Join Phil Ramsey for an educational walk across the Teller Wildlife Refuge floodplain on June 11. Phil will discuss how rivers shape floodplain forests, soils, and wildlife habitat, and how cottonwood forests depend on the movement of water, sediment, and disturbance through time. The walk will focus on river ecology in plain terms, with attention to the links among channel movement, groundwater, soils, trees, and the species that use floodplain forests.

ABOUT PHIL RAMSEY

Phil is the lead scientist at MPG Ranch near Florence. His work focuses on river ecology, floodplain forests, soils, and wildlife habitat in western Montana. He earned his Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Montana and has taught river ecology, microbial ecology, and biology at the University of Montana, Chief Dull Knife College, and The Glacier Institute. His research includes studies of floodplain soils, riparian forests, hyporheic communities, bats, owls, and trout.

All Teller Summer Speaker Series sessions are FREE and held on the second Thursday of every month from May-September, unless stated otherwise. Talks involve short walks on the refuge, learning about various topics from plants to wildlife, conservation and more! Be sure to register and join us for this great way to get out and explore your local refuge all while learning about our natural world.

Join Master Naturalist and Northern Rockies Nature Journaling Executive Director, Valerie Bayer, for a morning of guided nature journaling at Teller Wildlife Refuge. Through hands-on techniques, you’ll use your senses and curiosity to sharpen observation skills and deepen your connection to the natural world.

*A list of necessary supplies will be provided upon registration

Find Your Confidence, One Shot at a Time.

This is a comprehensive day-long course designed for women+ to delve into the basics of archery.

Join Teller Wildlife Refuge and Venery to learn about the history of archery, master the eleven steps to success, enhance your target shooting skills, and receive guidance on selecting the right bow for you.

Long before the bow was a tool for hunting, it was a symbol of strength, patience, and precision. Archery Basics is a hands-on, full-day course designed for women+ who want to explore the art of archery in a welcoming, supportive environment. Whether you’re picking up a bow for the first time or looking to refine your form, this course will introduce you to the history of archery, the eleven steps to success, and the fundamentals of aiming and shooting with confidence.

Led by women for women, you’ll learn how to choose…

The event will be held both indoors and outdoors, so please dress appropriately.

$125 Registration includes lunch and equipment

$100/youth

For youth ages 12-15

**Space is limited to 10 participants

Join Teller for the perfect opportunity for youth who want to learn to hunt waterfowl! The weekend will include a full day of sessions on duck identification, duck calling, gear, shotgun handling, and duck processing all from our amazing team of mentors. Youth will be able to walk away with all of the knowledge they need to hunt waterfowl! Following the day of educational sessions will be the opportunity for a Sunday morning hunt on Teller with our hunting mentors.

WE PROVIDE

• Loaner shotgun if needed

• Lunch & dinner Saturday, breakfast Sunday

• Clay targets

• Practice ammunition for 12 and 20 gauge shotguns

• Non toxic shot for hunting

• Lodging can be arranged for an additional fee

REQUIREMENTS

• Must complete/pass the online or in-person hunter education course through FWP before September 28th

• Must be eligible to buy a Montana conservation license, state waterfowl license and a federal duck stamp (needs to be purchased before the start of the class)

• Must be 12-15 years old

• Youth must have one adult guardian/parent accompanying them during the full Saturday day of instruction (during the Sunday hunt, guardian/parent will not be able to/need to accompany youth as they will be paired with mentors) 

Join us for an evening with Métis Storyteller and Montana Poet Laurate, Chris La Tray. Chris is a descendant of the Pembina Band of the mighty Red River of the North and an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians.  He is an award-winning author who won the 2018 Montana Book Award and 2019 High Plains Book Award for his first book, One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large.  Chris will be reading from his newest book Becoming Little Shell: A Landless Indian's Journey Home

All sessions are FREE and held on the second Thursday of every month from May-September at 7pm, unless stated otherwise. Talks involve short walks on the refuge, learning about various topics from plants to wildlife, conservation and more! Be sure to register and join us for this great way to get out and explore your local refuge all while learning about our natural world.

Learn the essentials of creating and improving wildlife habitat with Sam Lawry, former Executive Director of Teller Wildlife Refuge, wildlife biologist, and former game warden. Gain practical tips for enhancing your property or backyard, and hear success stories from the Bitterroot Valley and beyond.

All sessions are FREE and held on the second Thursday of every month from May-September at 7pm, unless stated otherwise. Talks involve short walks on the refuge, learning about various topics from plants to wildlife, conservation and more! Be sure to register and join us for this great way to get out and explore your local refuge all while learning about our natural world.

This is a comprehensive day-long course designed for women+ to delve into the basics of archery.

Join Teller Wildlife Refuge and Venery to learn about the history of archery, master the eleven steps to success, enhance your target shooting skills, and receive guidance on selecting the right bow for you.

This introductory course is conducted by women, specifically for women, to explore the essentials of archery. Individuals aged 16 and above are invited to register, but minors must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Demo Genesis bows and arrows will be available. However, you are encouraged to bring your own compound bow with field points on arrows (no broadheads).

The event will be held both indoors and outdoors, so please dress appropriately.

$120 Registration includes lunch and equipment

Nature in nearly all manifestations has inspired poets since there were poets! And at least since the Roman poet Horace wrote Ars Poetica or the Art of Poetry in 19BC, literature, including poetry, sought to both instruct and delight.

Poets in the ‘Root combines these two aims in an uncommon but simple way. One person reads a poem or part of a poem that uses an element of nature to convey its message. Then, the same or another person gives an explanation (5 minutes max) of some aspect of that nature element. The explanation focuses on nature interpretation, not literary interpretation. Listeners get a bit of poetry and a bit of natural history.

