the Scotchman Peaks Proposed Wilderness from Trail 997.

This 11-mile hike is rated “strenuous” and has an elevation gain of 4,000 feet. It is most likely an out-and-back, but could turn into an open loop with a return via Star Peak and Trail 999.

Work party planned on Wild Horse Island

In recognition of National Trails Day, Montana State Parks will host a trail work party on Wild Horse Island on Saturday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Join Flathead Lake State Park to celebrate National Trails Day by helping maintain the trail loop on Wild Horse Island.

Volunteers will work alongside park staff to remove brush from the trail corridor and clear debris from drains on the trail.

Participants will meet at the dock and boat ramp at the Big Arm Unit of Flathead Lake State Park at 9 a.m. for transportation to the island. Since space on the boat is limited, pre-registration is required. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

This event is contingent on weather. In case inclement weather prevents travel to Wild Horse Island, alternative trail work will be done at Big Arm.

Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes, dress appropriately for the weather and bring sunscreen and a water bottle. Tools, gloves and a lunch will be provided.

To register or for more information, call (406) 214-4823 or email flatheadlake.americorps@gmail.com.

Join guided hike on Bigfork nature trail

Lace up your boots and join Friends of the Wild Swan for a guided naturalist hike on the Sprunger-Whitney Nature Trail on June 9.

In spring, the forest is always carpeted with wildflowers and the air filled with the warbles of songbirds.

Anne Morley, a naturalist and botanist, will guide the hike. She will identify plants, birds, trees and wildlife habitat along the trail.

The two-mile loop trail meanders through a low-elevation old-growth forest with interpretive and plant identification signs along the route. More than 50 different birds and plants are found in the trail area.

Participants will meet at 10 a.m. at the trailhead, accessible by following signs for the Point Pleasant and Sprunger-Whitney Nature Trail near mile maker 64 on Montana 83.

Bring water, a lunch and appropriate clothing for the weather.

For more information, go to: www.wildswan.org or call (406) 886-2242.

Racers ready to tackle Herron Park trails

Foy’s to Blacktail Trails and Run Flathead invite runners and spectators of all ages to celebrate Kalispell’s favorite backyard trail system on Sunday at the Herron Half race.

This thigh-burning trail running race will offer separate half-marathon, 10-kilometer and 5-kilometer distances on courses throughout the Herron Park trail system, with age division awards and a raffle drawing for all race participants.

Each race will have a staggered start with the half-marathoners kicking the morning off at 9 a.m., with 10-kilometer racers following at 9:15 a.m. and the 5-kilometer race at 9:30 a.m.

The first 200 race participants will receive free swag from race sponsors as well as complimentary snacks, coffee and electrolyte drinks at the race start/finish area.

Two aid stations on the course also will provide fluids, but please bring your own water bottle. All proceeds from the race benefit Foy’s to Blacktail Trails, the nonprofit stewardship and maintenance partner of Herron Park.

Race registration is open online at Herronhalf.org through June 4. Racers also may register the morning of the race from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. for a $10 surcharge.

For more information, visit www.herronhalf.org or contact Brian Miller at (406) 890-9288.