Winter Tracks welcomes area youth to nature's wonders

“It’s a honey badger!” one youth exclaimed.

Libby Dam Park Ranger Susan James gently corrected him, saying, “Those are not found here.”

Indeed, the honey badger is a critter found in Africa, Asia and India.

The American badger was part of James’ presentation on ‘Trees and Tracks’ at the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Libby Winter Tracks event last week at J. Neils Memorial Park. They also hosted the event in Troy yesterday.

James used animal skins and taxidermy mounts to talk about wild animals that are found in this region.

Students learned that weasels are also known as ermine during winter months because their upper body fur changes from reddish-brown to all white, matching their always white bellies.

The change allows them to hunt more effectively while also making it harder to larger predators to see and catch them.

Friends of Scotchman Peaks has hosted the annual event for a decade. Hundreds of fifth-grade students participate and learn about the natural world and the wildlife that lives in it.

In addition to teaching students about wildlife that lives in this region, James also taught about the types of trees found here and their relationship to wildlife and importance to everyone.

Loretta Hoots, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, displayed Kootenai artifacts as well as Native American creations while teaching about tribal history and customs.

Hoots used to live in the Libby area and now resides in the Mission Valley.

She included bowls, one made of elk hide, a tomahawk, and other Kootenai and Blackfeet tribal artifacts.

Kootenai National Forest Hydrologist Keith Karoglanian illustrated how he measures the annual water availability in this watershed and how the snow survey is conducted in remote areas.

The measurements guide how much water is released from Libby Dam, also determining the water levels of both Lake Koocanusa and the Kootenai River.

Garrett Tovey, the new Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks bear specialist for the area, talked about bear awareness and identification.

Keith Meyers taught about fire safety while preparing snacks for the kids to roast over an open fire pit. The blazing fire also helped ward off temperatures that ranged from single digits to mid-teens.

For Isabelle Manning, who recently joined The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness team, it was her first time overseeing Winter Tracks. She will also coordinate outreach events in Lincoln County.

"The Libby event went very well. It was my first year running it but I couldn’t have done it without the help of the volunteers, especially Susan James and Keith Meyers," Manning said. "We had almost 100 kids from Libby Elementary and other than some being a bit cold, they were having a blast being outdoors and learning new things."

Manning will oversee its outdoor youth education program, Winter Tracks, and will coordinate outreach events in Lincoln County, Montana.

Friends of Scotchman Peaks will host the Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the K.W. Maki Theater from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 10. There will be a VIP pre-party beforehand at the Black Board Bistro. Tickets are already on sale at https://www.scotchmanpeaks.org/.

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Park Ranger Susan James gives a presentation on wildlife during the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Libby Winter Tracks event Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at J. Neils Memorial Park. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Loretta Hoots gives a presentation on Kootenai Tribe artifacts during the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Libby Winter Tracks event Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at J. Neils Memorial Park. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Bear Specialist Garrett Tovey gives a presentation on bears during the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Libby Winter Tracks event Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at J. Neils Memorial Park. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Libby fifth-grade students cook their lunch over an open fire during the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Libby Winter Tracks event Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at J. Neils Memorial Park. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)