We’ll have refreshments, including coffee, tea, wine, and snacks!

Anyone can volunteer to read poetry and/or offer the nature interpretation. This is a fun way for Master Naturalists to earn credit towards their certification. Free and open to the public.

For participants, even attendees, Chapter One Bookstore in Hamilton is offering 20% off of one book of poetry. Coupons will be available at the event.

To ask questions, please contact Micki Long at mickilong@gmail.com

Join Jessica Reyes, Wildlife Program Biologist with the Karelian Bear Dogs from the Wind River Bear Institute as well as Mitch Doherty, Conservation Director from the Vital Ground Foundation to learn about grizzly bears, their management, and conflict resolution strategies. During this talk you will have the chance to meet the Karelian bear dogs in person!

The talk will take place at the Teller Trail located at the Woodside Fishing Access site on the Bitterroot River. From Corvallis, head West on Woodside Crossing Rd. Turn right on just before crossing the bridge over the river. Parking will be located throughout the fishing access parking lot.

The talk will be taking place outside and will involve a short walk down the trail (~1/2 mile round trip) on uneven terrain for a short distance so please dress accordingly. Seating will not be provided but if you would like to bring a camp chair to sit on during the talk you are more than welcome to do so! We also recommend bringing your own water bottle and maybe some bug spray as well!

All Teller Summer Speaker Series sessions are FREE and held on the second Thursday of every month from May-September at 7pm, unless stated otherwise. Talks involve short walks on the refuge, learning about various topics from plants to wildlife, conservation and more! Be sure to register and join us for this great way to get out and explore your local refuge all while learning about our natural world.

Join Dean Nicolai, Salish and Kootenai College Faculty and Bitterroot Salish people of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes member, to learn about the history of the Bitterroot Salish people and the Rams Head Medicine Tree. During this talk you will get the chance to step back in time and learn about the history the Bitterroot Valley has to share.

All Teller Summer Speaker Series sessions are FREE and held on the second Thursday of every month from May-September at 7pm, unless stated otherwise. Talks involve short walks on the refuge, learning about various topics from plants to wildlife, conservation and more! Be sure to register and join us for this great way to get out and explore your local refuge all while learning about our natural world.

Join FWP Biologist Rebecca Mowry for an engaging presentation on the latest bighorn sheep research in the Bitterroot Valley. You'll also get a chance to see telemetry equipment up close!

All Teller Summer Speaker Series sessions are FREE and held on the second Thursday of every month from May-September at 7pm, unless stated otherwise. Talks involve short walks on the refuge, learning about various topics from plants to wildlife, conservation and more! Be sure to register and join us for this great way to get out and explore your local refuge all while learning about our natural world.

Join Matt Seidensticker, Executive Director of the Northern Rockies Research and Educational Services, to learn about the Montana Moth Project. During this talk you will learn about tips for "moth-ing", moth identification, and highlights of their research. Stick around to the end and you will get a chance to witness the moths in action out on the refuge!

All Teller Summer Speaker Series sessions are FREE and held on the second Thursday of every month from May-September at 7pm, unless stated otherwise. Talks involve short walks on the refuge, learning about various topics from plants to wildlife, conservation and more! Be sure to register and join us for this great way to get out and explore your local refuge all while learning about our natural world.

Join Alex Kearny, Bitterroot Audubon Member and bird enthusiast, to learn about Great Blue Herons. During this talk you will have the chance to witness Teller’s very own heron rookery in action!

Directions: The talk will take place on the north refuge property (not the main refuge property!) north of the Teller red Slack Barn about two miles. From Corvallis, head north on Eastside Hwy. Turn left on Popham Ln. and head straight west until you reach Chaffin Ln. Turn right on Chaffin Ln. and head north for about half a mile. When Chaffin Ln. takes a 90 degree right turn towards the east, you will see a green gate on that corner. That gate is the entrance to the Teller Wildlife Refuge north property. Parking will be located on the sides of Chaffin Ln.

All Teller Summer Speaker Series sessions are FREE and held on the second Thursday of every month from May-September at 7pm, unless stated otherwise. Talks involve short walks on the refuge, learning about various topics from plants to wildlife, conservation and more! Be sure to register and join us for this great way to get out and explore your local refuge all while learning about our natural world.

Join Venery and Teller Wildlife Refuge to learn the history of archery, discover the eleven steps to success, practice your aim target shooting, and get tips on how to pick a bow that’s right for you.

This beginner’s workshop is led by women for women to explore the fundamentals of archery. Participants 16 years and older are welcome to register, however, a registered adult must accompany a minor.

Demo Genesis bows and arrows will be provided. However, you are welcome and encouraged to bring your own personal compound bow with field points on arrows (no broadheads). 

This event will take place inside and outside, so please dress accordingly.

$100 Registration includes lunch and equipment

*Registration to read and/or interpret poetry is now closed. To sign up as a guest to enjoy the readings and interpretations, please click below

Nature in nearly all manifestations has inspired poets since there were poets! And at least since the Roman poet Horace wrote Ars Poetica or the Art of Poetry in 19BC, literature, including poetry, sought to both instruct and delight.

Poets in the ‘Root combines these two aims in an uncommon but simple way. One person reads a poem or part of a poem that uses an element of nature to convey its message. Then, the same or another person gives an explanation (5 minutes max) of some aspect of that nature element. The explanation focuses on nature interpretation, not literary interpretation. Listeners get a bit of poetry and a bit of natural history.

We’ll have refreshments, including coffee, tea, wine, and snacks!

Anyone can volunteer to read poetry and/or offer the nature interpretation. This is a fun way for Master Naturalists to earn credit towards their certification. Free and open to the public.

To ask questions, please contact Micki Long at mickilong@gmail.com