Local outdoor educator offers winter programs

Outdoors educator Brian Baxter is offering two programs next week in Libby on animal tracking and winter birding.

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, the Libby Campus of Flathead Community College at 225 Commerce Way is hosting a unique Power Point Presentation entitled, “Essence of Animal Tracking.” 

The program will cover the basic measurements and techniques used in animal and bird tracking and sign interpretation methodology. Images and dialogue will refer to various species of predator and prey animals and birds, with special focus on Canada lynx, North American wolverine, American fisher, pine marten, bald eagle and the great horned owl. 

Baxter was heavily involved in field wildlife research and live trapping and radio-collaring of mid-size carnivores from 1990 to 2005. He worked projects in northwest Montana, northern Idaho, eastern Washington and southeast British Columbia. 

The program will run from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., is free of charge and soft drinks and snacks will be provided. Young people with a sincere interest over 12 years of age and accompanied by a parent or adult guardian, as well as all adult outdoor enthusiasts and professionals, are welcome. 

For more information, contact College Director Megan Rayome at mrayome@fvcc.edu or call her at 406-293-2721.

Then, at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, Libby Hostel Base Camp is sponsoring a Winter Outdoor Educational Program entitled, “Animal Tracking and Winter Birding” meeting at the Viking Room at the Venture Inn at 1015 U.S. 2 in Libby. 

All participants must register to attend. To register, email b_baxter53@yahoo.com or call 406-291-2154.

Over coffee, Baxter will go over the basics of animal tracking and winter birding. Each participant will receive a set of informational handouts. At about 9:45 a.m., the group will head out to several field sites of different habitat types. 

The day will consist of road tour “Stop and Hops,” at optimal observation points, and a few short walks of light to medium physical exertion on roads and private lands. 

Participants should arrive with full gas tanks, proper layers of winter clothing – preferably natural colors or camouflage, winter boots, water, lunch, binoculars, spotting scopes, track and bird field guides and a good sense of humor. Snowshoes and cross country ski poles are optional.

Baxter has college degrees in both forestry and wildlife management, over 45 years field experience, including research on carnivores, goshawks, owls and a recently published article in Sandpoint Magazine Winter 2024 entitled, “Winter Raptor Ramblings.” 

Wrap up will be about 3 p.m.